"our team is going for one week business trip" Ishaan announced, waving the printed file like victory flag.
Devika look up from her laptop."one week?out of country?"
"Yes!" Arshu screamed."singapore! Markering summit plus client meetings plus fancy dinners".
Karan said, dramatically," And please dress presentable. You represent Oberoi Industries and also my reputation".
Devika throw her pen at him.
The entire starts talking with each other in excitement.
Packing, planning and booking.
A break from the office tension
A break from him.
Arshi whispered into Devika's ear." Best part? Vikram sir doesn't even know. HR handled everything"
Devika felt strange with mix feeling of relief and nervousness.
One whole week away.
No unexpected cold stares.
No sudden challenges.
No "Ms. Malhotra" in that cold voice.
Her heart felt relaxed for the first time in weeks.
Next day....
The bus waiting outside office.
Everyone boarded with bags-snacks, coffee cups and choas.
Arshi took the front seat and shout," I sit near window! No one fight me!"
Karan pushed ishaan,"bro, go sit with your girlfriend"
Ishaan gave him a glare" she is not--"
Devika cut in, and smirks. "Sit quietly before i make you sit on roof".
Everyone on bus was enjoying.
As the bus started.
Someone turned on music, someone else opened chips, someone shouted jokes and someone took pictures.
Ishaan looked at Devika and shook his head.
"You are sitting with me. I am not letting you disappear with Arshi and her playlist, i mean that weird playlist".
"I deserve peace" Devika teased.
"No, you deserve ear protection" he said back.
They laughed
Bus already left banglore and entered highway.
Karan stood.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today. We leave behind stress, deadlines, and the CEO's terrifying aura."
Everyone starts clapping.
Devika shook her head and smiles
Arshi shouted," To Freedom!"
The whole team shout," To Freedom!"
Singapore arrival.
Tall buildings,
Clean roads
Bright lights
Everyone delt fresh and exciting.
Devika clicked pictures nonstop.
"Don't fall while taking selfies" Ishaan warned.
"Let me enjoy, dad." She teased.
Their hotel was beautiful
Warm lights
Classy interiors.
Large room.
Most important peaceful.
Everyone was assigned rooms.
Arshi and Devika got the corner room with a balcony facing the city.
"THIS IS HEAVEN" Ashi yelled and jumped on bed
DAY 1 ....
First day was full of exploring
And getting used to the place.
Meetings were simple.
A bried introduction with partner brands.
Light discussion.
Everything felt peaceful
No arguements,
No tension,
Just peacful day.
Later at night.
The team returned to the hotel at 11 p.m sleepy but happy.
Arshi fell sleep immediately.
Devika went and stood in balcony.
Looking at city lights.
One week here..
Away from him..
She didn't know whether it make her feel relieved.
Or bothered her?
The next morning...day-2.
Back to the banglore.
Oberoi industries.
Vikram oberoi was sitting alon in a dark room, watching team productivity reports.
His eyes tired.
Shirt sleeves rolled past his forearms.
He check reports every employee with
Logistics
Finance
Development.
Marketing..
He checked camera.
Nine people worked for marketing department. No one was present their.
His jaw tightened.
He wasn't angry.
He wasn't even annoyed.
But still something in him move into place, a cold curiosity.
"Rishi" he said, cold voice.
His right hand came inside his cabin, " yes, sir?"
" Message the marketing department. Ask why every single one of them is absent." Vikram said, cold voice.
Rishi confused," Sir, don't you remember? The marketing team were approved for business trip this week. Overseas meetings, and market reserach. You signed the authorization yourself."
For a moment
Vikram stay silent.
"That was this week," Rishi said carefully." They will be there for six days."
Vikram leans back in his chair.
"I see" he said, cold voice.
He didn't yell.
He didn't question
He simply nodded.
But inside his mind, there was thought.
She thinks i won't show up.
His fingers tapped once against desk" we will be flying out tomorrow morning", he said.
Rishi straightened," To join them?"
"To remind them, who they work for" vikram said, cold voice but no emotions on his face.
The next day, at evening.
The marketing team gathered in the hotel lobby to go dinner with potential distributer.
Devika checked her phone.
Scrolling through reminders
Hairs falling over her eyes.
Arshi fixed her lipstick in the lobby mirror.
Karan joked with receptionist about getting a gym pass.
Everything felt normal.
Then the elevator door slid open
Leather shoes stepped on marble floor.
A tall figure in black suit.
Cold eyes scaning lobby like he owned the world.
Everyones head turned.
The whole marketing was shocked to see him.
Karan's phone slipped from his hand.
Arshi froze mid sentence.
Everyone stared.
Ishaan's face went pale
Vikram oberoi.
He was standing there. And he was not smiling.
His gaze found Devika first.
He didn't blink or didn't look away.
He simply walked towards her with controlled steps.
The kind of steps, that made people back away without being told.
Devika's heart starts beating faster.
She gulped.
Vikram stopped in front of her, as if there were no one else in the room.
"So," he said, voice steady" No one thought to inform me?hmm?"
No anger.
No raised voice.
Just disappointment. Also the kind of that was worse than rage.
No one dared speak.
Devika forced herself to keep her voice steady.
" It was approved" she said "the documents--"
"I know the documents" he replied." But I don't remember approving you".
Her body stiffened.
Who does he think he is?
A CEO?
Yes.
A Tyrant?
Maybe.
But she wasn't child standing infront of teacher.she was professional, and she could not just bend just because his suit cost more than her yearly rent.
She lifted her chin up.
Calm.
Even.
"We are working" she said," doing what our team is supposed to do"
Something almost like smile touched corner of his mouth.
Not kind.
Not warm.
But sharp.
" And i will be observing" he said.
Behind her,
Arshi whispered a curse under her breath.
Karan jaw dropped.
Ishaan stepped forward beside Devika.
Protective as always. But vikram didn't even glance at him.
Vikram eyes were stayed locked on Devika,
As a wolf watching someone pretends they are safe.
"Lets see" he murmurs. And smirks at Devika.