It was barely past 10 a.m. when I asked Jenna to come up to my office. The skyline of Delhi shimmered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and I stood before them, coffee in hand, breathing in the calm before another storm. The world outside had no idea what kind of war I was preparing in silence.
Jenna knocked softly before entering, tablet tucked under one arm, a fresh file in her other hand. Her brown skin was radiant even under the sterile office lights, her short hair tucked behind one ear. The oversized glasses resting on her nose magnified her sharp eyes, the kind that missed nothing. As always, she looked more model than secretary — a walking contradiction of brilliance and beauty.
"You called, Ma'am?"
"Yes," I said, turning to face her. "We need to finalize the next phase of our PR strategy, especially post the Aryan partnership press release. Also, prep the initial media seedings about our charitable outreach in rural Rajasthan. Tie it subtly to our highway tech plan. No direct plugs yet. Let the story build on its own."
"Understood. And Mr. Ven?"
"He is coming I guess we called him yesterday you remember right?" I giggled
"Yes, yes ma'am you are going to have fun"
"Yes, just don't forget to knock at time I can't tolerate him for long time"
"Understood"
After she left, I walked over to the mirror near my desk. My reflection looked too calm — an illusion only I could see through. Beneath the sleek cream blazer, the diamond studs, and the power posture.
Jenna escorted Aryan into my office just after 11.
Aryan stepped in like he had never walked out of my life — confident, poised, but with a nervous edge he couldn't hide. His navy suit clung to him perfectly, and that familiar cologne hit me like a punch.
He stood still, unsure whether to speak.
"You're early," I said, sitting behind my desk.
"I—wanted to speak privately."
I gestured to the chair opposite me. "You have five minutes."
He didn't sit. "I know this is business, but I couldn't keep it in anymore. Aliza… I've been thinking about everything. Everything I did. Everything I didn't do."
I raised an eyebrow. "And?"
He took a shaky breath. "I was an idiot. Back then. Immature. I let my pride and people get in the way. I believed things I shouldn't have. And you—" he paused, looking straight at me. "You were the best thing that ever happened to me."
I said nothing.
"I've tried to move on. I have a wife. We're expecting a child. But you—being around you these past few days—it's like I never healed. I never stopped thinking about you."
I let the silence hang for a moment before replying, voice like glass. "You didn't heal because you never got hurt. You were the knife, Aryan."
His eyes flickered. "I know. And I'm sorry. I know it's too late. But I think I'm falling in love with you again."
I laughed, cold and sharp. "Falling in love? Again?"
He didn't back away.
"You're married. You're expecting a child. You want forgiveness, not love. But I'm not your redemption story."
"Then what am I to you now?" he asked quietly.
I stood, walking around the desk until I was right in front of him. "You're the ghost of a boy who broke me. Now, I'm the woman who buries ghosts."
He flinched. "Aliza…"
He turned to leave.
But I stopped him. "Mr. Ven… I think we forgot to talk about the business."
He looked confused. "Business?"
I turned to Jenna and said, "Jenna, delay the next meeting by ten minutes. I need to wrap this."
Jenna nodded and quietly stepped out.
I turned to Aryan, arms folded. "Okay, Mr. Ven, you have ten minutes. Explain your progress in the work."
Aryan blinked, but quickly composed himself. He pulled up the presentation from his tablet, linking it to the office display.
His pitch was clean, professional. He went over the partnership dynamics, service models, projected user base along expressways, and plans to integrate AI-based predictive diagnostics into garages. For once, the conversation was all about data, slides, and forecasts.
I nodded through the presentation. "Impressive. You've done your work well."
He smiled slightly. "Can I now talk about what we discussed before?"
I tilted my head, stepping closer, playing with his emotions. "Come closer then."
He obeyed.
Looking up — he stood at least six feet tall — I met his gaze directly. "Babe… should I kiss you now? That's what you want, right?"
I grabbed his waist and pulled him closer. Tighter.
His breath hitched. He could feel every inch of me pressed against him. His heartbeat quickened — I could feel it.
"Aliza, please… I just don't want to be far from you," he whispered, voice shaking.
I raised my hand and slowly slipped it beneath his shirt, fingertips gliding across his abs.
His breath caught. His eyes locked on mine.
"You still have them," I said with a teasing grin. "Not bad."
Suddenly, a knock.
"Ma'am, we're over time for the meeting," Jenna's voice called from outside.
I pushed Aryan back. He stumbled slightly but caught himself.
"You should leave," I said coldly.
He adjusted his shirt, blinking fast, shaken.
Jenna entered just as he stepped out.
She looked from him to me, smirking slightly. "That was… something."
"Jenna," I said, ignoring the comment. "Schedule the investor call now. And next time — knock louder."
"Yes, Ma'am," she said with a knowing smile.
I turned away, facing the mirror again, brushing invisible dust off my blazer.
Aryan Ven was spiraling.
And I was just getting started.