Chapter 18: The Uneasy Pull

Meera sat in the conference room, her laptop open, her pen poised over a notepad. It was her first team meeting since joining Malhotra Enterprises, and she was determined to make an impression. Around her, colleagues exchanged ideas, but she could feel a particular weight pressing down on her. 

Arjun Malhotra was sitting at the head of the table, his presence impossible to ignore. 

"Meera," he said suddenly, his deep voice cutting through the room. "What's your take on this proposal?" 

She straightened, her heart racing at the unexpected question. "I believe the strategy is solid, but the timelines seem overly ambitious. We might need to adjust them to avoid unnecessary pressure on the teams." 

Arjun's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the room seemed to fade. He leaned forward, his lips curving into a slight smile. "Good point. Make the necessary adjustments and share the revised plan with me by the end of the day." 

"Yes, sir." she replied, her tone professional, though her pulse quickened. 

As the meeting continued, Meera couldn't shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on her. It made her uneasy, but she refused to let it show. 

---

Back in her office, Meera threw herself into the task of revising the proposal. She had always been good at compartmentalizing, and she wasn't about to let Arjun Malhotra disrupt her focus. 

A knock on the door broke her concentration. She looked up to see Raj, Arjun's assistant, stepping in with a polite smile. 

"Ms. Sharma, Mr. Malhotra would like to see you in his office." Raj said. 

Meera's stomach tightened. "Now?" 

"Yes. He said it's regarding the project proposal." 

She nodded, closing her laptop. "Thank you, Raj. I'll be there shortly." 

---

When Meera stepped into Arjun's office, he was standing by the large window, his back to her. The city skyline stretched out before him, a backdrop as commanding as the man himself. 

"You wanted to see me?" she asked, her voice steady. 

Arjun turned, his expression unreadable. "Yes. I wanted to discuss the revised timelines." 

Meera walked over to the desk and handed him the updated document. "I've detailed the changes here. Let me know if you have any suggestions." 

He took the papers but didn't look at them. Instead, he studied her, his intense gaze making her shift uncomfortably. 

"Why are you so formal with me, Meera?" he asked suddenly. 

Her eyes widened slightly. "I don't understand what you mean." 

Arjun leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. "We've known each other for years, yet you act as if I'm just another boss." 

"You are my boss. "she said firmly. "And I'd prefer to keep it that way." 

His jaw tightened, but he quickly masked it with a faint smirk. "Fair enough. But don't forget, I hired you because I believe in your abilities. This is more than just a job, Meera. It's an opportunity to excel." 

"I appreciate that." she said, her tone clipped. 

"Good."he said, standing straight. "You're dismissed." 

Meera turned to leave, but his voice stopped her. 

"Meera." he said softly. 

She hesitated but didn't look back. "Yes?" 

"You've changed." he said. "But some things about you remain exactly the same." 

Her grip on the doorknob tightened. Without responding, she walked out, her mind swirling with emotions. 

---

Later that evening, as Meera sat at the dinner table with Raghav and Aarini, she struggled to push Arjun's words out of her mind. 

"Mommy, look! I drew our family!" Aarini exclaimed, holding up a crayon drawing. 

"That's beautiful, sweetheart." Meera said, her smile genuine as she hugged her daughter. 

Raghav placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Long day at work?" 

Meera nodded. "Just getting used to the new environment." 

"You'll do great. " he said with a reassuring smile. 

She leaned into his touch, but her thoughts drifted back to Arjun. She hated the way his words lingered, the way his presence unsettled her. 

---

Meanwhile, in his office, Arjun poured himself a glass of whiskey, staring at the skyline. His thoughts were consumed by Meera—the way she looked, the fire in her eyes, and the distance she tried so hard to maintain. 

"She's here now," he murmured to himself. "And I'm not letting her go again."

.

To be continue...