Burning Jealousy

The tension in the air was thick as Aditya sat across from Mr. Mehra in the dimly lit conference room. The deal was crucial, but Aditya was never one to show his cards easily.

"Raj, call Avira in with the file," Aditya ordered, his deep voice cutting through the silence.

Moments later, Avira entered, her presence bringing an unspoken vibrance to the otherwise stiff environment. As she placed the file on the table, she felt a pair of eyes lingering on her, making her skin crawl. She shifted subtly, moving closer to Aditya, seeking the comfort of proximity without making it obvious.

Aditya, always perceptive, caught the flicker of discomfort in her eyes and immediately understood the source. He clenched his jaw, his gaze turning cold as he shot a glare at Mehra, his voice firm and unyielding.

"It would be better if you focus more on me, Mehra."

Mehra smirked but said nothing, returning his attention to the deal at hand. The meeting continued with tension simmering beneath the surface. When it finally concluded, Mehra stepped out of the conference room and spotted Avira speaking with Raj about some work. Seizing the opportunity, he approached her, his eyes trailing her form in a way that made her skin crawl.

"Miss Avira, it seems you're quite dedicated. Maybe we could discuss business over dinner sometime?" Mehra said smoothly, stepping closer, blocking her path.

Avira took a deep breath, keeping her tone professional. "Sir, please consult Mr. Aditya regarding any project details."

But Mehra was insistent, his smirk widening as he leaned in slightly. "Come now, I'm sure we can work something out between just the two of us. No need to involve Aditya."

Before Avira could take another step back, a strong hand wrapped around her wrist, pulling her away from Mehra's intrusive presence.

Aditya.

His grip was firm, possessive, his dark eyes burning with a silent fury. Avira's breath hitched at the intensity in his gaze. Her heart pounded as she looked up at him, searching for an explanation. His jaw clenched, his entire body stiff with restrained anger.

"I don't share what's mine."

His voice was low, lethal, the weight of his words settling in the space between them. Avira's eyes widened in shock, heat creeping up her neck as she processed what he had just said. But before she could react, Aditya flicked his gaze towards her, his expression unreadable yet commanding.

"Leave."

The single word carried the authority of a king dismissing his subject. Avira swallowed hard, nodding slightly as she stepped away, her pulse erratic. She turned on her heels, leaving the scene, though her mind still swirled with the possessiveness in his tone.

Aditya, however, didn't move an inch. His attention was solely on Mehra now, his expression dark, predatory. The air grew heavier, thick with unspoken threats. Raj and Aditya's brother exchanged glances, sensing the impending storm, but neither dared to intervene. The silence stretched, charged with intensity.

Mehra smirked, trying to mask his unease. "You really do like her, don't you?"

Aditya's stare remained unwavering, his presence alone exuding dominance. There was no need for words. The message was clear—Mehra had crossed a line, and Aditya Singh never let such transgressions slide.

Mehra let out a dry chuckle, but before he could step back, Aditya's fist connected with his jaw in a forceful blow. The impact sent Mehra stumbling, a groan escaping his lips as he wiped the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Aditya grabbed him by the collar, his voice dropping into a dangerously quiet tone.

"Didn't you get it the first time? She is mine."

Mehra clenched his jaw, but the fear in his eyes was evident. Aditya shoved him back, straightening his suit as if nothing had happened. The room was silent, tension so thick it was suffocating. His assistant Raj and his brother stood in stunned silence, unable to process the rare sight of Aditya losing his temper so openly.

Mehra spat to the side, glaring at Aditya with a mixture of anger and humiliation. "This isn't over," he muttered, adjusting his disheveled suit before storming out of the office.

As he walked down the hallway, his gaze darkened, and a sinister smirk played on his lips. "She's beautiful," he murmured to himself. "And I'll make her mine… by hook or by crook."

Back in his office, Aditya sat down, gripping the arms of his chair as an unfamiliar worry settled in his chest. For the first time in his life, he wasn't just protecting an employee.

He was protecting Avira.

And that terrified him more than anything else.