Author's POV
The conference room buzzed with quiet conversation as executives settled into their seats. Megha placed her tablet on the polished table, scanning the room. Her company, RS group of companies, had spent weeks perfecting their bid for the Chopra Hotel Group's latest project-a high-tech, luxury hotel in the heart of the city.
This was supposed to be a routine meeting. Present her team's vision, impress the investors, secure the deal. Simple.
Then he walked in.
Arjun Oberoi.
Megha didn't even acknowledge him. His presence was sharp and commanding, his suit tailored to perfection. He moved with an ease that suggested absolute confidence-like he already knew he was going to win.
He took a seat across from her, not even sparing her a glance.
"Now that we're all here," the project director began, "let's discuss the final bids."
Megha straightened. This was it. She was ready.
But then the numbers flashed on the screen.
To say she was shocked would be an understatement.
The bid amounts were identical.
A ripple of murmurs spread through the room. Even Arjun finally lifted his gaze to meet hers, his expression unreadable.
"It seems we have a tie," the director continued, flipping through his notes. "Which presents us with an interesting solution-rather than choosing one firm, we propose a partnership between RS Group of companies and Oberoi Corporation.
The words hung in the air like a bomb waiting to explode.
Megha's nails dug into her palm. A partnership? With him?
Arjun's jaw tensed. This had to be a joke.
"With all due respect," Arjun said, voice calm but sharp, "that may not be the most efficient approach. Our companies have... different priorities."
"I agree," Megha said coolly. "Collaboration could compromise the integrity of the project."
The director raised an eyebrow. "Or it could create the most innovative hotel this city has ever seen."
He pointed towards Megha and said, "Megha, you can create the most exquisite interiors and elevate the hotel's luxury experience, while you, Arjun, can bring in cutting-edge tech and automation. With your respective companies, RS Luxe and AA Tech, both are experts in their fields, it's a perfect match. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to withdraw your bids?"
Silence.
Neither of them spoke. Because they both knew-backing out wasn't an option.
Megha exhaled slowly.
She sat in silence for a moment, her eyes scanning the room. The proposal was tempting, but something didn't sit right with her. The partnership would bring security, yes, but at the cost of compromising her heart. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, trying to weigh the risks and benefits, but in the end, her decision was clear. She didn't want to simply accept what was offered.
"I'm sorry," Megha said, her voice calm but firm, "but I still think there could be a better outcome than a partnership between two rival companies."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, the room was silent. Megha's gaze didn't flicker toward Arjun, though she was acutely aware of his presence across the table. She wasn't asking for his approval. This was her decision, and she would stand by it.
Suddenly, a sneering voice broke the tension, drawing all eyes to one of the men from Arjun's side of the table. He leaned back in his chair with an arrogant smirk, clearly unimpressed by her rejection.
"Just because you got a company from your grandfather in inheritance," he sneered, his words dripping with disdain, "doesn't mean you get arrogant. Don't you know your company is nothing in front of Oberoi Corporation? But still, you had the audacity to reject it, huh, woman?"
The words stung, not just because of the insult, but because of the tone-the clear undercurrent of misogyny that made her blood boil. For a split second, the room went still, all eyes shifting between her and the speaker.
Before anyone could react, the atmosphere shifted. Arjun, who had been quiet until now, suddenly slammed his hand down on the table, his eyes locking with the man who had spoken. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. "That's enough."
"Enough," Arjun said, his voice low but cutting through the room with authority. The coldness in his tone made the air feel thicker.
The man who had spoken seemed unfazed at first, looking up at Arjun with a cocky smirk. "Oh? And what's this about?" he asked dismissively, as though Arjun's reaction didn't even warrant respect.
He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. The calmness in his voice didn't match the intensity in his eyes. "You'll speak to people with respect, or you'll find yourself at the wrong end of this conversation."
The man blinked, clearly unprepared for such a sharp response from someone of Arjun's caliber. But instead of backing down, the man tried to shrug it off. "What's the matter,Mr. Oberoi? Are you going to defend her? She's not your responsibility."
Arjun didn't flinch, his eyes never leaving the man's. "It's not about defending anyone." He took another step forward, closing the gap between them. "It's about respect. And clearly, you're lacking it."
Megha, who had been standing quietly while Arjun made his move, blinked at the exchange. She hadn't expected him to step in-especially not in such an aggressive manner. She glanced between the two men, noticing the subtle way Arjun was holding his ground, yet hiding the true reason for his anger. She stood still, feeling a mix of surprise and anger.
The room was silent, everyone watching the exchange with bated breath. The man faltered, his confident smirk dropping as he realized Arjun wasn't playing around. He opened his mouth to speak, but Noah cut him off once again.
"If you have a problem with her decision," Arjun said, his voice firm, "then take it up with someone who cares." He gave the man one last sharp look, making it clear the conversation was over.
The man's face reddened with humiliation, but he knew better than to push Arjun further. Without a word, he stepped back, clearly defeated.
Arjun stood tall, not glancing at Megha, but his jaw was tight as he turned back toward the rest of the room. He didn't need to show that he had just stood up for her. He wouldn't show it. It was more about not allowing anyone to be disrespected in his presence.
Megha watched him silently,She hadn't expected him to react like that-not so publicly, not so... forcefully. For a moment, she caught herself in surprise.
Arjun, however, remained indifferent, his focus now back on the project. But for a split second, their eyes met-just long enough for Megha to see the unspoken message in his gaze. It wasn't about defending her. It was just who he was.
After a long discussion and convincing from Mr. Chopra,both the parties agreed for the collaboration.
One by one everyone left the meeting room leaving only Arjun and Megha.
Megha approached him, her steps deliberate, and without preamble, she spoke. "Thanks for the show, but you didn't need to do that," she said, her voice sharp with irritation. "I'm not some helpless damsel you need to rescue."
Arjun, not even sparing her a glance, shrugged it off with a cold tone. "I didn't do it for you." He didn't look at her as he spoke, acting as if her thanks were irrelevant. "I just don't like people who talk down to anyone. That's it."
Megha's eyes narrowed, her lip curling into a slight sneer. "You expect me to believe that?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm. "You think I don't know you enough to see through that? You always make everything about you. Don't act like you did me some kind of favor."
Her words stung more than Arjun would have liked, but he didn't let it show. "It's not about you, Megha. You're the one making it about you," he replied coolly, looking down at his notes, trying to dismiss her.
Megha's frustration flared, and her voice grew louder, filled with irritation. "I'm not the one getting personal here," she snapped. "You could've easily ignored it. But no, you had to make a public spectacle of yourself. You're just pissed that someone dared talk to me like that, and now you can't change your stance fast enough. Don't act like you're doing me some kind of favor."
Arjun turned slightly, meeting her eyes for the first time since the exchange. There was a flicker of annoyance in his gaze, but he kept his tone even. "I don't need to explain myself to you, Megha." His jaw clenched. "I did what I did. End of story."
Megha scoffed, the anger seeping into her expression. "Right. 'End of story.' How convenient." She took a step closer, her eyes cold. "You think I care? I don't need anyone, especially not you, to fight my battles. I can stand my ground just fine."
Arjun's hands clenched, a subtle reminder of the tension between them. He didn't back down, but he didn't want to keep the argument going either. "Fine, don't thank me," he said, turning his back to her slightly as if he'd had enough of the confrontation. "But don't think I need your approval either."
Megha watched him, her eyes burning with frustration. "I never asked for it. I don't need your pity, Arjun. And I certainly don't need your help." She spat the last word out with such venom that it almost sounded like a challenge.
For a moment, the room held its breath, the two of them locked in their silent battle. Then, Megha scoffed again, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of the argument, before turning on her heel to face the rest of the room.
She wasn't about to let him have the last word.
Arjun didn't react, his expression still set in stone as he refocused on the task at hand. The tension between them was thick, but neither of them were ready to back down-not yet, anyway.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and both their assistants walked in hand in hand, with wide, almost comically sweet smiles on their faces. As soon as they saw the tension in the room, they quickly separated and stood by their respective bosses, trying to act as if nothing had happened.
Rajat, looking slightly concerned, asked Arjun, "All okay?"
Arjun stood up, his posture composed, and replied, "Yeah, all okay. Let's go."
Rajat gave a small nod. "Okay, let's leave then."
With a smile on his face, he turned toward Shreya and kissed her forehead, saying, "Bye, baby. See you at home."
Shreya blushed, her smile shy as she replied, "Bye."
The two of them made their way out, and as the door closed behind them, Megha spoke up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If you're done showing your affection to your husband, can we also go?"
Shreya, flustered, quickly answered, "Yeah, sure."
Then, as if something just came to her, she added, "Oh, Megha, your grandfather called when you were in the meeting. He said I should remind you to come home soon, as he has to visit a friend and promised to bring you along."
Megha nodded, a little absentminded. "Hmm, I remember. He mentioned it earlier, but it slipped my mind. We should head out quickly, or else he'll get angry."
Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Rajat was speaking to Arjun. "Your grandfather called and said you have to be home early. A friend of his is visiting, and your presence is mandatory."
Arjun shrugged slightly, already heading to his car. "Yeah, I'm going home. After all, the work for today is done. Anyways, what's more left on my schedule?"
Rajat replied, "Yeah, there's a meeting with the director of Mehta Industries and a few documents to go over, then we're all free to go."
Arjun nodded, his tone dismissive. "Fine, let's get it done quickly." He slid into his car, already mentally preparing himself for the rest of the day's tasks, eager to get it over with.
_____________________________________