07
RUDRAKSH
“You can’t change the rule, sir.” I’m in a meeting with the marketing team, and the manager is unusually bold today, which is kind of surprising. When I told him he needed to go over his strategy again because I didn’t like it, he had the nerve to argue. With me.
“The team has reviewed it twice. We feel it’s the best approach.” The audacity.
It’s my company. I know what’s best for it.
I don’t care how many times they’ve discussed it—if I don’t like it, it doesn’t go forward.
I’m open to opinions, but I don’t sugarcoat my decisions.
I pay them. Not the other way around. And if he doesn’t get that, he’s going to lose his job for not listening like a good employee should.
“I don’t care what it’ll do to employee morale,” I say firmly.
“Sir, it’s clearly stated in my contract that I have to work here for two more years. You can’t just change company policy like that,” Mr. Sharma insists.
Looks like he still isn’t getting the memo. If they can't take feedback, they have no place in my company.
“Too bad. I just did, Mr. Sharma. You’re fired.” I turn to Ms. Iyer. “You’ll be in charge of this team now. I expect a new and updated report by the end of the week.”
“Get out, Mr. Sharma.” My voice comes firm with aggression as I breathe deeply. Silence deepens after my decision. I run my hand through my hair and snap my head at the glass door when I notice it.
I see the door to my office open and Aditi gently pushing Shivani inside. I end the meeting before anyone can say another word, all my attention now focused on my fiancée.
She looks absolutely stunning. As ever. Her kohl-rimmed eyes wander nervously around the room, and then they land on me. As if sensing my gaze, she meets my eyes and offers a soft, shy smile. “Hi,” she whispers.
God, she’s cute. I get up from my chair and lean forward on the table.
“Come here,” I say, my voice low and commanding. Slowly, gesturing to her to come near.
She looks like a deer caught in headlights, but she doesn’t disobey. Like a good girl, she walks over and stops right in front of me.
“I hate that you don’t look into my eyes, Shivani.” My voice comes out hoarse as I drink in her sight.
Her eyes widen slightly as she glances up at me. “I—I’m sorry,” she stammers, barely audible.
My jaw tightens. I hate that she apologizes so much. “Don’t be sorry, Shivani. Just look at me. Really look at me.” My gaze roams her face, taking in her soft features, her hesitant eyes. I want to see through her, to understand what’s going on beneath that calm, shy exterior.
“I’m looking,” she whispers, her voice trembling.
My tone softens, just a little. The last thing I want is to scare her away.
I’ve thought about this long and hard—initially I thought it would be best to keep her at arm’s length because I was not sure if I wanted a woman near me, so close to me, but then I realized I can’t keep pushing her away because of what someone else did to me.
She doesn’t deserve to be punished for something that wasn’t her fault.
She’s going to be my wife. If she betrays me, she’ll see the worst of me—not because I’d be hurt, but because it would affect my family too.
And I don’t take that lightly. But if she doesn’t betray me. .. then she’s mine. My family.
“Good,” I murmur. “I like that.”
Her light brown eyes say more than her lips ever could. They’re expressive, honest. She doesn’t even realize how much they reveal.
“Now, my dear fiancée,” I say, letting my knuckles brush against her cheekbone. She flinches, and I notice the fear lingering in her gaze as she looks at my hand hovering over her cheek from the side-eye.
It's imagination, I guess .
Ever since I saw her today, I’ve wanted to touch her. I’m trying to control myself, I really am—but I fail. She shudders beneath my touch and I can’t deny how much I like the effect I have on her. “I recall giving you a black card the day before yesterday, Is that correct?”
She nods, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity.
“Then why is my bank balance the same as that day?” I ask, voice low and threatening.
“Um... I didn’t use the card,” she says cautiously.
“And why not? I specifically told you to buy whatever you want, didn't I?” I grip her chin gently.
“Maa didn’t let me pay,” she says quickly.
“Maa?” I ask. As far as I remember, her mom wasn’t supposed to go with her; that's what Maa said, that she wanted to spend time with Shivani so that she could get to know her better. I see a panic flash in her eyes. She quickly averts her gaze.
“Um... I’m sorry, your mother told me to call her ‘Maa.’ If you don’t like it, I can—” I silence her with a finger on her lips. They’re soft. Plump.
“Stop. You’ll do what you like. You don’t need my permission.” I make that crystal clear. I like hearing her call my mother ‘Maa.’
Now that they’ve bonded, I know my mom will always take her side—and I’m not complaining. That’s exactly what I want. But I have to admit it will sting just a little knowing how quickly my mother is going to change teams.
“What did you buy?” I ask.
“My wedding dress,” she says, swallowing hard.
“Can I see it?” I can’t help but ask. The thought of seeing her in that dress sets my mind racing. I don't know what dress she bought, but one thing I am sure of is that she will look gorgeous. She's stunning, after all, the kind of woman who could stop traffic.
Her eyes widen, and she twists her fingers, her eyes darting toward the floor. I wonder if she’s hiding something—or just too afraid to speak her mind. She shakes her head slowly, “No. Absolutely not.”
My brow lifts in amusement. Did the shy, timid Shivani just say no to me?
I’m surprised. And amused. She’s terrified at the idea of me seeing the dress when I could probably see her in anything—especially a wedding dress, considering we’re getting married.
I laugh. “You do realize I’ll be seeing you in it on our wedding day, right? Isn’t that the whole point?”
She nods. “It’s just... it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride’s dress before the wedding. Your mom said so.”
I try to hide my irritation. “Who made up that rule? And why are you listening to my mom so much? You’re my fiancée now, and I want to see the dress.”
Her face pales, lips trembling. She fidgets with her hands like she’s about to cry. “It’s... it’s a tradition. It’s considered bad luck if the groom sees the bride in the dress before the wedding. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” I say gently, my hand reaching out to her shoulder to calm her down. “You don’t have to be scared of me.” It bothers me that she’s scared of me. And how easily! I haven't even raised my voice at her. That’s not what I want; I do not want her to be afraid of me.
“Listen, Shivani. Except for my family—and two idiotic friends I have—I’ve never really let anyone into my personal space.
Especially not this close. If I ever act rude or harsh, it’s not about you.
It’s just... a habit. Don’t say anything at the moment, because that may make the matter worse, but later, tell me if I’ve said something that hurt you.
” I haven’t had anyone in my life, not really, not since college.
Sure, I’ve had meaningless sex—but no woman has ever stepped into my office or my bedroom.
This is new. And I really want to try. I want to give her beautiful things. Things she deserves.
I see her shoulders relax, her breathing ease. She looks up at me, her eyes soft but unreadable.
“Thank you,” she whispers. She bites her lower lip, like she wants to say something more but isn’t sure if she should.
“Say it, Shivani.” I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her cheek.
“It’s just... downstairs, when we were eating—you were smiling and laughing. I didn’t know you had a soft side.”
I chuckle softly, still stroking her cheek. “You thought I was always cold and harsh?” She shakes her head.
“Well, let me remind you, my soon-to-be wife—I’m human too. And a handsome one at that.”
I grin, watching her cheeks flush. She looks down shyly, and I can’t help teasing her more. Her reactions are addictive. This innocent shyness is mine—and I love that. I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear.
“I have a hard side too... would you like to see it?”
She trembles slightly, and I catch the sweet scent of roses mixed with something uniquely hers. It pulls me in even more.
“Rudraksh... wh-what are you doing?” She stutters.
I straighten up, taking in her tightly shut eyes and pink cheeks. “I’m just teasing you, Shivani. I won’t ever do anything without your permission.” I mean that. As much as I’m drawn to her, I want her to feel safe with me.
“Give me your phone, darling.” I extend a hand. She looks confused but hands it over.
“I’m saving my number.” I call myself from her phone and then hand it back to her. “This is my private number. Only my family has it. Save it. And here—” I hand her my business card—“this has my office landline and number. But always contact me on my personal number. I’ll pick up.”
She nods and smiles at me, a small but genuine one. “I think I should go,” she says. As much as I don’t want her to leave, it’s late and I have a meeting.
“I’ll walk you out. I would’ve dropped you home, but there’s something urgent I need to handle. But the driver will drop you home.” I say, and she nods her head understandingly.
“I understand,” she replies softly as she clutches the card in her tight grip.
That smile of hers? It’s quickly becoming my favorite thing.