Chapter 7 #2
Holding her chin high, she walked inside the elevator.
She reached to press the button for the top floor and stopped when she realized he was also going there.
The elevator hummed as it began to rise, the space between them tight and uncomfortable.
She studied the elevator panel, watching the numbers change as they climbed toward the thirtieth floor, painfully aware of Akash standing near her, jaw tight, still tapping on his phone.
She glanced at him. Today, he was dressed in a perfectly tailored gray suit with a white shirt, his hair effortlessly swept back from his forehead. His sharp, arrogant jaw was dusted with day-old stubble. But his eyes were a blank void as he lifted his head and stared at her.
She inhaled sharply.
She ought to have expected this after everything that had happened between them.
That night, she’d lost control with him.
Again. For a few reckless minutes, she’d forgotten every reason she had for keeping her distance from him.
She had let herself want him. If her grandfather hadn’t called at that exact moment, they would have gone much further. The thought alone made her shudder.
After the call, Akash had stepped back, putting distance between them, as though he was determined to undo what had just happened between them. He’d looked as if it had all been a huge fucking mistake, one he alone was responsible for.
His expression had been filled with regret and a kind of grim restraint that cut deeper than anger ever could. As though he had already decided that whatever had happened between them should never have happened at all. It had left her feeling raw, exposed. Vulnerable.
And whenever Akash made her feel that way, she only knew one way to deal with it. She lashed out. Hence, this current tension between them.
She sighed. But he was right about one thing. That night in Maldives had been a mistake. One of many she seemed to be making where he was concerned.
Perhaps this silence and stillness between them was better.
They could now move on in life without getting in each other’s way.
And yet, several questions burned through her.
Why was he back at Sehgal Media? Was he going to start working here again?
And if he was returning to Sehgal Media… then what came next?
Back in the Maldives, he’d said something on the lines that his destiny was here in Mumbai.
Even Keya had said in her toast on the first night there that Akash was finally where he was meant to be.
Did that mean Sehgal Media? And if it did, then what would be his role now?
Where would he work? Surely not with her.
For nearly two years, at her grandfather’s insistence, Akash had interned with various businesses. First with Rohan Bali at Fortuna Finance in Delhi, then with Aditya Wahi at the Gemini office in Singapore, followed by Dev Luthra at Keystone Corp. in Dubai.
She chewed her lip. She’d always found it a bit strange that her grandfather favored Akash so much and that he’d personally groomed him at work.
Her grandfather was close to Keya, yes. But Keya, Raashi, and Sheena, Kabier’s younger sister, had been besties since school days.
So that connection made sense to her. But Akash and her grandfather?
No. She didn’t get it. In fact, she didn’t like Akash’s closeness to her grandfather. And now he was back here again.
The elevator dinged, and she stepped out ahead of him. She turned a corner and felt him behind her, walking quietly.
“There you are,” her grandfather’s assistant, Reema, exclaimed.
The older woman was in her late fifties and had worked for her grandfather for years. Shauna smiled at her. The older woman gave her a fleeting smile and focused all her attention on Akash. He stepped forward and removed two small rectangles from his pocket, handing them to the older woman.
“You remembered.” Reema grinned, taking the gift from him. Shauna noticed the Pistachio Kunafa chocolate bars, the new and popular chocolate treat from Dubai.
Akash smiled. “I never forget anything you say, Ma’am.”
“It’s Reema,” the older woman said. “You’d better get used to calling me by my name. Soon you’ll have to…”
Akash cleared his throat, and Reema immediately stilled. Something unspoken passed between them as they exchanged a look.
Shauna frowned.
Reema turned back to her. “Hello, Shauna.”
“Hi, Reema. I have an appointment with my grandfather.”
“I have to meet him too,” Akash added.
Reema addressed them. “Mr. Sehgal hasn’t come in yet. Why don’t you both wait for him inside his office?”
Akash gave Shauna a cold look before turning to the older woman. “I have no problem waiting with Shauna. Perhaps you should ask her if she’s comfortable waiting inside with me.”
Shauna shot him a sharp glare. How dare he try to put her on the spot like that in front of Reema?
And yes, she absolutely had a problem waiting with him.
She’d come here to meet her grandfather alone.
This meeting was meant to be the first step in her taking on a leading role at Sehgal Media.
It was an important and private conversation for which she had specifically scheduled this time with him.
“I actually needed to speak to my grandfather privately,” Shauna told Reema, keeping her tone firm.
“Right,” Akash murmured. “Why spend even a minute with me?”
Reema gasped.
“Not everything is about you, Akash,” Shauna snapped. And before he could respond, she turned back to Reema. “Never mind him. We’ll both wait inside.”
Reema’s gaze flicked between Akash and her before she gestured toward the door. Akash stepped past her and into the office, hands sliding into his pockets, a corner of his mouth lifting in quiet satisfaction.
This… this smug arrogance, was exactly why she hated him.
And still, she’d been unable to stay away from him, a loud voice inside her head immediately chided her.
She’d blurred the boundaries between them. Again.
God. She wasn’t listening to that voice. Akash deserved her censure. He deserved far worse.
The moment the door closed behind them, she spun around and glared at him. He sank into an armchair, stretching his legs out, looking extra comfortable. And then he pulled out his phone and focused on his screen, ignoring her altogether.
Her temper flared.
“What is your problem?” she snapped. “Why do you have to make an issue about everything? You could have waited outside and met grandfather later. I have an appointment with him.”
He tapped on his phone several times, thoroughly testing her patience, before finally looking up at her. “Janak asked to see me first thing in the morning. Hence, I will respect his wishes. If you have a problem with that, you’re welcome to leave.”
Her jaw clenched. Ignoring her again, he looked back at his phone. God, she wanted to throw his phone out of the window.
“You know what, you’re right. Stay. I’ll leave,” she spun around, fully prepared to leave.
“Yes, run away,” he drawled, shooing her away with his hand. “That seems to be your signature move when you’re around me.” His mouth flattened. “Oh, wait. I forgot. That, and telling me exactly what you think of me.”
Her mouth dropped open.
Akash hadn’t moved. He lounged in the armchair looking like he owned the place, one arm draped over the armrest, his lips slightly pursed, his dark gaze locked on hers in open challenge.
“I only speak the truth,” she replied evenly. “Clearly, my words struck a nerve. But I stand by them. You are an asshole.”
His jaw tightened, and something dark flickered across his face as he rose slowly from the chair.
The distance between them shrank with every step he took, and suddenly he was close.
Too close. Heat radiated off him, sharp and unmistakable, sending an unwelcome shiver across her skin.
He towered over her, watching her carefully.
She held his stare without flinching, even as her pulse skidded wildly beneath her skin. She drew in a breath, and his strong scent wrapped over her, reminding her how rattled he always made her feel.
Akash shifted, stepping even closer, and her eyes caught on the ink peeking over the collar of his shirt. The same ink she’d had her mouth all over two nights ago.
She gulped. She was not thinking about that at all. She forced herself to meet his gaze. He was staring at her, his expression filled with anger and… heat. The look in his eyes sparked something inside her.
“It’s very easy to hurl insults, Shauna,” he said. “I could do the same and call you rude, difficult, and stubborn, but I have more class than that.”
Her lips parted in outrage. He’d somehow managed to insult her without even sounding like he had. Fuck, he was an asshole. But before she could respond, the door swung open and her grandfather stepped inside.
Her stomach dropped. Akash didn’t so much as flinch. He stepped back from her with effortless calm.
“Hello, Janak,” he said smoothly, his expression composed as he walked toward the older man. He bent forward to touch her grandfather’s feet.
“There you are, my boy,” Janak said fondly. “You’re back where you belong.”
“It was time,” Akash replied.
Shauna frowned. Time for what? And why was her grandfather studying Akash so intently? And why was Akash looking so solemn all of a sudden?
The shift in the room made her spine tingle. Something was going on here. Something she didn’t know about. And it clearly had something to do with Akash.
Her grandfather’s gaze shifted to her. “Shauna, my darling.” Reaching her, he enveloped her in a warm hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”
A knock sounded at the door. It opened again and Suveer Malhotra, one of the directors on the Sehgal Media board stepped inside. His posture was as stiff as his neatly pressed suit, and his expression carried the same old-fashioned sternness he was known for.
Suveer was in his early eighties, conservative to the core, traditional in his beliefs, and blunt to a fault.
One of the longest-serving members of the board, his influence remained undeniable even as his views clashed with Sehgal Media’s modern direction.
He was also the owner of Malhotra Productions, the largest production house in the country, and a longtime friend of her grandfather.
His position on the board was deliberate as her grandfather also sat on Malhotra Productions’ board, a quiet reciprocity between two men who had shaped the industry long before it began to change.
“Janak,” Suveer said with a nod. “You wanted to talk to me.”
“Ah, yes,” her grandfather said calmly, confidently. “Sorry, my schedule is all over the place today. I’m afraid we will have to hold of on our discussion for a bit. As you can see, Akash and Shauna are here waiting to talk to me.”
Suveer’s gaze coasted over the room, landing on her briefly before dismissing her outright, as if she were too young, too insignificant to matter. And, of course, the fact that she was a woman only cemented his belief that she couldn’t possibly be capable of doing anything important.
Annoyance prickled under her skin, but she kept it tightly contained.
She’d always known the path to leading Sehgal Media wouldn’t be smooth, especially with old-timers like him.
She’d have to prove herself to men like him again and again until they finally understood she deserved the top position she was aiming for.
Akash came forward and touched the other man’s feet. “Hello, Uncle.”
“You’re back,” Suveer said. “Vir’s been excited that you were returning for good.”
Akash smiled. “Yes, I know. I haven’t had time to meet him yet.”
Shauna wanted to roll her eyes. Akash really had dug his claws tight into the top brass of Sehgal Media’s board. She was well aware that Akash was friends with Suveer’s famous grandson, Vir Malhotra, India’s rising movie star.
Suveer studied Akash. “Janak said it’s time.”
Time? That word again. Her brows knitted together. What did it mean? What exactly was it time for?
Suveer continued, still addressing Akash. “I like you well enough, boy. But I have my doubts about everything else. I think—”
“Are you doubting my judgment, Suveer?” her grandfather cut in quietly, the hint of steel in his tone unmistakable.
Once again, it struck her that there was a larger conversation happening just beneath the surface that clearly involved Akash. Shauna blinked.
Suveer’s mouth twitched. “Of course not. I’m allowed to have my opinions, aren’t I?”
Her grandfather inclined his head once. “We can discuss your opinions another time. My calendar is free in the second half of tomorrow. I’ll ask Reema to check with you and set up a time.”
The other man made a face, still he said, “Sure. I’ll see you soon.” Then, turning to Akash, he said, “Take care, boy. And come home soon.”
Suveer left, the door clicking shut behind him. Shauna stared after him, bewildered. When she turned back, her grandfather was watching her… and then he shifted his attention to Akash.
“Are you ready?” her grandfather asked, his tone measured.
Akash nodded once.
“Are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes,” Akash replied quietly.
“Which means…” Her grandfather exhaled slowly. “Which means I have to do what I’ve dreaded for the longest time. But if it’s time, then… it’s time.”
Her confusion deepened.
Dreaded what? Time for what? Akash’s gaze found hers, and he gave her a long, lingering look.
He rubbed a hand over his forehead, and then his face softened for a heartbeat.
Then immediately a shadow passed through his expression, and he gave her a cold look again.
It just left her feeling all the more puzzled.
“I’ll go check if Mr. Malhotra is still around,” Akash said. “He didn’t look happy that you had to shift the meeting with him.”
“As if anything can ever make him happy,” Shauna muttered.
Akash tilted his head. “I can. He likes me. Didn’t you hear him say it?”
She rolled her eyes. “Please. No one likes you.”
“Most people like me. A lot,” Akash insisted. “Ask Janak, I’m his favorite.”
Shauna snorted. “Absolutely not. Everyone knows my brother Rishi is his favorite grandchild.”
Akash shrugged. “Rishi is his favorite grandchild, yes. I am his favorite. Full stop.”
Janak burst out laughing and shook his head. “You are simply incorrigible. Leave Suveer to me. I’ll meet you again at two. We need to talk more. Right now, I need time with Shauna.”
Akash’s expression gentled. And without a word to her, he left.
Shauna turned to face her grandfather, ready to ask every burning question she had, but one look at his solemn face stopped her cold.
His phone rang and soon he was engrossed with the person at the other end of the line.
Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was definitely going on. Something she had no clue about.