The day had only just begun, yet Sanaya already felt like she was balancing on a tightrope strung between sanity and scandal.
She entered Rathore Enterprises with a practiced calm, her expression serene, her outfit sharp—a beige kurta with brown cigarette pants and a matching tote bag that held her lunch, notebook, and a thousand unspoken secrets. The moment she stepped into the Content and Branding department, she was greeted by the usual buzz.
"Morning, Sanaya!" Jiya grinned, popping her head up from behind her laptop.
"Good morning," Sanaya replied, sliding into her chair.
Aarav handed her a sticky note with a sketch of a grumpy cat and the words 'Monday Mood' written underneath.
She laughed. "That's horrifyingly accurate."
"Thank you. I do aim for emotional trauma," Aarav said solemnly, sipping his fourth coffee.
Kavya looked up from her screen. "We've got a client pitch scheduled for Wednesday. Priya wants us to brainstorm themes today."
"Great. I love panicking in advance," Sanaya muttered.
Before the conversation could go further, the door to the main hallway opened, and in walked Freya Kapoor—the HR head and unofficial fashion icon of Rathore Enterprises. With long black curls, smoky eye makeup, and a perfume trail that could probably be traced from the lobby to the elevator, she was… impossible to ignore.
Especially when she made a beeline for the CEO's cabin.
Sanaya could feel it before she saw it—the shift in atmosphere. And sure enough, a few minutes later, the door to Abhimaan's office opened, and out stepped the man himself, flanked by Freya.
"Mr. Rathore, I've finalized the talent shortlist for the Hyderabad branch. If you have five minutes, I'd love to walk you through it," Freya said, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder. Her hand lingered a moment too long.
Sanaya's jaw clenched.
Abhimaan didn't flinch. "Of course," he said, his tone smooth, business-like.
But he didn't stop her.
Sanaya's eyes narrowed. She turned back to her screen, furiously editing a tagline for a coffee ad: "Brewed Bold, Like You."
Oh, she was feeling bold alright.
Jiya leaned toward her. "Uff… I can't blame Freya though. If I had that kind of access to Mr. CEO, I'd be doing worse."
Sanaya smiled stiffly. "You really think she stands a chance?"
Kavya hummed. "He doesn't encourage her. But he doesn't stop her either."
That part stung.
A notification pinged on Sanaya's desktop. An internal message from Abhimaan:
> Meeting Room 2. Five minutes.
She sighed, grabbed her notebook, and stood.
"Where are you off to?" Aarav asked.
"CEO called for input on a content piece," she lied smoothly.
"Try not to trip over your own grace," Jiya called after her.
—
In the Meeting Room
Sanaya entered the room to find Abhimaan already seated, flipping through a proposal draft.
He didn't look up. "You're late."
"It's been four minutes," she snapped, sitting down across from him.
"Which is one minute more than I expected."
"Which is exactly why you're single," she muttered under her breath.
He smirked without glancing up. "What was that, Ms. Sharma?"
"You should start stopping your admirers. Or at least the ones who act like you're their personal vending machine."
That made him look up. "Are we talking about Freya or Jiya? Because both are surprisingly invested in my sugar levels."
Sanaya rolled her eyes. "Don't joke. She touched your shoulder."
"I didn't notice."
"You let her."
Abhimaan leaned forward, dropping the file on the table. "And what exactly would you like me to do, Sanaya? Push her away? Announce in bold letters that I'm married?"
"That would be a nice start."
He paused, tilting his head. "You want me to tell the office?"
Sanaya blinked. "No! I mean… not yet. But maybe stop acting like you enjoy it!"
"I enjoy many things. Watching you get jealous is high on that list."
She groaned. "You're so… frustrating!"
He smirked. "Admit it—you like me frustrating."
"Abhimaan!"
"Yes, Mrs. Rathore?"
She glared.
He laughed under his breath and handed her a post-it. "Please review the tagline options. You're the expert here."
She snatched it and stood. "Fine. But stop encouraging office rom-coms."
"As you say, ma'am."
—
Afternoon Laughter
Back at her desk, Sanaya tried to bury herself in work, but her traitor mind kept flashing back to that moment—the smirk, the teasing, the nickname…
"Hey, Sanaya," Aarav leaned in conspiratorially. "Want to know something weird?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Always."
"Veer was in the lounge earlier, talking to the CEO. They looked like… friends."
Sanaya blinked. "Veer? As in… Veer from HR?"
Aarav nodded. "Apparently they went to college together or something."
Before she could process that, Veer himself appeared, offering a friendly wave. "Hey, Sanaya. Coffee?"
"Always," she replied, grateful for the break.
They walked to the break room together.
"So, how's your first week treating you?" Veer asked.
"It's been… a lot. But good. Great team."
He smiled. "You're doing well. Just don't get sucked into the office gossip vortex."
"Oh, you mean the one about our CEO being a mysterious dreamboat?"
Veer chuckled. "Yeah, that one."
Sanaya eyed him. "You know him well?"
Veer hesitated. "Let's just say… I've seen sides of him most don't."
Her curiosity piqued, but she didn't press.
"Just remember," he added, handing her a sugar packet, "everyone wears a mask here. Some are just better at it than others."
Was that about Abhimaan?
—
Evening at the Rathore Mansion
Sanaya reached home just as the sun dipped below the horizon. The mansion glowed warmly, with its tall pillars and quiet elegance. No Abhimaan in sight. Thank God.
Instead, she was greeted by a loud voice from the living room.
"Bhabhi is here!" Viraj yelled, jumping over the couch. "How was your office of doom?"
"Exhausting," Sanaya smiled, dropping her bag.
"Did you see any skeletons in the CEO's closet?" he asked dramatically.
"Yes," Abhiraj muttered, entering with a book. "You, Viraj."
Sanaya laughed.
Abhiraj nodded at her politely. "Welcome back."
Pihu entered with popcorn. "Bhabhi! Movie night? Please say yes."
Sanaya blinked. "Movie night?"
Viraj threw a blanket on the floor. "Rathore tradition. Every Friday. Unless Bhai ruins it with a business call."
"He's still at work?" Sanaya asked, slipping into her home slippers.
"He lives there now," Viraj said. "I'm convinced he has a bed under his desk."
Abhiraj sat quietly, his sharp eyes scanning her. "He didn't upset you, did he?"
Sanaya blinked. "Uh… no. Why?"
"He tends to forget people have emotions," Abhiraj replied simply, turning a page.
That… was oddly accurate.
"I'm okay," she smiled softly.
Pihu tugged her toward the sofa. "Sit next to me! We're watching an old rom-com. No CEOs allowed."
Sanaya giggled. "Deal."
As the movie played, she found herself relaxing for the first time all day. Viraj kept up a running commentary, Pihu threw popcorn at him every five minutes, and even Abhiraj cracked a rare smirk.
For once, she wasn't Sanaya the employee, or Mrs. Rathore hiding a secret.
She was just… Sanaya.
And it felt good.
---
Later That Night
Back in her room,
Abhimaan: Still mad?
Sanaya: Mad? No. Slightly homicidal? Maybe.
Abhimaan: You're cute when you plot my murder.
Sanaya: You're lucky your siblings are adorable.
Abhimaan: I'm lucky you're here.
Sanaya: Goodnight, Mr. CEO.
Abhimaan: Goodnight, Lavender.