Page 51 of No Boss
He was already at the desk. Laptop open. Charcoal trousers. White shirt. Sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows. Looking infuriatingly well-rested.
Entirely at ease. Entirely in control.
His gaze lifted to her. It moved over her once, precise, taking in every detail, revealing nothing. She ignored it. Or told herself she did.
She drew the second chair closer. Properly placed, yet near enough for the faint scent of cedar to reach her. Her notebook opened. Pen ready.
“The call starts in three minutes.” His eyes rested on her. “Singapore office. Shipping logistics. Take notes on everything. Complete records.”
‘Everything. He said everything.’
“Yes, Boss.”
The call connected.
And, right on cue, the aarti bells began. Deep. Resonant. Unavoidable.
Abhinav’s jaw clenched, but his voice remained level as he greeted the Singapore team.
Meera turned to a fresh page and began writing.
Her pen moved without pause. He had asked for everything.
The call ran for ninety minutes.
The aarti rose, filled the air, and slowly faded. The courtyard settled back into silence.
By the time the meeting ended, Meera’s hand ached. She had written twelve pages.
Abhinav closed his laptop, and stood. “Follow me.”
“Where?”
He didn’t answer. He was already moving.
She followed him through the corridor, past the main passage, into the family dining room where breakfast waited. Sarita and Naina had already settled, waiting for Abhinav.
He took a seat, reached for a paratha and poured tea into his cup.
“Notes,” he instructed without looking up. “Read them.”
Naina paused mid-bite. Sarita’s cup hovered near her lips.
Meera opened her notebook.
“7:00 AM,” she began, her tone crisp. “Call begins. Singapore team. Boss greets them.”
Abhinav ate, calm, expecting routine.
“7:02 AM. Container delays. Jakarta port congestion.”
Naina lifted her cup. Did not drink.
“7:04 AM. Boss runs hand through hair.”
Abhinav’s hand froze midair. He looked up.
Meera kept reading, expression neutral, as if presenting quarterly results. “7:09 AM. Boss leans back. Chair creaks slightly.”
