Page 33 of The Secret Bride
She sat back down quickly, and I noticed Akshita leaning over to whisper something to her. Viya shook her head slightly, her cheeks flushed.
The meeting continued for another thirty minutes. More slides. More discussions. More questions from the clients that were answered competently by the team.
When the meeting finally concluded, I stood and shook hands with the client representatives, exchanging the usual pleasantries about moving forward with the project and being in touch soon.
The room began to empty, people filing out in small groups, chatting about the presentation and their next tasks.
Viya was one of the first ones out the door.
I caught a glimpse of her pink salwar kameez disappearing into the hallway, Akshita close beside her. They were walking quickly, almost fleeing.
I found myself smiling despite everything. Despite the guilt and the confusion and the impossible situation we were both trapped in.
There was something about her reaction, about the way she had practically run from the room, that struck me as oddly endearing. She was so determined to maintain the professional distance between us. So committed to pretending we were nothing more than CEO and employee.
It was probably the smart thing to do.
But it also made me want to break through that distance. To see what would happen if I pushed, just a little.
Vikrant approached me as I was gathering my files.
"Thank you for your time today, sir. I think the clients were very pleased with what we presented."
I nodded.
"The team did excellent work. And your new junior developers seem very capable. Especially Viya. Her suggestion about the caching strategy was insightful."
Vikrant beamed with pride.
"She has been a great addition to the team. Very quick learner. She picks up complex concepts faster than anyone I have seen in a long time. I think she has a very bright future here at New Gen Corp."
Something about the way he said it, the genuine admiration in his voice, made that warm feeling in my chest expand.
My wife was talented. She was smart and capable and valued by her team.
She deserved so much better than what I had given her.
"Make sure she has all the resources she needs for tomorrow's presentation," I said. "I want to see what she can do."
Vikrant nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course, sir. I will make sure she is fully prepared."
I left the conference room and headed back to my office, my mind already spinning with thoughts I had no business thinking.
Chapter 9
Viya
My heart was hammering so violently against my ribs I thought it might actually break free and escape my chest. If I had stayed in that conference room for even one more second, I was certain everyone would have heard it. The thunderous, panicked beating that surely echoed through the entire space.
I could feel his eyes on me the entire time. Armaan's gaze had been a physical weight, pressing against my skin, making it impossible to breathe normally. And then he had given me a task. A personal presentation. Tomorrow. Just him and me in a room.
What if I failed? What if I stumbled over my words or my code did not work or my ideas fell apart under scrutiny? What if he fired me?
The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through me as Akshita and I practically ran down the hallway away from the conference room.
Akshita was laughing. Actually laughing at me.
