Page 41 of The Secret Bride
I had started to care about the woman sleeping beside me.
And I had no idea what to do about it.
Chapter 11
Armaan
I arrived at the office before sunrise, the sky still painted in shades of deep purple and grey. The building was almost empty, just the night security wrapping up their shift and a few early maintenance workers. My footsteps echoed through the marble lobby as I made my way to the elevator.
I had not eaten breakfast. There had not been time. I had an important video conference with our Japanese clients scheduled for eight in the morning, and I needed to review the contract terms one more time before the call. These were the moments when being CEO meant sacrificing the small comforts. Sleep. Meals. Normal human routines.
The meeting went well. The Japanese clients were pleased with our proposed timeline and budget. We shook hands virtually, bowed respectfully through the screen, and concluded the call with promises to move forward with the partnership.
As soon as the screen went dark, Meera knocked on my office door and entered with her tablet.
"Good morning, sir. The meeting went well, I assume?"
"Very well. They have agreed to all our terms."
She made a note on her tablet, then looked up at me.
"Your next meeting is at eleven o'clock. Viya Mehra from the development team will be presenting her optimization proposal."
Something warm flickered in my chest at the mention of her name. I had been looking forward to this meeting more than I wanted to admit. I wanted to see what she had prepared. I wanted to watch her present her ideas with that quiet confidence she had shown in the conference room yesterday.
She had worked so hard last night, so absorbed in her code that she had forgotten to eat dinner. I wanted to see the results of that dedication.
"Thank you, Meera. Make sure the conference room is ready."
She nodded and left, closing the door softly behind her.
I threw myself into work, responding to emails, reviewing reports, signing off on approvals. The hours passed quickly, the way they always did when I was focused.
But by eleven fifteen, there was still no sign of Viya.
I glanced at the clock on my computer screen, then at my phone. Nothing. No message. No call. No explanation.
By eleven thirty, irritation had begun creeping up my spine.
This was not like her. She had been so nervous about this presentation yesterday. So determined to do well. Why would she miss it?
At eleven forty five, I called Meera.
"Yes, sir?"
"Has Viya Mehra arrived yet?"
There was a pause. I could hear Meera typing on her keyboard.
"Let me check with her manager, sir. One moment."
The silence stretched out, each second feeling longer than the last. Then Meera came back on the line.
"Sir, I just spoke with Vikrant. Viya has not come to the office today. She has not called or sent any message to inform anyone of her absence."
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Thank you, Meera."
