A While Later, Tanya's Cabin
Kapil stepped back nervously, stuttering as he tried to say something to Tanya. Why? Because Tanya was steadily inching closer to him. He was so nervous, he felt like running out of the office entirely.
Tanya, staring straight at him, said with a smirk, "Do I look like a ghost to you? Why are you running away from me? I'm not going to eat you."
Then, in her mind, she added, "Though I do feel like it sometimes,but you never give me a chance."
Kapil, visibly shaken by her teasing, stammered, "M-ma'am, it's not that. I was just feeling a bit cold, that's all."
Tanya rolled her eyes at his ridiculous excuse. She hadn't even turned on the AC because of the cold outside, and with the heater on, there was no way he could be cold. So… where exactly was he feeling cold?
In her mind, Tanya laughed, "Oh, silly boy. You really are innocent. Can't even lie properly,utter fool."
Kapil, completely unaware of her thoughts, was already preparing to flee. "Ma'am, I just came here to inform you that the candidates for the interviews have arrived. I've seated them outside. Should I send them in?"
Seeing Kapil ready to escape, Tanya smirked mischievously and said, "Are you training for a marathon or something? Well, forget about it. You're the one conducting the interviews. I have a dinner meeting with a client. So handle it,or tomorrow night, you'll be having dinner with me. And after dinner, we…"
She paused halfway, winked, and said, "Well, I'm sure you can imagine the rest."
Kapil stared at her in shock, his face turning red with embarrassment. Stammering, he said, "B-but, ma'am, how can I? Weren't you supposed to do the interviews?"
"Why? Don't you know how to conduct interviews?" Tanya narrowed her eyes at him. "If I remember correctly, you were the topper, right? That scholar degree of yours,is it even real?"
Kapil, thrown off by her suspicious glare, quickly defended himself, "Yes, ma'am, I was the topper. And the degree is real. But the interview…"
Before he could finish, Tanya interrupted with a final word:
"No ifs, no buts! Just take the interviews and inform me. Aarohi needs a new secretary by tomorrow."
With that, she gave him a soft smile, watching him squirm. She couldn't help but find the whole situation amusing.
Kapil, deep in thought and completely overwhelmed, left the cabin without another word. The moment he was out of sight, Tanya burst into laughter, clapping her hands.
"Hahaha! That expression! He looked like a cartoon! Oh, cutie,teasing you is the best thing ever."
But just then, someone walked into the cabin and stared at her in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Outside Arohi's Cabin
Arohi hurried out of her private cabin. Her office was secluded and off-limits to most. In fact, not many even knew who the mysterious CEO truly was. Only a select few in upper management were aware that she was Aarohi.
As she exited through her private elevator for an urgent matter, she suddenly felt a pair of eyes on her. She paused. Someone was watching her.
Whoever was following her realized immediately that she'd sensed his presence.
"Smart lady," he thought, "Picked up on it way too fast."
He quickly sent a message to someone and disappeared into the shadows.
Aarohi, no longer sensing anyone nearby, turned and quickly ran to the spot where her stalker had been standing just moments ago—but the place was now empty.
In her mind, she thought, "Who is trying to get close to me… and why?"
She pulled out her phone and called Manu. "Someone was following me. Find out who."
"Yes, Boss," Manu responded promptly.
Aarohi rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Did the shooter from yesterday say anything about his boss?"
"No, Boss. We've got nothing so far. And… he's taken poison. I doubt he'll make it through the night," Manu said grimly.
"What's the point of your entire team, then? Stop wasting time. Give him an antidote,get something out of him," she snapped and hung up.
Aarohi was clearly irritated and on edge.
Back in Tanya's Cabin
Tanya was still laughing uncontrollably when she realized someone was watching her. She looked up and saw none other than Rachit Sabharwal.
Rachit, an old friend of both Tanya and Aarohi, and a longstanding client of Mathur Industries, stood there watching her.
Mathur Industries, and honestly, half the girls in her office, always paused to stare whenever Rachit walked in. Right now, he was watching Tanya laugh like a maniac,because he'd just seen poor Kapil running out of the cabin, utterly terrified.
He knew Tanya was chasing after Kapil, but Kapil always kept his distance.
"What did you do to that poor guy now?" Rachit teased. "And why are you laughing like some kind of Dracula? You looked so scary,honestly, I almost died of fright."
"Ritchie Rich," Tanya shot back, "You find everyone scary except Aaru. Even though she's the scariest of us all. One day, she'll be the one to scare the life out of you."
Rachit replied, "Tanya, please. The Vice President of such a huge empire getting beaten up by me won't look good. Stop with the nonsense. And for God's sake, don't scream Aaru's name. If she hears you, she'll rip me apart."
Tanya laughed so hard she had to clutch her stomach. "Hahaha! Wow! My Aaru has everyone wrapped around her finger. Who would've thought the prince of the Sabharwal Group would be scared of someone?"
Seeing Rachit move toward her, Tanya turned to flee.
Rachit ran after her and yelled, "Tanya! Don't you dare tell anyone! You know it's a secret! If that Hitler-woman finds out, she'll kill me."
Still running, Tanya teased, "For how long are you going to keep it a secret? One day, someone else will sweep her away while you're busy hiding your feelings!"
Rachit grabbed her arm, stopped her, and with a grin said, "Not going to happen. Why would she choose anyone else over such a handsome guy like me?"
Tanya, annoyed, replied, "Handsome? You? My secretary is way more good-looking than you! Have you seen his smile? Ugh, that sweet smile melts my heart every time!"
She was about to start daydreaming about Kapil when suddenly, he walked in. Rachit had left the door slightly ajar, and Kapil had arrived to give her an update on the candidates.
Unfortunately, he heard the last part of what Tanya had said.
His eyes widened in shock.
As he awkwardly turned to leave, Tanya spotted him and said, "Stop right there. Where do you think you're going without saying anything?"
Kapil, caught in the act, muttered to himself, "God! If only I'd listened to Dad and joined sports, maybe I could've escaped faster…"
He forced a smile and said, "U-uh… Boss, I just came to tell you I've completed the interviews. I've emailed you the selected candidates' details."
"Okay, cutie," Tanya replied with a wink.
Before she could say anything else, Kapil had already bolted out of there. Both Tanya and Rachit were left stunned by how fast he vanished.
"Tan... he's not going to be easy to catch," Rachit remarked, still staring at the door.
Tanya sighed and shook her head. In her mind, she thought, "Kaps baby, you think I'm a ghost? Fine, now I'll haunt you for real."
Looking at Rachit, she said, "Forget me—when are you going to confess your feelings to Aaru? Look, I know she may not accept it now, but at least tell her. And maybe that weirdo she's currently hanging around will be out of the picture."
Rachit, thoughtful, replied, "Tanya… Aarohi is different. I want her to feel my love, not be forced into it. And honestly, I don't want to make things awkward between us. She's already so reserved. I can't make her uncomfortable. Don't worry about me. And as for that weirdo—I don't think she's serious about him. Aarohi's not stupid. There's definitely something off about that guy. There's a reason our Aaru is keeping him close."
Tanya smacked her forehead and said, "You're hopeless, Richie Rich. You're destined to be Uncle to her kids at this rate!"