Drunk in Infatuation.

she climbed off the scooter in fr

building, a glint of worry in his eyes. "Are you

g façade of A.M Empire, then forced a confid

?" he said, the concern i

d with a final wave, he sped off, leav

rt hammering harder than it should. Once she was alone, she

ing herself. You can do this. Just

doors, trying to keep her nerves in check. As she reached th

help you?" he asked,

versity, here to meet Mr. Siddhartha Madhav for an interview." She quickly pul

ning her credentials. After a

id, opening the massive glass doors and gesturing her

took a deep breath a

h awe. The lobby was breathtaking-sleek, modern, and luxurio

gleaming marble pillars, and the soft ambient lighting. She could see staff bustlin

ed herself. "You're here f

esk, an L-shaped booth with a st

ed on a computer screen. Meera approac

, miss

t interrupted, her tone curt as

aised brow, and Meera felt herself

mentioned yo

ready knows my name?" she thought

cases' from Elite Coles University?" the receptionist sn

irritation replacing h

ne, but she forced herself to stay calm, he

es, with overly done makeup that did little to ma

d, and her hair was tied back in such a ti

ty." Meera replied, her tone laced with a hint of defi

ll, isn't it true? One of your students last tim

lders." Meera said, he

ere to interview Mr. Madhav, not waste my time arguing with a judgmental

n anger, her voice raising just s

, widening her eyes. "I would never do that

d, and her voice became shrill

a few curious glances f

ed an eyebrow, su

Mr. Siddhartha Madhav's office, or should I wai

ks red with embarrassment. "Follow me." she snapped, ste

r eyes and followed, a small

thought wryly, but at least she ha

he receptionist glowering straight ahea

ay lined with sleek doors. The walls were lined with minimalis

the door gleamed under the soft lights of the hallway, and the

knock. Inside, a young woman was busy at her desk, typing away on

up, her expression growing mildly annoyed when s

can't

rrupted curtly, shooting M

waiting for." Her tone was full of bitte

ara-merely raised an eyebrow

a replied sweetly, watching as May

ned and stormed off, muttering

haking her head. "Maya has a knack

ity was piqued

n shrugged, her mouth qu

me." With that, she stood and picked up a blue

arpeted hallway, her nerves

elegant paintings, and the silence here fe

arge, frosted-glass door, an

ht, I'll speak with Bhai and finalize things. I'll let you k

back in his leather cha

out, his voice carr

r, gesturing for Me

s is Miss Meera.

lutching her bag tightly. Tara moved gracefully acros

ow's schedule via email. Mr. Goyal also called to request

artha replied, his voice calm and assured. Then, his gaze

ight smile touching his lips. She could sens

tha." she greeted him politely,

oking at Meera. "My usual. And as for Miss Me

, her cheeks flushing

not a fan of coffe

artha's lips. "Something else

k you." she replied, fe

nodded, excusing herself with a respectful dip of her

seat across from him. "Plea

n, adjusting her bag o

corrected, his

slightly confus

d, his tone casual, as thoug

all you that." she replied softly, choosing her words carefully. She

slightly in sur

ected businessman, and I'm here to interview you for my project. I want to keep things p

ck, regarding her wi

on that." A smirk tugged at the corners of his lip

naged, her palms

teady and composed as he studied Meera. She fel

. Madhav. I'm not old yet, and that's my father's title, not mine." His tone was light, almost

where between confusion and discomfort, b

're not going to stick to a boss-and-employee dynamic. Think of this more like building a connection-a relat

s she tried to make

she wondered, feeling both

e bracing yourself for something disastrous. I'm not going to hurt you, Meera. It's

e this work, we hav

he air, and Meera's ey

y, setting a glass of lemonade in front of Meera and a mug of coffee

aving the room, her footsteps barel

ip of his coffee, s

ions." Siddhartha prompted, m

breath, finally voi

on carefully under control. As much as she didn't wan

back, his expres

n tell you're uncomfortable and maybe a little...scared. But I don't want this to feel like a chore.

and before she knew it, she

She froze as she realized she'd spoken al

econd, and though he masked it quickly, she t

His tone sharpened, carryin

dry. "The truth, Meera. Are you?"

reath, she gav

s if to take a moment to process. "And why?" h

nswered, "The rumors... about

expressionless, but then he burst into la

at him, b

iting her lip in confusion as he

e wiped a tear from the co

his whole company now." He chuckled, noticing her bewildered expression,

h-I'm not involved in the mafia. I run a business, Mee

ra looked down, fidg

found it hard to believe, cons

ya saying that Siddhartha wasn't invo

il she looked up, only to find Siddha

he chuckled, clearly read

ried to compose h

his smile vanishing in an instant, "

You... you c

ause she couldn't complete her interview with me, and the impact on her academic performance was significant. He

r stomach. She remembered the Dean mentioning that fail

n

at." she replied, her voi

Siddhartha. And remember, this is about making things easi

she reminded herself,

tha." she said, man

d nature of her smile. "You look funny

ll, reluctant smile break

e read me

owingly, as if he'd

d her cheeks flushed deeper. "You're n

ook a sip of his coffee. "Now, let's talk about your

and Fridays," she said, he

I work a part-time job until then, so I'll nee

No need to adjust your hours. Come here by 5

his flexibility. "But...

r time. You seem to have a full plate, and I respect that.

tanding, and she found herself

w her smile, a faint dimpl

iled." He laughed softly, and h

sked, extending his hand in a friendly g

ed herself, then took his

♡

on her assignments when her phone rang. She answere

h excitement. "Tell me everythin

tha." Meera groaned. "And... well, i

nced over, barely hiding her curiosity as Ji

s everyone says?" Jiya gig

rvousness gone, his image floated back to her mind: his sharp jawline, striking blue eyes, and that easy smile that had somehow di

shook her head, trying to

I even t

aren't you?" Jiya teased

ker so she could hear while she worked. "Look, he was n

Jiya squealed.

om, her sister let out a little

up now. Need to finish this inv

ed. She got up and connected her phone to

onth." She sat down on the cha

The younger chuckled while still r