Drunk in Infatuation.

wing the list of questions her team had p

of this assignment, but each question written out in

nd she shot a glare at the gr

rustration unmistakable in her tone. "These... thes

hrugged, rolling her eyes. "What's wro

rely containing her irritat

Can you describe your dream girl? What are your plans fo

e are super professional and not at all invasive."

ook. "The Dean told us to ask questions that we'

temples in an attempt to stave off

sional, Pari. This is an interview, not a gossip se

rated sigh and roll

ed to be conducting some big corporate investigat

s going to stay a distant dream for you if you can't tell the difference." Her

Ishita, another team mem

g up with something more appropriate." The others, sensing the te

ighed, the anger in

put together on my own. But you all need to have new questions re

ugh the room, though Pari staye

ing a slight relief no

s, took a deep breath, and headed out, brac

♡

y as she climbed down from the Auto r

he stepped onto the paveme

he adjusted her bag on her shoulder and appr

behind her desk, her eyes narrowin

era greeted her with a bright, overly frie

something under her breath, but Meera simply sh

on Siddhartha Madhav's floor, she was

so nice to see you again." Tara greete

s nice to see you too." Meer

is expecting you. Head straight to his office. I have to deliver these to our rather... A

d softly, watching Tara disap

task at hand, her nerves growing as

. Even though this was her second visit,

elf. No matter how much she tried to dismiss it, there was a par

e muttered to herself, shaking

before her knuckles could connect

r, and standing in front of her

th a warm smile, but the proximity

greeted, his

nd, she stammered, "I-I

waving her off. "I see you mad

instinctively took a step back to maintain a comfortable

ows fu

Did he forget ab

urs? Creases aren't good for you, Meera." His gaze followed hers to the suitcase,

fusion

e? Then

sudden stop caused her to halt ab

vanishing and replaced by a fir

or sent a flicker of ap

e asked sternly. "About the name

trying to maintain her composure despite the sudden tensio

approval, he turned back around, continuing down the hal

ng to another branch? Why does ever

ouldn't muster the courage. Instead, she silent

tor. The soft hum of the moving lift did little

ing was perfectly normal, but her

rs dinged open, they

rtha led her not toward another offi

p in front of them. A driver stepped out promptly,

rying to piece togeth

ion bubbled over, a

g? Aren't we supposed to have an interview se

made her pause. He glanced at her with a hi

he said smoothly. "Now, get in the car. Or..." he

s furrowed i

t? What is this ma

ked again, more firmly this ti

n." he answered casua

Meera's face, leaving h

ated in disbelief, her voi

r reaction. "Why do you look like you've

door, and gestured for her to get in. But Meera s

whispered, her voice

the car door. Walking back to her,

erview has to be professional, and going to your house doesn't feel... professio

ing a hand through his

be on a more friendly level. My working hours are over. I could have stayed back, but I didn't want you cutt

. I can manage. Missing a few hours from work f

des.." his tone softened, "if you're scared, let me assure you that you'll be completely safe. After t

se." she countered, clutching her bag tightly. "We c

very well the kind of reputation the Madhav family has. Do you want people in your neighborhood gossiping about seeing

the last sentence. She clutched her bag even

Siddhartha denied any direct involvement in their mafia dealings,

sly to maintain their family'

less decision was unthinkable. And the idea of

ed finally, her resolv

e spread across S

tting her shoulder lightly be

in, and this time, she climbed in reluct

sed behind her, she mut

let this ti

at, Siddhartha glanced at he

p." he in

to life. She stared out the window as they sped away, the

mansion filled her with dread, but dee

e getting h

o the secluded area of the

ly, flanked by towering trees that cast long shadows,

rworldly it felt, as if they had lef

ous-off-limits to ordinary peop

l and dangerous figures, a place governe

came into view. The sheer size of the grounds was overwhe

gardens and guarded by ancient trees, seeme

hrough this opulent wilderness

ne white, standing tall and regal like something out of

ically. Meera caught sight of a security guard stationed near

and precision sent ch

d a grand water fountain in the center. The car c

ior. It was a masterpiece of architecture

part of her recoiled. She couldn't stop wonderi

tha called, his voice brea

y walking up the steps towar

revealing a glimpse of the

a whispered a silent praye

e Madhav

a casual air, gesturing around. "Make yourself com

a tailored suit who had appeared out o

mall, polite smil

, already heading up the grand spiral

proached her with a slight bow. "

lease." she re

rse, ma

e plush couches. The room was impossibly large, with high ceilings adorn

s, but also cold a

to distract herself by reviewing

rmured her thanks and set it on the glass table i

inutes p

was now scrolling through her p

though she avoided the more frigh

her parents crossed h

ia-linked family. Ultimately, she decided to wait until she got home t

iya, she didn't notice the heav

oke through her focus. "

couch and shot to her feet. Her wide eyes l