Aradhana Verma

I sat on the leather chair, trying not to fidget as I looked around the conference room of Oberoi Hotels. 

The room was grand, to say the least. Grand chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their crystal droplets catching the light and scattering rainbows across the tastefully paneled walls. The long, polished mahogany table gleamed like it had been freshly buffed, and the chairs were upholstered in rich, cream-colored leather that screamed luxury. Every inch of the room exuded power and wealth, a fitting setting for the most powerful men in the business circle.

The view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was no less breathtaking. The city stretched out below, a glittering network of skyscrapers and bustling streets. It felt surreal to be sitting here, waiting for a meeting with the legends of our industry. My nerves were starting to creep back, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

"Calm down, Aradhana," I muttered to myself, straightening my jacket. I needed to focus. This was just a meeting, nothing more. My papa would handle most of the talking, and I just had to observe and learn. That’s it. No big deal.

The door opened, and my father walked in, his presence commanding as always. He glanced at me and gave a reassuring smile. "Comfortable?"

"Trying to be," I replied with a nervous chuckle. "This room is... intimidating."

"You'll get used to it. Meetings like these will become second nature soon enough." He laughed softly. 

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I nodded anyway. Papa sat down beside me and placed his leather folder on the table. He had the calm, composed demeanor of someone who had done this a thousand times. Meanwhile, I felt like a bundle of nerves pretending to be a businesswoman.

The door opened again, and my head instinctively turned. My breath hitched when they walked in—the Oberois and Saxena.

They entered with an air of authority, their presence filling the room instantly. Harshad Oberoi led the group, his sharp, angular features giving him an intimidating look. His piercing eyes scanned the room briefly before he walked to his seat at the table. Mihir and Parag Oberoi followed, both equally striking, their tailored suits fitting them like a second skin. Vansh Saxena brought up the rear, his movements calculated and smooth, as though he was always in control.

I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting to seem like I was gawking, though I am pretty sure I was. These were the men we’d heard about all through university, the ones whose names were spoken with awe. And now, here they were, in the flesh, sitting across from me.

"Good morning, Mr Verma." Mihir Oberoi said.

"Good morning, gentlemen." Papa shook hands with them.

My eyes once again scanned each one of them and what caught my attention was the man with a pair of stormy grey eyes. And I immediately got jealous. Whenever I see someone with eye color different from the usual brown or black, I feel envious. Why couldn’t I be born with a pair of blue or green eyes?

"This is Aradhana. She is a relative and she will be joining Verma groups as an intern soon." Papa said, introducing me to them. I smiled at them, not knowing what else to do.

Now we are sitting on a round table with the man with stormy grey eyes exactly opposite to me. Harshad Oberoi. His eyes met mine for a second and that’s it!

Heaven!!! That's what I felt!

My papa began explaining the finer points of the proposal, his tone steady and authoritative. The room buzzed with an air of importance, but I swear, I couldn’t process a single word of what he was saying. My thoughts had latched onto the man seated across from me—the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. Harshad. Harshad Oberoi.

He exuded a quiet confidence, his sharp features framed by the soft glow of the conference room lights. Every gesture, every glance, spoke of someone who was used to commanding respect.

“Mr. Verma, are you certain about the projections?” Harshad’s deep voice sliced through my reverie, pulling me back to the discussion. His focus was entirely on my father, his brows drawn in concentration.

“Absolutely, Mr. Oberoi,” Papa replied smoothly, meeting his gaze head-on. “Our research team has ensured that the numbers are solid. This partnership has immense potential for both our businesses.”

Harshad nodded thoughtfully, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing every word. Beside him, Mr. Saxena chimed in. “This is a substantial undertaking, Mr. Verma. A venture of this scale requires absolute synergy. Are you confident the Verma Group can match our pace?”

I bristled slightly at his tone, but Papa’s composed response immediately diffused any tension. 

“The Verma Group has built its reputation over decades, Mr. Saxena. Rest assured, we are more than capable of delivering results. This collaboration will strengthen both our empires.”

I realized it was my turn to speak, to represent our family with confidence. My heart raced, not because of the deal but because of Harshad’s presence. I could feel his eyes briefly flicker to me, waiting.

“Gentlemen, you can be assured that the Verma Group doesn’t take partnerships lightly,” I said, injecting as much poise into my voice as I could. “Our teams have already begun working on integrating strategies for this venture. We are committed to ensuring its success.”

“And who are you, Ms? You are about to join as an intern, right? Not even an employee here yet. Have you even finished college yet?" Mihir Oberoi asked in a cold tone. Guess, he didn't like my presence here. Haa! Who cares? All I care about is Harshad..

"Oh she has just graduated and she is learning everything." Papa said, defending me and he eyed me to not talk anymore....

"Okay then, we can sign the contract tomorrow." Parag Oberoi said.

With that, the meeting drew to a close. Papa exchanged firm handshakes with everyone, sealing the discussion with the promise of mutual success. Then it was my turn.

I moved down the line, greeting each one in turn—first Mihir, then Vansh, followed by Parag. And then, finally, him. Harshad.

As our hands met, a jolt of awareness shot through me. His grip was firm yet gentle, his warmth radiating through the contact. My fingers seemed to fit perfectly in his, as if they had always belonged there. For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of us.

"Vansh," I flinched at the sudden interruption and I turned to see Preeti Oberoi, walking towards her husband. Well, Preeti Saxena now.

"Preeti," Harshad called out in a warning tone, letting her know that a meeting was going on. Well, she pretty much barged into a meeting room.

"Oh I am so sorry." She said apologetically and we smiled at her, letting her know that it wasn’t a big deal.

“I am Preeti Oberoi.” Preeti said, extending her hand to me for a shake.

"Preeti Saxena," Vansh stood next to her and corrected her and she smiled sheepishly.

“Oops, I forget sometimes.”

"I am Aradhana. Nice to meet you, Mrs Saxena..." I said cheerfully.

"Call me Preeti. And Aradhana, you are so beautiful. And I like your style too. Where did you get this blazer from?" She asked and my cheeks heated up at the compliment. Did Harshad also find me beautiful?

"Thank you, Preeti. This was a gift. I don’t know where he got it from." I said. Agasthya bhai, my eldest brother, had got me this blazer from somewhere. I don’t remember where. Whenever they come from abroad, they bring me lots of gifts, so I could never keep track of them.

Preeti Oberoi, as I already heard, is a cute and bubbly girl. I already like her.

"Would you like to join us for lunch, Mr Verma?" We were about to walk out of the conference room when Harshad turned to us and asked. And I felt like a hundred crackers burst in my heart.

"Sure, why not?" Papa said and I wanted to give him a loud kiss now. But it wouldn’t look good to have an intern kiss the boss. They don’t know that I am the daughter of the Verma family.

"Please," Harshad said and his eyes met mine for a fleeting second but he turned away again.

"Where are we having lunch?" Papa asked.

"Here in our restaurant on the ground floor," he said.

Now we are sitting in the restaurant and guess what I am sitting next to Harshad Oberoi. If I was nervous in the conference room. Now I am five times more nervous.

I could feel my heart beat rate increasing at his mere presence besides me.

I want him.....He is mine....If Aradhana Verma wants something... She will get that no matter what....

Okay I have decided....I am going to tell Papa that I like him and I want to marry him!

Harshad Oberoi! From this moment, you are mine!

A/n

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SF❤️