Meera, as she always did in her job, was quietly collecting the books scattered across the library's tables.
Some had been abandoned by students too rushed to return them, others by casual readers who'd simply forgotten. Humming softly to herself, she moved methodically between the shelves, placing each book in its rightful place.
The library was calm, bathed in the soft glow of the sun filtering through the large windows.
It was a sanctuary of silence, where only the quiet rustling of pages and the occasional cough interrupted the stillness. Meera found solace in this routine, in the orderliness of it all.
She was just about to shelve the last book when the library door slammed open with a resounding crash, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.
The loud noise startled her, making her heart skip a beat. She instantly knew something was wrong.
"MEERA!" Arjun's voice boomed across the room, full of anger and urgency. Meera's stomach clenched with fear, her hands trembling as she turned towards the sound. She didn't need to see him to know he was furious. She recognized that tone, and it sent a chill down her spine.
Stepping quickly out from behind the bookshelf she had been organizing, Meera saw Arjun pacing furiously near the entrance.
His jaw was clenched, fists balled at his sides, while Miss Rani, the head librarian, stood frozen nearby, her face pale with fear. The tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating.
Arjun's eyes locked onto Meera's the moment she appeared. His gaze was dark, wild with emotion, and before she could utter a word, he strode toward her in long, angry steps.
"A-Arjun, what-" Meera began, but her voice faltered under the weight of his rage.
He didn't give her a chance to finish. Grabbing her wrist with a roughness that startled her, he pulled her out of the library, his grip firm and unyielding.
Meera's heart raced as she stumbled behind him, glancing back to see Miss Rani staring after them, wide-eyed in shock.
"Arjun! Stop! What's wrong with you?" Meera cried, struggling against his hold. Her voice was low but frantic, knowing all too well that people had begun to notice.
Passersby were casting curious glances in their direction, and Meera could feel her anxiety spiking. She hated drawing attention, hated public scenes, and this was quickly spiraling into something she couldn't control.
But Arjun wasn't listening. He was beyond reason, his eyes clouded with something deeper than anger. Reaching his car, he yanked open the door and barked.
"Get in!"
Meera froze. The command was harsh, and the déjà vu of the situation hit her like a wave. She had seen Arjun angry before, but this... this was different.
His fury felt like a storm, wild and unpredictable, and she had no idea what had provoked it. She knew she hadn't done anything wrong, at least not that she was aware of.
"A-Arjun... you're making a scene." she said, her voice barely a whisper as she took a cautious step back. Her eyes darted to the growing crowd of onlookers.
"Please, I don't know what's going on, but can you stop scaring me? Whatever it is, we can talk about it."
Her words seemed only to fan the flames of his anger. His expression twisted in frustration, his jaw tightening further.
"You're the one causing a scene, Meera!" he spat, his voice rising. "Get in the car. Now!."
Meera swallowed hard, glancing around at the people who had stopped to watch. The last thing she wanted was to create more drama.
The weight of their stares made her feel exposed, vulnerable, and all she wanted was for this nightmare to end.
Reluctantly, she stepped forward and climbed into the car, her heart pounding in her chest.
Arjun slammed the door shut behind her and stalked around to the driver's side.
The engine roared to life as he pulled out of the parking lot, driving off without a word, the tension between them thick enough to suffocate.
Meera sat silently, her mind racing with questions, her heart heavy with fear.
What had she done to deserve this?
What could have triggered such an outburst? And most importantly, what was Arjun even here for her?
The answers felt terrifyingly out of reach, as the city blurred past them.
**
"W-What am I doing here?" Meera asked, her voice shaky as the car came to a stop in front of the imposing A.M Empire building.
The towering structure loomed above her, casting long shadows across the pavement. She turned to Arjun, but he didn't answer. His face was a storm of unreadable emotions.
Without a word, he opened his door and stepped out, Meera scramble after him, her heart racing with confusion and fear.
As soon as she got out, he grabbed her hand again, his grip firm and unrelenting. The suddenness of it made her wince, but she followed, unable to break free from his grasp.
He marched toward the building with a purpose, dragging her along with him. The lobby was bustling, but everything seemed to blur around her.
All Meera could focus on was the feeling of being pulled along, of being trapped in something she didn't understand.
At the reception desk, Maya, was typing away at her computer when she saw them. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
She stared as Arjun, his face tight with anger, led Meera toward his private elevator. He didn't even acknowledge Maya's presence as he dragged Meera inside, the doors closing with a soft ding. Maya's mouth hung open, too stunned to react.
"Arjun, please." Meera pleaded as the elevator ascended. Her voice was barely above a whisper, each word trembling with unease. "Why am I here? I'm not-"
Her words were cut short when Arjun shot her a sharp, cold glare. The intensity of his gaze silenced her immediately. Her breath shallow, unable to meet his eyes any longer. The air between them was thick with tension, each second stretching out unbearably.
The elevator chimed as it reached the top floor, and the doors slid open. Arjun didn't wait. He grabbed her arm again, pulling her out into the hallway.
Meera stumbled slightly, but he didn't slow down. His grip was too tight, and her heart raced even faster as they neared his office.
Once inside, he slammed the door behind them with a force that made Meera flinch. The sound echoed in the silence of the room.
Before she could even register what was happening, Arjun pushed her up against the door, his body too close for comfort. His hands were on either side of her, caging her in, and his face was only inches from hers. She felt trapped, suffocated by his presence.
"Why did you stop the interview?" Arjun's voice was low, dangerously controlled, but the anger simmering beneath was unmistakable. His breath was hot against her skin, and Meera's stomach twisted with discomfort.
"I-" Meera stammered, struggling to form words. His proximity made her dizzy, her mind spinning with panic. "C-Can you s-step back? Y-you're too close."
Her voice quivered as she spoke, and she hated how small and powerless she sounded. But Arjun didn't move. His gaze fell on Meera's lips, soft and full, slightly parted as she struggled to catch her breath.
He hadn't meant to notice them, hadn't meant to let his eyes linger there, but now that he had, he couldn't seem to look away.
A strange heat began to course through him, spreading like wildfire beneath his skin. It started as a faint tingling sensation, creeping down his spine, but soon it became something more intense, something raw and primal.
His heart pounded in his chest, the sound of his own blood rushing through his ears. His breath hitched, his muscles tensed, and a foreign feeling began to take hold of him. It was an unfamiliar mix of lust and desire, simmering just beneath the surface, growing with each passing second.
He tried to push it down, tried to ignore the way his body was reacting to her, but it was impossible. The more he looked at her-the delicate curve of her lips, the way her chest rose and fell with every shaky breath-the stronger the pull became.
His body betrayed him. A tightening sensation coiled low in his abdomen, and before he could stop it, the unmistakable ache of arousal began to settle in.
His pants felt suddenly restrictive, the growing hardness between his legs an undeniable testament to the effect Meera was having on him. He shifted uncomfortably, but it was useless. His desire for her was overwhelming.
A wave of heat flushed through him, his mind clouded with the urge to close the distance between them, to claim her lips with his.
The desire to kiss her, to taste her, was so strong that it consumed him, blocking out everything else. Rationality was slipping away, lost in the haze of lust.
All he could think about was how close they were, how her soft body was pressed against the door, just inches from his. His mind raced, imagining how her lips might feel beneath his, how her skin would burn against his touch.
Arjun clenched his fists, trying desperately to regain control. He wasn't this person. He wasn't someone who gave in to such impulsive desires. But with Meera standing there, looking so vulnerable and beautiful, it felt like something inside him had snapped.
His self-control was hanging by a thread, and every second he stood so close to her made it worse.
His breathing grew ragged, his chest rising and falling in time with the pulse pounding in his ears. He cursed under his breath, fighting against the growing need that seemed to grip him from the inside out.
His body was betraying him in ways he hadn't anticipated, ways he hadn't experienced before-not like this. The sensation of arousal was almost painful now, his member hard and aching, straining against the fabric of his trousers.
"Fuck!" he hissed, stepping back abruptly, tearing himself away from the intoxicating pull of her presence.
He ran a hand through his hair, his back turned to her, as if distancing himself could somehow clear his head.
Meera gasped, trying to catch her breath. Her heart was hammering in her chest, the fear still clinging to her like a shadow.
She watched as Arjun stood there, his back still turned, clearly troubled. His shoulders were tense, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He looked like he was fighting a battle within himself.
For a moment, silence hung between them like a thick fog. Meera's mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Why was he acting like this?
What had set him off? She didn't understand, and the unknown terrified her even more.
Arjun seemed distracted, lost in his thoughts. Seizing the opportunity, Meera's hand crept behind her, searching for the door handle.
Her fingers fumbled desperately, but her eyes never left Arjun. Every muscle in her body was coiled, ready to flee the moment she could escape this nightmare.
Her fingers finally found the cold metal of the door handle. Her heart leapt in her chest. Slowly, she began to turn it, her movements quiet and careful. But just as she was about to finish her task, Arjun turned to face her. His eyes were cold once again, the brief flash of vulnerability gone.
He had regained his composure, his face an unreadable mask.
Meera froze, her hand still on the handle. She swallowed hard, her throat dry as she met his icy gaze. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears.
Whatever fleeting chance she had to escape was now gone, and the reality of her situation settled heavily on her shoulders.
"Meera.." he said, his voice low, strained with the effort of restraint. He could barely trust himself to speak.
His gaze flicked once more to her lips, and he forced himself to look away, his fists clenched at his sides. He couldn't let himself slip again-not when the consequences would be far too great.
"Why did you stop the interview?" Arjun asked again, his tone sharper this time, his eyes locked onto Meera with an intensity that made her insides twist.
There was no more of the earlier frustration in his voice-now, he was cold, serious, as if he had been waiting for an answer that only she could give.
Meera hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze pressing down on her. She tried to steady herself, but her voice still trembled when she replied. "My time was up."
Arjun's eyes narrowed, and a smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth, though there was no amusement in it.
"Well, guess what?" His voice was low, dangerous. "It's not. Your time continues."
Meera blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift. "What?" she breathed, confusion flashing across her face.
"Your time is not up until I say it's up." he repeated, his tone almost mocking now, as if daring her to challenge him.
The arrogance in his words ignited a flicker of anger in Meera, her frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Arjun Madhav, but my time is up." she shot back, her voice shaking slightly but growing stronger with each word.
"The name on the assignment has already been changed, and I'm no longer involved. And frankly, why do you care? Siddhartha has no issue with it. What right do you have to drag me away from my job, bring me here, and question me like this?"
Her words hung in the air, sharp and accusatory. She could feel her pulse quicken as the tension between them escalated.
Meera wasn't the type to let anyone push her around, and certainly not someone like Arjun, who seemed to think he could control everything and everyone around him because he was a Criminal.
Arjun's face remained impassive as he listened, but his eyes darkened at her defiance. She wasn't done.
"You're not my friend, Arjun. Hell, we're not even close acquaintances. Stop meddling in my life! I get that you thought I might mingle with 'spies' or whatever nonsense you've convinced yourself of, but guess what? I didn't. And even if I had, that's none of your business, I will inform Siddhartha. So just... stop!" Her voice rose as she spoke, frustration spilling over in a way that felt unfamiliar, even to her. She was tired-tired of being pulled into his chaotic world, tired of his overbearing nature, and tired of the controling games he seemed to be playing.
For a moment, Arjun simply stared at her, unmoving, unreadable. The silence between them stretched, heavy and charged with everything left unsaid.
His gaze was piercing, as if he were studying her, dissecting her words, trying to understand something deeper than what she had said aloud. The air was thick with tension, almost suffocating.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Arjun spoke, his voice low and commanding.
"That's not how you talk to your Interviewee, Meera Ahuja."
Meera's breath hitched. His words were like a punch to the gut. Her mind raced to process what he had just said, the shock crashing over her in waves.
"W-what?" she stammered, barely able to get the words out. She had to have misheard him.
Arjun's expression didn't change as he clarified, his voice like steel.
"Your new interviewee is me, Arjun Madhav. And I don't want my interviewer replaced."
The revelation hit Meera like a brick wall. Her heart pounded in her chest, disbelief flooding her system.
"N-no... no, I don't believe that." she stuttered, taking a step back, as if physical distance could help her escape the weight of the situation.
"And even if it's true, I'm not your interviewer anymore. The name was changed, and you know that-just like the one way, Siddhartha's name was changed!"
Her voice was stronger now, the shock fading and giving way to a defiant resolve. She wasn't going to let him intimidate her, not again.
But Arjun, instead of backing down, merely narrowed his eyes, his jaw tightening as a silent fury built behind his cool exterior.
Without another word, he took a step forward-a slow, deliberate movement that felt predatory.
Meera's breath caught in her throat as she instinctively stepped back, only to find herself backed against the door again, her escape blocked by his towering presence.
Arjun's eyes blazed with something she hadn't seen before-something dangerous, a storm of emotions lurking just beneath the surface.
He wasn't shouting, he wasn't raising his voice, but the intensity in his gaze spoke volumes. It was a kind of control that was far more terrifying than any outburst.
"Meera." he said slowly, his voice low and measured. "I don't care what the name on the assignment says. You are My interviewer. And until I say otherwise, nothing changes. Do you understand?"
The proximity between them felt suffocating, and Meera's heart raced, her pulse pounding in her ears. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the raw energy that seemed to pour off him in waves.
His words hung in the air, leaving no room for argument. The intensity of his presence was overwhelming, and Meera's mind whirled as she struggled to find her footing.
For the first time, she realized that this wasn't just an interview, or anything professional. Arjun's need for control, went deeper. Something inside him had snapped, and it terrified her to think of what that might mean for her.
But she wouldn't let him see her fear. Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze, her voice quieter but no less determined.
"I'm not your interviewer, Arjun. And you don't control me."
For a long moment, neither of them moved. The silence was heavy, charged with unspoken tension, both of them waiting to see who would break first.
Finally, Arjun's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.
"We'll see about that."
Almost immediately, a knock interfered and meera moved away from the door.
The door got opened and Siddhartha walked in, along with Suhana.
â¤â¤â¤
20 votes please ð
I'm writing the next part ð