Her

The office was a cavern of silence as I walked in, save for the distant hum of the air conditioning. The redesign project was in full swing, and I was deep in thought about how best to bring new life into these spaces. The sketches and color swatches I'd been working on for the past few days were scattered across my desk, a chaotic but exciting jumble of ideas.

Bhaiya had come in with me today-he was always supportive of my work, even if Dante's interference was a bit of a pain. I had a plan for the office spaces, and it was time to present it. I was determined to show both them how my vision could transform the place.

When they strode into the conference room, I was ready. We moved to the main area where the redesign was to take place. I took a deep breath and started laying out my ideas.

"Alright, guys," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. "Here's what I've got."

I spread out my sketches and mood boards on the table. "I'm envisioning a modern, open layout with a lot of natural light. We'll use light colors to make the space feel bigger and more inviting. The new design includes flexible workspaces to adapt to different needs, and the furniture is both stylish and functional."

Dante looked over the designs with a critical eye. "It's definitely different from what we have now. I see the focus on openness and flexibility. But I'm not convinced this will align with our brand's image."

I felt a pang of frustration. "Mr. Grump, the current image is outdated. The design I'm proposing will not only modernize the space but also align with the direction the company is heading. We want to present an image of innovation and forward-thinking."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Innovation is fine, but it has to make sense for the company's culture. We can't just overhaul everything without considering the impact."

Arjun stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "Dante, Tara's design isn't just about aesthetics. It's about creating a work environment that supports creativity and collaboration. We've been talking about this for months, and this redesign is a crucial part of our strategy."

Dante's gaze shifted to Arjun, and then back to me. "I understand the need for change, but this is a significant departure from what we're used to. I need to be sure it's the right move."

I crossed my arms, feeling a surge of frustration. "And how am I supposed to convince you if you keep second-guessing everything? I've put a lot of thought into this, and it's designed to make a real difference."

Dante's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not saying your work isn't good, Petardo. I just need to be sure it fits with the company's goals. We have a responsibility to our employees and clients."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. "This design isn't about just fitting in; it's about leading. If we want to stay ahead, we need to embrace change."

Arjun looked between us, sensing the tension. "Dante, I think we should give Tara's design a chance. If it doesn't work out, we can always make adjustments."

Dante's expression softened a bit, but he still looked uncertain. "Alright. We'll give it a try. But if there are issues, I expect them to be addressed promptly."

I nodded, relieved but still simmering with frustration. "Understood. I'll make sure to keep you updated."

Dante gave a curt nod and turned to leave, his usual confident stride belying the internal conflict I could see in his eyes.

As he walked away, I couldn't help but feel a mix of victory and irritation. I knew my design was the right choice, but convincing Dante to see it that way was always going to be a challenge.

Bhaiya placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You did great, Tara. He'll come around."

I managed a grateful smile. "Thanks, Bhaiya. I hope so."

I turned back to my sketches.

Dante Marchetti was infuriating, controlling, and impossible to please. But damn it, he was also one of the most intriguing men I'd ever met.

And that was exactly what scared me the most.

Him

I stepped out of the meeting room, the weight of our discussion still heavy on my shoulders. Tara had brought some strong points to the table, but her persistent pushback was beginning to wear me thin. It felt like every decision I made was met with resistance, and though she was undeniably sharp, her constant challenge felt less like collaboration and more like a battleground.

I leaned against the wall outside the conference room, needing a moment to clear my head. Tara's dedication was clear, but her persistence felt more like a power play than a partnership. I reminded myself that this wasn't personal-just work. She wasn't deliberately trying to provoke me... was she?

"Dante?"

I looked up to see Arjun approaching, his face etched with concern.

"Yeah?" I asked, trying to push my frustrations aside.

"Everything okay?" Arjun's tone was too casual, betraying the worry beneath it.

I shrugged, attempting to sound nonchalant. "Just needed a break. The presentation went alright, but Tara and I... well, we're working through some things."

Arjun's gaze sharpened. "Yeah, I noticed. Tara seemed pretty wound up too. What's going on between you two?"

Caught off guard by his directness, I blinked. "What do you mean? Nothing's going on. She just... has strong opinions. We don't always agree, that's all."

Arjun's eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms. "Strong opinions? Or is there something else I should be worried about?"

I felt a knot of discomfort form in my stomach. "It's just work. We don't always see eye to eye, but that's normal."

"Uh-huh," Arjun said, his skepticism evident. "Look, I know my sister can be intense, but I don't want her getting caught up in anything... unnecessary."

Caught off guard, I felt a strange sense of unease settle in. Was Arjun suggesting that Tara and I-? The absurdity of the thought almost made me laugh.

"Wait, you think-" I began, incredulous. "Arjun, no. There's nothing like that going on. We're just colleagues."

Arjun's gaze remained steady, as if measuring whether to believe me. "Good," he said finally, though his tone was still serious. "Keep it that way. She's not here to deal with any... distractions. I don't want things getting messy."

I felt unsettled by the entire conversation, my mind racing. "I hear you, man. It's strictly professional. No distractions."

Arjun studied me a moment longer before adding, "But before you go, there's one more thing. Tara's been putting a lot of effort into this project. Maybe... you should apologize for being so hard on her. Acknowledge the work she's done."

I was taken aback by his suggestion. "Apologize? For what?"

"For not recognizing her efforts and for pushing back so much," Arjun explained. "She works hard and cares about this project. It wouldn't hurt to show some appreciation."

The idea of apologizing felt foreign, but as I considered it, Arjun's point made sense. A little acknowledgment might smooth things over, especially if it meant easing the tension.

"Alright," I said reluctantly. "I'll talk to her and clear things up."

Arjun nodded, looking satisfied. "Good. She deserves it. And remember, she's my sister. I just want to make sure she's treated well."

Without another word, Arjun turned and walked away, leaving me with a mix of frustration and contemplation. I returned to my office, the conversation with Arjun lingering in my mind.

I wasn't drawn to Tara like that. Sure, she was smart and knew how to stand her ground, but that was where it ended. There wasn't anything more to it.

At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

As I sat down at my desk, however, my thoughts wandered almost against my will. I found myself replaying the image of her in the meeting earlier-her voice sharp yet steady, her eyes blazing with determination. The way her hair had fallen over her shoulder, slightly disheveled but still captivating.

I could almost see her leaning over the desk, her eyes locking with mine, that fierce look softening just a bit. A smirk might play at her lips as she leaned in closer-

No. What the hell was I doing?

I snapped back to reality, shaking my head. This was just work. Just work.

Arjun's implication that I might be crossing a line with Tara was almost laughable. But now, his words were stuck in my mind, leaving me more unsettled than I cared to admit.