Rai POV:

I tossed and turned in bed, the remnants of last night's heated argument still swirling in my mind like a tempest. Sleep had eluded me, but as dawn broke, I was determined to shake off the lingering tension.

After a quick stop in the washroom to splash some cold water on my face, I put on my favorite gym attire—a snug, neon sports bra and a pair of high-waisted leggings that hugged my curves just right.

With my earbuds nestled in, I made my way to the gym, the familiar hum of energy igniting a spark of motivation within me. I pushed through my workout, each drop of sweat a cathartic release from the frustration of the previous night.

An hour later, I emerged from the gym, feeling like a warrior ready to conquer the world—or at least the rest of my day.

As I stepped outside, I took a long swig from my water bottle, relishing the refreshing coolness. Suddenly, I collided with something solid—something that felt far too sturdy to be the gym's entrance. I blinked, bewildered, and glanced up to find that I hadn't crashed into a wall at all. No, it was a tall, muscular figure standing right in my path.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't notice." I said avoiding our arguments last night.
There, towering before me, was Rudy.

He stood like a statue, his chiseled physique radiating an aura of confidence that was almost intimidating. His deep-set eyes held a gaze that traveled from my face down to my drenched gym attire, taking in every detail. I felt my cheeks heat up, the realization hitting me like a tidal wave. My workout ensemble clung to me, soaked in sweat, and I had just barged into him like......the Gym attire I chose today is definitely the wrong choice!!

"Uh, well" I managed to say, trying to ignore the way my heart raced.

Rudy's lips curved into a smirk, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Looks like someone put in some serious effort today," his voice deep, sending shivers down my spine.

"Yeah, well, you know what they say—sweat now, shine later," I shot back, attempting to regain my composure.

"Shining already, I'd say," he replied with a strong gaze. The air between us crackled with an unexpected tension, and for a moment, the world around us faded into a blur. All I could focus on was the undeniable chemistry sizzling in the atmosphere, as he stood there.

"Thanks... I guess!" I said, fumbling with my water bottle, "umm ok then I'm going." I just take a step to emerge but then my phone buzzed. I checked that it's from my company. I picked it up.

"Mam, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I didn't have any choice!" The frantic voice on the other end of the line broke through my morning haze, sending a jolt of urgency through me.

"What happened?" I asked, my tone firm and commanding, a natural reflex honed over years of running my company.

"Actually, the model Charishma Roy is here creating a scene, claiming that our company is a fraud! She says we took her money for a dress she ordered but never sent it! I'm trying to explain that it's impossible, but she's making a spectacle of herself, and there are so many reporters here recording her statement. That's why I had to call you so early!" the employee's voice was laced with panic, and I could almost picture her pacing back and forth in the office.

"Don't worry," I replied, my resolve solidifying.

"Let her make her statements. I'm on my way. Meanwhile, ensure you gather all the evidence that the dress was sent. I want every piece of proof we can find. I'll handle the fallout." I ended the call with a decisive click, my mind racing with strategies to counter this unwarranted attack on my company's reputation.

Suddenly, Rudy spoke up, his voice cutting through my thoughts. "I'll go with you!"

I glanced over at him, surprised. I must have unknowingly raised my voice during the call, and he had picked up on the tension.

"You don't have to! You have your own work to attend to," I insisted, unwilling to let him prioritize my company's chaos over his responsibilities.

"No one knows you're the CEO of the company, Rai. In front of the reporters, someone has to stand for the truth," he said calmly, his gaze steady and unwavering.

"Hmmm, you're right!" I conceded, running a hand through my hair, a mix of gratitude and frustration flooding me. "Are you sure you want to come with me?"

"Let's get this over with!" he replied, determination etched on his face as he headed off to get ready. I followed suit, slipping into a tailored outfit that screamed authority, I needed to command respect, and I was more than capable of doing so.

                  ☆☆☆

Twenty minutes later, we arrived behind the office building, where my guards discreetly escorted us into my cabin.

The chaos had already escalated; I had glimpsed the live news feed featuring Charishma, the high-profile model, launching unfounded accusations against my company.

I clenched my fists, fury bubbling beneath the surface. This wasn't just a simple misunderstanding; this was a calculated attack. Charishma was no stranger to controversy—her illustrious career was peppered with scandals, affairs with numerous high-profile individuals, and now, her greed had led her to accept a bribe from a rival company to smear our name. The audacity of her actions was infuriating.

"The audacity she has...!" I ground my teeth, my voice low and dangerous, while Rudy glanced at me, a knowing look in his eyes.

"Okay, I'm going to show them the proof," Rudy said, his demeanor shifting to that of a determined advocate as he prepared to face the media storm.

Rudy POV:

As I stepped out into the fray, the cacophony of reporters bombarded me with questions. Cameras flashed, and microphones were thrust in my direction, eager to capture every word.
"Why are you here instead of your own company?" one reporter shouted. "What's your relationship with this company?" another pressed, their curiosity palpable.

I maintained my composure, channeling the energy of the crowd. "Charishma Roy is lying," I declared, my voice steady and authoritative. "She is the true fraud here, throwing false allegations in exchange for money from a rival company of RO Enterprise! You can check the proof we have!" I held up the documents, showcasing the evidence that would dismantle her claims.

"No! It's a lie!" Charishma screeched, her composure slipping as she glared at me. "Why are you meddling in this? Oh, I see... That bitch is scared now that her real face is coming out. Don't fool everyone—I know the CEO is a girl. Where is she hiding, huh?" Her smirk was infuriating, a mask of bravado barely hiding her desperation...

Just as I was about to respond, a powerful voice cut through the noise. "Who is hiding?"

The crowd parted, and there she was—Rai, striding confidently into the chaos, her presence commanding the attention of everyone present.

She wore a cherry-red suit that accentuated her fierce demeanor, her hair cascading around her shoulders, and her makeup flawlessly enhancing her features. She was the embodiment of a boss lady, radiating authority and poise.

"Rai?" I murmured, astonished. She wasn't supposed to be here in front of reporters, but something in her aura told me she had come to reclaim her narrative, ready to crush the lies that threatened her empire. The tension shifted, and I could see the uncertainty flickering in Charishma's eyes as Rai stepped forward, ready to confront the chaos head-on. This battle was far from over, and I knew Rai was more than capable of taking charge.

_________________________________

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