Hey everyone! 

It's weekend! And I uploaded the chapter! Let's hope it goes on like this.

Get ready to meet the man himself! 

See you at the end of the chapter

Enjoy!

___

It was the day of the presentation. Naina was as ready as she could be. She had slept early that night. Even though the sleep escaped her, Naina was fresh early in the morning. She even had a run in the nearby park before she got ready for the meeting.

She took out her best clothes for the meeting, for a change she applied some kohl highlighting her green eyes and a dab of lipstick. It was a sari her mother had bought for her. She wasn't a sari wearer, but Naina knew how to carry it pretty well. All her life she was taught this at home, how to be the perfect wife and daughter-law. Meanwhile Naina focused what her institutions taught her.

Naina collected all her papers and reached the office before than she was supposed to. No one had reached then which was perfect because the meeting was at 9:30 and it was 8.

Naina made her way to her cubicle. She collected her papers and the presentation and walked towards the conference room. Rechecking if she had everything, Naina did not notice that she wasn't alone in the office.

Walking in her own tune, Naina's trance was broken suddenly as she collided with something hard.

"Ooff!" She grunted. As her grunt was returned, only then Naina realised it was no wall, but a human.

"Sorry..." Naina's mind went on slight panic mode as she saw multiple papers had escaped the file "...Oh no!" She sat down to retrieve those escaped pages.

The person she collided with stood frozen. She did not pay attention as her presentation had taken her focus. What angered her was that the man with shiny expensive black shoes did not make an effort to help her out.

"You know helping out someone or at least saying sorry won't make you lesser of a person," She unintentionally said aloud.

Her eyes widened when a moment later she saw the man bend down as he collected the left pages and handed to her. Before she could say or even hold them, the guy mumbled a 'Sorry' and left rushing the opposite way.

"Idiot," She cursed herself for saying stupid things when she was nervous. Shaking her head, Naina entered the conference room where the meeting was to be held.

Naina sat down and sighed. She quickly put the papers that had escaped back to their place and revised just to confirm that there was no mistake. As she was setting up the presentation, Naina saw a man entering the conference room. From her peripheral vision she could figure it was the same man she had collided with.

She didn't want to, but she couldn't help looking up this time. He was handsome no doubt and she had never seen him. Maybe he was a new comer like her. Or maybe he was a board member.

As soon as she thought this dread crawled over her. What had she done! That was the lamest thing she could have told a male! Saying sorry and help? That wasn't what men wanted to hear, that too a board member.

Her job was done with. Naina prayed the presentation to go better than she expected so the man wouldn't get her kicked out.

Naina decided against saying anything and concentrated on her presentation. She had to make an impeccable second impression on this man and more than perfect impression on Aryan Narain or her dreams were done with.

By the time it was 9:15, the conference room was full. Soon Rishi came in and greeted everyone. As everyone shared greetings, Naina observed the man was given more respect by the others. Dread hung over her head as she realized that the man looked a lot like Rishi. Even though he was far better looking and had a better height and physique, both the men looked alike in a lot of ways.

He had a rugged face and a serious look on his face. His eyes were the darkest brown she had ever seen and Naina saw only coldness in it. It seemed he was detached from the world. She could see authority in every movement. To be honest, he was the only man Naina had ever seen that she felt drawn to. Not in a romantic way, but she suddenly had respect for the man, boss or not.

"Good morning everyone," Rishi's voice boomed through the room.

Good mornings shot through the room with small professional smiles. There were 20 other people in the room. 20 important people, if she rephrased.

"I would like to extend my warmest welcome to the special addition to this meeting, Aryan Narain, my elder brother and the CEO of RA International," Rishi said and all her suspicion came to life.

Her job was done with. Now all she had was this presentation. She would give her 200 percent so that she won't regret anything even if Aryan had her kicked out of the company. At least she did something significant in her life.

"Our London branch is reaching heights being voted number one 1 Construction companies in Europe besides its Indian origin," Rishi announced. Naina couldn't help but clap like the others.

Aryan Narain truly was hardworking as he was good looking. As she clapped along others, she felt eyes on her. Turning only to find her green eyes come in contact with Aryan's dark brown ones. For a moment she felt like there was no one in the room, but them. It was cut short when Rishi's voice broke the contact as Aryan looked at his younger brother and smiled.

"Let's start the Presentation, shall we?" Aryan said for the first time throughout.

His voice was deep and authoritative. Naina had never heard so much authority in a mere sentence. Not even her father or Rishi had it.

"Absolutely! First let me introduce Miss Naina Mathur, who is going to present the Annual Sales Report today along with the next year forecasts and possible opportunities and prospects," Rishi introduced.

Naina smiled a professional smile and nodded.

"Take over, Naina," Rishi said and Naina breathed a ragged breath.

"Good morning everyone..." Naina started.

She explained everything. From procuring of the data to compiling, from the result to analysis and the statistics of every graph and move there was.

Naina then explained the position of the sales currently and what more that could be done to increase it. She then presented the forecast for the next year and the sales strategies that could be used to cross the last year sales.

As she concluded she saw everyone looking in their copies of the report. Everyone except Aryan who looked directly at her. His dark eyes were locked on her. Naina didn't know what to take the signal as, but it made a sudden burst of confidence within her.

"Miss Mathur, can you please explain how you came up with these strategies?" He asked. His voice booming through the quiet room.

Everyone looked at Naina as she explained the pattern she followed and the calculations she did to come up without missing a beat.

As she finished, there was a sudden clap. Surprisingly, it wasn't from Rishi as she expected. It was from Aryan himself.

Soon the 20 important people in the board room clapped copying Aryan. In that moment Naina felt like she had done it all, like she was now closer to her dream.

The meeting dispersed as the board members were served tea and snacks in the pantry. She was about to leave as well when Naina was called by Rishi.

"Yes, Sir?" She asked.

"Aryan wants to have a word," Rishi said giving her a sympathetic look.

Naina looked at Aryan who was reading his copy of the report. Then she looked back to see Rishi leaving with the board members leaving her alone with Aryan in the conference room.

"You called for me, Sir," Naina said in her most professional tone trying to hide her terrified side.

"I did. I had a few queries, please solve them for me," He said looking at her.

"Sure, Sir," Naina gave him a professional smile as her heart started beating wildly.

"Please have a seat," He motioned. Naina did as asked. "Tell me, Miss Mathur, how long have you been here in RA?" He asked.

"5 months, Sir," Naina answered without missing a beat. Aryan looked surprised.

"What position are you working as?" He asked.

"Assistant Sales Manager, Sir," Naina replied.

"Where are the Sales Manager and the Deputy Sales Manager?" He asked.

"There was no Deputy Sales Manager when I joined. The Sales Manager, Nafeeza Sheikh gave her resignation 2 weeks back," Naina told him.

"How much of the report was your input?" He asked.

"I made the report with the help of the Sales team," Naina replied.

"They helped you, how?" Aryan asked.

"I had past report references, formats and data from them. They also helped me by running me through the details and importance of this presentation, Sir," Naina replied.

"So you say that none of the strategies and calculations were done by any other member of your team?" He asked.

"I had Pankaj confirm my data and Rishi Sir checked it himself," Naina told him.

"Let me have a word with Rishi then. You may leave Miss Mathur," Aryan told her.

"Thank you, Sir," She said and began to stand when Naina realised it was better she apologised rather than Rishi kicking him out without it.

"Umm...Sir?" She hesitated.

"Yes?" Aryan looked at her.

"I wanted to apologize for my behaviour in the morning. I didn't realise I said it out loud...and I won't give another excuse, I am deeply sorry for my words," Naina looked down and bit her lip bracing herself for the scolding.

"You voiced your opinion, there is no need for an apology. I should have been more careful on my part," Aryan said and Naina's eyes widened as her hear shot up.

"Uh..." Naina was short of words.

"You may go now, if you are done, Naina," Aryan told her firmly, but there was no coldness in his voice or eyes anymore.

"Right. Thank you, Sir," Naina smiled at him. It wasn't a professional smile anymore.

As Naina stepped out of the conference room, a new found confidence found its way to her. She felt light, happy. She was happy like she hasn't been since her father permitted her to come to Delhi to work.

Naina thought she had a new aura now, something powerful and it was all due to one man, Aryan Narain.

***

For people who don't know, sari is a traditional Indian clothing comprised of a 6 yard fabric draped around a woman's body. It can be done in various and numerous ways. 

Secondly....Aryan... what are your views about this one? Is he going to be the best male leads I've ever written? I hope so!

Do tell me how you felt about the chapter, I'm dying to know!

Do vote if you like my work! I appreciate all the support I get from you guys <3

Until next time

Racs