Page 12 of One Hellish Passion

“Unfortunately, yes. I am aware I have to sort this for myself and also for Blitz.”

“Good. Meet him again today. I have managed to get his schedule for the day. He is having a meeting at the Taj Hotel this evening at 06:00. You can pay him a visit there and sort things out.”

“Why there? I can see him at his office.”

“Maya, he has a business to run. He cannot wait for you to pay him a visit. And it is we who need him, not vice versa. So, wherever we get the opportunity, we have to hold him there. Understood?”

She agreed and turned around to leave when he added something further.

“I want good news from Ranveer, Maya. If you don't happen to get me that, I suppose you will have to resign.”

Maya gripped her phone tight.

“I am positive about this, Vikram. I won't make a mistake this time. Rest assured,” she replied before walking out.

Her self-esteem had been crushed hard. If it hadn’t been for her mother’s health, she would have quit this job today and saved her self-respect.

************

Taj Hotel

Maya gathered information from the reception about the ongoing Malhotra group meeting. She wanted to wrap this up soon and head home. She couldn't make Ritu wait for her again. Ritu had her own family to look after; her mother wasn't Ritu's sole responsibility. To be honest, Maya wanted a permanent, full-time caretaker for her mother who could stay with them 24/7, but it would mean paying double the wages she was currently paying Ritu. She couldn't afford that, not yet.

“Excuse me,” Maya stopped someone exiting the conference room where the meeting was taking place.

“Hi,” he replied.

“Is Ranveer Malhotra inside? I am here to meet him.”

“Oh right. Vikram made me aware that you are coming. I am Aman Mathur, Ranveer's personal assistant.”

Maya shook hands with Aman.

“Nice meeting you, Aman. Now I remember, I had seen you yesterday in the Malhotra office as well.”

Aman nodded.

“The meeting is still not over. It may take a while. You have to wait.”

“Sure. I will wait here.”

Aman headed back into the conference room and whispered about her arrival in Ranveer’s ears who smirked back. So, here she came, to earn what she lost. This was going to be an interesting twist in her life, he promised. The meeting continued.

Maya slouched on the couch outside the conference room, battling with drowsiness. This idle and monotonous wait was a new experience for her. Restlessness compelled her to rise and pace the corridor intermittently, while Aman emerged occasionally to signal that her wait wasn't over yet. Glancing at her watch, she noted the time: 07:30 p.m. Sending a quick message to Ritu, she urged her not to leave her mother unaccompanied. Resuming her seat on the couch, she reclined her head, regretting her display of ego the previous day. If only she hadn't acted in such a manner, this entire situation could have been averted. It was her mistake, and now she had to suffer.

The meeting got over at 10:00 pm. Ranveer shook hands with his client, and soon everyone dispersed. Ranveer was the last one to step out, and when he did, he didn’t forget to pay attention to the couch where Maya was waiting for him. She had dozed off on that couch. He stopped, gesturing Aman to leave. He didn’t want anyone else to see her in this state. His eyes wandered from her face to her heart, which was beating softly as she snored. A strand of hair tickled her cheeks making Ranveer clench his fingers, wanting to move it away. Was he going to touch her? His heart fluttered; the inner walls of his stomach clenched, as he took that step towards her unknowingly. He leaned down and stroked the softness of her cheeks with the back of his finger before tucking the hair strand behind her ear. His eyes and fingers were no longer in his control. His gaze lowered to her waist, which had tucked the off-white shirt inside the black knee-length formal skirt. Adrenaline coursed through his body and realization dawned—she was here to earn an apology from him, to make things right. He wasn’t going to let her charms affect his sturdy nature. He stepped back and walked out of the hotel.

“Excuse me, Ma’am.”

Maya immediately opened her eyes and scanned the surroundings. The lady from the reception was standing before her. The conference room door was open, and it looked like the meeting was over.

“Where is he? I mean, there was a meeting going on here.”

“The meeting is over, Ma’am. Everyone left.”

“Left? But—” Maya cursed herself for dozing off. She recollected she had Aman Mathur’s number. She quickly dialed him.

“Aman, it’s Maya. Maya Bajaj.”

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