Page 16 of One Hellish Passion

“Tell me, Maya. You never share anything about your work, your colleagues, your boss with me. I want to know. Is your sponsor hot?”

“Fine,” she sighed. “I don’t know his present relationship status. But all our models are crazy about him. He is rich, very rich, in fact, and he likes controlling people. What else do you want to know?”

Garima seemed overly impressed.

“And such a man sent you these roses? Red roses? Doesn’t that mean something?”

Maya shook her head and gulped down the entire coffee.

“No, he was just being professional, and I like it that way. Now, let me shower. I have to go to the office.”

Garima smiled, watching Maya head back to her room. She truly wanted Maya to have a life beyond the office and this house. Her daughter had overloaded herself with so many responsibilities that she had no time for herself. Garima sincerely hoped her daughter would find love soon.

Malhotra Group

Ranveer came out, finishing the conference, when Aman stopped him.

“Boss,” Aman handed him the envelope.

“What is this?”

“Maya Bajaj has sent this back to you.”

Ranveer clenched his fingers and headed back to his cabin. He sat on his chair and opened the envelope. It contained the same cheque he had signed and sent to her as part of her incentives. Along with it was a note from her.

‘Thanks for continuing the contract with Blitz. Returning the cheque because I wanted to earn my incentives based on my work for your project, not for what happened in the pool last night.’

Ranveer grinned. This woman had never been easy for him, had she? Ever since she had returned into his life and they had met, there wasn’t a day he had not thought about her. This was insanely dangerous for his own self. A man who had the power to control the world could not control his own self.

Blitz

Maya was back to work. She wanted to avoid thinking about that man and the note he sent her this morning with the bouquet. By now, he must have received her message, and hopefully, he would withdraw whatever intentions he had for her. However, Maya needed to arrange money for her mother's treatment, and she had only five more days to do this. Exploring an alternative, she quickly called Deep, Roshni's assistant.

“Hi, Deep.”

“Oh, hi Maya. How are you doing? I saw your photo in the newspaper; you looked ravishing. I won't be surprised if you start getting modeling offers again.”

“Deep, thanks,” she interrupted him. “But I need a favor.”

“A favor? What is it?”

“Remember you told me about your friend Preeti who arranges painting exhibitions?”

“Preeti, oh yes. She is my close friend. What about her?”

“I have a few paintings which I want to sell off.”

“Oh, cool. I didn't know you are a painter too.”

“Just a hobby, Deep, and it's long gone. I don't get time to paint anymore,” she admitted.

“I see. Don't worry, I will message you Preeti’s number. You can speak to her.”

“Great. Thanks, Deep. Bye.”

Maya sighed with relief. She used to paint a lot earlier, but work and other tensions had taken over, and all that creativity was gone now. She had a few paintings that were close to her heart, but they were dumped in the storeroom of her apartment. She had finally decided to sell them off. Though they wouldn't fetch the price she needed, they would still be sufficient to start her mother's treatment.

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