Chapter 6
Prachi sat in the conference room trying to focus on the presentation in front of her, but all she could think of was how uncomfortable her silk saree was. She cursed herself for wearing this godforsaken article of clothing, it knowing fully well that the cramped conference room would make her regret her decision. But she couldn't say no to her father-in-law after he had so kindly gifted it to her.
Prachi squirmed in her seat as another 15 minutes passed, without the sign of the speaker letting up anytime soon. They had been stuck in this room since morning, and it was well past lunchtime now. Since their marriage, and the acquisition of Milind as the new CEO, lots loose ends needed to be tied up.
If she had been apprehensive about reactions to the recent changes in Milind and hers positions in the company, all her fears were put at bay once Milind addressed the board of directors and department head. She had to hand it to him; in less than a day he had managed to establish a hold over his employees—something that she struggled with for months after she became CEO.
She was brought out of her reverie when she heard Milind ask, "What do you think, Prachi?"
Shit. If she'd only paid attention instead of daydreaming. She looked up at Milind blankly, unsure of what he was asking. Milind waited with a raised eyebrow. She had been out of it throughout the whole meeting, and it was irritating him—especially now that he was speaking.
She saw Milind's mouth twist into a slight smirk, mocking her. Well, I'll be damned if I let you embarrass me in front of my colleagues, Mishra, Prachi thought grumpily. She sighed and pushed her chair back, standing up. The occupants of the room eyed her warily. The tension in the room was palpable.
Prachi smiled warmly at Milind. A little too warmly. "I think we could all use a break" she said. Looking around the room, she found several pairs of eyes staring at her cautiously, in some, she even saw sympathy. The wrath of Milind Mishra wasn't easy to digest, and Prachi had basically just asked for it. To much of their surprise, and Prachi's, Milind merely nodded.
As people shuffled out of the room, thanking Prachi and their stars for the much needed break, Milind signaled Prachi to stay back. Once alone, he shot her an unnerving glare. Prachi nervously twiddled her thumbs.
He walked closer to her, his tall frame towering over her petite form. "Sweetheart" he started in the most biting tone he could muster up, "would you be so kind as to spare us some of your attention during the meeting and pretend to look at least mildly interested in the direction this company's headed? Would that be too much of me to ask?"
"Y-yes…I…I mean..n-no?" Prachi stammered. His proximity to her was taking a toll on her ability to think clearly. His jaw looked even sharper up close, his cologne was overwhelming her senses, and for a split second she wondered how his day-old stubble would feel against the back of her hand.
Milind simply rolled his eyes and smiked. He had gotten used to making people nervous; in fact, he derived some sort of sick pleasure in watching people squirm before him. His sardonic smile wasn't missed by Prachi, and she straightened herself out.
"No" she said a little too sharply.
"No?" he asked, puzzled.
"It wouldn't be too much for you to ask." Prachi paused before continuing. "Along the same vein, it wouldn't be too much of us to ask you not to suffocate us with so many tasks at once, would it?" Before Milind could respond, she continued, "And if and when you do, it wouldn't be TOO much of us to ask for a little appreciation, would it?"
Milind opened his mouth to say something, but didn't come up with a fitting retort.
"Didn't think so" turning on her heel, she sauntered out of the room.
Prachi-1, Milind-0. Milind kicked invisible dust in frustration.
