Astha went directly to work from college. She grabbed a sandwich on the way and reached office in half an hour. An unusual hush had settled in office. Astha was perplexed by the formal settings in the office. Usually the atmosphere was relaxed and filled with laughter. Astha asked her friend in the front desk what the matter was.
"There is a bid to buy our office." Astha was shocked and worried.
"But we were doing good. So what's the need to sell?"
"Word is that some big shot has thrown an irresistible amount. And Sir didn't want to lose the opportunity. He feels our paper will enter the big league if this take over happens."
Astha was happy but sad too. She knew these kind of take overs will bring lots of changes, not necessarily good ones. The work would get clinical and the warm group may grow into a big, professional group of working staff. She herself may be thrown out of her job for all she knew. Astha decided to combat that possibility when it really happened.
Astha went to her seat and asked Rahul about the story they had to cover that day. "Hmm..Astha that has been transferred to another writer. I need to go with him."
"But why?"
"I don't know. Word is that our new boss wants it that way." Astha was again worried. Maybe she was already out of job. That's why another writer had taken over the job. Just then the senior editor called her. He asked her to come into his cabin. With a thudding heart and lost hope, Astha entered his cabin.
She got an even bigger shock to see Shlok Agnihotri sitting on the desk. Instantly things cleared out. Shlok had taken over the company and he was the one who stopped her from going with Rahul. Astha's temper rose steadily. She felt cheated and trapped. So that's why he didn't reply back when she had refused to quit over the breakfast table. This was his reply.
Astha stared at him in mute anger. Shlok asked the senior editor to wait outside. "I will speak to Ms Kirloskar and get back to you. This will be it for now."
Her present boss's boss left the cabin. It was just Shlok and Astha.
"So you're the new boss."
"Yes."
"Are you going to throw me out? Isn't that what you wanted all along?" She sounded bitter and angry.
"No. Of course not. In fact I wanted to ask you if I can promote you to be a permanent staff from an intern."
"What the hell. I don't want to be a puppet in your hands. You have just bought this company because of me isn't it?"
Shlok looked a little uneasy. He didn't reply with a straight answer. "Why do you want to know?"
"Yes or no. Did you or did you not buy this company because of me?" She sounded really adamant.
"Yes. I did. Since you were here, and you refused to quit and join one of my companies. I made this magazine mine." He sounded a little weary and unsure of what was to come.
Astha was literally seething in anger. "In that case I quit. And I will join elsewhere."
Shlok's eyes flared. "That may not be really wise Astha." His tone was mild although his eyes were looking dangerous.
"You wouldn't go and buy the next company too, will you?" Astha almost sounded horrified.
Shlok looked at her steadily while answering her exclamation. "I might just do that. Don't dare me Astha. I won't tolerate it. I don't want you going around with that photographer. You will work as my staff here in this office. And this month you need not come here. I have introduced a policy for interns where they need not come to office during exams."
"I don't think I can take this offer." Astha was almost sick of his controlling nature. She was stunned that he actually went and bought a magazine just because she worked as an intern there. Which normal person did that? Astha was shocked by his freaky, controlling nature. She was a little scared too.
Shlok got up in one fluid movement. He was at her side instantly. Astha was standing by the huge desk. He leaned over her and almost bent her against the desk. His arms caught her forearms, stilling her movement. "I will come after you wherever you go Astha. You are mine and I always like to keep what's mine with me."
" I am not a damn thing for you to keep." Her eyes were full of anger and she hissed out the words at his face.
"You look so damn sexy spiting fire in this angry mode. How I would love to take you against the desk, standing here, hard and fast. I want to come inside you Astha. Soon, very soon." His voice had turned husky and she felt his eyes dilate.
Astha was momentarily stunned by his words. He had diffused her anger in a second and turned it into desire. She was quivering by his side, and her abdomen clenched in desire. She felt herself throb with need. Her lips unconsciously parted for his kiss.
Shlok saw the instant change in her body. He lightly stroked her breasts and noticed that they immediately peaked. Shlok was pleased with her immediate response. He knew fireworks were going to spark when they came together.
"Though am pleased that you're aroused and you're almost begging for my touch, this is not the place. Meet the goddamn doctor and get things sorted first. When I touch you it will be on my terms, and I want nothing in between us. Not even a damned condom."
His words were like a bucket of ice water on Astha. She immediately moved away from Shlok and turned towards the window. Astha was struggling to make some sense of what was happening to her and failed miserably. Her inner self was still floating in the desire filled haven Shlok had created.
Astha took a deep breath and went out of the cabin. She closed the door forcefully, silently telling him the fight wasn't over. Not yet!
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