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Chapter 1

BFL 1

"Miss Sethi, have you finished your presentation?" one of my colleagues inquired.

"Yeah, it's almost complete," I replied, my eyes glued to the computer screen. This deal is crucial for our company, and today marks our first meeting with Khurana Industries.

"It's finally done," I exclaimed, rising from my desk and making my way to the meeting room. We all gathered, anxiously waiting as the anticipation filled the air. Suddenly, one of our employees burst into the room, breathless, and informed us, "Boss, they're here."

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and nerves as we prepared to meet with Khurana Industries. The room buzzed with anticipation, everyone eager to make a lasting impression. The stakes were high, and we knew that this meeting could potentially shape the future of our company.

As the door swung open, our hearts raced. The representatives from Khurana Industries entered the room, exuding an air of confidence and authority. We greeted them with warm smiles, trying to hide our own jitters.

As I prepare to give my very first presentation. But it's not just any presentation, it's for Khurana Industries, one of the biggest players in the industry. Talk about pressure!

I'm feeling a mix of nerves and excitement, trying to keep my cool. And then, out of nowhere, my manager, Mrs. Mittal, notices my jitters and comes over. She gives me a reassuring pat on the shoulder and says, "You've got this, girl. Show them what you're made of." Her words instantly boost my confidence, and I'm ready to rock it.

As I take my place at the front of the room, the anticipation builds. Suddenly, the door swings open, and two figures stride in. The whole room stands up, showing respect. And guess who walks in? None other than the big boss himself! My jaw practically hits the floor.

It's been five long years since I last saw him, and here he is, making a grand entrance. The memories come flooding back, and I can't help but smile. It's like a blast from the past, and I never expected to cross paths with him again. The room is buzzing with urgency, and I can't wait to see what unfolds.

As I stood there, the words "nerdy boy" slipped from my lips, barely audible to anyone but myself. My eyes unexpectedly welled up with tears, catching me off guard. I couldn't tear my gaze away from him, feeling dumbfounded in his presence. But then, something changed. I noticed his eyes filled with anger, directed right at me. It hurt to see that anger, and I quickly averted my tear-filled eyes, not wanting him to witness my vulnerability. But deep down, I knew he had already noticed.

The tension in the room was palpable as my manager welcomed them with a polite gesture. "Welcome, sir. Please, have a seat," she said, her voice carrying a hint of formality. They nodded in acknowledgment, their presence commanding attention.

"Seher, go ahead and start your presentation," my manager instructed, breaking the silence. I nodded, summoning every ounce of courage within me.

The presentation began, and I took a deep breath, ready to showcase our hard work and dedication. Each slide was meticulously crafted, every word carefully chosen to convey our expertise and capabilities. As I spoke, I could feel the room becoming captivated by the vision we had painted.

The meeting progressed, questions were asked, and answers were given with utmost professionalism. We engaged in a fruitful discussion, exchanging ideas and exploring potential collaborations. The energy in the room shifted from nervousness to a sense of synergy and possibility.

I couldn't shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on me. It made my nerves creep up, threatening to derail my focus. But I pushed through, determined to showcase my hard work. The room was captivated, impressed by what I had prepared.

Finally, the moment arrived. It was time to sign the contract, sealing the deal. The air was thick with anticipation as I nervously awaited their decision.

As his assistant presented the contract agreement, I couldn't help but feel his piercing gaze on me. The intensity of his stare made me instinctively look away, avoiding any direct eye contact. The truth is, I lacked the courage to meet his gaze. It felt as if his eyes held a power that could unravel me.

Suddenly, his voice broke the silence, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Let's call it off. I don't want to do business with your company," he declared, his tone filled with frustration and irritation. The room fell into a state of confusion, with everyone tilting their heads quizzically, trying to make sense of his unexpected decision.

Desperate to salvage the situation, my manager pleaded with him, her voice filled with urgency. "Sir, have we made any mistakes? Please let us know. This deal is incredibly important to us." However, he seemed indifferent to her pleas, his focus solely fixed on me. His gaze felt like daggers, as if he wished to annihilate me with just a single look.

The atmosphere grew heavy with uncertainty, leaving us all on edge.

As the manager persisted in asking for the reason behind canceling the deal, he remained silent, refusing to provide an explanation. The suspense in the room grew thicker, leaving us all on edge, desperate to understand his motives.

Then, he directed his attention towards me, uttering my name with a chilling tone. "Mrs. Mittal, if you want to do business with us, then you'll have to let go of your employee," he said, pointing directly at me. The sudden accusation startled both me and the manager, our eyes widening in disbelief.

But the manager, determined to defend me, spoke up with conviction. "Sir, she is an incredible and hardworking employee. I can't simply fire her without any valid reason," she pleaded, her voice filled with sincerity and loyalty.

However, he seemed unmoved by her words, his anger palpable. "I don't care who she is or what she does. If you want to proceed with this deal, you must terminate her employment. Otherwise, you know the consequences," he growled, his teeth clenched tightly together. With that, he stormed out of the meeting room, leaving behind the echoing sound of a forcefully slammed door.

The tension in the air was suffocating, leaving us all stunned and uncertain about what would happen next.

As I stood up from my seat, a mix of determination and fear coursed through my veins. "Manager, I need to resign," I declared, my voice trembling slightly. But my manager, bless her heart, refused to let me go without a fight. She reassured me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder, promising to confront him and even let go of the deal if necessary. Her unwavering support gave me a glimmer of hope in this dark moment.

"It's okay, Manager," I replied, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I understand the gravity of this deal for the company. If letting me go secures it, then so be it." Deep down, I knew there was more to his vendetta against me, but I couldn't bring myself to reveal the truth to my manager just yet.

Her confusion was palpable as she questioned our connection. Did we have some sort of history? I hesitated, not ready to disclose the painful secret that lay between us. Instead, I offered a weak smile and shook my head, keeping my emotions tightly locked away.

In that moment, I felt a surge of determination. I wouldn't let this situation break me. I would face whatever lay ahead with resilience and strength, even if it meant sacrificing my own position. The stage was set, and the tension thickened as I prepared to navigate the treacherous path that awaited me.

As I handed over my resignation letter, a mix of emotions flooded through me. The dullness in her voice and the sadness in her eyes showed just how much this deal was affecting both of us. We shared a bittersweet moment, trying to lighten the mood with a bit of banter. I chuckled and teased her about being sweet, but she playfully protested. Deep down, I knew she was a sweetheart, and her smile confirmed it.

Leaving the office for the last time, I couldn't help but take a moment to reflect. This company had been my home for the past two years, a place where I poured my heart and soul into my work. Now, I had to say goodbye. But amidst the nostalgia, a question lingered in my mind: why did he come back into my life? What did he want now?

Lost in my thoughts, I turned to the left and, in an unexpected twist of fate, collided with someone's solid chest. Looking up, I found myself face to face with him. The air crackled with tension as our eyes locked, leaving me wondering what this encounter would bring.

“Mayank,” As I uttered his name, tears welled up in my eyes. I wanted nothing more than to embrace him tightly and pour out all the feelings I had kept bottled up for so long. The longing and the ache of missing him consumed me. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something beyond anger. There was a hint of hatred, and that terrified me. I didn't want him to hate me.

Feeling a wave of fear wash over me, I took a step back, ready to retreat from this painful encounter. But before I could make my escape, his grip tightened around my arms, preventing me from leaving. His voice, laced with coldness and gritted teeth, pierced through the air, "How dare you cross my path again,"

I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze, keeping my eyes cast downward. With a calmness that belied the turmoil within me, I replied, "I didn't know it was your company." But his grip only grew tighter, his nails digging into my hand, causing me pain. It took all my strength to hold back my tears.

Desperate to free myself from his grasp, I mustered the courage to speak up, "Mayank, please let go of my hand. It's painful." My voice quivered slightly, but I refused to let the tears fall. The tension between us was palpable, and I had no idea how this encounter would unfold.

As I uttered those words, I was taken aback by Mayank's reaction. His voice boomed, filled with anger and hurt, "And what about the pain that you gave me back then?" His words cut through me like a knife.

Trembling, I mustered the courage to speak, my voice stuttering, "I-I am sorry for back then." But his response was laced with sarcasm as he laughed bitterly. "Sorry? Huh? Do you really think your one sorry can make everything better? Do you think it can erase the pain that has been tearing me apart every single day?"

His words hit me like a tidal wave, and I recoiled, unable to find the right words to respond. "Why? Why did you do that to me, Seher? Why?" His voice echoed with anguish, and I could sense the danger in his demeanor. Fear gripped me, and I closed my eyes, afraid of what might happen next. I knew that trying to explain would be futile.

Suddenly, he jerked me towards him, shaking my shoulder with a force that made me wince. He was too close, his warm breath brushing against my face. "I almost forgot you. I almost forgot that I loved someone like you. But your reappearance has brought back all the pain you inflicted upon me," he said in the saddest tone.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I peered into his, trying to hide his own pain. I could see the anguish and heartbreak that I had caused him. It was a painful realization, and I felt a deep sense of regret for the pain I had brought upon him.

As I sobbed, I mustered up the courage to reach out and take Mayank's hand, hoping to comfort him. But he stopped me, showing his palm as a sign to halt. My heart sank as he uttered those chilling words, "Your sorry can't make anything better. Now you'll have to pay for your own deeds, Seher. I promise you, I will make your life hell, just like you made mine in the past." His smirk sent shivers down my spine.

Fear gripped me as I witnessed this side of Mayank, a side filled with hatred instead of the love he once had for me. I couldn't help but blame myself for his changed behavior. I knew deep down that I was the reason for his pain.

Through my tears, I tried to explain, "Mayank, I can't undo the pain I caused you, but I was truly guilty then, and I still am now." My words were met with his cold response, "Don't you dare shed fake tears in front of me. It won't work. I will make you pay. Just wait and see." With a devilish smirk, he walked away, leaving me on the ground, consumed by regret and the weight of my actions.

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