The Softer Devraj

Chapter 8: The Game Begins

Days slipped by in a blur of deadlines, coffee cups, and stolen glances.

Nandini had sunk herself completely into work. The polished marble floors of her father's law firm echoed with the click of her heels every morning. 

She was the youngest lawyer in the firm yet carried herself with calm maturity soft-spoken, composed, and impossibly gentle. 

The soft hum of air conditioning filled the conference room at Malhotra & Associates. 

Nandini sat poised at the head, her calm voice cutting through the silence as she explained a clause with practiced precision.

Across from her, Neil Virk  a powerful businessman known for his empire of luxury hotels was only half-listening.

Or rather, he was listening too closely not to her words, but to her.

Every time she looked up from the document, his gaze was already waiting. 

Steady. 

Intent. 

A little too focused to be professional.

"So, Mr. Virk," she said softly, tapping the paper in front of him. 

"As per the clause, your company will need to provide written consent before the merger finalizes."

He nodded, though the curve of his lips hinted he wasn't following the words as much as the voice. 

"Of course. I'm sure I can manage that... with your guidance."

Her brow lifted slightly polite, composed. 

"You'll have my team's full support."

His eyes glinted. "I was hoping for yours, specifically."

A quiet pause. One of the senior partners cleared his throat, pretending not to notice the tension that had begun to hum between them. 

Nandini only smiled politely and shifted her attention back to the documents professional to the last breath.

But Neil wasn't done. 

After a few moments, he leaned back in his chair, tone casual but gaze unwavering.

"It's getting late. How about we continue this over dinner?"

The team exchanged quick glances. 

Before anyone could respond, he added smoothly, 

"The Crown has just opened a private section tonight. I happen to have a reservation."

The room stirred impressed murmurs, faint excitement. 

Even the senior partners couldn't refuse such an offer.

Nandini hesitated for a moment. 

Normally, she would've declined, preferred the comfort of her quiet evening and her books. 

But tonight, she had nothing else planned no court brief waiting, no calls from Arnav, no reason to say no.

So she nodded lightly, offering a small, diplomatic smile.

"Of course, Mr. Virk. That would be fine."

He smiled slow, satisfied. 

"Then it's settled."

As everyone stood to leave, Neil lingered a moment, his gaze following her as she gathered her papers. There was something unreadable in his eyes admiration laced with curiosity, and something darker, quieter, that he didn't bother hiding.