Sree
I couldn't concentrate on my work as I was busy looking at Natasha and Ria talking and laughing to each other.
I heard that Ria, was going to work in the Mumbai project, but why was she talking like that to Natasha, when she knew Natasha was his ex.
Their cackles irritated me. Then I saw Vikram, go near them.
He showed his laptop to Natasha, and she replied.. He was surfing through his laptop and I could see the way she was looking at him.
Even Ria, tried to act so sweet around him.
How long do I have to see such things.
I clenched my fingers and took my phone and called him..
He looked at the phone, and seeing my number, looked up at me in my seat..
He raised his eyebrows lightly and cut the call.
So I went near them.
"Hey Ria, heard you are in the new project, congrats ", I said.
Vikram kept his eyes on his laptop
Riya looked at me and gave me a fake smile.
" Oh yes.. Sree.. I get to work with Natasha ma'am, isn't that great, she is so nice", she said.
I look at Natasha who had her face turned away from me.
" Sree, I need your help for this project too", Vikram said finally looking away from his laptop
What? If that meant I had to work with Ria and Natasha, I would never do that.
However, I didn't convey my objections here.
"Vikki, we have enough people right, do we need more", Natasha asked
" Natasha, I've told you I decide what my employees do", Vikram said.
Ria seemed unhappy..
I left from there and she followed me..
"I've been noticing Sree, you like Vikram sir too right,.. But don't you dare.. I was here for so long.. And I have my rights on him.. So he is mine", Ria said
I looked at her with disgust. I wanted to shout to her, that he was my fiancé and we loved each other, but Vikram had asked to keep that a secret.
" Who are you to threaten me Ria, go do your work.. Vikram will decide whom he likes for himself ", I said and walked away.
People kept on spreading rumors' about Vikram and Natasha too.
That Saturday, I went to Vikram's house for the training.
I had accepted the promotion. I didn't know if I could ever take up such a big post, after years, but I thought I'd try.
Anyways he would be with me.
We sat on the bed and Vikram was going to teach/ train me. I was excited in the beginning, but Vikram was very serious in his training mode.
He kept on teaching concepts without a break for 2 hours..
"Ok.. So tell me what strategy is used by this company? ", he said and pointed at the screen
" I don't know", I said and looked at him..
"What? I just told you", he said
" Vikram, you have been going on for 2 hours,.. I'm tired ", I pouted
Vikram sighed and smiled.
" I guess I moved into my work mode, I didn't realize, we can stop for today , don't worry I'll train you really well", he said
"Yes... I have no worries", I said and leaned on his chest. and closed my eyes, inhaling the fresh scent of the fabric of his shirt.
He automatically put his hands around me.
" You are sleepy? ", he asked
" A little.. It's so warm and comfortable like this,.. Though, your chest is so hard" I said.
His arms wrapped around me tightly and he gently kissed the top of my head..
I almost fell asleep.. When I recollected Natasha and Ria..
I opened my eyes.
"I hate Natasha and Ria", I said
" Ria? What did she do? ", he asked.
I couldn't see his expressions from this angle, but I didn't move.
" What did she do? Do you really not know she is into you", I asked
"Oh, ok.. So? ", he asked
" What do you mean so??", I said and moved away from him to see his face..
"It's her opinion Sree, you needn't feel bad for that, you know I would only love you back, you trust me right? ", he asked
" Of course I trust, you... But I don't like them.. I don't trust Natasha, and Ria, can't you fire her or something.. Do you even know what she told me" , I said
"I can't get away from Natasha and you know the reason. I can't fire Ria, just because she likes me Sree", he said
I got a little irritated. " You are the CEO, you can do anything you want", I said.
"What reason do I give, I haven't seen her flirt directly to me too, if she does that, I will warn her, is that ok", he said.
I shrugged.
" Better idea, announce that I'm your fiancé ", I said
" No, Sree.. I can't now", he said
"Why can't you? Are you ashamed of me,", I asked in my anger.
He looked at me with his eyebrow raised
" What? If only you could see through my eyes on what you mean to me ", he said
" Ya these dialogues seem good, you know what, I'm tired.. I'm going home, will talk to you later", I said and left the room..
Vikram came back behind me till the door, but was silent..
I didn't talk much with Vikram, the next day. On Monday, there was a meeting with the investors and key people of the Mumbai project.
Many of them visited our office. Natasha was glued to Vikram all the time.
"Sree, ask the workers to bring them tea and snacks", Natasha commanded me.
Vikram was next to her, but he didn't tell anything. I knew she was wantedly targeting me.
One of the client there spoke to Vikram personally.
" Hey Vikram, you are unmarried aren't you", he asked
"Ya", he said
" Hmm,.. Do you mind I know many girls from the business families ", he said
" I'm sorry sir, I'm not interested, nor do I want to discuss my personal life in my office", Vikram said.
That day evening, I decided to go home by cab. For the past few days, Vikram had been dropping me home.
However, Vikram took his car and stopped it before me.
"Get in", he said
" I don't want to, ", I said
He sighed, "don't make me do what I did last time", he said
I recollected when he had pushed me forcefully into the car.
I entered the car and was silent.
" Sree, what is the problem", he said
"You know what is", I replied
" People are going to get to know, or are you planning to keep our marriage also a secret", I asked
"It's not like that Sree", he said
" Then what is it, ohh or do you feel bad to not be single anymore, won't be the eligible bachelor", I said and looked out of the window.
Vikram was silent..
"See... If you want to know why I'm against telling people, you should know that once this is made public, there will be journalists following you..
They would want to get the story..
It would be difficult for us to find out of its Karan's men or if it's some journalist.
We would have to give an interview, many interviews and not only that, you have to face the words of many employees.
Do you know what they would speak of us if they know this,.. I wouldn't mind and no one would dare speak before me,
But you? It's going to make things difficult for you.. ", he said
"Journalists? What? ", I asked
" Yah.. ", he said
" Still have to face it anytime.. We have only months for the marriage,.. Ok Vikram,.. I don't mind.. I'm sorry I got irritated by some things which happened.. I understand you.. I guess you will know when to announce it", I said
The next day, we had a usual meet, where Vikram discussed about the prospects of the company.
I almost chuckled as I remembered him giving the same speech to me when I was at his house.
I admired him like always.
"That's all for today guys, you may leave ", he said towards the end
" Guys, before you all leave I would like to inform all of you of a personal matter of mine.
All of you have been like a family to me, so I am obliged to let you all know first before, the press gets to know..
I'm engaged and I'm going to marry soon", he said
My heart rate increased and my eyes widened as I never expected him to tell that..
All the employees were surprised and I could see that from their reactions..
"And my fiancé, is none other than Sree here, Sreedevi ", he said and looked at me...
My hands were trembling as I felt everyone look at me.
There were some gasps and some stared at me.. And others congratulated Vikram and me.
Vikram smiled and left the Hall.
I was overwhelmed when everyone came to me at once to congratulate me.
Ria's expression was price less.. She looked at me with such a jealousy and anger..
" Sree.. Omg that is a great surprise congrats ", Ramesh said.
I nodded
As Vikram had said... I did hear a few people talking behind my back..
" Look at that, she managed to seduce a rich person to marry her, and now she got a promotion.. ", said someone I didn't know..
" Yah.. An affair between an employee and a boss, isn't it illegal", another asked
They stopped talking on seeing me..
But the words made me feel helpless....
I did try replying to them.. But they didn't care..
Many came to me asking about our story.
Vikram had messaged to me stating not to tell much, and just state that it's an arranged marriage for now.
I did the same..
I was bewildered to see many journalists in front of the company when I had to return home..
"Are you Vikram Sir's fiancé"
"How did you meet"
"Was it love",
There were many questions which they asked, and they blocked my way.. They even took photos without asking me..
I was wondering what to do when Vikram arrived
" Who let you all in? You all want to know about my private life and this isn't the correct place, go away and we will give official interviews.. Don't disturb us", Vikram said and held my hand and moved to his car. He opened the side door and I got in..as they crowded around is
Then he drove away...
"You.. You decided to tell", I asked
" Ya, as you said, it was inevitable, had to happen one day", he said
He drove me to his house.
"You are staying here, from now on", he said
" What I never agreed", I said
"It's not a choice Sree, you can't go back after this. .. You don't want journalists outside your flat, they can easily get in and bang your door and you can't even go out easily.. It will be hard.. And you don't know how some of them are,..
It would disturb Harini too,
So it's better for all of us if you stay here..
I'll ask someone to get your things", he said
"I can't even go to get my stuff? ", I asked
" You can, it's better this way.. You don't want them to follow our car and trouble poor Harini do you, just for a few days until.. till all this is forgotten, "
He said
I nodded and got down from the car.
"And we have to give official interviews, have to prepare on what story to tell for that", he said
" You are that famous? ", I asked
He raised his eye brows,
" Not much, but guess you saw the article in the magazine about me in the beginning ..
There are many such small local magazines too.. And yes.. I'm going to become a more public figure as my company grows, so you have to get used to it too"
I looked at him blankly as I tried to understand what it all meant.
"And Sree, if I were you,.. I wouldn't see any social media platforms for some time", he said.
As soon as he said that, I took my phone out.. I looked at insta to find around 100 messages from random strangers, though they couldn't talk more, unless I accept, many congratulated, many women were jealous...
Vikram snatched my phone from me.
"I just tell you not to, and you do exactly that. " he said
"One good thing, you are officially my fiancé Sree..
And you are going to stay with me.. " He said.. And pulled me to him..
He gently kissed my forehead..
"So baby,.. We can be with each other, I'll be always there with you Sree, you don't need to worry", he said and hugged me.
I felt secure, in his arms..