Chapter 5
2126 Words
The morning air buzzed with tension at the corporate headquarters of SR Enterprises.
As the clock struck 9:00 AM, employees glanced nervously at their screens, waiting for the inevitable message from the reception, in their private office group club for the devil info. As they glance at their phone.
In moments, each employee's office account pinged with the dreaded notification: "The devil is here."
Ekansh, the notorious CEO, had entered the building.
A man feared more than respected, his mere presence could silence the noisiest room.
Conversations died mid-sentence, and the clatter of keyboards halted as if an unseen hand had pressed pause on the entire floor.
Employees, seasoned and new, instinctively began to pray, hoping to avoid an encounter with their fearsome boss.
Female employees, in particular, quickly hid in their cubicles, fearing his notorious wrath.
Ekansh's disdain for women in the workplace was well known, a prejudice as deep and unfathomable as India's intense rivalry with Pakistan in cricket.
They crouched low, ensuring they remained out of sight, not daring to attract his attention or worst.
As Ekansh strode down the corridor, his polished shoes clicking ominously against the marble floor, each step echoed like a prelude of doom.
The air grew colder, and a palpable silence spread throughout the office.
Employees greeted him in hushed tones, their faces drawn with anxiety.
Ekansh, already nursing a headache, barely acknowledged them, his mind preoccupied with the day's demanding schedule.
Just as he was about to turn a corner, disaster struck.
A young, new female employee, engrossed in her tasks, failed to notice his approach.
She collided with him, sending her coffee cup flying.
The hot liquid splattered across Ekansh's meticulously tailored suit, the dark stain spreading rapidly.
The office atmosphere shifted instantly, the chill deepening to an icy cold. A collective gasp rippled through the workspace as everyone froze, their eyes wide with horror.
They knew what was coming.
The Devil's hatred for women was legendary, and this unfortunate accident would surely provoke his fury.
Ekansh's eyes flashed with a fiery rage as he looked down at the young woman trembling before him.
She was visibly shaking, having heard the stories about the boss's explosive temper and his severe rules regarding female employees.
Her face was a mask of terror, knowing she had inadvertently broken the unspoken law: never let Ekansh see you.
"WHAT THE f**k IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Ekansh roared, his voice echoing through the silent office.
The intensity of his anger seemed to electrify the air, making the employees flinch as if struck by lightning.
Even those accustomed to his outbursts were taken aback by the sheer ferocity of his rage this time.
Before Ekansh could continue, a calm yet authoritative voice cut through the tension.
"In this office, rules are not meant to be broken, and that's why you are fired." said someone behind his back.
Ekansh turned sharply, his furious gaze landing on the one person who dared to challenge him: Raunak, his secretary.
Raunak had emerged from his office upon hearing the commotion.
A collective sigh of relief swept through the office. Everyone knew that the only person who could confront The Devil head-on was Raunak.
After all, Raunak had been handpicked by Ekansh's father, aware of his son's disdainful behavior towards women. The elder Mr. Rathore had insisted on Raunak's presence, knowing that making Ekansh CEO meant the company's reputation and integrity were at stake.
Raunak was not just a secretary; he was a former boxer with a PhD in business. His first-hand experience in dealing with Ekansh's temper made him an indispensable part of the company, a safeguard against Ekansh's worst impulses.
Ekansh knew better than to argue with Raunak. His father's influence loomed large, and any defiance could mean losing his coveted position.
He loves is family more than anything. That's why he can't goes against there decision regarding his work and choice for him.
Gritting his teeth, Ekansh turned to his office, throwing a final warning glance at his employees.
Raunak watched Ekansh retreat before turning to the young woman.
"Gather your things. You're being fired. Your salary will be settled by the end of the day," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.
The woman tried to plead, but Raunak cut her off, his expression leaving no room for argument. "Your transfer papers are at the reception. Collect them on your way out.
"She got surprised, hearing that, rather then firing her. They transfer her to another office brach. She is happy to hear this."
"The office buzzed with hushed conversations as the employees processed what had just happened. Relief washed over them, knowing that as long as Raunak was there, they were safe from the devil's wrath."
They offered the young woman words of encouragement, telling her how lucky she was to have been saved by Raunak and to have the opportunity to transfer to another branch.
Meanwhile, in his private office, Ekansh stormed into his restroom, seething with anger. He yanked off his stained suit jacket and replaced it with a fresh one.
Emerging out of the restroom and still fuming, he was greeted by Raunak, who stood unfazed by his boss's anger.
"Your 10 o'clock meeting is ready. Everything is prepared," Raunak reminded him, his tone steady.
Ekansh glared at him but held his tongue. He couldn't afford to provoke Raunak, knowing the consequences. Instead, he resolved to channel his frustration into work, silently vowing to find a way to deal with Raunak another day.
For now, he would have to endure, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
•••••••••••••••••
The morning had been turbulent, but now came the most crucial part of the day: the meeting.
Ekansh, Raunak, and their team assembled in the sleek, modern conference room.
The table, a polished slab of mahogany, reflected the room's ambient light. Large windows offered a panoramic view of the city skyline, symbolizing the heights SR Industry aimed to reach with this deal.
Their client was already seated: Erica Robinson, a prominent businesswoman from America. Her presence was significant. Securing this deal would propel SR Industry into a new echelon of the global market.
Erica, recently appointed CEO of her father's company after proving her diligence and capability, carried the weight of her legacy with grace.
However, today she seemed more interested in Ekansh than in the business at hand.
Erica, finds Ekansh more intimated and attractive, Which she saw openly to him.
The meeting started well, with both parties discussing terms and potential synergies.
Yet, Erica's focus quickly shifted. Instead of delving into the details of the deal, she frequently diverted the conversation, finding excuses to engage Ekansh in trivial chatter.
Her eyes lingered on him, and her attempts to draw him into personal conversations became increasingly blatant.
Ekansh, known for his explosive temper, especially towards women, struggled to maintain his composure.
He respected hard work and dedication, regardless of gender.
What irked him was Erica's apparent lack of professionalism today.
Raunak, sensing his boss's growing frustration, repeatedly steered the discussion back to the agenda.
However, Erica's incessant distractions undermined these efforts.
The tension in the room was palpable.
The American delegation, aware of Ekansh's reputation, exchanged uneasy glances. They respected women and found Ekansh's notorious behavior towards them unacceptable.
Yet, they couldn't ignore his undeniable business sharpness and the remarkable growth he had achieved for SR industry, elevating it from rank 100 to the top 10 in just eight years.
Ekansh's patience finally snapped.
Erica asked another frivolous question, completely off-topic, and he could no longer contain his anger.
Slamming his hand on the table, he stood up, his face a mask of fury.
"This meeting is over!!!" he declared, his voice ice-cold.
"I refuse to do business with someone who is more interested in idle chatter than in work.
Your interest lies in the gutter, not in this deal.
"The room fell silent, the air thick with shock.
Erica, taken aback, quickly regained her composure and shot back, "How dare you speak to me like that! I'll make sure you regret this.
"Ekansh's eyes flashed with contempt.
"You're welcome to try. But understand this: I respect those who work hard for their achievements. You clearly do not share that ethic. This deal is off the table.
"Raunak, always the mediator, interjected smoothly, "Thank you for your time, Ms. Robison. We will be in touch if circumstances change."
"No, I will never work with a man, like him. Who doesn't even respect a woman." Erica say with anger and Strom out from the meeting room.
Hearing this, Raunak signaled the team to leave, ensuring they followed Ekansh out of the room.
As they exited, the employees exchanged glances.
They had witnessed Ekansh's notorious temper but also saw his unwavering commitment to work ethics.
Raunak, as always, had managed to navigate the situation, try to preventing it from escalating further.
In his private office, Ekansh paced, still seething.
Raunak entered, closing the door behind him. "That was... intense," he remarked.
Ekansh shot him a look, "I won't tolerate disrespect for the work we do here, Raunak. Not from anyone.
"Raunak nodded. "I understand. But we must also consider the broader implications. We'll find another way to expand our global reach."
Ekansh sighed, his anger slowly subsiding.
"You're right. Prepare for the next meeting. And Raunak, Don't tell Dad about the Meeting ."
Raunak smiled slightly. "That's what I'm here for, boss."As Raunak left to make the necessary arrangements, Ekansh sat back in his chair, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on his shoulders.
He knew his reputation was a double-edged sword, but he also knew that with Raunak by his side, they could weather any storm. Or so he thought, because the next moment Mr. Rathore, his father was calling him, crushing his secretary, he picked the call up...
••••••••••••
The day had been a catastrophe for him.
After the disastrous meeting with Erica Robinson and the termination of a crucial deal, his frustration had only compounded. Subsequent meetings had fared no better, and in a fit of anger, he had fired two more employees, despite Raunak's counsel against it.
"I'm the boss," he had reminded Raunak coldly.
"My father may have chosen you, but I hold the power here."
This defiance, however, only brought more trouble. Word of his actions reached his father, resulting in another scathing phone call that left Ekansh seething with renewed with more anger. The rebuke stung more than he cared to admit.
Now, he needed an escape, a place to drown his sorrows and forget the day's failures. His favorite club, with its dim lights and strong drinks, seemed like the perfect refuge.
Leaving his office, Ekansh stormed down to his car.
The bustling Mumbai night enveloped him, the city alive and relentless.
He navigated through the ceaseless flow of traffic, his mind replaying the day's events.
The cut-off deal, his father's harsh words, the lingering anger burned within him.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his frustration translating into speed as he raced through the city streets.
Unaware of the fateful turn his night was about to take, Ekansh sped through a green light.
Suddenly, out of the darkness, a figure appeared directly in his path. Blinded by the car's headlights, he couldn't make out the person.
Instinctively, he slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt!!!.
The force of the sudden stop jolted him forward, but his seatbelt held him back, preventing a collision with the steering wheel.
Heart pounding, Ekansh looked up to see a crowd gathering around the front of his car. Anger flared once more.
"Just what I need," he muttered, furious that someone had seemingly chosen this moment to play with their life.
He threw open the door and got out, pushing through the onlookers who had gathered.
"Out of my way!" he barked ordered, shoving people aside with a mix of rage and desperation.
He needed to see the fool who had nearly caused him to have an accident.
As the crowd parted, Ekansh finally saw the person on the ground, their form illuminated by the harsh glow of his car's headlights.
The night air was thick with tension, and the murmurs of the crowd seemed to fade into the background as he approached, his anger barely in check.
His eyes narrowed, and his breath came in quick, angry bursts as he prepared to unleash his fury.
Little did he know that this encounter was about to change his life in ways he could never have imagined.
- Writer
