Amendment.
889 Words
CHAPTER EIGHT: Amendment.
The boardroom was cold. Executives lined the long table.
Dev stood at the head. Aria watched from the back, uninvited but unashamed.
“The proposal”, one board member said, “is that a public separation would stabilize stock prices”.
Dev’s jaw tightened.
“My marriage is not a market strategy”, he said evenly.
“With respect, it began as one”. one board member added.
“Yes”, he agreed. “It did”
“He glanced at Aria.
“But it isn’t anymore”. He said smiling at Aria.
Murmurs rippled.
“I will not divorce my wife for optics”, he continued. “If you believe that disqualifies me from leading this company, you’re free to vote”.
Silence.
Aria’s pulse thundered.
The vote was called. One by one, hands rose.
Not against him. For him.
The motion to force a separation failed. The hostile takeover threat receded.
Dev exhaled.
Across the room, his gaze found hers. No cameras. No audience. Just relief.
After the meeting, Aria went straight to Dev office, she knocked and entered happily.
“Darling, you came?” Dev said.
“I love the way you defended our marriage in the meeting” Aria said smiling.
“Yes darling I will always defend our marriage because I love you” Dev said looking at her stunning face.
Aria smiled shyly.
“Let me go get two cups of coffee so we will celebrate your vote in the company” Aria said smiling.
“Okay, I will be waiting” Dev said happily.
Aria immediately went out of Dev’s sight to go get the cups of coffee. In front of the coffee machine, Vanessa was behind Aria staring at her with disgust.
“Hey, little cat” she called Aria.
“You will address me as Mrs. Malhotra” Aria said turning to her.
“I should be the one bearing that name” Vanessa proudly said.
Aria was quiet and continued what she was doing. Vanessa intentional pushed the cups of coffee from Aria’s hands.
“Oops” she pretended. “I didn’t mean to do that, it was a mistake”.
Aria stood there looking at her.
“You will have to clean that up now” Vanessa said smiling.
Aria tried to walk away from her but got stop by Vanessa, she was pulling Aria’s hair.
“Stop, that hurts” Aria’s cried.
At a corner, Dev watch everything that happened and the incident was also captured by the CCTV camera installed there.
“Vanessa, you are going to jail today” Dev said walking towards them.
“Please Dev, it was all a mistake”. Vanessa said kneeling and begging.
“All a mistake?” Dev asked angrily. “You pulled my wife hair forcefully and you are telling me it a mistake?”
“I’m sorry, Dev” Vanessa apologized trying to be nice.
“Apologize to her, not me”. Dev said looking at Aria.
“I’m sorry, Aria” Vanessa apologize without remorse.
“You will address her as Mrs. Malhotra”. Dev said angrily.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Malhotra”. She apologized for the second time.
“Now get out of here and never show your face here ever again”. Dev said with a loud tune.
Vanessa left immediately.
Dev walked to Aria where she was standing and resting her back at the wall. He took out her hand, looking at her face.
“I’m sorry for what happened now” he said calmly.
“It’s okay,” that won’t ruin our celebration” she said smiling.
“I will go get another coffee for us to complete our celebration”. She added while stepping out.
Dev dragged her back and kissed her warmly. Aria was lost and got back to herself. She was deeply in love with him. She understood her feelings for him.
“I will be waiting in my office, darling”. Dev said giving her a wink from his left eyes.
Aria carried two cups of coffee to Dev office.
“Here is our coffee, Dev” she said smiling.
Dev stood up from his desk, walked towards Aria and put the coffee aside and went straight to Aria. Aria took few steps backward and felt her back at the wall behind her. Her heart pounded loudly.
“Come on, Darling”, he said holding her chin. “are you scared of me?”
Aria swallowed “No” she said
Dev came closer to kiss her. Aria looking so cute, closed her eyes expecting what will happen next.
Dev approached and kissed her warmly taking his right hand to the back of her neck his left hand to her waist. Suddenly a knock came at the door. It was his secretary.
Dev pulled from Aria and fixed his hair and shirt. While Aria stood admiring him.
“Come in” Dev said.
A tall fair skinned lady with hair black dressed in a white shirt, toked to a red skirt with red heels came into Dev office.
“Sir, your next meeting is by 1:00pm”. She said respectfully.
“Okay, Thank you” Dev said.
- Writer
