The Lunch Meeting

The Lunch Meeting
Siara stepped into her house that evening, a rush of exhaustion weighing heavily on her shoulders. The moment she closed the door behind her, her family’s eyes were immediately on her. She could feel their gaze, sharp and questioning, as if they could sense something was off about her.

Her mother, as always, was the first to speak. "Sia, beta, you look... tired. Everything alright?"

She gave a soft smile, trying to brush it off. "Nothing, just work, Ma. Long day." She waved her hand dismissively, making her way to her room.

Her sister, Advika, raised an eyebrow, but didn’t push further. She’d learned by now that Siara could be stubborn, especially when it came to matters of work.

But as Siara walked away, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her family wasn’t convinced. They knew her too well.

·––––––·
The next day, Siara walked into the office, determined to focus on her work despite the lingering unease from the day before. She had a mountain of things to go through, but her mind kept drifting back to the events of the past few days. The man who had saved her, the weird feeling of being watched, and the constant weight of knowing there were people out there who wanted her dead.

She sighed, pushing the thought away. Focus, Siara. Just focus on work.

But it was hard to focus on the lines of code in front of her when her mind kept wandering. Every few minutes, her eyes would drift to the clock, wondering if it was too early to leave. Yet she knew she couldn’t. She had a business lunch scheduled, and it was important. The tech project she was working on had reached a pivotal point, and this lunch was crucial to finalizing things with her partners.

She picked up the cold coffee on her desk, taking a sip. It tasted stale, but she needed it. Her stomach grumbled—she had barely eaten anything the entire morning, too distracted by her thoughts. But there was no way she could skip the lunch. She had to do this, no matter how much her body was begging for rest.

The lunch meeting was held at a high-end restaurant, one that was known for its discreet atmosphere and upscale clientele. Siara walked in, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. She adjusted her blazer, feeling the weight of the decision she had to make. Everything depended on this meeting. If she played her cards right, this project could elevate her career to a whole new level.

She spotted her partners at a table near the back, and they waved her over. As she made her way to the table, she offered a smile, trying to mask the fact that she hadn’t eaten all day.

"Siara, good to see you. You look… well, tired, but that’s nothing new," one of the partners joked.

She smiled politely, taking a seat. "It’s been a busy week," she replied, though it wasn’t the whole truth.

The meeting went well, and Siara found herself more engaged as they discussed the finer points of the project. Ideas were exchanged, numbers were finalized, and after what felt like an eternity, they shook hands, sealing the deal.

Just as Siara was about to gather her things and leave, she spotted him.

Ekansh.

He was standing by the window, looking out at the city below, and for a moment, she wondered if she was seeing things. But no, it was definitely him. And judging by the suit and the subtle air of confidence, he was there for a meeting too.

What are the chances? she thought.

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, neither of them moved. Then, with a slow smile, Ekansh walked over to her table.

"Well, well," he said, his voice smooth as ever. "I see you’re still working hard. I was wondering when you’d show up with that impressive plan of yours."

Siara rolled her eyes, half amused and half exasperated. "You never give up, do you?"

He grinned, leaning casually against the chair. "Why would I? It’s fun to watch you try to outsmart me. We’re rivals after all. That’s what keeps things interesting."

She shook her head. "I swear, sometimes I think you enjoy making everything a competition."

"Of course, it’s what drives us, isn’t it?" he replied, his voice light, but there was a glint in his eyes, a hint of something more beneath the surface. "But I’ll admit, I like watching you work. It’s impressive, you know."

Siara looked away, a little embarrassed by the compliment. "I didn’t think you were into flattery."

Ekansh’s smirk deepened, but then his tone shifted. "Are you okay?" The question was sudden, as if he was truly concerned. "I’ve already told you, I’m going to handle everything. So for god's sake pls Don’t you dare risk your life again, Siara."

Her gaze softened, a quiet realization sinking in. Despite all his teasing, there was a part of him that cared, whether he admitted it or not.

"I'm fine, Ekansh," she said, her voice steady. "I’m not a child who needs protecting."

He raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not. But you’re still human, and you’re making some reckless choices lately."

Siara opened her mouth to retort, but her stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.

Ekansh raised his head, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Ah, I see. Haven’t eaten today, have we?" He leaned closer, his voice lowering slightly. "I knew the answer from your face. Don’t lie."

She glanced down, feeling a flush creep up her neck. "It’s… It’s been a busy day. I didn’t get around to it."

Ekansh folded his arms across his chest, his expression one of mock indignation. "That’s it. You owe me one now. I helped you twice already, and you haven’t even shared a proper meal with me."

She sighed, trying to ignore the way his words made her feel. "Fine, fine. I’ll join you for lunch, but only because I’m starving."

Ekansh grinned. "It’s settled then." He motioned for the waiter, and within moments, a fresh plate of food was placed in front of them.

As they ate, Siara couldn’t help but notice the easy way they slipped into a rhythm—teasing, exchanging barbs, but also something else. She couldn’t quite place it, but it was there. A growing tension that neither of them seemed willing to acknowledge.

"So, tell me," Ekansh said between bites, his voice turning casual again. "What’s next for you, Siara? You’ve done well with this project. But you can’t think I’ll let you get away with it that easily."

She looked at him, her expression serious for a moment. "I’m not looking for an easy way out. I’ll keep pushing, just like you."

"Good," he said with a nod. "You better. I don’t want you to get soft just because you’re getting successful."

Siara’s lips twitched in amusement. "You’re insufferable, you know that?"

"Maybe," Ekansh said, "but you’re still here, so that must mean something."

Her heart fluttered, but she quickly pushed the feeling down. This was Ekansh, her rival. There was no room for anything more.

As the lunch came to an end, Siara felt a strange sense of reluctance. They had spent the entire meal bantering back and forth, but there was something unspoken between them, a tension neither of them seemed willing to address.

"Thanks for the lunch," Siara said, standing up. "You’ve earned it."

"Only because you owe me," Ekansh replied with a wink. "But you’re welcome."

They stood there for a moment, the weight of the unspoken words hanging between them. Siara met his gaze, and for a fleeting second, she wondered what might have happened if things were different. If they weren’t always at odds.

But before she could ponder further, Ekansh turned to leave, offering her a final, teasing smile.

"Don’t make me regret this, Siara. The next round’s on you."

With that, he walked away, leaving Siara standing there, wondering just how far this would go.

She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts that were swirling in her mind. Focus on the work, Siara. Focus on the work.

But no matter how hard she tried, one thought lingered
.

Was this just a competition? Was this just about debts? Or was there something more between them?