Chapter Ninety Five.

Chapter Ninety Five.
Veda had just parted ways with one of her fellow interns, hugging her laptop against her chest as she walked back to her desk.

She placed it down gently, ready to lose herself in work, when the click of heels echoed sharply across the floor.

Heads turned. Anita carried herself with that air of authority everyone noticed.

She didn’t waste a second. Her eyes locked on Veda as she walked directly toward her desk.

“Veda Ahuja?!” Anita called out firmly, her voice loud enough to catch the attention of half the floor.

Veda’s fingers froze mid-air above her keyboard. Her heart skipped. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet Anita’s and then stood up quickly out of respect.

“Your attention is needed.” Anita said smoothly, lips curving into a slight smile. “The Chairman of Board, wants to see you.”

Veda blinked, startled. “The… the COB?” Her brows pulled together in confusion.

Almost instantly, the chatter in the room stilled. Dozens of curious eyes turned to her.

“The COB wants her?” someone muttered.

Veda swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry, her mind raced.

From across the room, Where Kabir was with few interns, His gaze sharpened.

He had been watching her since Anita appeared.

“Um… okay..” Veda finally murmured, her voice soft and uncertain.

She gave Anita a small nod.

Anita’s smile widened just slightly before she turned and walked ahead, her heels clicking confidently.

Veda hesitated a moment, biting her lip, then followed closely behind.

“The COB? Why would the Chairman of this entire company want to see me?” Veda’s thoughts spun as her sandals padded against the tiled floor.

Back in the intern space, “Any idea why the COB would be asking for Veda?” one intern asked curiously, her tone half envious, half suspicious.

Kabir didn’t even spare her a glance. His jaw was set, his eyes locked on Veda’s retreating figure until she left.

His mind wasn’t at ease. Not one bit. Because he knew exactly who the COB was.

Varun Sengar.

The same man they had all seen at orientation yesterday.

The same man who had set off alarms in Kabir’s instincts the moment he laid eyes on him.

Something about him screamed danger, and now that same man was calling for Veda?

Meanwhile…

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. Anita stepped out first. Veda followed behind, her sandals sounding quieter, almost hesitant.

The stark difference between their footsteps mirrored the swirl of emotions in Veda’s chest..

“I must say, Veda Ahuja..” Anita said suddenly, turning her head slightly, her tone laced with amusement.

“You must be very lucky to have caught the COB’s attention. Out of all the interns here.”

Veda’s eyes widened a little. A nervous smile tugged at her lips as she looked down for a second, her heart fluttering strangely.

Out of everyone… he noticed me?

Wow. Of all the interns, he saw me? This is… incredible.

Anita smiled faintly as if she could hear Veda’s thoughts.

The hallway seemed longer than usual, the tension in the air growing with every step until they finally stopped in front of an imposing door.

Anita straightened, composed herself, then looked at Veda with a little smile.

“If he decides to take you under his wing..” she said smoothly, “you’ll be luckier than you think.”

Before Veda could respond, Anita raised her hand and knocked smartly.

Without waiting long, she pushed the door open and stepped in.

Veda drew a deep breath, her palms suddenly clammy, and followed.

“Sir, Veda Ahuja is here..” Anita announced clearly.

Veda lifted her gaze...and her breath caught.

Her eyes collided with his.

Varun.

Her world tilted for a second. The blood drained from her face, her brown skin paling as if all color had been stolen from it.

The COB

It was him??

Her breath stuck in her throat, her body refusing to move.

Anita, noticing the strange look on her face, frowned.

“Are you okay?” she asked cautiously.

Before Veda could even form a word, Varun’s cold voice sliced through the air.

“Anita, leave us.”

Veda instinctively stepped back, her stomach twisting.

Anita hesitated, but then, with a nervous nod, walked out and closed the door behind her.

Panic flared in Veda’s chest, she wanted to scream for Anita to stay, to not leave her alone with him, but her voice betrayed her.

She spun toward the door, ready to escape.

“Veda, wait!” his deep voice thundered, forcing her to stop.

Her eyes snapped back to him, sharp with anger.

“For what?” Her words spilled out, fast and furious.

“Our supervisor will be on the intern floor in few minutes. I need to know who I’m assigned to, and on top of that, I have work to finish before they come to check. I don’t have time for whatever you call me here for Varun!”

Her chest heaved.

I think I should get a restraining order for him! She thought

Why can’t this guy understand the word no?

But Varun just stared at her in silence, before he began moving toward her. Each step was slow..

She swallowed hard, retreating one step back, unease crawling into her bones.

He stopped barely two feet away, his presence suffocating her.

“I… just want to talk.” he said quietly, his gaze never leaving her.

Her glare deepened.

Talk? Every conversation with him ended in headaches, fear, and confusion.

And he thought I'd stand here and listen?

“Like I said, I have work to finish.” she said.

“You don’t have a supervisor, Veda.”

Her brows knitted. “What...what do you mean I don’t have a supervisor?”

“Because I changed it..” he answered flatly.

'Change?? I need one!'

Her lips parted in disbelief, her heart dropping.
“What? You...Why would you do that?”

“You can’t be supervised by anyone else. You’re too brilliant, Veda…” Varun’s voice was low, rough with intensity. His eyes glinted with something darker as he pinned her with his stare. “That’s one reason why I love you, Veda.”

Her breath hitched, panic flooding through her chest as she instinctively stepped back. He moved forward, closing the space as if her retreat only drew him closer.

“You’re crazy, Varun!” Veda snapped, her voice trembling with frustration and fear. “Just because you’re some big person here now, doesn’t mean you get to control every single thing I do.”

“Actually…” he tilted his head, a shadow of a smile curving his lips, “I can.”