Chapter 33~ The unprepared proposal

Chapter 33~ The unprepared proposal
The days at Hampton University had long faded into memories, replaced by the daily rhythm of corporate meetings, deadlines, and professional responsibilities. Yet, the comfort of companionship between Mia and Rudraksh remained unchanged. Working together for over a year and a half had seamlessly blended their lives, making them an unstoppable duo in the business world.

Mia sat in her corner office, her fingers gliding across the keyboard as she finalized an important acquisition proposal. She had transformed into a force to be reckoned with—a young CEO who commanded attention and respect. The atmosphere in her office was filled with silent efficiency, but an underlying tension loomed. She glanced at the clock; Rudraksh had been unusually silent today. Usually, he'd drop by with his snarky remarks or challenge her ideas just to provoke a debate, but today, there was none of that.

She leaned back in her chair and tapped her nails against the desk, considering whether to call him. Before she could, a knock interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called out.

Rudraksh stepped inside, holding a few files, his gaze neutral yet observant. "Finalized the deal?" he asked, nodding towards her screen.
"Almost," Mia replied, closing the document. "But that's not what I want to talk about. What's up with you today? You've been quiet."
He smirked slightly, setting the files down on her desk before leaning against the chair across from her. "Maybe I finally learned to mind my own business."
Mia raised an eyebrow. "That'll be the day."

Rudraksh chuckled but didn't respond immediately. He seemed to be weighing his words carefully, an unusual occurrence for him. Finally, he sighed, "The family's talking about something big."
Mia frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Your brother, my family, and well... everyone, really. They think it's time we stop pretending like this is just work."
A moment of silence stretched between them. Mia's heart pounded slightly, but she kept her expression neutral. "Pretending?" she echoed, tilting her head.
Rudraksh held her gaze steadily. "They want us to get married."

The words hung in the air like an unspoken truth finally laid bare. Mia inhaled sharply but didn't immediately respond. Marriage—it was a thought that had lingered in the background, an inevitable outcome given how their lives had intertwined. Yet, hearing it spoken aloud made it real.
"And what do you want?" Mia finally asked.
Rudraksh studied her for a moment before leaning forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "You. Always have. But I want you to want this too. If you don't, I won't push it."

Mia exhaled slowly. The logical part of her understood why this made sense. They were perfect together—professionally, personally. She trusted him more than anyone else, and despite their constant bickering, there was no denying the depth of their bond.
She looked at him, the man who had been her pillar through every storm, and felt a sense of calm wash over her. "Let's do this then," she whispered, a small smile playing on her lips.

Rudraksh's eyes darkened slightly with something unreadable, but his smirk returned. "You sure? No takebacks?"
Mia rolled her eyes. "I don't do takebacks."
He chuckled and stood up. "Good. Because I already told everyone you'd say yes."
Mia's eyes widened. "Rudraksh!"

But he was already walking away, laughing. "Better start shopping, Ahuja. You're going to be a bride soon."
Mia groaned, covering her face with her hands. This was going to be a whirlwind, but strangely, she wasn't afraid of it. If anything, she was ready.
The days turned into weeks, and the synergy between Mia and Rudraksh in the corporate world became undeniable. They had been working together for almost a year and a half now, and the transition had been nothing short of transformative. The once fiery exchanges had mellowed into mutual understanding, and the once guarded emotions had found a silent language of their own.

Mia had always been a force to reckon with, a woman of steel who rarely let emotions dictate her business decisions. However, with Rudraksh by her side as her secretary, she found herself reevaluating her rigid walls. He was relentless in his commitment to her company, making sure her vision was executed with precision. But beyond that, he was something else—an anchor in the chaos, a silent protector against the weight of expectations.

The boardroom was filled with executives discussing a potential expansion overseas when Mia stole a glance at Rudraksh, who stood beside her, noting down key points with the efficiency of a seasoned professional. His presence alone gave her a sense of assurance, something she hadn't realized she craved.
"Ms. Ahuja, if we go ahead with the Tokyo merger, it would require a direct presence for at least six months," one of the senior executives stated.
Mia, deep in thought, nodded but found her gaze lingering on Rudraksh. His jaw clenched ever so slightly, and she knew exactly what he was thinking. He disapproved.

Later that evening, as they were wrapping up work, she leaned against her desk, arms crossed. "Go ahead, say it."
He raised a brow. "Say what?"
"That you think the Tokyo merger is a bad idea."
Rudraksh exhaled, setting his notebook aside. "I don't think it's a bad idea, Mia. I just think you need to be careful. Six months away from the core of your company at such a crucial stage? That's a risk."
She sighed. "I know. But the opportunity—"
"Is something you can handle remotely," he interrupted. "You built this empire. You don't need to prove anything to anyone by physically being there."
She looked at him for a long moment. It was in times like these that she realized how much he truly understood her. "I'll think about it."
He smirked. "That's all I ask."
\---
A month later, their professional relationship had taken another turn. While they were still boss and secretary during work hours, outside the office, the lines blurred. Rudraksh had integrated into her life in ways she never expected. Dinners were no longer solitary affairs. Late-night brainstorming sessions turned into laughter-filled conversations.

It was a Friday evening when Vivaan and Ahana convinced her to take a break. "You're coming out with us tonight, no arguments," Ahana had declared over the phone.
Mia had hesitated. "I have a—"

"Nope. You're getting out of that office. Even Rudraksh is invited," Vivaan added cheekily.
To her surprise, Rudraksh had agreed.

The club was buzzing with energy, music thrumming through the air as they settled into a private lounge. Mia nursed a drink while Ahana and Vivaan danced. Rudraksh, however, leaned back, watching her.
"You're terrible at taking breaks," he commented.
She rolled her eyes. "I am taking a break."
"You're sitting in a club with a drink, watching others have fun. That's not a break."
She sighed, looking at the dance floor. "I don't dance."
"You don't, or you won't?" he challenged, holding out a hand.

She hesitated for a split second before placing her hand in his. He pulled her onto the dance floor, guiding her gently. The music changed to something slower, and for the first time in a long while, Mia let go.
She moved with him, the world blurring around them. There was something intoxicating about the way he led, the way his touch sent warmth coursing through her. For a moment, she forgot the weight of her responsibilities, forgot the expectations.
When the song ended, she pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "You really are something, you know that?"
He grinned. "I've been told."
She shook her head, laughing.
\---

The next few months continued in a rhythm of their own. Work, occasional outings, late-night discussions. The bond they had formed was no longer something she could ignore.
One evening, she found herself staring at Rudraksh longer than necessary as he worked beside her. It was unsettling, the way her heart reacted around him now.

He caught her staring. "What?"
She shook her head. "Nothing."
But it wasn't nothing. It was everything.
And she had no idea what to do about it.