Chapter Text
Sunlight poured in through the windows as shielded my face from the sun. Who opened the curtains at- I glanced at the clock hanging far on the wall- 6:14 am??? An ache spread from my nape to the crook of my neck as I slowly got up from my very uncomfortable position- one leg draped over the backrest, and another dangling from the cushions- on my couch. I rubbed my eyes and stood, walking towards the windows to draw the curtains. The house was awfully quiet even for 6 am in the morning.
I glanced at the coffee table, my laptop and documents lying dishevelled from last night's exhaustion.
"Is there no one in this house today or what?" I asked groggily, still half asleep and walking like a zombie, towards my room upstairs. No reply came. I stopped in my tracks. I searched my pockets for my phone, only to find it dead. I went upstairs to freshen up and charged my phone. After brushing my teeth, I came out and called my mom to ask where everyone had gone. I lived with my mum, dad, grandma, and two sisters, Priya (5 years younger than me) and Neha (3 years younger than me). My mom picked up on the third ring.
"Heyyy honey! Hope you had a good sleep!" Well, not really...
"Mummy, where are all of you this early in the morning? There are no servants in this house either and I reallyyy need a chai-"
Her tone shifted to something slightly more avoidant.
"Actually honey, you remember it's Tuesday today, right? So we all decided to go to the temple for blessings..."
"What blessing?" I asked suspiciously
She laughed awkwardly, before she could reply, the sound of phone dropping filtered through my speaker. I sighed.
"Maya, your mom forced us all to come ask for blessings that you get married soon" My grandma answered as my mother asked her to shush in the background.
I was beyond mortified. "Oh my god mom, stop." A headache bloomed behind my head. The day was not off to a good start.
"It won't work, and this is really humiliating mumma. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU DO THAT?" My voice turned more irritated as I tried to sound reasonable. My mother sighed and answered.
"Well, Maya, you're twenty-eight now, and you're not getting any younger. We left you to choose a suitable man for yourself, but not once have you brought a young man home. All you do is work ever since you've started at your dad's company. A mother can wait only so much for her eldest daughter's wedding. You know your cousin Vaishnavi has already pushed out two kids and she's 4 years younger than yo-"
I cut her off "Mom, please, don't do this to me, I'm trying" I lied. I wasn't trying at all, I was so done with men these days, it took a hell lot of energy to engage with straight man in 2026.
She sighed, like she'd expected my answer. "We'll see." She replied, a tightness in her tone.
"Thank you" I replied. I hung up the call and went to take a shower. I had work to do.
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Since my last encounter with Sebastian (although very unpleasant), I'd come to the realisation that he was right. We did have to talk. About the upcoming business deals, of course. It made no sense that the Laurents' chain of luxury restaurants and fine dining would collaborate with our frozen foods company, which produced affordable products. Not undermining the company I worked for, but I was still confused about the overall proposal, considering no one knew anything about it yet. What would the launch even be about? I hadn't been handed in the official business proposal yet- if there was one- nor had it been publicly announced. I called my dad while driving to the office.
"Hello dad." I spoke as he picked up. Surely he hadn't gone with my mum and grandma to the temple as well? "Are you busy?"
"Maya. Not really, is there something you want to ask?"
I steadied my voice, trying not to sound too skeptical "Yeah, uh- so regarding the recent business deal, I had a few questions." I waited for him to respond. a few seconds ticked by before he replied.
"Alright, is this about the Laurent's deal?" Of course he knew, he was my father after all.
"Yes actually. One-What is the proposal? Two-Excuse my words but what will come out of this collab for us? Three-When will this be publicly announced?"
"The proposal is actually-" a beat of silence "not ready yet. But it will be " I wasn't too sure of that. "And the announced will be made as soon as the proposal is ready."
"One more question, what was your actual motive behind this collaboration?" I'd bet 100 bucks it was another competing company, most likely Whittaker's.
He sighed, replying "Whittaker has a similar collaboration in the making, and I don't want him to get ahead." I knew it. "You and Sebastian have to put in your all as marketing executives this time around. I want every stone unturned, and all the critics seething. Losing isn't an option, Maya, and you know that."
Damn well I did. "Yes, Papa." I replied in a curt voice. "I'll see you at dinner."
He didn't reply and hung up. Great, this deal was nowhere close to taking off.
I'd shot Sebastian a text this morning about meeting to discuss future business plans, and he'd answered in the affirmative. We'd decided to meet in the library of the Valhalla Club, which we were both members of. The drive was about 25 minutes long, so I started a playlist of 90's hit Hindi songs, singing along.
I reached the Valhalla Club and greeted the receptionist, and moved towards the library on the first floor. The door was left ajar and I looked through the crack, only to find Sebastian already sitting at one of the round tables, his back to me. I swallowed and told myself 'He would NOT get under my skin today, I wouldn't let him.' I exhaled and pushed open the library door. Sebastian turned around at the soft click as I shut the door. There was no one this early in the morning other than the librarian and us. I walked towards the table and sat across from him.
"You're late." He drawled, a stupid smirk beginning to form on his face.
"Just because you're early doesn't mean I'm late." I glanced at my watch to see there was yet one minute till 9 am, at which we agreed to meet.
Sebastian just shrugged and took me in. I was wearing formal wear, I thought it'd be suitable for what we were doing. He shook his head slightly and spoke as I took my seat. "Do you know anything about what they've planned?" He didn't have to elaborate who he meant by "they", we both knew it was about our dads and this new launch. I shook my head and set down my bag, pulling out my laptop and notes.
"No, I asked dad about it today and he told me the proposal isn't ready yet" I sighed. "We can discuss about what events we can host for marketing, and track the recent market trends around food." He nodded and gave me a printout. I took it as he slid it towards me. I scanned through the papers, it was a report of a recent survey regarding popular continental dishes with highlighted user reviews. I let out a hum of approval and returned the report back to him. "That'll come in handy when we're planning the event, for as to what we can serve."
I was surprised that we had a civil conversation for once. I couldn't remember the last- or any-time when we had a full conversation without getting on each other's nerves. I was glad either ways, even though i itched to get under his skin for old times' sake.
We worked silently, sometimes discussing matters, the only sound being the typing of keys, turning of pages and ink scratching on paper most times.
Two hours passed, or maybe 2 and a half, I didn't know, I glanced at my watch to see it was- 12.30 pm already. On cue, my stomach made a loud grumbling noise, as my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. I sneaked a glance at Sebastian to see the corner of his lips tipped up. His eyes rose from his laptop to me. I looked away before his eyes met mine. I'd only had a coffee this morning because I was in a hurry to get work done.
"Should we go get some lunch?" Sebastian asked, his tone sincere, athough amused.