Author’s POV

Shesh received a call from an unknown number. It was almost 11 PM, and he was still at the office, like most of the staff, due to the importance of the project.

Shesh: Hello?

Dharini: Helllo… it’s Dharini Shekhawat here.

Shesh was taken aback. He hadn’t expected a call from her.

Shesh: Yes…

He replied cautiously, unsure of the purpose behind her call.

Dharini: I know there are some issues in the project. If your sir wants, I can lead it. I’m genuinely interested, and I’ve already put in a lot of hard work on it.

It’s not that I want to rejoin the company… once the project is completed, I’ll leave.

Shesh: Why would you do that?

Dharini: It’s not like I’ll work for free. Your sir will pay me for the project. Moreover, I’ve already given interviews at other companies. Until they call me back, I’m free—so I can take up this project, if your sir wants.

Shesh frowned slightly.

Shesh: And if sir says no… then?

Dharini: I have full confidence that he’ll say yes. But even if he says no, I’m not desperate to work in your sir’s company. It’s just that I was free, and I have more knowledge about this project than anyone else. That’s why I thought I should at least let you know that I’m genuinely interested.

If your sir still says no, then it’s fine. I won’t have any guilt about not trying.

Shesh: Since you already know there are issues in the project, you must also know that sir has appointed someone else to lead it.

Dharini: Yes, I know.

Shesh: And if sir says you’ll have to work under Aditya’s guidance… then?

Dharini: Then I can’t do it. That project was mine—I will lead it. If I have to work under someone else on something I’ve built with my own hard work, then the answer is no.

Shesh: I’ll inform sir about your interest. Until then, please wait.

Kartavya’s POV

Why should I call her? It’s not necessary that I do.

I pressed the intercom, but just then, Shesh walked in.

As soon as he entered, I said,

“Call Dharini and tell her to join this project. She can’t leave her project in the middle. If she does, she’ll have to pay for our loss—which will be approximately 3 crores.”

Shesh looked at me, surprised.

Shesh: “But sir, there wasn’t any agreement about this.”

I smirked slightly.

“I said, just call her and tell her to join the project.”

Shesh was about to say something, but I interrupted him.

“Call her.”

Shesh startled, then said quickly,

“But sir… she already called. She said that if there are problems in the project, she can lead it—if you accept her.”

He said it all in one breath, then paused, taking a deep breath.

I replied coldly,

“I don’t care what others say. I said just call—”

Then suddenly, I stopped.

What did he just say?

I stood up from my chair, a hint of amusement flickering across my face.

“What did you just say?”

Kartavya: “Are you telling me that she called you? What exactly did she say?”

I asked, my tone sharp and controlled.

Shesh then told Kartavya everything she had said—every detail, without missing a word.

She called first?

For a moment, I just stood there, the words echoing in my head.

Dharini Shekhawat… called.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes.

Interesting.

I had expected resistance. Silence, maybe.

Or that rigid pride of hers—keeping her away, waiting for me to make the move.

But this? This wasn’t submission.

And it definitely wasn’t desperation.

No… this was something else.

She didn’t come back asking for a place. She came back setting terms.

My fingers tapped lightly against the desk as I exhaled slowly. So, she still thinks the project is hers.

A flicker of something crossed my mind—annoyance… or was it respect? Most people would’ve either begged… or stayed away.

But she chose neither. She stepped in.

Uninvited. Unapologetic. Bold.

My gaze shifted toward Shesh, but I wasn’t really looking at him anymore.

This just got… interesting.

Very interesting.

He smirked slightly and said to Shesh,

“Tell her she can come… but before that, she’ll have to tell me the price she wants for this project.”

Dharini's Pov

For a moment, I went silent.

So… he wants to know my price.

A faint smile appeared on my lips—this time, steadier. Not amused… but aware.

Good.

At least he didn’t misunderstand me completely.

I leaned forward slightly, my voice calm, controlled.

If he thinks I’ll hesitate here… he doesn’t know me at all.

I’m not doing this for free.

And I’m definitely not undervaluing my work.

My fingers tightened slightly around the phone before relaxing again.

This wasn’t about proving anything anymore.

This was business.

Clear. Simple. Direct.

If he wants me on that project, he’ll have to pay for the value I bring—not the position I hold.

And I know exactly what that value is.

Shesh: Dharini, sir has asked about your price for the project. Could you let me know your expected payment?

There was a brief silence.

Dharini (calm, almost amused): Oh… so now he wants to know my price?

A soft chuckle escaped her.

Dharini: I haven’t decided it yet. She paused deliberately, letting the words settle.

Dharini: Maybe I’ll decide it based on how much work is left… and how much of a mess I’m expected to fix.

Another pause.

Dharini (coolly): After all, the price should match the value, right? Shesh repeated her words. Every single one.

“…how much of a mess I’m expected to fix…”

For a second, the room went completely silent. Then—

A slow smile appeared on Kartavya’s face. Not the usual smirk.

This one was… sharper. More deliberate.

I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.

A “mess,” huh? A quiet chuckle escaped me, low and almost amused.

So she thinks she’s walking into a broken system… to fix it.

Bold. Very bold.

I straightened slightly, my voice calm but carrying that familiar authority.

“Tell her…” I paused, the faint smile returning.

“…the bigger the mess, the higher the price. Let’s see how high she dares to go.”

Dharini's Pov

Shesh’s words lingered in the air.

“…the bigger the mess, the higher the price…”

For a moment, I stayed silent.

A faint smile slowly formed on my lips.

So… he thinks this is about the mess.

My fingers tapped lightly against the table, my gaze lowering as the thought settled in.

No, Kartavya. The price doesn’t depend on how big the mess is.

It depends on who’s fixing it. I exhaled softly, the calm returning to my expression.

And if you’re really ready to pay that price… then I’ll make sure you understand exactly what my work is worth.

Dharini (calm, composed): I understand.

A brief pause.

Dharini: Then I’ll assess the scope of the remaining work first… and decide the price accordingly.

Another small pause—her tone steady, unshaken.

Dharini: You can inform sir that I’ll only take this up if the terms match the value of the work involved.

Kartavya's POV

“Tell her…” I paused briefly.

“…she’ll get full access to the project details. Let’s see how she evaluates it.”

A flicker of something passed through my eyes.

Not ego this time. Something closer to respect.

The next day, Dharini walked into the office.

Everything felt familiar… yet different

.A memory flashed—

The first time she had entered this cabin… she had walked out of it expelled.

A faint, almost ironic smile touched her lips.

“Come in.” The door opened, and for a moment, everything else in the room felt irrelevant. She walked in like she belonged there—not loudly, not deliberately, but with a presence that didn’t ask for attention, it took it. Her scent reached me before she did—jasmine and sandalwood, soft yet impossible to ignore, settling into the air… into my thoughts. I had expected her to be calm, composed, just like she sounded on the call, and she was—but not untouched.

Her eyes moved across the room, observing, calculating… avoiding mine, at least at first. Her shirt and trousers fit her perfectly—sharp, precise, almost distracting. A few strands of her hair fell across her face, and her hands stayed in front of her, fingers circling a ring slowly, repeatedly. My attention caught on that—the ring, sitting on her ring finger—and my jaw tightened before I could stop it. I didn’t let the thought finish.

She cleared her throat, and then she looked at me—directly. And just like that, everything stilled. Neither of us spoke. Neither of us needed to. She didn’t look away. Most people do.

I leaned back slightly, studying her. “So… you came.” Her voice was steady now. “You asked me to.” And this time, she held my gaze fully, and I realized—my focus wasn’t shifting. I didn’t want it to.

“I don’t remember asking,” I said quietly, letting it settle. “I remember giving you a condition.” “And I chose to consider it.” That balance again—not submission, not defiance, something far more dangerous… choice. My eyes dropped briefly to her hands—still playing with that ring, a distraction… or a shield.

Either way, I didn’t like how aware I was of it. Silence settled again, but this time it felt closer, heavier. “Have you gone through the project details?” I asked. “Enough to know it’s not just a ‘mess’… it’s mismanaged.” The word should have annoyed me.

It didn’t. It intrigued me. “That’s a strong word.” “Accurate ones usually are.” Her tone didn’t rise, didn’t push, and yet it landed exactly where it needed to. I watched her more closely now—not just what she said, but how she stood, still and controlled.

Even though her fingers hadn’t stopped moving. “And yet… you’re still here.” Her brows pulled together slightly. “I said I’m interested. I didn’t say I’d tolerate inefficiency.” There it was—sharp, defined, uncompromising.

I leaned forward, just enough to shift the space between us. “Then let’s come to the point. Your price.” Her jaw tightened immediately. I noticed that too quickly. “Why does it sound like you’re buying me?” she said.

“I’m working on your company’s project. That’s not a price—it’s a payment.” A slow smirk formed as I stood, moving closer but not fully, leaning back against the table instead. There were still four steps between us, but it didn’t feel like distance anymore. Her fragrance reached me stronger now—warmer, closer.

“Of course,” I said calmly, “your payment.” She didn’t hesitate. “It will depend on two things—the time frame and the level of correction required.” Then she stepped closer. Just one step.

But it changed everything. Her eyes met mine again—dark, steady, pulling. For a moment, I forgot the room. My gaze drifted—her skin looked too soft for how sharp she was, a contradiction that made it worse.

Control, Kartavya. “Sir…?” I blinked, straightening slightly. “Yes.” “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” A lie.

“And from what I’ve seen so far… both are high.” “What are high?” I asked, forcing focus back. She frowned slightly. “The time frame. And the level of correction.” Right. Focus.

But it was slipping—not entirely, just enough to notice. Just enough to feel. I held her gaze again, more deliberate this time. “Then I hope your price matches your confidence.” She smiled—and that was a mistake.

Because it wasn’t wide or obvious, just a slight curve of her lips, controlled… but it changed everything. She lifted her hand slightly in front of me. “Are you there?” I blinked too quickly. Get a grip.

“Is there something on my face?” she asked, pulling out her phone to check. I exhaled slowly. “If there was, I would have told you.” Her jaw tightened.

“Oh, I forgot,” she said coolly, “you’ll tell me… if you get time from daydreaming.” The words hit clean. Accurate. My smirk faded.

And in that moment, she had seen through it—and chosen not to ignore it. She smirked, and something in me sharpened again—not annoyance, something far more dangerous. Recognition.

Kartavya’s gaze remained fixed on her. Then, calmly—

Kartavya: You know we don’t have time. We have to complete this in five days.

A brief silence followed.

Dharini didn’t react immediately. She just looked at him—steady, calculating.

Dharini (coolly): Compressed timelines mean higher pressure… higher risk… and more responsibility.

She took a small step forward, her voice still even.

Dharini: If you want it done in five days, you’re not just paying for the work… you’re paying for the pace.

A brief pause.

Dharini (firm): And I don’t compromise on either.

A slow smirk formed on Kartavya’s lips.

Women… always running after money. The thought crossed his mind, brief but clear.

He leaned back slightly, studying her.

His gaze didn’t leave hers.

Kartavya (low, deliberate): You’ll be paid accordingly.

Kartavya (voice low, firm): I just want this project done—accurately.

A brief pause. His gaze hardened slightly.

Kartavya: And I want this deal secured… at any cost.

He leaned forward just a little, his tone dropping further.

Kartavya: Just get those orders You have no idea what I’m capable of said coldly.

Dharini (calm, unwavering): Neither do I want to know. Because I do my work… perfectly.

A faint smirk returned.

Kartavya: We’ll see.

Without breaking eye contact completely, he pressed the intercom.

Just then, the door opened, and Shesh stepped inside.

Shesh: Sir?

Kartavya (calm, composed): Show her the complete project details.

A brief pause.

His tone turned slightly more formal.

Kartavya: And introduce her to Aditya.

Shesh nodded.

Shesh: Yes, sir.

Dharini didn’t react outwardly.

But for a split second, her expression tightened—almost unnoticeable. Then, just as quickly, she composed herself again.

Authors POV

They left the cabin, and Shesh began leading her toward Aditya’s cabin.

The corridor was quiet, filled with a low hum of work.

After a few steps—

Dharini (light, playful): If you don’t mind… can I ask you something?

Shesh glanced at her, slightly surprised by the shift in tone.

Shesh: Yes… of course.

Is your name just Shesh… or does it have something more in front? Like Shesh Naag… or maybe Naagin? Said Dharini.

Shesh blinked, caught off guard for a second.

Excuse me? Said Shesh

Dharini giggled a little more, raising her hand lightly as if to stop him.

Sorry… please don’t be offended Sir I was just curious said Dharini smiling.

She let out a small breath, still amused.

Shesh chuckled softly, shaking his head a little and said " my name is Shesh only please don't add suffix after my name ".

Dharini giggled more.

Dharini walked into the team area.

As soon as Netra and Kavi saw her, they froze for a moment—surprised.

Then, when it truly sank in that she was actually there, wide smiles spread across their faces.

Dharini noticed them—and without a second thought, she ran toward them.

The three of them hugged tightly.

What are you doing here? Asked Netra.

Dharini (smiling): I’ll tell you everything later.

Just then, Shesh stepped forward.

Shesh said addressing the team "Everyone, Dharini has rejoined the company. Since this project is crucial, she will be leading it from now on".

A murmur spread across the team.

Riya (one of the team members): Sir, then what about Aditya sir?

Shesh: Both of them will lead the project. They will coordinate with each other and work simultaneously.

The room fell into a brief silence as everyone processed this.