The canteen within the company was quite grand in Gauri's eyes. The different selection in food was like a buffet ready to serve a wedding party and all Gauri wanted was just a simple light dish that was easy to digest. Her eyes fixated on a hummus wrap with a little salad as a side and it didn't hurt that the price was reasonable compared to all the other dishes that was offered. After digging out some money from her small purse Gauri made a mental note to pack her own food from now on.

"Let me treat you to your first meal here at the company."

Having him lean in close made her flinch while his smile although seemed genuine made Gauri's skin crawl because she knew how most men were. Especially ones that tend to always be in your personal space and Ajay was exactly that. Smiling politely as she could Gauri shook her head while taking a few steps back.

"That is not necessary. Maybe next time."

Turning her gaze back towards the cashier Gauri sets her money on the counter. As she takes her tray of food looking for an empty seat Ajay was right beside her with the same dish.

"I like the hummus wrap here too. Seems our taste is the same. Let's go sit over there with my friend. I'll introduce you."

Ajay loved the attention he was getting while walking side by side with a beautiful woman like Gauri. His smirk was evident enough to let the entire room know that "this woman is mine." And when he saw the look on Daksh's face Ajay couldn't be anymore happier because the woman sitting next to him was incomparable.

"Hey Daksh. This is Gauri the new addition to my team. And Gauri this is my friend Daksh. He's on Ms. Kappoor's team."

Putting her tray of food right in front of Ishana who was clearly not that happy to see her Gauri smiled and shook hands with Daksh who came to hold on a bit too long for her liking.

"Hello."

As the two sits down Daksh looks over at Ishana who couldn't stop staring at Ajay.

"Oh I'm sorry. This is Ishana. She is the new addition to my team."

Leaning over the table to shake hands with the cute girl Ajay still couldn't help but glance at Gauri who was already eating her hummus wrap. The feeling of being ignored by a beautiful woman was something Ajay had never experience before. He was use to women fighting for his attention and here sits the one woman he wants now eating lunch with not even a single bit of interest in him. It didn't take long for Daksh to realize Gauri's indifference when she would answer everyone's questions with just a few words. He knew that his friend would be having a hard time with this one.

Ishana who was quite the opposite of Gauri was happily chatting with the two gentleman.

"So Ajay. What are you in charge of?"

"I get to spend all day looking for beautiful women for the campaign especially the one coming up at the end of the month."

Ishana: Oh... so same as Daksh then.

"How could he be the same as me? I work much harder. So my models are always better."

Pretending that he has been professionally attacked by his good friend Ajay looks pitifully at Gauri who was half done with her meal.

"Gauri did you hear him? He thinks the models that I find is not good enough for the campaign."

Gauri: I wouldn't know. That is not my expertise.

Ajay chuckles at how cold of an answer he had received on such a warm day in Mumbai. Even the smirk on Daksh's face made him feel a bit humiliated.

"How about you model for us? Then there is no way he would say such things."

Gauri who was now making an effort to chew faster quickly swallowed her food.

"Not part of my job."

Leaning closer to the cold woman Ajay did not hesitate to tease.

"You are an intern. I believe you do what is needed for the good of the campaign."

When he finally managed to get Gauri to look at him he was expecting some sort of reaction but instead she remained calm, collected, and cold.

"If Ms. Jhanvi thinks it's necessary than I am sure she will tell me but I don't think Mumbai is lacking in beautiful women. I'm sure if you look harder you will find plenty."

Ishana who was full of jealousy seeing Ajay's attention fully on Gauri started to laugh.

"Ajay...you sure know how to joke around. If you are in need maybe I too can model for you? Or am I not beautiful enough?"

Winking at Ishana Ajay flirtatiously smiled while glancing at Daksh.

"Daksh might kill me if I took one of his teammates again."

Ishana: Again?

Daksh who was quite annoyed at Ishana's sudden interest in Ajay quickly changed the subject.

"That story could be save for maybe this weekend?"

Ishana: This weekend?

Daksh: Every time we get a new member we go out for dinner, dancing and singing.

Ajay: Gauri that means you too.

As everyone waited for Gauri's response a sudden commotion within the canteen made them turn their attention towards the two men who had just arrived.

Ishana: Isn't that Mr. Oberoi?

Daksh: Ishana it's best if you call him Boss or Sir. Do not let him hear you call him by his name. He doesn't like that.

Gauri who was almost done with lunch didn't know what the big deal was. This was a canteen so why was it so odd for the owner of the company to be here? Did he not eat? Or was it rare? Unaware that the man who every woman in the room was ogling over was staring at her Gauri continued to eat her food.

Ishana: Is it just me or was he looking over at our table?

Ajay who did see Omkara look over at them wondered the same and when he saw him walk closer he immediately sat up straight.

Ajay: "Afternoon Sir."

Daksh/Ishana/Gauri: Afternoon Sir.

"Afternoon."

Everyone froze when they saw him sit just a few seat away waiting for his personal assistant to bring food. It was the first time that anyone saw the owner of the company eating at the canteen and rumors were already starting to spread.

Sensing that everyone was silent Omkara's gentle voice woke everyone up from their trance.

"You all may continue as usual. I am only here to get a quick bite."

When everyone saw Khanna come with a tray full of food and set it in front of Omkara they too continued with their lunch.

Ishana who couldn't keep her eyes off of Omkara could not believe her luck. He was such a handsome man that even his mere presence was enough to make her heart beat out of control. Not wanting Gauri to fall for the same trap as every woman Ajay continued with his question from earlier.

"So Gauri?"

Hearing another man call out her name so freely made him grip his fork while digging into a piece of beef. Khanna who thought the beef might have been too tough quickly tried to remedy the problem.

"Boss is the meat to tough? Should I just go order a steak from your favorite restaurant?"

Gauri: What?

Ajay: Will you join me this weekend?

A sudden "clank" startled everyone and when they saw that it was their boss who had slammed his fork down into his plate silence filled the room again.

Khanna who was still waiting for his boss's answer was sweating the moment he saw his boss angrily slam his fork.

"Boss? Food not good? Tell me? I will go get something really quick!"

"Oh sorry. My hand slipped. Continue everyone."

Khanna: Slipped?

Omkara: Yes. Slipped.

Ajay who continued by clearing his throat.

"This weekend...Gauri?"

"I'm sorry. I already have important plans."

Ishana: Come on Gauri! They took out the time to welcome us we should at least show our gratitude. I will definitely be there!

Daksh: Come Gauri. It's a way to get to know your co-workers better.

Gauri who understood the importance of getting along with your co-workers felt obligated to attend.

"Can I bring a friend?"

Ajay who couldn't contain his excitement happily said "yes!" Until from not so far away he heard his boss coughing vigorously while slamming his fist onto the table repeatedly.

**Cough!Cough**"

Khanna who was panicking ran over to pat his boss's back.

"Boss! You okay?! Drink some water! I knew I should have ordered food!"

Raising his hand to stop Khanna from patting his back as if he was choking to death.

"I'm okay. Seems like I'm not able to enjoy food today."

When everyone saw that their boss was back to normal they quickly started to shove food down their throats. Eating while being on edge every 5 minutes was too much for anyone to bear.

Lunch hour was finally over. As the four stood up they looked over towards Omkara to bid their farewell.

Ajay: "Goodbye Sir."

"Goodbye."

As he happily escorted Gauri back to the department Ajay could have sworn that his boss was glaring at his back because a sudden chill swept over his entire body.

Omkara: Khanna...

Sweating profusely from head to toe Khanna quickly comes to Omkara's side.

"Yes Boss?"

"Call Jhanvi and Svetlana into the office. I think we need to work overtime this weekend."

Khanna: Over-time? We've never done that before. Plus Boss..I had pla..."

Omkara: What were you saying?

The aura that was surrounding his Boss was like a dark cloud and Khanna could have sworn he saw red flames in Omkara's eyes.

"Nothing...Nothing..I have no plans...work is life.."

Omkara: Good.

**Hope you guys like this update. Do vote if you did. Hopefully it's not too draggy but oh well....my first office romance..let's see where this goes :o)**