"Morning."

Ajay could tell that Gauri was not warming up to him and when she casually walked passed him to order her coffee his fists started to clench slightly under the small coffee table. With her back towards him Ajay could only remember the man she had left with last night and the blow to his self-esteem started to rush back.

"Who was that man? There's no way he is better than me!" Ajay thought to himself.

As he kept staring at Gauri who's long wavy hair fell just right above her curvaceous derriere his eyes started to travel downwards and upwards as he imagined his hands caressing every inch of her body.  But the thought of a man like Dilpreet enjoying such a fine woman made Ajay burn with jealousy.

"How could she pick a person like him over me?!"

Determined to not let the beautiful woman slip through his fingers Ajay stood up to sit at Gauri's table in which he could clearly see her displeasure.

"So who is this Dilpreet?" Ajay smugly asked.

Gauri wasn't oblivious to Ajay's apparent jealousy and the fact that his question held such vile thoughts behind it made her feel disgusted.

"I am pretty sure I told you last night." Gauri coldly replied.

"A friend....so what did you guys do lastnight?"

When he saw her eyes glare at him Ajay knew that he had made a mistake but it was too late.

"Do? I don't know what you are thinking Ajay but I am not someone like that. If I somehow have given you that impression then it's best for you to change it. Dilpreet is a friend and a good one too. Do not sully him when you yourself do not know him."

Ajay knew that things were only looking bad for him at this rate.

"Gauri I didn't mean it that way. I just asked if you guys did anything like hang out. I wasn't insinuating anything. I feel that you yourself is pre-judging me instead and I find it unfair. I am not a bad guy Gauri but you make me feel like I am the worse."

Gauri didn't intend to get so offended but for some reason when she heard Ajay talk about Dilpreet she was unable to control herself. Ajay's words did hit a chord and Gauri was starting to feel a bit guilty.

"I am sorry."

When he heard her apologize Ajay knew he had succeeded in being back in the game. Even Gauri could see a big grin on his face but her intuition still told her that she was not wrong.

"So Gauri will he always come and pick you up from work? Because I can alway drop you off instead since it would be more convenient. I am sure he as a job right? If not I can pull some strings and help out your friend."

With so many questions Gauri could already tell that Ajay was still hung up on the fact that she had chosen Dilpreet last night.

"No."

Confused with such a short answer Ajay decided that maybe if he quit bringing up Dilpreet and focused on himself then his chances would be better.

"So Gauri do you need a ride after work today? I can---"

Ajay felt a sudden chill whip through his body when he heard the little bell at the cafe door ring and to everyone's surprise walked in two men.

"Why is the boss here? This cafe?" Ajay thought to himself.

It was only Gauri who didn't understand why everyone seem to tense up just because Omkara Oberoi entered the coffee shop. This coffee shop is right next to the company so she figured it was just convenient for any employee to get their cup of joe let alone the big boss. The only thankful thing she could admit to was that now Ajay was silent instead of hounding her with annoying questions.

"This 20 minutes will be the longest 20 minutes..." Gauri sighed to herself. Trying to just enjoy her small cup of coffee Gauri  started to daydream about random things until a sudden commotion of whispers took her out of her trance.

Omkara: Ms Sharma..may I join you?

At first Omkara was planning to head straight to his office because Khanna had just reminded him that his investors wanted him to produce a commercial displaying one design from his Old and Classy campaign but when he glanced over towards the coffee shop his feet refused to obey him.

Gauri was nervous that her boss wanted to join her and she couldn't understand exactly why.

"Of course Boss."

His hair was nicely pulled back into a half ponytail and his crisp light blue button shirt was paired with a fitted dark grey blazer but what Gauri couldn't stop staring at was his shiny royal blue studded earrings.

His lips hooked up hearing her call him Boss and the fact that she was in a daze made him feel extremely happy.

"I heard that Jhanvi might be letting you complete one of your designs that you had initially submitted. I am planning on using that for our commercial next week. I hope that you will not disappoint."

Gauri was left speechless as her mind was trying to process what her boss had just said but the only thing that she could do at this very moment was give her quick reply of "Yes Boss."

Ajay took a deep breath when he saw Omkara turn his sights towards him.

"You have just heard what I have told Ms. Sharma?"

"Yes Boss."

"Then you know that I will expect you to choose the model wisely for this commercial."

"Absolutely Boss!"

"Remember that this campaign is called Old and Classy. I expect the model to do justice to the line."

Seeing  his Boss just leaning back against the chair and not even making direct eye contact with him Ajay could still feel that he had just been warned. Even Khanna who was just standing to the side could feel his Boss's dark aura.

"I understand Boss and I will start today and since you said you wanted to use Ms. Sharma's design I will make sure to work closely to her in order to know which model would best suit the garment."

Khanna was starting to sweat bullets listening to Ajay's words and when he saw his Boss happily smile he knew that the day was going to be a long one.

As Omkara stood up with his hands in his pockets he left Ajay with one last warning.

"If you pose as distraction and become an obstacle I will quickly remove you. The garment is more important than the model."

"Ms. Sharma I think it is time to report to Jhanvi now. Tell her to check her email in regards to the commercial."

Stumbling out of her chair Gauri quickly nodded her head.

"I will Boss."

"Then why are you just standing there? Ladies first."

Seeing her clumsily try to walk pass him made him wish he could cheer her on but Omkara knew that if he did Gauri would only push him away; or worst quit. He was sure that she could stand on her own without the help of anyone and as her Boss he will not blur the line between his private and professional life.

Ajay tried to accompany Gauri by also standing up but it seemed that his Boss was a wall blocking his way. Even when he tried to walk a bit faster his Boss would somehow be a step ahead blocking him until they reached the elevators.

Seeing Ajay happily gallop his way towards Gauri while he entered his private elevators Omkara could only stare as the doors slowly closed.

Khanna: Boss?

Omkara: I will be busy the entire day today. I want you to keep your eye on him. If anything is out of the ordinary let me know.

Khanna who never left his boss's side did not like that idea at all.

"But Boss...how will you manage without me?"

As the doors open up towards his office Omkara left Khanna heartbroken.

"Just like before I hired you upon Jhanvi's request."

"Boss...."

Back then Omkara was more than able to handle any situation on his own but Jhanvi could see that he was working too much as head of Oberoi Corps hence she made it her mission to find him an assistant that he deserved. After many attempts Khanna finally managed to win his boss's heart and to see him throw him away so easily saddened him.

One look at Khanna Omkara knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Khanna."

"Yes Boss?"

"Even though I can manage today on my own but it will not be the same without you."

Choking back his tears Khanna felt overwhelmed and happily declared that he will make sure to keep an eye on Gauri for the entire day.

*****************************

The first thing Gauri did was head towards Jhanvi's office to relay Omkara's message but when she knocked on Jhanvi's door she hadn't realize that Riddhima was also present.

"Come in."

Gauri: Ms. Jhanvi? Mr. Oberoi wanted you to check your email first thing today.

Jhanvi slightly shook her head because she had already checked the email when Riddhima had somehow caught wind of the news.

"I bet you are so happy aren't you Gauri?" sneered Riddhima.

Jhanvi: Riddhima! Get a hold of yourself.

Riddhima couldn't contain her anger any longer. The moment she heard from other secretaries within the company that Omkara wanted to use Gauri's design for the commercial she was livid.

"Ms. Jhanvi! We just hired her! She has no experience whatsoever! We cannot just hand over something like this to a village girl like her! She will ruin everything!"

Jhanvi: You've been her longer Riddhima and you should know that once the Boss has decided on something it's next to impossible to change his mind.

"I will talk to the boss! I will make him see. I've been working on my design for a month now. You said it was good. I am sure if I showed him what I have done he will surely use my dress for the commerical!"

At this point Gauri did not know what to do. She intended to come in today and show Jhanvi the new and improve fabric room but instead she was now thrown in this project that someone else wanted.

"Gauri! You go tell him that you are not qualified! There is no way you can finish making a dress in one week!"

Jhanvi who clearly was getting a migraine wanted to discuss the details with Gauri but with Riddhima being all hysterical proved to make thing difficult.

Gauri: I can.

Jhanvi was surprised when she saw Gauri stand there unfazed.

"If you say you can then I will follow what Mr. Oberoi wants."

Riddhima: Ms. Jhanvi!

Jhanvi: That's enough Riddhima. You focus on your design. If by chance Gauri is unable to keep her word I will assure you that your dress will be the one in that commercial.

As she stomped out of the office Riddhima's fingernails were digging deeply in her palms.

"I will make sure of that! Gauri....I will let you bust your butt in making that dress only to see it ruined!"

**Hope you guys enjoyed this update. Do vote if you did. 😊**

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