She may not be a lawyer or have studied law, but she had been best friends with and engaged to one of the best, so good that she herself had believed his lies. Shyam may be scum, but at least he would come to some use for her today. Through him and the cases he had discussed with her she knew enough of the law to know that Arnav could not fire her, thus she stomped over to his cabin with the fire of that knowledge burning inside of her.
She gave a sharp rap on the door and barged in without waiting for his response, she knew he was inside and today he wasn't going to be spared her wrath. At a first glance, she did not find him in the office. What?!! He was here, she had spied him moments before walking near the windows, from below. Then an annoyed, What the-?' gave away his position. He had been crouching behind his desk, looking for something...a tie, which she saw him pulling out of the open drawer now. Oh crap! He had been changing. She noticed, for he was now dressed in a rich mahogany suit, or had been trying to when she had barged in. He was wearing the tailored trouser and shirt, while the waistcoat and coat lay neatly on the back of his chair. His hair was rumpled and still looked wet, it gave him a softer look, as opposed to his usual crisp gelled back peaks; this look could easily deceive an onlooker, making them think that he was a kind man. His top buttons were undone, as he hadn't put a tie on yet, which gave a nice view to his toned chest. Khushi looked away, uncomfortable by the situation she had walked into. Thank God, he was fully clothed, though! It would have been horrible if she had walked in on him half-dressed. Although that didn't seem likely for anyone to do, as he didn't seem like the kind of man who would walk around half dressed in a public area.
What the hell are you doing here?!' he blared, as his fingers very gracefully buttoned the last few buttons and then adjusted his tie around his neck. He didn't need a mirror to see what he was doing, his fingers were well trained in the art of tying his tie.
I didn't mean to walk in like this...I didn't realize you were indecent, otherwise I would have waited...' Khushi clarified, still not looking completely at him. Which annoyed him more than her presence, that she chose to talk to him without looking at him.
Save it!' he cried, Always full of excuses, aren't you...I never meant to, it was an accident, bla bla bla, well guess what?! I Don't Care. I do not have the time for you or your antics, so just get lost! I believe you have the termination letter I have got written for you!!' he ended signaling towards the letter still clutched in her hand.
Khushi turned to face him now, anger rising inside of her once more, he was buttoning up his waistcoat now. Why did one man need that many layers of clothing?!! It really boggled her mind, but she checked herself, right now wasn't the time to wonder after this man's weird needs, it was the time to fight for her own. That is why I am here. You cannot fire me. And for the record, those weren't excuses but the truth, but I will save my breath from explaining why, as there is no point for you would never understand, for understanding is something that doesn't exist inside of you!' she asserted, unable to keep the emotion out of her voice.
How dare you?!' he flared up. What a nerve this girl had, after having caused so much damage she had the audacity to stand, no not stand, but barge into his office and suggest that he couldn't fire her or that he was incapable of understanding. Instead of being grateful that he was letting her go without causing any sort of permanent damage, then and now, she had the nerve to stand in front of him eye to eye! You're going to tell Arnav Singh Raizada what he can and cannot do?! You, You insignificant, little creature. You think you can stand up in front of me and say anything and there will be no consequences. You think wrong.' He threw his coat around his arms, closed the gap between them even before she could blink. He towered on top of her and her heart raced, but she had rights too, she knew that and it was time to tell him that she knew them too. He couldn't intimidate her. She stood her ground.
Yes I will. Because I have rights. As an Indian citizen I have rights, which you cannot deny me. This,' her hand with the termination letter shot up, this is wrongful termination. You cannot fire me without a legal cause and substantial notice, it is against the law.' She stated.
Ample cause, hunh?!' his face contorted into a grin, I'll give you ample cause, you sabotaged LaANK's fashion show, you halted a very important meeting due to your antics and you raised the fire alarm without their actually being a fire. You can go to jail for that you know, raising the alarm and causing the the Fire Brigades to come here, when there was no fire. Oh yeah, you didn't know that about the law when you started quoting it did you.' he snided, seeing the horror etched across her face. You want me to go on or can you now see why I have written incompetency towards work the reason for your termination!' he bellowed in her face, enjoying her humiliation.
I...I am not an incompetent worker.' Khushi stammered out as she, unwound her body from underneath his to stand up straight again. He had a habit of hovering over her as he spoke, making her bend backwards, with his every word. She didn't like that at all. She didn't like him at all or the effects he had on her.
Not an incompetent worker?!! What are you thick as well as incompetent, that you cannot connect two-and -two together. The list that I just blared out, shows how you are incapable of completing the tasks your job requires you to do!' he snarled.
That is not my job! To fetch your and others teas and coffee!' Khushi retorted.
Really then what is your job, enlighten me.' He said mockingly.
I am an intern here, for the designer position.' Khushi stated.
Arnav was gobsmacked for a moment, Wait what?! Who the hell selected you for the programme?!' he yelled, anger rising once more.
My credentials got me selected thank you very much! And that is why you cannot fire me, one because you technically have not hired me in the first place and two even if you had you would have hired me as a designer not an errand-girl, so those things were not part of my job description. Thus you are wrongfully ending my employment and on that basis I can take you and LaANK to court!' ended Khushi, heaving but triumphant.
Arnav just stared at her. He didn't know what to make of her. She had guts he had to give her that and was smart too, even with all the stupid things she did. She was alert and aware of her rights. She was different, he had never met someone like her before. Someone who irritated him to the T', yet also intrigued him. He watched how she held her stance and glared at him, believing she had him with the B.S. she had just let out of her mouth. Oh she didn't know him at all did she? Her taking him to court was not a threat, he and his companies were sued and taken to court every day, it wasn't something new for him. Moreover her case would never stand in court as she wasn't even an employee as she had stated thus; had no right to be in the conference room and for that she would be penalized not him, but he would let the slide, as he would the threat and the rude address, because unknowingly she had challenged him. He knew she would never go to court, yet she had still stated that she would, in an attempt to intimidate him. Him. He liked that, after a long time someone had tried to do that, actually this maybe the very first time someone had dared threaten him. Thus he decided to feed her ego and take back the termination letter and let her complete in the programme, for he would enjoy her losing in front everyone than here alone in his office.
Okay, Ms...'He stopped as he realized he still didn't know her name.
Gupta. Ms Khushi Kumari Gupta.' She huffed.
He arched an eyebrow at her name, it was quite a mouthful, Okay, Ms Gupta, you have made your point, it seems I have, what was it, yes wrongfully terminated you, thus you can ignore the letter and resume your work. And we will see at the end of these two weeks whether you are capable of this job, as the previous one did not match up to your abilities. You will showcase your work along with the others at the end of next week and if you are chosen then great for LaANK, but if you are not then it will be good-bye.' He said in too polite a tone that made Khushi's skin crawl. She didn't like how he had assented to her demand, even though it was exactly what she wanted, she somehow felt like he was leading her into some sort of a trap. Is that okay for you?' he asked, again in the polite tone. She managed a nod, unsure of what to say. Good, then you can leave.' With that he turned his back on her and let her make her way, contemplating what had just occurred and why even though she had won the argument she still felt like she had lost.
She had just gotten to the door, when Ms Gupta...' his voice jolted her and she turned tentatively, Yes?'
Just so you know, so that you don't say you weren't notified and decide to file another suit against LaANK, I will tell you now that you will be working under me. That is, I will be your supervisor, not Mihraj, that means any material, stationary and sketch pads you may require, you will get through me. I will be your boss for these two weeks, you will be answerable to me. Any objections? If so, you are welcome to leave, I believe you know where the door is.' He said as he smiled his most cunning smile. So that was why he had agreed, because he wished to be her personal torturer. She was ready to say no and walk off, but the thought of her baby stopped her. She needed this job, it would provide her with all the benefits she desperately needed, a stable salary, plus a fraction of her house rent and school tuition for her children (if and when she had any), this all, she needed. It would also provide her with medical insurance and regular bonuses, that is what the ad had stated. Thus she checked herself and decided to sign the deal with the devil for the sake of her child's future.
No objections. So does that mean I will work here in your office or downstairs?' she added just to show that she wasn't scared of him, even though he frightened her to the core.
He smiled, he liked her courage, No, you can work from downstairs, as you will be viewable from here.' He said gesturing towards the windows. Nodding, she turned to leave, but deliberated for a moment as he had not told her to, when he didn't say anything she proceeded downstairs and did not stop until she got to her desk again. Where she let the fears engulf her. How was she supposed to work knowing he was breathing down her neck, watching her every move. She knew that technically he would have no hold over her, as in, she didn't have to do anything he asked her to, but would that mean he wouldn't. And if he did then would she be able to say no to him. Furthermore how was she going to ask him for all the things she needed, he would give it to her, she was sure of that but what would it cost her? She sneaked a glance up at him and felt like someone had dropped a huge lump of ice down her, for he was standing right next to the window, staring at her; a smug smile playing on his lips as he lifted his hand to wave two of his fingers at her, telling her that he was watching, that he would always be watching.
She gave a sharp rap on the door and barged in without waiting for his response, she knew he was inside and today he wasn't going to be spared her wrath. At a first glance, she did not find him in the office. What?!! He was here, she had spied him moments before walking near the windows, from below. Then an annoyed, What the-?' gave away his position. He had been crouching behind his desk, looking for something...a tie, which she saw him pulling out of the open drawer now. Oh crap! He had been changing. She noticed, for he was now dressed in a rich mahogany suit, or had been trying to when she had barged in. He was wearing the tailored trouser and shirt, while the waistcoat and coat lay neatly on the back of his chair. His hair was rumpled and still looked wet, it gave him a softer look, as opposed to his usual crisp gelled back peaks; this look could easily deceive an onlooker, making them think that he was a kind man. His top buttons were undone, as he hadn't put a tie on yet, which gave a nice view to his toned chest. Khushi looked away, uncomfortable by the situation she had walked into. Thank God, he was fully clothed, though! It would have been horrible if she had walked in on him half-dressed. Although that didn't seem likely for anyone to do, as he didn't seem like the kind of man who would walk around half dressed in a public area.
What the hell are you doing here?!' he blared, as his fingers very gracefully buttoned the last few buttons and then adjusted his tie around his neck. He didn't need a mirror to see what he was doing, his fingers were well trained in the art of tying his tie.
I didn't mean to walk in like this...I didn't realize you were indecent, otherwise I would have waited...' Khushi clarified, still not looking completely at him. Which annoyed him more than her presence, that she chose to talk to him without looking at him.
Save it!' he cried, Always full of excuses, aren't you...I never meant to, it was an accident, bla bla bla, well guess what?! I Don't Care. I do not have the time for you or your antics, so just get lost! I believe you have the termination letter I have got written for you!!' he ended signaling towards the letter still clutched in her hand.
Khushi turned to face him now, anger rising inside of her once more, he was buttoning up his waistcoat now. Why did one man need that many layers of clothing?!! It really boggled her mind, but she checked herself, right now wasn't the time to wonder after this man's weird needs, it was the time to fight for her own. That is why I am here. You cannot fire me. And for the record, those weren't excuses but the truth, but I will save my breath from explaining why, as there is no point for you would never understand, for understanding is something that doesn't exist inside of you!' she asserted, unable to keep the emotion out of her voice.
How dare you?!' he flared up. What a nerve this girl had, after having caused so much damage she had the audacity to stand, no not stand, but barge into his office and suggest that he couldn't fire her or that he was incapable of understanding. Instead of being grateful that he was letting her go without causing any sort of permanent damage, then and now, she had the nerve to stand in front of him eye to eye! You're going to tell Arnav Singh Raizada what he can and cannot do?! You, You insignificant, little creature. You think you can stand up in front of me and say anything and there will be no consequences. You think wrong.' He threw his coat around his arms, closed the gap between them even before she could blink. He towered on top of her and her heart raced, but she had rights too, she knew that and it was time to tell him that she knew them too. He couldn't intimidate her. She stood her ground.
Yes I will. Because I have rights. As an Indian citizen I have rights, which you cannot deny me. This,' her hand with the termination letter shot up, this is wrongful termination. You cannot fire me without a legal cause and substantial notice, it is against the law.' She stated.
Ample cause, hunh?!' his face contorted into a grin, I'll give you ample cause, you sabotaged LaANK's fashion show, you halted a very important meeting due to your antics and you raised the fire alarm without their actually being a fire. You can go to jail for that you know, raising the alarm and causing the the Fire Brigades to come here, when there was no fire. Oh yeah, you didn't know that about the law when you started quoting it did you.' he snided, seeing the horror etched across her face. You want me to go on or can you now see why I have written incompetency towards work the reason for your termination!' he bellowed in her face, enjoying her humiliation.
I...I am not an incompetent worker.' Khushi stammered out as she, unwound her body from underneath his to stand up straight again. He had a habit of hovering over her as he spoke, making her bend backwards, with his every word. She didn't like that at all. She didn't like him at all or the effects he had on her.
Not an incompetent worker?!! What are you thick as well as incompetent, that you cannot connect two-and -two together. The list that I just blared out, shows how you are incapable of completing the tasks your job requires you to do!' he snarled.
That is not my job! To fetch your and others teas and coffee!' Khushi retorted.
Really then what is your job, enlighten me.' He said mockingly.
I am an intern here, for the designer position.' Khushi stated.
Arnav was gobsmacked for a moment, Wait what?! Who the hell selected you for the programme?!' he yelled, anger rising once more.
My credentials got me selected thank you very much! And that is why you cannot fire me, one because you technically have not hired me in the first place and two even if you had you would have hired me as a designer not an errand-girl, so those things were not part of my job description. Thus you are wrongfully ending my employment and on that basis I can take you and LaANK to court!' ended Khushi, heaving but triumphant.
Arnav just stared at her. He didn't know what to make of her. She had guts he had to give her that and was smart too, even with all the stupid things she did. She was alert and aware of her rights. She was different, he had never met someone like her before. Someone who irritated him to the T', yet also intrigued him. He watched how she held her stance and glared at him, believing she had him with the B.S. she had just let out of her mouth. Oh she didn't know him at all did she? Her taking him to court was not a threat, he and his companies were sued and taken to court every day, it wasn't something new for him. Moreover her case would never stand in court as she wasn't even an employee as she had stated thus; had no right to be in the conference room and for that she would be penalized not him, but he would let the slide, as he would the threat and the rude address, because unknowingly she had challenged him. He knew she would never go to court, yet she had still stated that she would, in an attempt to intimidate him. Him. He liked that, after a long time someone had tried to do that, actually this maybe the very first time someone had dared threaten him. Thus he decided to feed her ego and take back the termination letter and let her complete in the programme, for he would enjoy her losing in front everyone than here alone in his office.
Okay, Ms...'He stopped as he realized he still didn't know her name.
Gupta. Ms Khushi Kumari Gupta.' She huffed.
He arched an eyebrow at her name, it was quite a mouthful, Okay, Ms Gupta, you have made your point, it seems I have, what was it, yes wrongfully terminated you, thus you can ignore the letter and resume your work. And we will see at the end of these two weeks whether you are capable of this job, as the previous one did not match up to your abilities. You will showcase your work along with the others at the end of next week and if you are chosen then great for LaANK, but if you are not then it will be good-bye.' He said in too polite a tone that made Khushi's skin crawl. She didn't like how he had assented to her demand, even though it was exactly what she wanted, she somehow felt like he was leading her into some sort of a trap. Is that okay for you?' he asked, again in the polite tone. She managed a nod, unsure of what to say. Good, then you can leave.' With that he turned his back on her and let her make her way, contemplating what had just occurred and why even though she had won the argument she still felt like she had lost.
She had just gotten to the door, when Ms Gupta...' his voice jolted her and she turned tentatively, Yes?'
Just so you know, so that you don't say you weren't notified and decide to file another suit against LaANK, I will tell you now that you will be working under me. That is, I will be your supervisor, not Mihraj, that means any material, stationary and sketch pads you may require, you will get through me. I will be your boss for these two weeks, you will be answerable to me. Any objections? If so, you are welcome to leave, I believe you know where the door is.' He said as he smiled his most cunning smile. So that was why he had agreed, because he wished to be her personal torturer. She was ready to say no and walk off, but the thought of her baby stopped her. She needed this job, it would provide her with all the benefits she desperately needed, a stable salary, plus a fraction of her house rent and school tuition for her children (if and when she had any), this all, she needed. It would also provide her with medical insurance and regular bonuses, that is what the ad had stated. Thus she checked herself and decided to sign the deal with the devil for the sake of her child's future.
No objections. So does that mean I will work here in your office or downstairs?' she added just to show that she wasn't scared of him, even though he frightened her to the core.
He smiled, he liked her courage, No, you can work from downstairs, as you will be viewable from here.' He said gesturing towards the windows. Nodding, she turned to leave, but deliberated for a moment as he had not told her to, when he didn't say anything she proceeded downstairs and did not stop until she got to her desk again. Where she let the fears engulf her. How was she supposed to work knowing he was breathing down her neck, watching her every move. She knew that technically he would have no hold over her, as in, she didn't have to do anything he asked her to, but would that mean he wouldn't. And if he did then would she be able to say no to him. Furthermore how was she going to ask him for all the things she needed, he would give it to her, she was sure of that but what would it cost her? She sneaked a glance up at him and felt like someone had dropped a huge lump of ice down her, for he was standing right next to the window, staring at her; a smug smile playing on his lips as he lifted his hand to wave two of his fingers at her, telling her that he was watching, that he would always be watching.
*****