The morning after the gala felt like a hangover, even though Myra hadn't touched a drop of alcohol. Her body was sore from the marble counter, and her heart felt like it had been shredded. She walked into the office wearing a high-collared black dress—no scarf today, but the armor of silk was just as thick.
She was halfway through a blueprint when the elevator chimed.
The entire office went silent.
Shanaya Singhania stepped out, looking like a desert rose in a white Chanel suit. She didn't look like she was here for a meeting; she looked like she was here to inspect her property. And her eyes went straight to Myra's corner desk.
"You," Shanaya pointed, her diamond-encrusted finger steady. "The assistant from last night. Bring me a latte. Oat milk, two sugars. And bring it to Reyansh's office immediately."
The bullpen whispered. Myra's jaw tightened. "I am a Lead Architect, Miss Singhania. Not an assistant."
Shanaya let out a light, tinkling laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "Reyansh told me you were 'staff.' And in this building, if I tell the staff to jump, they ask how high. Coffee. Now."
Myra looked toward Reyansh's glass office. He was standing there, his hands in his pockets, watching the scene. He didn't move. He didn't defend her. He simply nodded once—a silent command for her to obey.
Stranger in the office. Sex buddy outside.
The words burned in Myra's mind as she walked to the breakroom. Her hands shook as she prepared the drink. When she entered Reyansh's office, Shanaya was sitting in his chair, her legs crossed elegantly. Reyansh was leaning against his desk.
"Here is your coffee," Myra said, setting it down.
"Thank you, darling," Shanaya said, not looking at her. She turned to Reyansh. "Rey, about the wedding venue. I was thinking the South of France. But my father says we should stay in Mumbai for the press. What do you think?"
"Whatever is efficient, Shanaya," Reyansh replied, his voice flat. He finally looked at Myra. "Kapoor, stay. We need to go over the Seafront blueprints with Miss Singhania. She'll be the face of the Khurana-Singhania Foundation, so she needs to approve your designs."
Myra felt the trap closing. Reyansh was forcing her to show her hard work to the woman who wanted to replace her.
Shanaya picked up the blueprint Myra had spent weeks on. She glanced at it for three seconds before dropping it into the trash can beside the desk.
"I don't like it," Shanaya said simply. "Too modern. It looks... cheap. Start over from scratch. And Myra? I want the new drafts on Reyansh's desk by tomorrow morning. I'm sure a 'hard worker' like you doesn't mind pulling an all-nighter."
Myra looked at Reyansh, pleading for him to say something—to defend the technical brilliance of her work.
Reyansh picked up his pen, his face a mask of ice. "You heard her, Kapoor. If the client isn't happy, the architect hasn't done her job. Get to work."
As Myra walked out, her eyes burning with unshed tears, she heard Shanaya's soft voice behind her. "She's quite sensitive, isn't she, Rey? I hope she can handle the pressure of our wedding Preparations
Author's Thought
SHE THREW IT IN THE TRASH?! 🗑️😱 I have never hated a character more than Shanaya! And Reyansh... how can he just stand there and let her ruin Myra's hard work? This "Contract" is becoming a nightmare!