RYAN
I was sitting in my hotel room staring at the dirty piece of paper in my hand, more accurately a dirty résumé. I had already read it sixteen times and I was about to read it again when my best friend, Arjun said, "Stop staring at it, Ryan. It's not like she'll gonna come out of it." But oddly I wanted her to, that is to come, in both senses. I closed my eyes briefly seeing again those big green eyes with a hint of blue in the middle, the time she got all angry when I suggested to give her money, and that cream like slope of her neck flushed with anger a little lighter than her cheeks. I wanted to see how far that flush could go and I can bet it goes to very delicious places and her name it goddamn suits her, Rose. Her lips were exact same as rose petals and when she got them wet with her tongue before mouthing to me. ‘Fûck you.’ My thoughts were interrupted by a tiny voice, "Sir.." She didn't even get the chance to speak her next words before I bellowed on her, "Don't you know how to knock?" She started to stammer but I didn't care, I hated it when people invade my privacy, after all, can't a man get to think in private given the enormous amount of money he earns. Ignoring her stammering, I said through gritted teeth, "Get the hell out of here, before I fire you." But as always Arjun acted responsible when I was behaving like a five year old. "It's ok, Priya. Tell us what you wanted to," he said, sending me a glare. Arjun was the only one who could get away after doing the exact opposite of what I said and treating me like this because he had been my best friend since I was ten and knew the darkest secrets of my life. He was more than a best friend to me, for the last eighteen years he has been my family, my comrade, my brother and everything. And I knew that I can trust him with my life and I do. "Sir, cameras has been installed." I turned to her and she visibly got nervous and a perverse part of me liked it. "Now.. y-you can-n w-watch the whole f-floor," with that she hurriedly scampered away from the room. Arjun turned to me with raised brows, "You really had to do that." It wasn't a question, as he knew me well, that how much I love it when people feared me, but I answered nonetheless, "Yeah. They should be scared, I pay them." He just shook his head in my direction and got up to head outside. I was about to log into my laptop when he turned toward me, I looked up in eyes that has those mischievousness in them, telling me there was something he knew and I didn't. But instead of asking him I waited for him to fess up first and he did. "Check that file on the side table, may be you'll find something of your interest." With that he was gone after giving me a smirk. I looked at the file he mentioned. It was the file of applications we got online for the advertising manager. I have been running my father's business since twenty two, it was already invested in so many areas that I didn't had to do much to make it go any higher but now just six months ago I started my own business with my own funds and experience. I always liked glamour of television screen, although products and services of my father's business- (yes, I own it now and I make decisions but still for me it will always be his), got advertised on small screen but I wanted to do it myself. So, here I was recruiting for the Indian branch of my new advertising company, Ryan Arts&Commerce Co.Pvt.Ltd. I liked everything in my control. I love to dictate. So, this was my way of taking interview in one of the city’s biggest hotel. I booked the whole nineteenth floor of this hotel as it was the top floor, I loved to drive people away from their comfort zone. And here in this exotic and most expensive venue, they sure will be out of their comfort zone as they will prepare for an interview in a cosy small office with a desk and with a few questions about their qualifications, but here they'll come with nervous anticipation wondering what will happen next. Breaking out of my musings I clicked on the app which took me to the view outside my room. It worked fine, showing the whole floor. I clicked on the camera one which showed me room no. 1901, Arjun was there talking to the receptionist who was nodding frantically with a star struck smile on her face. My best friend had that effect on women as he looked like a movie star, although I was not that bad enough myself but still with the charming smile and all of those practiced dialogues he was more preferable than me. Once again, I glanced over to the file that Arjun told me to see, and curiosity got better of me as I placed the laptop on the table and picked up the file. I opened it reluctantly because I was sure there was something that I shouldn't know or really needed to know. The first application was of some guy named Rohan. B.tech. Delhi. I turned to second page and this time I read the name Rahul, it didn't catch my interest. Third was the mistake I shouldn't have made, I was definitely going to have nightmares. This girl looked like she got attacked by aliens. Seriously I don't know what’s wrong with some girls, her hair were short on one side and long on the other but what got me bad, was the color of her hair, which were in direct contrast with her lipstick and color of her skin. Her hair were purple, skin almond brown and the color of lips really freaked me out, orange. I am never going to be able to eat that fruit again without thinking of her. I thought to myself that it was exactly why he wanted me to open this file, I was about to throw that file aside when dark brown hair peeked out from under that page, I turned the page, willing myself to be under control and not to rip off the file to get to it. And, there she was. Believe me when I say her picture didn't do any justice to her real beauty but still I was captivated by those gorgeous green eyes and brown hair that I've seen this morning, long and shiny. I imagine what they'll feel wrapped around my fist. I sat up straight, focused my attention on the lift, several candidates came and were gone, almost an hour passed then I remember that she may be late because of me as I was the one who ruined her outfit that, clearly, she was going to wear for the interview. I cursed out loudly but as I watched the elevator doors separating apart to reveal the woman standing behind them, I was sure that the people in other room heard my groan of satisfaction. And really I was satisfied that I ruined that dress because it got me this. I quickly remembered what she had said to me, and I called Arjun. "I get it that you saw that file," he said as soon as he entered the room. I just made a sound to his question and said, "I want your tie." I knew it was wrong idea asking him for a tie as he'd throw it back in my face later but right then I didn't care. Arjun looked amused as he simply pulled out his tie and handed it to me. "You know how to make it." He very well knew it that I didn’t because I haven’t ever wore them before. "I'll manage." I said taking the red tie from him and it reminded me of Rose. Shit. He turned to left but I stopped him saying, "Send her here, in my room." Arjun faced me with barely controlled amusement. "Why, Ryan. I imagine, why you yourself want to take the interview personally?" I could tell from the look on his face that he was enjoying this very much because, really, it didn't happen often that I think about a woman after just one meeting and definitely not after hearing profanities from her but that woman got to me, with barely contained anger, with flushed cheeks and the way she said those awful words to me. She called me a conceited, arrogant arsehôle. Well, I was all of those things and I knew people think of me like that too but none of them has ever dared to throw those words in my face like she did. And she had dared to threaten with bodily harm, that slip of a girl had hissed at me to rub my face in the muck she was covered in. Call me an egoistical jerk but I wanted to make her learn that no matter what I’ll always be the one on the winning end. In a very long time, no one has dared to talk to me like that but she did. And I really wanted to test her, how far was she willing to go with me. How far will she take arguments with me, will she slap me or may be finally would just drop down with defeat. That was it. I wanted to see her defeated, she made me feel like shit on the side of the road. Now, it was my turn. I thought drily as I fingered the soft material of the Rose colored tie. How ironic!! . . A. Gupta I hope you're enjoying reading, it gets better! You can find me on Instágrám at author_gupta and on Fàcebôok page A. Gupta's fan club.ROSE I stepped out of the elevator taking in wide foyer of the hotel, I can't imagine what possessed me to do this, I am standing in one of the biggest hotel of Mumbai in black, silk nighty for the job interview. The woman at the reception looked at me like I was some kind of a dirty hooker, and when I asked for the directions she gave me a disgusted look before pointing me towards the elevators. I wasn’t prepared for all of this and then I met a man in the elevator who told me not just a room but Mr. R. K. Johnson has booked the whole floor for todays interview session. He wouldn’t stop blabbering about all the accomplishments Mr Johnson has had in such a short time. I gathered from his unstoppable speech on Mr. Johnson that he was only twenty eight and a billionaire. And, he looked after his father's business, or empire, because there are so many businesses he was associated with. My assumption that he probably got it on a silver platter was disputed by the man, or more accurat
ROSE I curled my hands into fist to stop them from shaking. How could it be possible? I didn't know my bad luck could be this bad. I looked up at him with barely controlled anger and managed to walk to the single seat sofa rather than stomping on the floor. Oh, I know how I controlled that urge. "Well, your résumé?" He asked with a twisted smile, without saying anything to him I dug into Natasha's purse and took out the file that has my documents. I slid the file toward him on the table. This time he didn't say anything, just quietly opened the file. As he scanned it, his expression remained same except the slightest raising of his eyebrows, here and there. I knew what was he seeing. I've many certificates of participation in different activities, seminars and projects that I've done in my college. I was a fresher but not completely inexperienced. "Except your résumé everything seems to be here. And I s
ROSE 'Meet us at Rush @ 7:00. Big news.' I stared at the text message from Natasha and wished like hell that I could be able to say no to her. And, you would think after the morning I had, I've all the rights to do so and stay alone at my place while I feel pity for myself. But unfortunately I didn't have such luck, because even if I managed to stay at home, I was sure she’ll end up coming there and then she’ll drag me out to wherever she wants. So, it will much easier to just agree with her. ‘I'll be there. Just don't try to set me up with anyone.’ I texted her back and plopped down on the couch. After 10 minutes of changing channels on the TV, I settled on a music channel and closed my eyes as I recounted today's events. All the things that happened was horrible except that one thing. I knew I shouldn't have given into that kiss like that but the moment his lips touched mine I was a lost cause. A
ROSE Ryan Johnson took his time to look at me too. Down and up, his eyes roamed over me like a touch of feather. We stared at each other and it seemed like forever, but I knew it was only a few minutes then the moment was broken by my friend as she came by my side. "Oh my god. It's him." Natasha whispered in my ear but by the look on his face I knew he also heard her. I straightened my back or I tried to with all the alcohol running through my system, ready to grab my friend and leave his vicinity. He was an arsehôle who had insulted me and then kissed me without my permission, and just right now he ordered me on the phone like I was his property. "Hi, we met again." He said, extending his hand toward my best friend, his voice as smooth as silk. She quickly grabbed his hand and shook it, shook it, and shook it some more. I didn't know why I did it but I grabbed her hand and pushed her backward then I s
ROSE We went to the elevators, there were five of them, I started to enter in the one which was near me but the receptionist who was clearly a hater entered in the other one. I really wanted to stomp my foot at that moment, she was driving me crazy, but I stopped myself. Barely. I glared at her and stood far away from her in the elevator as the door closed. As we reached the thirty-fourth floor, she quickly stepped out of the elevator and went straight to the other receptionist on that floor. This floor was no different from the ground floor, elegant in style as the whole floor seemed to be in three colors that is black, white, and grey. Regardless of the space that offices and cubicles consumed, it still managed to look spacious. Both the receptionists were whispering something but I didn't listen to them because I was busy noticing one very important detail. The colour white. Oh god. He asked me to wear white because every employee there was wearing white. And I, only to spite h
ROSE I was sitting in the copy room of the office, the only place where no female employee sneered at me and no male employee tried to be friendly. I was wondering if I could get away by just disappearing from here and as the thought came I stood up, already planning to make my escape. I will handle whatever happens but I just want to leave, run far away from here, from that arrogant arsehole. I grabbed the door knob but it twisted in my hand and the door was pulled open from the outside. The lady that I’d seen outside his office stood there smiling at me. "Mr. R. K. wants to talk to you," The lady said, her words as crisp as her white shirt and skirt. I don't want to go, I wanted to shout at her, but what I said was docile, so unlike me, "Yes, of course." I knocked on the glass door and heard his command to enter. When I was just inside the door, not taking another step further, and looking everywher
My Boss Is My Tormentor.Copyright © 2024, A. Gupta. All Rights Reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.**Warning: Unauthorized copying, distribution, or selling of this book is prohibited and subject to legal action.** This book is protected by copyright laws and international treaties. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.Plagiarism and piracy are illegal a
ROSE “Don’t worry, Rose. You’ll get the job, I have a feeling for this one.” Natasha, my best friend said as I parked my beat up fifteen years old civic in front of her office building. “Oh yeah, how do you know that?” I asked her, praying that this time she was right in her intuition. “Well...” She gave me a long look as she said, “Look at you, hotness overloaded. If he doesn’t give you a job on the basis of your talent, I’m sure you’ll melt him from how beautiful you look.” I laughed and yeah, she was right I did feel beautiful. In my black denim skirt that had slit high enough to show my upper thigh which I hadn’t wore since I bought it a year ago on a whim and white silk blouse that hugged me so comfortably, I was confident to say that I looked and felt pretty in that moment. “Thank you,” I said, laughing with her as she opened her side of the door and got out. "Hey," I stopped her, and when she turned around to face me. “I love you,” I said to my best friend as I turned