"The Interview..."

The glass doors of Malhotra Enterprises towered above him, glinting in the morning sun.

Avinash Bose adjusted his tie for the fifth time, palms damp despite the air-conditioned lobby. He had prepped all night, rehearsing answers in the mirror until dawn. Yet as he stood before the receptionist, clutching his résumé folder, his heart refused to slow.

"Mr. Bose? You may go in now."

The door to the CEO’s office opened, and Avinash stepped inside.

It was nothing like he expected. The office was massive, all black marble and glass walls, a skyline view swallowing the horizon. Behind the oak desk sat Kevin Malhotra—a man who looked carved from authority itself. Broad shoulders beneath an immaculate suit, sharp jawline shadowed by the faintest stubble, and eyes dark enough to pin Avi in place.

Kevin didn’t glance up immediately, still scrolling through his tablet. “Sit.” The voice was deep, low, commanding.

Avi obeyed, trying not to fidget.

Finally, Kevin looked up. Their eyes met—and Avinash swore he forgot how to breathe. Something flickered across Kevin’s gaze. Not recognition. Not curiosity. Something… heavier.

"Avinash Bose, St. Xavier’s graduate, specialization in Marketing, top 5 percentile…", Kevin’s baritone rolled through the room as he scanned the file. “Impressive. But paper isn’t everything. Tell me… why do you want to work for me?”

Avi swallowed, forcing his voice steady.

"Because I want to learn from the best, sir. You built this company from scratch. I admire that. And… I don’t just want a job. I want to prove myself.”

Kevin leaned back, studying him. His lips curved—not quite a smile, more a test. “Bold words. Most people stammer about stability or pay. You talk about ambition.”

Avi blushed under the weight of that gaze. Something about the way Kevin’s eyes lingered—not just at his face, but his trembling hands, the slope of his shoulders—felt dangerously intimate.

"You’ll start as an assistant under the marketing division," Kevin finally said. “But… I’ll be watching your performance closely.”

Avi nodded, bowing his head. “Thank you, sir.”

Kevin’s voice dropped just enough to make the air heavy.

"Don’t disappoint me, Avinash."

---

Weeks Later

The job was everything Avi imagined—and nothing he was prepared for. The pressure, the late nights, the endless coffee runs. But more than that… it was him.

Kevin Malhotra was everywhere. In meetings, his deep voice cut through the air like a blade. In hallways, his presence made employees straighten instantly. Yet, every so often, Avi would catch Kevin’s eyes on him. Brief, unreadable.

One evening, long past office hours, Avi was still typing reports. Most of the floor had emptied. He didn’t notice Kevin enter until that voice broke the silence.

"Still here?”

Avi jolted, nearly spilling his coffee. “S-Sir—yes, I was just finishing the report.”

Kevin walked closer, slow, deliberate. “Dedicated. I like that.”

The CEO leaned against his desk, towering over him. Avi’s pulse hammered. He tried to focus on the screen, but Kevin’s scent—something woody, expensive—wrapped around him.

"You work too hard, Avinash," Kevin said softly, almost… intimate. “You’ll burn out.”

Avi dared a glance up. Their eyes locked. The world seemed to shrink to that moment—the hum of the air conditioner, the glow of the desk lamp, Kevin’s gaze burning into his.

"I don’t mind working hard, sir. If it means proving myself.”

Kevin’s lips curved. This time, a real smile—dangerous, knowing.

"Good boy."

The words sent a shiver down Avi’s spine. His throat went dry. He dropped his gaze, afraid Kevin might see too much. Afraid he might see that Avi wasn’t just nervous—he was drawn.

Kevin straightened, brushing a hand across Avi’s desk, close enough that their fingers almost touched. “Go home, Avinash. Tomorrow will be another long day.”

And then he left, leaving Avi staring after him, heart pounding against his ribs.

---

At Home

That night, Avi couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Kevin’s smirk, heard that low “good boy” echoing in his head. He hated himself for it. Kevin was married. Off limits. Dangerous.

But desire doesn’t care about boundaries.

And Avi knew—this was only the beginning.

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