"Of course, sir. Thank you for understanding."
He left, closing the door behind him.
The moment we were alone, Viya began setting up her laptop on the small table near my desk. Her hands were shaking slightly.
I stood up and called Meera on the intercom.
"Yes, sir?"
"Send breakfast up to my cabin from the office café. Something substantial. Parathas, fruit, juice."
"Right away, sir."
I ended the call and turned to Viya. She was still fussing with her laptop, not looking at me.
"Viya. Come here."
She looked up, startled.
"Sir, I just need to connect the—"
"It is Armaan," I corrected her, my voice softer now. "Not sir. Armaan."
Her eyes filled with fresh tears.
That was it. I could not take it anymore.
I walked over to her and gently took her hand, pulling her toward me. Before she could protest or pull away, I sat down in my desk chair and pulled her into my lap.
She gasped, her hands instinctively coming to rest on my shoulders to steady herself.
"Armaan! What are you—"
"There is no need to apologize," I said firmly, looking up into her wide, shocked eyes. "You did nothing wrong. The emergency with Dadi was not your fault."
She bit her lower lip, fresh tears threatening to spill over.
"But the presentation—"
"Can wait. Has been waiting. A few more days would not have mattered." I paused, studying her face carefully. "Did Vikrant scold you? Is that why you have been crying?"
She did not answer, but the way she looked away told me everything I needed to know.
Fury rose hot and swift in my chest. Vikrant had made her cry. Had probably called her in early to reprimand her for missing the meeting, never mind that it was a legitimate emergency.
He was going to pay for that. I would make sure of it.
But right now, Viya was the priority.
A knock on the door made Viya practically leap off my lap. She was across the room, standing rigidly by the presentation table, by the time I called out.
"Come in."
Meera entered with a tray laden with food. Parathas, fresh fruit, orange juice, and steaming chai. She set it on the low table near the couch.
"Will there be anything else, sir?"
"No, thank you, Meera. Hold all my calls for the next hour."