You made me love coffee

SWEET NOTHINGS HEAD BRANCH, INSIDE AIRA'S CABIN

"knock knock"

"Come in ..." Aira spoke, sipping her milk coffee, looking over the dawn of the city. Aira relished the feel of Monday mornings. While the whole world hated Monday for its rude wake up call to reality, Aira loved these mornings for the exact same reasons. She loved escaping from her 'weekly family get togethers' to her 'overly boring board meetings'. If given a choice she'd choose to stay in her cabin for the rest of her life than to interact with anybody. Not that she disliked her family, but to put in good words, she didn't enjoy their company.

"Ms.Shetty I need your sign on few of these papers.", Harsh, her secretary spoke entering inside. Aira sat on her chair and started going through the papers.

"Shall I bring in your breakfast Ms.Shetty?" , Harsh asked her praying she might agree this time at least. Aira had all good things she's been doing for herself whether it be career wise or health-wise except one where she'd skip her breakfast on a daily basis.

She never understood why on earth people would eat something solid as soon as they woke up. Like whose idea was it? Why don't you sip some juice or some coffee or any beverage, a liquidy thingy going down your throat easily as compared to chewing stuff early in the morning. Yep, to Aira, eating breakfast early in the morning was more effort than attending a conference.

"Harsh, first you tell me, why wouldn't you call me ma'am or just Ms.Aira?" , she asked him back irritated to hear her being called Ms.Shetty. Aira's sister, Payal, was used to be called Ms.Shetty before she got married. And let's just say Aira isn't so fond of her younger sis. Payal was as one might say the rich spoiled brat who wanted to do nothing except spend money on useless stuff. That habit of hers didn't even bother Aira, but Payal's lack of empathy and her rudeness made Aira feel disgusted.

"Because Ms.Shetty is you ma'am"

"Should I take a yes for breakfast then?" , Harsh added with a lopsided grin.

Aira clicked her teeth being outsmarted by her own secretary, " That's true, I come from Shetty family but that is not who I am" , Aira said pointing her pen towards her secretary.

"Sure" , Harsh said while quietly scooting out of the cabin reaching for the door when,

"And Harsh..." , Aira's voice sounded behind him, Harsh cursed in his mind.

"No breakfast, thankyou." with that Aira immediately got back into work.

Outside the cabin Harsh muttered curses back to back on the failure of his mission yet again...which was to get his ma'am to eat breakfast. He sighed walking away, 'now only god itself can make that devil feed herself some breakfast in the morning!'

It was early 8:30 when Aira's telecom rang. She picked it up and was informed Samarthan Dixit had showed up and requested for a meeting without a prior appointment. Aira's palms sweated hearing that name, she didn't know why she got so worked up because of him, it was all in the past, he was her past, she moved on well, then who's to explain the reason for her sweaty palms.

Was it her nerves? But wasn't she over him already?

Was it her being afraid to be in his presence? But doesn't she loathe him enough? Or

Was it her being still in love with him? But didn't she pull him out of her heart long ago?

"Ms.Shetty should I send Mr.Dixit in?" , Harsh's voice brought her out of her overthinking.

I should say no, I mean without appointment why should I agree?

I should really say no, why would he even show up here in the first place? For the deal? F*ck that deal, I'll look for another agent. Yep, I'll say no.

I should say no, meeting him and talking with him is nothing but another trap. Yes.

I should really really say no.

"Okay, let him in." , Aira slapped her forehead at the slip of her tongue.

"No wait wait, I meant...", the line went dead already...."no.."

Soon enough Samarthan entered inside her cabin with his signature charming smile. But this time his smile had no effect on Aira, she was irritated with his sudden reappearance in her story. Aira loved her boring life, she didn't need this Samarthan chaos again.

"Yes, what can I do for you, Mr.Dixit ?", Aira spoke, her tone firm and held confidence despite of her initial nerves.

Samarthan smirked at being called formally, he always loved how she used to tease by the very name in the past, but now her tone held no warmth like earlier, his name from her mouth didn't sound like a melody she loved but as a long lost lullaby she loathed.

He clenched his jaw at the thought of Aira forgetting him, leaving him. Keeping his stupid thoughts aside, he put forth the file onto her desk, pushing it forward.

"I've signed the deal and agreed to all your terms and conditions, if you sign it as well, we'll become partners and soon expand your business globally"

Aira looked through the papers and handed them back to him, "Why would you agree on 30% ? What's the profit you're gonna make in this? Aren't you being a bad decision maker for your company right now? Or have you started doing charity Mr.Dixit?" She snapped and finalised, "You may leave."

"Tch..tch....tch.... always so fiesty my jaan. " Aira gritted her teeth at the endearment used.

"Anyways, to answer your question, hotels can generate profit from branded coffee offerings, either directly through sales or indirectly by enhancing the guest experience and brand perception. While I'm sure it might not be a primary revenue source for me, but it definitely can contribute to overall profitability and customer satisfaction which is utmost important to me. This isn't a bad decision, it's a smart investment Ms.Shetty ", he ended with a smirk.

Aira felt like she was losing this, she absolutely can't, "Then I'd be the one having more loss if we go by your method, don't you think you're not playing fair here?"

Samarthan leaned in while he spoke, "You're forgetting here jaan, the supplier that is you here, would gain brand exposure, positive reviews, or least a trial of your product in a real-world setting. You always wanted this, didn't you?" , his hand reached out to caress her.

For a sec, Aira was lost in his bluish-green orbs, she was dumbfounded how he knew of her dream. And as if fire burnt her hand, she instantly withdrew and looked at him angrily.

"I don't need your favour Mr.Dixit." , she spat harshly. Samarthan though taken aback by her rudeness, didn't let it affect him, for he knew it was her anger speaking, not her.

"Neither am I doing a favour for you Ms.Shetty. Sweet Nothings has marked itself the most sold and the internet's favourite go to place for dates. There are so many other malls wanting to collaborate with you, I didn't want to lose this opportunity. That's why I rushed here"

"Just think about it, if it were anyone else other than me, wouldn't you have accepted this deal in a jiffy? If it's me that's bothering you, then worry not I'll not show my face to you ever"

Aira didn't know what to say, she took the file and thought for a while, finally exhaling a breath she signed the deal.

Walking up to him she brought out her hand to shake, "Congrats then"

Samarthan smiled and shook her hand.

Before leaving, he turned around and said, "Just to let you know, your orange spiced ice coffee is the best"

Aira smiled , " But you hated coffee"

"Yeah, yeah I did....until Sweet Nothings", his eyes held her stare, she could almost hear him saying "you made me love coffee"

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