Page 60 of The Royal Beast & His Rising Queen

"Ms. Ashley clearly isn't fond of us, then why didn't she deny the HR department's request??", Isha questioned

"To torture us, what can be any other reason?? That woman is definitely not a saint to do good deeds... such a bi**h...", Reetu said and Ragini agreed

"Reetu... don't use such words...", Isha said and Reetu and Ragini sighed at their friend...

"Okay fine, let's talk about work, let's have our first meeting in R Empire after lunch, okay??", Ragini announced to all her staff and everyone nodded enthusiastically... "every change sees some challenges, the meeting agenda is to discuss the challenges we face after shifting here, previously we had our workplace and boutique in the same office space, so it was very easy to track our sales and directly know our customers and their needs, I think that contributed a lot to our designers to create their best work, so, we'll be discussing how to tackle those challenges", Ragini completed and everyone agreed.

Ragini suggested that they have their food together since it's their first day and also there are a lot of chances that they get bullied by Ashley and her team or the other employees if eaten separately. But they never imagined that they would get to witness such a huge drama on the first day of their extraordinary feat of working in the R Empire building.

Everyone settled in the cafeteria, and some went to get lunch while others who brought tiffin from home heated their food.Isha, along with Shivam and Aashna is heating her lunch in the microwaves provided in the cafeteria when a man approached them...

"Excuse me??", he said looking at Isha...

"Yes?? Do you need something, sir??", she asked politely

"You look beautiful... your courage and confidence in carrying your outfit are commendable... may I know your name please??", he said looking at Isha... Isha gave an awkward smile, she didn't realize that the man is flirting with her since he is very polite...

"Um... Isha...", she said awkwardly...

"Abhay... Abhay Malhotra... Director, Brand Management", he said forwarding his palm for a handshake... Isha shook her hands awkwardly... Shivam and Aashna's eyes widened hearing his position, he is quite a senior but looks young.

"Which department do you work in?? I have never seen you before", he said

"Um... today is our first day, R Empire recently acquired our boutique... I'm sorry, forgot to introduce my colleagues, this is Shivam and that's Aashna", Isha introduced them and he shook their hands as well but he seemed only interested in Isha... he kept talking to Isha making her uncomfortable, Shivam understood this and tried to save his friend...

"I'm sorry to interrupt you sir, but we have a meeting soon after lunch, so we need to go...", Shivam said and Isha and Aashna nodded...

"May I join you guys?? If you don't mind??", Abhay said, Shivam, Aashna and even Isha wanted to say 'No' strictly but they don't want to offend a person in such a senior post, so they unwillingly nodded...

They walked to their table and Shivam introduced Ragini, Reetu, and others to Abhay and vice-versa.

"So, Isha, what are your hobbies...", Abhay asked

"Um... cooking and designing clothes, that's all", she said politely

"Can I try it?? Did you cook this??", he asked and she nodded awkwardly, he used the spoon he is eating with to taste the curry and she absolutely hated it, she is never used to eating the ort meal (Jhoota Khana). Till date, she only had food from her brother's and husband's plate but here this stranger did that. Isha decided not to eat her box anymore...

"Um.... it's very tasty, you are a wonderful cook, you are amazing", he said and she smiled awkwardly...

Ragini and Reetu understood that Isha is getting very uncomfortable now, that man is openly flirting with her... Shivam is now pissed, he is that protective friend of Ragini, Reetu, and Isha. He thought that man would back out if he gets to know Isha is married... he signalled Ragini to call him, Ragini shook her head as that plan would backfire but Shivam is adamant, he changed Ragini's contact to Isha's husband and asked her to call him...

"I'm sorry to interrupt you sir, Isha... where is your phone?? Your husband is calling me, here take it", Shivam said handingover his phone which showed Isha's husband... Isha panicked, Shivam doesn't know about who her husband is then how come he had his number... Ragini is signing her not to panic but Isha isn't looking at her way...

"Wh...Why is he calling you?? H...How did you have his number?? Sh..Shivam...", Isha got nervous... but Abhay took it in another way...

"Why are you so afraid of your husband?? Hey relax... calm down...", he said holding her shoulder... Isha pushed his hands immediately and moved back... "hey, chill... it's okay...", he said again trying to hold her palm...

"Mr. Malhotra... she is fine, please sit down and continue your lunch", Ragini said "Ishu... come with me...", Ragini said glaring at Shivam who didn't understand anything, he just tried to help Isha right?? Then why is Ragini glaring at him as if he committed a murder...

Isha nodded at Ragini and is about to walk away when Abhay held her palm...

"Our conversation is not done yet", he said with a flirtatious smile... Isha tried to pull away her hand from his grip but his grip is tight, now it's heights for Ragini, she is about to give him a piece of mind but before she could do anything, a glass hit his head and he jerked his palm which is holding Isha's...

Abhyansh walked to the cafeteria to spot his wife and the staff are told that his highness Abhyansh Singh Ranawat is coming to the first-floor cafeteria for the food quality checks. His eyes quickly scanned the whole place and he found his wife in a second, but what he saw boiled his blood, he found a glass onthe table beside him, and immediately threw it aiming Abhay Malhotra's head, everything happened in a split second that none could notice before the commotion made some sound.

"ABHAY", Abhyansh roared, hearing his scream, everyone is terrified, Abhay who is tending his wound on head till now forgot about it as soon as he heard the BEAST's anger-filled scream...

"M....Maharaj...", Abhay said bowing his head down, his legs literally shivering, hands shaking... Ragini and Reetu are more terrified as they knew the reason for his anger, what if he blasts at them as well for not protecting Isha...

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