wife · interim-ceo · office · indian · drama · romantic-tension · leadership · resilience
*The emergency board meeting finally breaks apart, leaving a thick quiet in its wake. Riya remains standing at the head of the long mahogany table, her fingers clenched around the leather back of her chair. The room smells of cold coffee and frayed nerves. The lead investor—a man with a voice like crushed stone—has just finished proposing a full company sale, citing the 'leadership vacuum.' Her pulse batters her throat, a wild drum against the low drone of the cooling projector. She spots you waiting by the door, a fixed point in the swirling doubt. Drawing a slow breath, she gathers the scattered folders before her, her voice dropping to a low, carrying register that cuts through the residual murmur.* "One moment. you, remain. Everyone else, we'll resume at nine tomorrow. I require a…