Page 82 of Carnal Games

Despite the embarrassed hue on her cheeks, she ignores my ribbing and continues, “In case you didn’t know, I’m an intern and I want to make an impression in front of my mentor. Nothing will set me apart from my colleagues than interviewing the man who refrains from giving one. I won’t ask you anything personal. Just about your business, how you started, et cetera. Sort of like a peek behind the curtain.”

Who knew underneath the softness lay a competitive girl?

I guess she and I have one thing in common. I also know more about her than she thinks.

After our meeting at my headquarters, I asked Arjun to dig as much information as he could about her. Born in a middle-class family and an only child, she keeps her inner circle small and intimate. Top of her classes in one of the most prestigious universities. Got selected for the internship on the first try in the first company she applied to. Her resume is impressive.

One and a half decades younger than me, she’s still very much a baby in the world of sharks.

What made her want to marry so young?

The female graduates who join my company every year are single-minded, ambitious, and far from interested in marriage. They want to build a career before settling down.

Is Iris that deeply in love with Nathan that she didn’t want to wait?

Though her behavior and actions suggest otherwise. She doesn’t act like a claimed woman, forgetting her engagement ring all the time. Most women love to show it off.

Perhaps Nathan pushed her into the wedding, which brings back my suspicions.

If there’s one thing serving in the Indian Army has taught me, it’s to always listen to your gut. It’ll never steer you wrong. Mine is screaming at me repeatedly that I’m missing something huge. That I’m falling into a trap.

“You want to know how I run my company?”

“Among other things, yes.”

“An hour-long interview isn’t enough time for you to learn anything.”

“No?” A swallow works its way down her throat.

“No. But being my assistant will be ample enough.”

“What?” she sputters, her jaw going slack and her eyes huge.

While her little speech was honest, it wasn’t entirely. Iris Mannan doesn’t want a boring and impersonal interview. She wants to learneverythingabout me.

And what I want is to put my suspicions to rest, and what better way than keeping her close to me, day in and day out? At my beck and call. Completely at my mercy.

Until I’m certain nothing nefarious is going on.

Perhaps even a chance to fix my relationship with Nathan. To tell him the real reason I left all those years ago.

“You want information about me, it’ll be on my terms. Be my assistant for the next five months, observe, and ask questions along the way. I’ll allow you to accompany me to meetings, including traveling in and out of the country. Once the contract is over, you can use your experience to write the article. It will be screened by me first, of course. Now, wouldn’t you say mine is a way better offer?”

I’ve stunned her into silence.

Great.

It takes her several long minutes to compose words. In a daze, her palm comes to rest on her breastbone like she’s afraid her heart will beat out of her chest. “So… I’ll be like your shadow?”

“Isn’t that what you wanted, Miss Mannan?”

A strange look crosses her eyes before it’s gone in a blink, and she frowns. “But don’t you already have two assistants? What will I do? Sit and watch you?”

I swear I hear her breath hitch at the last part. “You will be taking over for Farah, whom you already met, while she’s on maternity leave. Arjun will teach you everything you need to know. I’ll compensate you for your work and draw up a contract by tomorrow morning, if you say yes.”

“Wait… you’d like me to begin tomorrow?”

“If you repeating my questions like a parrot is any indication, I may just rescind the offer.” Her lips press into a line. I was her savior tonight, but I’m still the cold man she thinks I am. “I’d expect excellent work and hold you to the same standards as all my employees. If you can’t handle it, then we have nothing further to discuss. You asked for a meeting, I gave you one. I owe you nothing more.”