Annika was staring at the alarm clock before it rung at 7am. She had barely slept in the last couple of days. She still can't forget how her life just changed. 15 days ago she was working for her own company, was bubbly and happy making her own rules living her life her own way but then... everything changed. She forgot how to live, how to smile. She didn't know what mistakes she made, Was falling for someone wrong. She knew she had developed feelings for a certain blue eyed man but coming in contact with him had turned her life upside down. She suffered more than to be happy. Her mind drifted to the time when he was civil with her and would smile around her and was ok to her calling him Billuji but that one incident and everything changed. He hated her , couldn't stand her presence and to make him comfortable she obliged. She has always been that person who looks at everyone's comfort rather than hers. That's why when her partner decided to merge the company with Oberoi's she had no choice but to agree. She still remembers how it all went down further pushing her down the pit.

It was two days after priyanka wedding and Annika was getting ready to leave for work when her business partner cum friend called her, "hey wazzup" said Nikita from the other end all excited. Annika smiled at her enthusiasm and replied, " am good how are you and how's things with you?".

" All good, actually I called for some important business work", replies nikita turning all serious in her tone. Annika straightened at that, Nikita continued,
" Annika I am very happy with your work but I want the company to progress and hence I have made a decision to move the company ahead".

"What is it?" Dreading that it shouldn't be shifting base or else she would be in deep trouble.

" I have decided to merge the company, with another multinational and they will maintain 40% partnership and you will maintain your 25% and balance 35% will be mine. They are ok with this but only that the terms of employment will be theirs and they will be the final authority over all employment decisions". Annika sighed and said ok to Nikita. Nikita squeaked in happiness , " I knew Annika you would be fine so I said yes on your behalf and have signed the contract. We now have a 5 year term with them and most of our employees have signed and since we are partners I have signed on ur behalf as well. Our new company name is Oberoi Events".
The feet beneath Annika slipped and she stumbled holding onto the chair. She wanted to say no wanted to scream but nothing came out of her mouth. Nikita continued, " we can't cancel any terms of employments or else there is penalty of Rs 10 lacs and plus losing the percentage partnership in the company for both of us". Annika couldn't fathom anything and only hummed. She had become blank. She hung up and sat down on the chair her face drained of color. She didn't understand why did this merger happen as she knew Shivaay hated her, did he want to torcher her more was everything not enough that he didn't trust her and now this. She knew she didn't have a choice.

She came out of her thoughts when her phone rang and her colleague asked her to come to work early. She hummed and got ready.

Annika entered work at 8.30am sharp. Shivaay was already in office and looked up from his desk when he saw Annika walk in to office. She was wearing a simple pink Kurti which covered her arms completely and tight jeans which accentuated her figure. His office had one way vision glass and he could see her every move but from the outside nothing was visible. She sat down on her desk. Shivaay relaxed resting his head on the headrest and stared at Annika. He called Annika in after sometime asking for some work she sighed and left to his room. She entered his cabin. Her head facing downwards not meeting his eyes. He gave her some instructions and she left.

Annika sat on her chair and looked at the heap of files on her desk. This has been a daily routine for the last 12 days, Shivaay would give her so much of work that she barely had energy left. She would work from 8.30am  - 11.30pm non stop barely getting any time for lunch and reaching home only by 1am and then cooking something would be an impossible task for her. She had no time. This has resulted in her haemoglobin  falling and she losing a lot of weight. Her BP had also fallen. She had visited a doctor and she was on strict medication but couldn't manage it due to barely eating and then there was the other thing.

Some one had been harassing her with phone calls, with banging her door in the night, leaving creepy messages  outside her house. Just 2 days ago she even felt someone following her and that person had grabbed her hand leaving scratching marks on her hand. The face was covered and she couldn't see it. He had almost tried to molest her, she had fought, fought hard and that person ran away. She was scared but no one to protect her. Her eyes devoid of any emotion right now.

Shivaay looked at her sitting idle and staring into space, he smirked he asked the peon to send Annika in. She entered the cabin and stood just a few inches away from his desk with her head down. Shivaay walked upto her and she could feel his presence around she started sweating. Shivaay started moving ahead and she moved behind, finally getting trapped between the wall and her boss. He came dangerously close and held her hand digging his nails in her soft skin. Her already scratched and swollen hand paining more, he spoke " I don't give you money to do time pass and stare into space but to do work" pressing her hand more. Tears rolled down her eyes looking at her vulnerable state Shivaay left her hand and his eyes softened for a second only to be masked again with coldness. Annika apologised and Shivaay said you need to ensure you finished the next 5 files I send as well before going home. I don't care what time it is. She only shook her head.

Her phone was ringing constantly when Shivaay was talking and he told her to answer. Annika answered and she further teared with Gauri words, " Annika Di how can you do like this you had promised us you were coming to Saahil school and you still didn't come, what is this di, we missed you nah " Annika apologised to her gulping the lump in her throat. Chachi screamed in the background, " may be she is enjoying with a man there that she is not interested in coming here". Shivaay blood boiled at that, Annika teared more. Gauri yelled at Chachi asking her to shut her mouth. Before Gauri could ask Annika something more she hung up saying a quick bye.

Shivaay was very irate by now and spoke in a very dangerous voice, " so you have someone here" twisting her hand again this time a little more harshly. Annika only teared and shook her head on negative. Shivaay jerked her behind and asked her to complete her work.

Annika quietly walked outside his room and Shivaay banged his hand on the wall. He walked back to his chair to complete his work.

At around 7pm Shivaay walked out of his cabin most of the staff had left for the day and only the night staff, Annika and he was there. He walked up to her desk, " ensure you finish your work I will come back and see it, before you go home. Don't leave till I have checked everything".  Annika nodded.

Annika continued her work non stop. She finished her work finally at 12am. She had barely had any water or food. She was feeling very weak and wanted to go home her body was heating up, but she remembered Shivaay instruction to wait back. So she sat back.

Other side Shivaay finished his meeting and reached home at around 11pm. He sat down at the pool with his brothers talking and chatting. Post his chat he checked some files and was ready to sleep it was almost 2am. He checked his phone and opened the gallery which had a pic of Annika and suddenly it struck him she is in office.

He called the office to realise that she hasn't left as yet. He dashed out of his room driving as fast as he could and reached his office. He reached his office and the sight he saw took his breath away , curling his insides, he found it difficult to even utter a word.......