Music filled the room.Loud ,
Chaotic.
Exactly how Agni liked it.
She lay on her bed, one arm thrown over her eyes, her phone resting on her chest as the song blasted into her ears.
For a moment—
Peace.Then— Bzzz… Bzzz…
Her phone vibrated. Agni groaned. "…who is it now?"She grabbed her phone and squinted at the screen. Kaya calling. She stared at it for two seconds. Then sighed.
"…of course."She picked up. "What?" she said flatly. Wow," Kaya's voice came instantly. "Such a warm welcome. I feel so loved."
Agni rolled her eyes. "Speak. Why are you calling?" "Meeting tomorrow. Boss called everyone."Agni sat up immediately. "…what?"
"Yeah. Emergency meeting. Early morning."
Agni dropped back onto the bed. "You've got to be kidding me."
"I wish I was." Agni pressed her palm against her forehead. "This woman seriously has no hobbies other than ruining our lives."Kaya laughed.
"Hey, careful. If she hears you, you're dead.""She already kills me daily," Agni replied. "Emotionally. Mentally. Financially." "True," Kaya admitted. "But tomorrow might be important."Agni snorted.
"Important? Please. The only important thing she does is give us headaches." "Agni—" "I'm serious," she cut in. "Watch her say something like 'we need innovation' and then dump all the work on us."
Kaya chuckled. "You sound like you've memorized her script." "I have. Years of trauma training.
Then—
"Seriously though, what's her problem? Did someone reject her in childhood or something?"
Kaya replied dryly, "Maybe your dad." "Excuse me?" "You heard me."
"Oh, you want to fight today?"
"I'm just stating facts."
"Say that again tomorrow in office," Agni said sweetly. "Let's see who survives." She chuckled.
"Anyway, don't be late."I'll try.""No, not 'try.' Come on time.""Fine, fine."— "Good night, darling ."
"I'm hanging up." Agni sigh "Goodnight."
She ended the call and dropped her phone beside her.Silence filled the room.She stared at the ceiling. "…this is going to be a headache."
She turned to her side, hugging her pillow.
"It'll be fine," she murmured. "Just a meeting. Nothing dramatic.The room felt… strangely quiet.
"…hopefully."
Next Morning
The office buzzed with quiet tension.
Whispers.Keyboard clicks.Uneasy glances.
And in the middle of it—
Agni walked in, looking half awake.
Across the room, Kaya spotted her.
They exchanged a knowing smile—the kind that said we're both suffering together...
Agni walked to her and dropped into the chair beside her.
"So," Kaya leaned closer. "What do you think this meeting is about?" Agni didn't even think."To give us stress."Kaya snorted. "I'm serious."
"So am I."Agni leaned back.
"Our company is already struggling. Old stories aren't working. Readers are bored."
She crossed her arms."She's definitely planning something."Kaya nodded slowly.
"…you might be right.""Of course I am. I know her too well.""Scary.""Very." A notification popped up. Meeting starting. Kaya stood."Let's go."
Agni sighed and followed her.
The meeting room was already half full. They took their seats quietly. A few seconds later— The boss walked in. Sharp heels clicking against the floor. A stern expression carved onto her face. The room fell silent instantly.
Everyone stood. "Good morning, ma'am."
She sat in the center chair, crossing her legs with authority. "Sit."
Her voice was cold.
She scanned the room before speaking.
"Our company is declining," she began, her tone sharp. "Sales are dropping. Engagement is weak. And frankly, I'm tired of repetitive, lifeless content."
No one dared to speak. The boss continue —
No softness. " The engagement rate is dropping. Readers are losing interest."
Agni kept her face calm outside but Inside—
Here we go. "If this continues, we will face serious losses."Her gaze moved across the room. Slow. Calculating. "We need something new. Something impactful." She pause. "Romance is no longer enough." Agni's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I want tension. Fear. Curiosity." Another pause.
"A horror project."Murmurs spread. Agni exhaled slowly. Of course. Then—The boss leaned back. A faint smile appeared. Her gaze locked onto Agni.
Not looking—Targeting. Agni felt it instantly.Her smile stayed. Inside—No, No way. Don't say it.
"You will handle the next project, Agni." Silence.
Her smile froze. Inside— What the hell? Out of everyone—me? For a second, her mind went blank. Then she spoke— "…of course. I'd be happy to take responsibility." 'Happy?' I'm dying inside. My father was her ex. Of course she hates me.
"It's decided." The boss speak Coldly again.
"Meeting dismissed."
Chairs scraped. People left.Soon—
Only Agni and Kaya remained. Agni dropped her head onto the table. "Kill me."
Kaya placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey… don't worry. I'll help you."Agni looked up slowly.
Then suddenly— She hugged Kaya dramatically.
"You are my real friend Kaya," she said emotionally. "Even if you're dumb, you're kind and helpful." Kaya froze.
"…that sounded like an insult." "I meant it as a compliment." "Should I leave?" Agni clung tighter. "Noooo! You can't! I need you! Please!"She whined dramatically. "That cruel ex of my father is insane. Now I understand why he left her." Kaya just stood there, silently absorbing the chaos. Then she sighed.
"Sit. She pushed Agni back into the chair and sat beside her." "Then what are you planning to write?"
Agni leaned back. Thinking —Agni leaned back, relaxing slightly."Well, obviously horror. That madam wants horror." She smirked.."
"If I die from stress and become a ghost," "my first target will be our boss." Kaya laughed.
"Well, that's one way to fulfill her request."Agni rolled her eyes— Then suddenly stopped. Her eyes widened. "…wait.... Kaya straigh up. "What?"
Agni turned, excitement lighting her face."I just got an idea." "And?"
Her voice dropped slightly.
"A girl… who starts writing a horror story." A pause.
"And everything she writes…"Her smile grew. "Starts happening in real life." Kaya stared at her.
"…that sounds suspiciously like your life." Agni chuckled."Relax. "Even if it is, it's not like whatever I write will actually happen."
Kaya smirked. "And if it did, you'd write the boss getting trapped in a haunted house first."
Agni grinned. "You know me too well."
Kaya crossed her arms. "So, will be the name of your story?" She tapped her fingers.Thinking ,Then—She smiled.
"The Devil's Speak."
Her phone buzzed. Agni frowned.
"…huh?" Unknown Number. She opened the message.
...
Silence.
The room felt colder.
Agni stared at the screen.
Her smile slowly faded.
A single line—
"Start writing."...