Adolph
I'm leaning back in my chair, fingers steepled, the weight of the world pushing down on my thoughts. The quiet hum of the city below doesn't help-everything feels too still, too controlled. I'm on the edge of something, and it's starting to get under my skin.
The door swings open without warning, and in walks Pranav-casual, a grin plastered across his face, like he doesn't have a care in the world. He's clearly in one of his moods.
"You look like you've been sitting here for hours, bro," he says, flopping down in the chair across from me. "Aren't you bored yet?"
He's the one who is keeping me here for hours
I narrow my eyes, watching him closely. "What is it, Pranav?" I ask, knowing full well he wouldn't be here unless something was up.
"Oh, nothing much," he replies with a dramatic shrug. "Just had a few... "-he pauses for effect-" minor issues come up. But nothing you can't handle, right?"
I raise an eyebrow, annoyed. "Spit it out, Pranav. I don't have time for your games today."
Pranav laughs, clearly enjoying himself. "Fine, fine. It's about the shipment from the South." He leans forward, his expression turning suddenly serious, but his tone betrays him. "We've got a little delay at the border. Something's not right. Maybe a setup, maybe not. But I figured you should know."
I lean forward slightly, fingers tapping against my desk. A setup? That's not something I take lightly. But instead of reacting as I would to anyone else, I find myself rolling my eyes. It's just Pranav. He's always overdramatic about everything.
"Pranav," I say, trying to keep my irritation in check, "Are you seriously here to tell me this? This is the kind of thing you run to your other contacts for, not me."
He grins, unfazed by my irritation. "Well, someone has to keep you entertained while you're all broody and serious in here. Plus, I thought you'd like to know that your lady's been... thinking about you, huh?" He raises his eyebrows with that mischievous glint in his eyes.
I freeze. My heart skips a beat, but I keep my expression neutral. Not now. I know exactly what he's referring to, but I won't let it show.
"You're still going on about her?" I ask, my voice flat, trying to dismiss him with a casualness I don't feel.
Pranav leans back, folding his arms behind his head. "Oh come on, man. Admit it. You've got it bad for her. The way you look at her, the way you talk to her, it's pretty obvious." His voice is dripping with teasing amusement. "Admit it, you're obsessed."
I scoff, standing up and walking toward the window, trying to force the simmering frustration to subside. "I don't have time for this, Pranav. You've got to be kidding me. I don't do obsession."
"Right," he mocks, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And I suppose that's why you've been looking for every excuse to be near her, huh?"
I turn, giving him a cold stare. "You think I'm weak for her?"
"Not weak," he shrugs casually, "just... a little distracted. I see how it is, Adolph. I've been around long enough to spot a man in denial when I see one."
I shake my head, but I can't help the small smirk that tugs at my lips. "You're an idiot, Pranav."
"Oh, come on," he laughs, "I'm just saying, you should make your move before someone else does. You don't want her slipping through your fingers, do you?"
His teasing makes my insides tighten, but I don't let it show. "Don't act like you know anything about handling women, Pranav. You're the last person I'm taking advice from."
"Maybe," he says with a wink, "but if you don't hurry up, I'm going to have to step in and handle her for you." He chuckles, but I can see the playfulness in his eyes-it's all in jest, but I don't find it funny.
He won't,I know
"Touch her, and I'll break your hand," I say quietly, a warning in my voice
Pranav just laughs harder, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I get it. You're the only one who gets to play with her."
I roll my eyes and sit back down behind the desk. "You really need to grow up."
"You're one to talk," Pranav teases, walking toward the door. "But fine, I'll let you go back to your little obsession with Neti. Just remember, I'll be here when you finally admit you need help, Adolph."
"Shut up, Pranav." I call after him, but my lips curl into a small, amused smirk.
As he exits, I lean back in my chair, thinking about the ridiculous conversation. He's a fool, but he's right about one thing: the obsession is growing.
And the more she resists, the more I want her.
Pranav is still grinning like a fool, thinking he's won this round. But he should know by now-I never let anyone win so easily.
I smirk, resting my chin on my hand. "You know, Pranav, for someone who loves prying into my business, you sure have been acting very suspicious lately."
His grin falters, just for a second. "Suspicious? Me?" He points at himself with mock innocence. "Nah, I'm an open book, Adolph. A very trustworthy guy."
I chuckle darkly. "Right. So that's why you've been lurking around a certain bookstore these days?"
He freezes.
"Tch," I click my tongue. "I wonder... what's so interesting about that place? Or maybe it's not the books. Maybe it's a certain girl."
Pranav shifts in his chair, feigning a yawn. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, you don't?" I arch an eyebrow. "Let me refresh your memory. Aliya. Ring any bells?"
His jaw tightens, but he tries to play it cool. "Aliya? Pfft. Sounds like a common name. I know plenty of Aliyas."
I smirk. "Right. And I'm sure it's just coincidence that you suddenly developed an interest in literature and frequent her favorite bookstore."
He coughs. "Look, man, reading is important. Expands the mind. Keeps you cultured."
"You don't even know how to spell culture, Pranav."
"Wow." He places a hand over his heart, fake-offended. "The disrespect. Maybe I should just leave."
"Oh, don't be in such a hurry." I lean back, enjoying his discomfort. "I just find it fascinating... how you saw Aliya once-just once-and now you suddenly know her schedule, her favorite coffee order, and the exact time she leaves the bookstore every Saturday."
Pranav glares. "I do not know her schedule."
I tilt my head. "So you haven't been circling the area every weekend like some lost puppy?"
He groans, running a hand down his face. "Okay, fine. Maybe I just... happened to see her again. Pure coincidence."
I let out a low chuckle. "Coincidence? Or stalking?"
"It's not stalking!" He leans forward. "It's-strategic research."
"Right," I mock. "And what exactly are you researching, Pranav? Her favorite book? Her shoe size? Maybe what flowers to send her when she eventually files a restraining order?*"
"You're enjoying this too much," he mutters.
"Oh, absolutely."
He huffs, crossing his arms. "Look, just because I happen to find her intriguing doesn't mean I'm doing anything wrong."
"Intriguing?" I smirk. "Sounds like obsession to me."
"Says the guy who literally chained up his own obsession in his basement."
I narrow my eyes. "That's different."
"Oh, sure it is." He grins, back to his usual annoying self. "At least my obsession is free to roam around."
I scoff. "For now."
Pranav freezes mid-laugh, blinking. "What?"
I chuckle darkly. "Nothing."
Pranav stares at me for a moment, then shakes his head. "You're insane."
"And you're a stalker."
"Touché."
We sit in silence for a moment before he exhales dramatically. "So... you're saying I don't have a chance?"
"I'm saying," I smirk, "if Aliya catches on to your strategic research, she'll probably run the other way."
He groans. "Great. So you're not gonna help me?"
"Absolutely not."
He glares. "Worst friend ever."
"You'll survive."
Pranav leans back, grumbling to himself while I chuckle, shaking my head. The idiot is hopeless.
But then again, so am I.
Pranav is still sulking in the chair across from me, arms crossed, looking like a kid who just got scolded. I smirk, watching him squirm under my gaze.
"So let me get this straight," I begin, leaning forward. "You-who can't even tie his own shoelaces without messing it up-somehow managed to buy a luxurious dressing table and send it to Aliya as an apology?"
Pranav lifts his chin. "I am a gentleman, you know. Thoughtful. Chivalrous."
I arch a brow. "Chivalrous? You broke her last one."
"By accident!" he defends, throwing his hands up. "I didn't know it was that fragile!"
I shake my head. "And you thought replacing it would magically erase the fact that she hates you?"
He scoffs. "Hate is a strong word. She's just... mildly annoyed by my existence."
I chuckle darkly. "Annoyed? Pranav, she literally threw a book at your face last week."
"That was affectionate aggression!"
I smirk. "Right. And was the camera inside the dressing table also affectionate?"
Pranav freezes. His entire body goes still.
"What camera?" he says too quickly.
I tilt my head. "Oh, you know. The one you definitely didn't hide inside the new dressing table you sent her."
His jaw clenches. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, really?" I pull my phone out, tapping the screen. "Then why do I have this footage of you installing the damn thing inside it?"
His eyes widen. "You hacked me?!"
"Tch." I shake my head. "Don't be ridiculous. I don't need to hack you. You're just an idiot who doesn't clear his browser history."
He groans, rubbing his face. "Okay, fine! Maybe-maybe-I put a tiny camera in there. Just to make sure she's okay!"
"Right," I drawl. "Because watching her do her skincare routine is so crucial to her safety."
"It's not like that!" Pranav insists. "I just-I thought maybe if I could see how she reacts to my gifts, I'd know if I'm making progress!"
I stare at him for a moment before laughing.
Pranav glares. "It's not funny."
"Oh, it absolutely is." I smirk. "You're out here playing Big Brother while Aliya probably dreams about stabbing you in your sleep."
"She doesn't hate me that much," he mutters.
"Oh, yeah?" I lean back. "Then why did she tell Neti, and I quote, 'If that idiot ever breathes near me again, I'm throwing him into a dumpster'?"
Pranav groans. "That was just her being dramatic!"
"Or maybe it was the pure hatred radiating from her soul?"
He glares. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Oh, absolutely."
Pranav groans again, slumping in his chair. "I just don't get it, man. I do nice things for her, I buy her gifts, I try to be charming, and yet, she still looks at me like I killed her cat."
"Maybe because you're a walking red flag," I suggest casually.
"Says you," he scoffs. "Mr. 'Let me chain up my childhood crush and break her piece by piece'."
I smirk. "At least my methods are effective."
He gags. "You're sick."
"And you're a stalker."
"Tch." He waves me off. "Semantics."
I shake my head, letting out a low chuckle. "You know, Pranav, for all your ridiculous efforts, you do realize she's never going to fall for you, right?"
He pouts dramatically. "You underestimate my determination."
"And you overestimate your charm."
Pranav groans again, dragging his hands down his face. "Whatever. I'm going to make her like me one day."
I smirk. "Sure. And when she finally snaps and stabs you, I'll be the one writing your eulogy."
Pranav huffs, muttering under his breath while I sit back, amused.
He's an idiot.
A hopeless, delusional idiot.
But, then again... maybe we both are.
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