11

"What are your thoughts?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Huh?" I questioned dumbly, as I was not able to understand what he was asking due to our close proximity. I turned my face back to the laptop screen so I wouldn't make any eye contact.

I have embarrassed myself enough.

He motioned towards the laptop with his face.

"Oh, Yeah...Um-- sir. I don't think that it's enough proof." I spoke, not looking his way. Because our faces were close enough. If I had turned my face even a bit, then we might have ended up doing...you know what.

"It could also happen that this man is not the thief, like, he was just doing his work."

"You are right, but no one can enter my cabin without my permission. Only two people have the keys. You and me. And I remember locking my cabin yesterday. Then how did he enter?" he then continued, "You are aware of the fact that no one can enter my cabin except you and me, Aren't you?" I nodded my head confidently even though I didn't know about this.

"You are right. I will try to find that person as soon as possible. And---" I stopped mid-sentence as I watched the door of his office open.

Aarav entered like he owned the office, and when his eyes fell on us, he freezes on his stop.

"Am I interrupting something?" He smirked.

Confusion was written all over my face as to why he was smirking, and then sudden realization dawned upon me. That Mr rude and I were not in a decent position.

I tried to stand up but ended up hitting my head on his chin.

"Ow!" I heard him wince in pain.

"I...I am so sorry." I apologized with a guilty look on my face. I didn't do it intentionally. I watched as Mr. Rude rubbed his chin with a look of pain on his face. I just wished that he hadn't broke his teeth.

Hearing the sound of laughter, I glanced at Aarav. He was laughing so hard, holding his stomach and tears threatened to come out of his eyes.

"Don't you have any other work to do other than disturbing me?" Mr. Rude threw him a glare, and he chuckled.

"No." He replied cheekily making Mr rude roll his eyes.

Mr. Rude looked at me and ordered me to bring a black coffee.

"What? A black coffee? That's the reason you are so bitter." Aarav joked, and I fully agreed with him.

This man drinks black coffee more than he drinks water.

I shook my head and started making my way out of the door. But at the end, I heard Aarav says, "Your girlfriend is in the town."

And then the doors closed down. I wish I could hear more of what Aarav was saying.

Does Mr. Rude have a girlfriend?

Well, that's great. My mind says.

But why are you feeling upset and disappointed? My heart mocks.

I should not concern myself about that. He has a right to do whatever he wants. He can get engaged or marry or make as many girlfriends as he wants.

I don't care.

I motivated myself but little did I know that's not what I felt.

×

"Do you know Mr. Rude has a girlfriend?" I told Kevin. He knitted his eyebrows and frowned shaking his head.

"No. He doesn't,"

"No. He has." I said, leaning forward.

"He. Does. Not" he said through gritted teeth trying to engrave it in my brain.

"But, I heard Aarav telling Mr. Rude that his girlfriend is in the town," I heard that right. I have the ears of a bat. It was not any misunderstanding. He clearly stated that his girlfriend was in the town.

Right now, I was standing in front of Kevin's cubicle, which was right in front of mine and our boss's cabin.

"Trust me, Ria. I have been working here for the last five years. I didn't hear anything like that. He is fucking single."

"No, but---" I tried to explain to him, but he raised his hand, telling me to stop.

"I have an idea." He spoke and I watched as he pulled out a coin from his pocket, showing it in front of my eyes.

"This." He took a dramatic pause and continued, "This will decide."

I looked at him blankly.

Seriously? Now we are going to decide by tossing a coin.

"Look, if it's tail, then you win means he has a girlfriend, but," he looked at me and smiled evilly, " If it's head, then I win, and you have to endure punishment. Clear?"

"What's the punishment?" I questioned beforehand because I know that Kevin and his punishment are always horrible. Last time, when I lost a game, he made me sing on the road full of traffic for 5 minutes.

All the people were staring at me like I had lost my mind. Some even came forward to give money.

Trust me, that was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me.

My singing is just like my dancing!

Horrible.

"We will decide later," He answered, and I nodded my head hesitatingly.

He tossed the coin.

The coin jumped in the air and landed on the desk dramatically. I looked at the coin.

It was tail.

I didn't know if I should feel sad that I was proven right or happy that I won. I decide to get happy. And celebrate that I won.

Because life is too short to be sad.

I smiled evilly at Kevin.

"I WON!" I laughed and jumped while clapping. Kevin made a sad face and shook his head saying that I did cheating.

I just laughed and went to give him a bear hug. He opened his arms wide and smiled brightly. Kevin is like the twin brother I never had. He is blunt, childish, loving, respectful, and funny. He is a perfect brother. Even if it's only three months since I started working here. It felt like three years.

I got such wonderful colleagues like Rosy, Ryan, Jake, and Kevin. They always give me suggestions and advice and tries to bring a smile to everyone's face. They all had such bright personalities. And I am thankful to God that he let me meet these amazing souls.

"Ms Ria, I would appreciate it if you focus more on work, rather than hugging my employees." Mr. Rude's deep and angry voice came from behind me, and I broke the hug. As I turned around, my eyes met with the familiar ocean blue.