13

I nodded my head, passing her my fakest smile. He then turned to her.

"Myra, Meet Ria Mehra, My secretary." He put more pressure on my name like he wanted her to remember something. And from the looks on her face, she looks like she realized something. The color from her face drained, and she appeared pale.

"Oh..." That's all she said, and an awkward silence spread in the atmosphere.

I looked at Mr. Rude, but he seemed as cool as a cucumber.

"Um--Hello, Ria. It's nice to meet you." She spoke slowly, and this time something was lacking in her voice. Energy. Enthusiasm.

It looked like she had seen a ghost, and all her energy drained out. I wondered if I was looking like a ghost.

I watched her as she took her leave, saying goodbye to Advik and shaking hands. Not by giving a hug. But shaking hands.

I stood there amazed and confused wondering what happened to her suddenly.

×

Days passed. I didn't hear anything from Myra at all. Currently, I am sitting in Mr. Rude's cabin and checking the financial statements. He told me that we have to finish those files today. I looked at the pile of files lined up beside me.

Eight Files stared back at me, and I whined.

I glanced up from my file to check what Mr. Rude was doing. His eyes were fixed on the file that he was reading. He had a frown spread on his face, and he was rubbing his eyebrows like he was thinking about something. Something serious.

I checked the watch and groaned mentally.

8:24 PM

The office building was almost empty. It was getting late, and I didn't have a car. My car broke down a few days ago. I was not sure if I would be able to catch a bus at this hour.

I heard him closing the files and releasing a deep breath. I quickly pulled my eyes back to my file, pretending to be reading it.

"That's it for today. You may go home now." Hearing his voice, a smile spread on my lips.

Thank God.

I quickly got up and started collecting my things. Once I was done with it, I stole a glance at Mr. Rude. He slowly stood up from his chair and started walking in my direction. My heart raced as he stepped closer and closer to me until there were only a few inches of distance left between us. I stared into his captivating ocean-blue eyes, which were sparkling with something in them. It felt as if the world had slowed down and all I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat. His eyes held me captive, drowning me in them. And I find myself getting lost.

Get yourself together.

He is your boss. A person with no emotion. My brain spoke making me realize what I was doing.

Averting my gaze, I gulped nervously, hoping that he wouldn't notice my flushed cheeks. His body was warm, I could feel the heat radiating from him. My eyes went up to meet his gaze again. His eyes roamed on my face like they were reading me.

Wait!

What the hell is he doing?

I was almost like- almost going to ask that question to him. I even opened my mouth but closed it as soon as I observed what he was doing. Lifting one hand, he grabbed the keys from the table behind me. Then he pulled back, creating a good distance from me, making me release the breath I didn't know I was holding.

I shut my eyes, thanking myself that I didn't embarrass myself by speaking.

What was I even thinking?

I should stop reading those romance novels. They are making me think about the things which are not even there.

My gaze went up to his face, which was emotionless and blank as always, but then the corner of his lips turned into a little smirk.

"What happened, Ms.Ria? You look--" His voice came, and I cut him off.

"Nothing. Mr. Rud--Sir. It's just that I'm not feeling well." I lied without looking at him and started making my way outside.

I walked as fast as I could and heard him chuckling.

"Wait,"

My steps paused hearing his voice and I looked at him, who was standing there, leaning back on the desk calmly with his hands tucked in his pocket. I passed him a questioning look to which he gestured towards the table, "You forgot your phone."

I looked beside him at the table where my phone was carelessly lying like it had no owner. Biting my lips, I walked hurriedly, and picked it up, making sure to avoid looking at him. I could feel his gaze on me which only increased my nervousness without any reason.

Exiting his cabin, I got into the elevator and pressed the ground floor button.

The door started closing, but someone showed his hand, and it opened again.

You might have guessed who it was.

"How are you going home?" Mr. Rude asked as he entered, typing something on his mobile.

"Bus."

His thumb paused its typing for a second.

"Come with me. I will drop you."

Before I even got a chance to say no, the elevator doors opened, and he walked out making me follow him behind.

"Thanks for asking. I appreciate it, but I can't-" He put his phone back in his pocket and looked at me with his emotionless eyes.

"I didn't ask you," He said in his icy tone that can freeze water into ice, "I ordered."

×

The ride was silent. Like, pin-drop silence. And I didn't like that silence at all. I gazed out of the window. There was not much traffic. I wondered if I should start a conversation to brighten up the mood but decided against it. I looked at the Radio and he caught me staring at it.

"You can switch it on if you want." He stated politely, and muttered, "It's all yours."

"Huh?" I looked at him confused, perhaps my mind was tired of doing all the office work, and now making me hear impossible things.

"Did you email Mr. Blake?" He changed the topic. And I nodded, switching on the Radio. A smile spread on my lips as one of my favorite songs came.

Letting out a deep breath, I leaned back on the seat, closing my eyes and enjoying the music.

Music has the power to instantly dissolve tension. The tranquility that envelops us when we listen to our favorite tune is incredibly soothing.

"It's one of my favorite songs," I expressed, glancing at him with a small smile. He nodded, and I swear I heard him mumble, 'I know'. But I didn't counter any questions. Instead, I stared at him. His face was expressionless like always, but it looked peaceful. He looks calm.

My thoughts broke when our car stopped suddenly with a screeching noise.

I looked outside to see if we had reached my home. But all I could see were tall trees and an empty road with no trace of any person present. He got out of the car to check what had happened. I, too, unbuckled my seatbelt and got down.

"What happened?" I questioned looking around our surroundings, the place was quiet with no cars passing by, which only increased my worries more.

I observed him scrutinizing the engine with a furrowed brow before exhaling deeply. With a resonant thud, he shut the car's hood and met my gaze.

"The car has broken down."

===============

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18/04/21.