17 (New Chapter)

Ria's POV

I collected all my belongings and looked for my phone, which wasn't in my pocket. I started shuffling the files hoping that it might fall out of them.

How can I forget my phone?

I tried to remember where I had put it, but my mind was blank.

Why do I have such a weak memory?

I searched every corner of my cabin but didn't find it anywhere.

Now, what am I going to do without a mobile?

How will I survive?

Stop being dramatic. You can buy another phone. My mind suggested.

But I just bought that phone a week ago.

I exited my cabin and entered Mr. Rude's. I thought he took a leave. But he was still there. He stood by the large window, gazing out at the bustling streets, his back to me, hands clasped behind him, seemingly lost in deep thoughts. I didn't disturb him. Anyway, I was upset with him.

I tried searching for my phone without making any noise. But he has the ears of bats.

"Do you need anything, Ms. Mehra?" He said without turning back. His voice was polite and low, unlike in the morning. My hands paused for a second, but I started my search again without answering him. I couldn't find it on the table, so thought to look in the drawers. I opened the first drawer, and a small dark blue box stared at me from there. Furrowing my eyebrows, I picked it up and analyzed it. And before I could open it, a rough hand came, snatching it away from me.

"You can't touch people's personal things." He said, his face emotionless as always.

I pursed my lips and went to look at the shelf without giving him a glance.

"I don't think it's wise to disrespect your boss." He remarked and I turned back to look at him with a serious expression on my face. He was leaned back on the table with his hands tucked in his pockets, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Yeah, after all, he is my boss. You shouldn't feel any emotion at the workplace.

"I...am searching for my mobile," I spoke without making eye contact and returning to work. I felt him walking toward me and he stopped at a good one-foot distance. He took out my mobile from his pocket and asked,

"Does that look like this?"

I attempted to take the mobile from his hands, but he quickly slipped it back into his pocket. I gave him a wide-eyed stare and a blank expression, to which he responded with a chuckle.

Chuckled.

Maybe he has hit his head somewhere.

"Mr. Rude, that's my phone. Hand it over." I demanded, crossing my arms and trying to sound as stern as possible.

"What did you just call me?" he asked, taken aback.

"Nothing. And you can't touch people's personal stuff. Just return it," I insisted and watched as the corner of his lips turned into a smile.

"And what if I don't?" he challenged.

"Then... then..." I faltered, my mind going as blank as a sheet of white paper.

"Then?" He asked with a smirk and came a little close. He knew that there was nothing I could do. He doesn't have any weaknesses.

"Then I will take you to the terrace and throw you down from there," I said, plastering a murderous look on my face.

Have you gone mad? How can you talk to him like that?

He laughed.

And this was the first time I heard him laughing.

He never laughs.

This made me feel something. He looks so cute while laughing.

No, Stop!

You shouldn't feel anything.

"Oh. I am scared now." He raised his hands, chuckling, and handing the phone to me. I took it roughly and checked if I had any calls from home before putting the phone in my pocket.

I could feel his eyes on me all the while, but I didn't look up at him. Instead, I went to exit his cabin.

He held my arm, stopping me, "Wait."

Ignoring the tingles that I felt, I looked at him with cold eyes. Removing his hand, he put it in his pocket and spoke,

"You have to come with me."

Furrowing my eyebrows, I asked, "Where?"

"You will see."

I scoffed and folded my hands, "I can't come. I have work to do at home."

He took a step forward, staring into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat as he leaned dangerously closer to me taking my breath away. I looked away feeling the warmth spread through me.

He spoke, "Let me be clear. I didn't ask you. It was an order."

Gathering myself, I met his gaze, "Well, the office ends at 6:30. Now, the timing is 7:16. You can't order me. I'm not coming with you. That's it."

I watched as the corner of his lips turned in a smirk; he raised his eyebrows, and tilted his head, "Ms. Mehra. I think you didn't read the agreement clearly at the time of signing the job for secretary. Let me remind you. It was written in the second clause that, if needed, your boss can make you work overtime." He paused, and his piercing eyes stared into mine, "It was also mentioned in its subclause that work includes accompanying your boss anywhere and anytime whenever required."

I regret not reading things before signing the contract. I don't know what else is written there.

I breathed out and glared at him, "I read everything properly. You don't have to make me remember."

He smirked and took a step back, gesturing me to move.

×

The whole ride was filled with me questioning him about where he was taking me. And him giving me blank looks and telling me to shut up.

Finally, I gave up and turned on the radio. 'Like My Father' by Jax started playing. It makes me emotional every time I hear it

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the lyrics of the song. It reminds me of my father. He was my superhero. He had always supported me. I gulped the lump that had formed in my throat.

I didn't notice that the car had come to a stop. It was when I heard Mr. Rude calling my name.

"Ms. Mehra."

"Ria."

"Ria!"

"Cheriè!" I jumped a little getting startled by his voice. I looked at him and blinked.

"Who is cheriè?" I asked, bewildered. But he ignored me and countered.

"I have been calling you for minutes. Where is your mind?"

"Sorry." I apologized and looked out of the window. A huge grin spread on my face when I noticed where we were.

"The Cold River." I read the name, and looked at him, whose face was covered with amusement as he watched me.

Hearing the name, you might think that it is the name of a river that's cold. But nope.

The Cold River.

It is the name of the biggest ice cream shop in this city.

Yeah, it's an ice cream shop.

I have been there a few times with Sarah. It's the most popular and my favorite ice cream shop. It's been a while since I last visited here.

Exiting the car, my eyes directly fell on one of the posters, and I read it mentally,

If you want to have fun in life,

then never let the child in you die.

Indeed.

We entered the shop, which was as vast as I remembered. Today, it bustled with more people than usual, as if a special event were taking place.

The entire area was adorned with flowers, ribbons, and lights.

Are we here for ice cream?

I wanted to ask but I didn't.

Instead, I took a seat at the table while Mr. Rude went to fetch the ice creams. When he returned, he sat opposite to me. My gaze was drawn to the stage set up inside the shop.

Suddenly, the lights went off and the room became dim. The lights focused on the stage.

"What's happening?" I inquired to Mr. Rude, and he simply gestured for me to look. I observed as a young man stepped onto the stage, with Mike in hand.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Cold River," he announced with a cheerful voice.

"Today, we are celebrating 50 years of The Cold River." The audience applauded and cheered. And that's when I noticed that behind that man on the board ′celebrating 50 years of Cold River' was written in bold letters.

How can I be so unattentive?

"We are glad to let you know that we have developed over 78 franchises worldwide. Without your contribution, this would not have been possible. A very big thanks to you all......." And then he gave a very long speech, talking about the place and how it has become famous.

I glanced at the ice cream in front of me; it had started melting. So, I decided to eat it before it became liquid.

I started eating that ice cream getting bored with the speech. Speeches are always boring to me. What will I do after knowing the history of this shop? All I care about is my ice cream.

".....And today, to make our evening brighter, a special person is present among us. Without him, it wouldn't be possible for us to run the business. His help and guidance helped us achieve the position we are now. So, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the business tycoon, and the CEO of Aggarwal Industries, Advik Aggarwal." Suddenly, all the spotlights focused on our table. My hand paused the spoonful of ice cream in mid-air with my mouth hung open.

I watched as all the eyes turned in our direction.