27

I stood before the espresso machine, making a cup of coffee. I tried to shake off those girls' words, but they lingered in the back of my mind. I felt a sense of unease, a doubt that refused to go away.

Releasing a breath, I focused on the task at hand, but my thoughts kept drifting back to their warning. I couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to their words.

It's been 3 months since I have been working here, if there was anything like that, I have come to know until now. But nothing had caught my attention.

He doesn't sound like the person they were talking about. As far as I have noticed, he is always busy with his work and meetings. He hardly has time for anything like that.

Even if he is involved in all these things, how would you know?

You only see him during office hours, and the rest is a mystery.

Yeah, right.

What if he is really playing with me?

I don't want to get my heart broken. I won't let him break me.

As I finished making the coffee, I realized that I had to take it to him. A wave of uncertainty washed over me as I paused, holding the cup in my hand.

Should I face him or avoid him completely?

Their words again echoed in my mind, making me feel uneasy. But at the same time, I can't just ignore him. He is my boss, after all. I don't have an option.

Unknowingly, my hand gripped the mug full of coffee tighter.

But what if he is actually innocent?

What if they were just trying to fool me?

No. why would they do that?

Too lost in my thoughts, I accidentally spilled some of the hot coffee on my hand, wincing in pain as it burned my skin. I quickly settled the mug down, clutching my blistering hand. The burn stung but the pain was nothing as compared to the anxiety and doubt that was eating away at me inside.

Cursing under my breath, I picked up his coffee and made my way towards his cabin. Taking a deep breath, and trying to steady my nerves, I pushed open the door to his cabin.

He was leaning against the shelf, his gaze fixed on the file he was reading. As I entered, he looked up, his eyes softening and the corner of his lips turning into a small. I instantly looked down and walked toward him with the mug in my hand all the while feeling his gaze on me.

"Your coffee," I muttered, handing him the cup of coffee, and avoiding his gaze. He took the mug, which was still damp from the spilled coffee, and settled in on the table beside him. I glanced up and found that his eyes were scanning my hand. I quickly hid it behind me and cleared my throat.

"Do you need anything else?" I spoke, avoiding his gaze.

I felt his eyes on me, they stared at me like trying to read me.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice gentle and laced with worry.

I nodded, feeling a rush of warmth in my chest. I didn't expect him to show concern for me, especially after what I heard about him.

"I'm okay," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

He took a step closer to me, gently taking my hand in his and examining the burn closely. His touch was soft but firm, his fingers traced the reddened skin with a touch that left a tingling sensation on my skin. I felt the butterflies in my stomach.

"It looks painful, how did this happen?" he said, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at it. I flinched as his fingers gently touched the burned skin; the pain was still a bit raw.

"It's not that bad," I murmured, not wanting to look weak in front of him. But the truth was, his touch was soothing and unsettling at the same time.

I looked away, suddenly feeling nervous as I felt his gaze on me. I shifted my eyes to the side, trying to avoid eye contact. But his presence was too powerful, his aura too commanding.

He noticed my averted gaze and stepped closer. My heart raced as his hand grabbed my chin gently, and titled it up, forcing me to look into his eyes. His eyes were intense, searching mine as if trying to see into my soul.

"Look at me." He commanded, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. I gulped and met his intense gaze. His proximity was overwhelming. I could feel my heart beating faster, my pulse racing due to the closeness.

The silence was thick, the atmosphere full of unspoken tension.

He broke the silence, his voice low murmur, "What happened?"

I swallowed hard and stared at him wide-eyed.

Did he find out everything?

Gulping, I replied, "The coffee spilled on-"

"I'm not talking about that."

I furrowed my eyebrows, giving me a confused look.

He sighed, his breath hitting my skin as he leaned closer, "You are avoiding me," he observed, his eyes still locked on mine, "Why?"

His question caught me off guard. I tried to find a good response, but the words died on my tongue. My mind was filled with fear and uncertainty.

Shall I tell him everything I heard?

No. I have to find out the truth by myself.

He continued to study me, his intense gaze never wavering. Then, he took another step closer, closing the already small gap between us. My breath hitched as he reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face. I shivered at his touch, my body betraying the battle going on inside me. I hated the effect he was having on me.

He breaks the eye contact, his gaze dropping to my hand, which was still clutched in his. He gently brushed his thumb over my burned skin, and spoke in a soft voice, "You should put some ointment on this,"

I released a deep breath, and nodded my head, pulling away my hand instantly from his as soon as I remembered why I was avoiding him in the first place.

I gathered my courage, wearing a cold and distant expression on my face.

He noticed the change in my behavior, and pulled back slightly, creating a good distance. I released a breath of relief; his closeness was making me forget everything.

"What's wrong?" His concern-filled voice came.

How do I believe that this concern is real?

That you are not acting.

I force myself to harden my heart and ignore the concern in his voice.

"Nothing," I said, with my voice cold and emotionless.

"It's clearly something. Tell me."

I scoffed, and started taking the steps back, to exit his cabin, "If you don't need anything else then I should go."

I turned to leave and reached for the door handle, ready to escape from this situation and feelings. But just as my hands pulled the door slightly, his hand came up, slamming the door shut.

I froze, my heart hammering in my chest as his hand closed the door, trapping me inside. I gulped and turned around slowly, my eyes meeting his intense gaze.

"You are not leaving until you tell me what's wrong." His voice was dangerously low, which was not helping me in continuing my cold acting.

"Mr Ru- Advik. Let me say it clearly, that I'm fine and there is nothing wrong."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not."

He closed his eyes in irritation and let out a frustrated sigh.

"You were fine in the morning. Why sudden coldness? I can't stand it."

"Then maybe you should find someone else," I spoke bitterly.

Wait. What am I saying?

I stared at him hoping he doesn't consent to this and kicks me out of the office.

Narrowing his eyes, he leaned closer and raised his eyebrows as he spoke, "Find someone else? Now where did that come from?"

I searched my brain for answers, but it betrayed me. Nothing came to my mind.

I opened my mouth, to speak, but then his phone erupted in a ring. He took a step back, pulling out his phone from his pocket and answering it, while I mentally thanked the person who saved me by calling.

Seeing him busy on the call, I attempted again to leave his cabin. Turning a little aside, I kept my hand on the doorknob, and pulled it again, only to close my eyes in frustration as he pushed it close again. His arms came over my head, keeping the door closed. I gulped.

Keeping his eyes on me, he spoke on the phone, "Yeah, I'm coming."

Then he ended the call and locked his gaze with mine.

"I have to go to the construction site. But this conversation has not ended yet. I want answers when I come back."

I rolled my eyes, and he took a step back.

"There is an ointment in my desk drawer. Apply it on the burn."

I pursed my lips and gave a slow nod.

With one final glance, he left the cabin. I let out a huff and moved toward the desk, my skin burning making me more irritated.

I pulled open the first drawer and a dark blue velvet box stared back at me.