29

I tried hard to maintain a serious expression on my face, but the happiness inside me was too much. I pressed my lips to stop the grin that was threatening to spread on my face and exited his cabin feeling a little contended.

This time, I didn't let my brain dwell me in the ocean of negative questions again. Instead, I heard my heart and trusted him. Trust is the base of every relationship; I have to trust him.

After that, I walked into my cabin and indulged myself in the work. Time passed, and I glanced at the clock to see it was 5 p.m.

Exiting my cabin to get some fresh air, I noticed Kevin in his cubicle, intently working on his computer.

Should I ask him?

Sensing my stare, he looked up and passed me a bright smile. I returned the smile and walked towards him. Resting my elbows on the half-glass wall of his cubicle, I asked, "Can I ask you something?"

He gave me a confused look and continued to type on the keyboard. "Of course, Anything."

I hesitated a bit, "Um...how much do you know him?"

"Whom?" He asked, his eyes on his computer as he typed away on the keyboard.

"Mr. Advik. Do you know anything about his personal life?"

His gaze filled with amusement landed on me, as he stopped his work and rested his elbow on the table.

"And why are you so interested in his personal life?"

I glared at his smirking face, "I am just increasing my general knowledge. Stop asking me questions and answer that."

He laughed, pulled an empty chair beside him, and patted it, inviting me to sit. I took the seat next to him, eager to hear what he had to say.

"It's a very long story," he said and took a dramatic pause, "He doesn't have a personal life. End of the story."

Then he went back to his typing leaving me puzzled.

"What do you mean by that?"

"That means, his personal life is non-existent."

"Really?"

He sighed, "Trust me, there is nothing to talk about his personal life. He has been single ever since I know him, he doesn't even let any girl go near him. He doesn't even have any friends, doesn't date, doesn't have any hobbies or interests. Honestly, I swear he is a robot."

I chuckled at our mutual thoughts. I used to believe the same until I saw his real self.

Then, my mind traveled back to what I heard about him. I know Kevin would never lie to me. That means those girls were fooling me. I looked down at my hand, feeling guilty for doubting him.

Glancing at Kevin again, I asked, "How ...How can you be so sure about these things?"

He chuckled, "I have been working with him for the last 4 years. I know everything about him. Nothing escapes my eyes."

I gave him a small smile and patted his arm, "Then you are a good observer."

"Oh, you have no idea." He pulled the collar of his shirt making me chuckle, and continued, "Since you look quite interested in him, let me give you more details."

I cleared my throat and tried to stand up, "No. I'm not that interested."

The truth was, I wanted to hear more.

I wanted to know everything about him. But I pushed back the urge.

He held my wrist, stopping me.

"I know you are not interested but let me increase your general knowledge." He spoke, trying to hide his grin. From the look on his face, it was evident that he knew what was going on between his boss and me.

I sat, and gulped, folding my hands, and maintaining an uninterested look, but deep down I was dying of curiosity to hear things.

He grinned and spoke, "So, let me continue, he never takes vacations. He just works all the time without taking a break, and he is always so grumpy and rude to everyone, especially the people around him, that's us."

A smile formed on my lips hearing him.

Mr. Rude.

I don't think this name suits him anymore.

I should stop calling him by that name.

Kevin continued, "I think he's allergic to fun or something."

"No. That's not true." The words left my mouth before I could think of anything.

His eyebrows quirked upwards, and he narrowed his eyes, "You seem to know him quite well."

I pursed my lips, "Yeah, I mean...I'm his secretary. I have seen him having fun."

The impressed look covered his face, "Really? I had always thought he was allergic to human emotions. He is just so...distant you know?"

I nodded my head slowly, and asked, "Doesn't he get lonely?"

He shook his head, "Even if he does, he doesn't show it. I tell you, there's no getting through to him. He's just a brick wall of ice."

"Not really." I muttered, and looked at him with my eye-widened, "I mean...that's sad, don't you think everyone needs a human connection?" I tried to cover.

He doesn't seem convinced but nods his head, "Exactly, humans crave connection. But He's different. No one can make him understand that. I don't know.... but maybe he likes being miserable or something."

"What do you think might be the reason behind this?" I asked to which he stared at the laptop screen deep in thought.

Then he spoke, "Maybe he's just scared of getting hurt. You know, losing someone or getting close to someone and then having to deal with the fallout if something tragic happens or things don't work out."

I gulped.

If that's the case, then why is he getting close to me?

Maybe he is giving himself a chance.

A chance to change his life for the better.

And here I'm doubting things.

I looked at him, and spoke, "You are right. It's better to love and lose than to not love at all."

"Absolutely." He grinned, then leaned towards me with a smirk, "And I can see the change in him since you have entered. Trust me, the flower of love is already blooming inside his heart. You are melting the ice walls."

I glared at him, trying hard not to blush.

"There's nothing like that-" I began to speak but was interrupted as the elevator which was right in front of us opened and ocean-blue eyes appeared in my vision.

I watched as he looked at us, but there was no expression on his face. His face was unreadable. Exiting the lift, he walked straight towards his cabin without even scolding us.

I was expecting him to scold us, he always used to do that.

Shouldn't he get jealous finding me so close to someone?

But no, it was like it didn't affect him.

Maybe he had thought to give up.

My heart sank at that thought.

I stood up to go, to ask him if he needed anything.

"Ria." I looked down beside me at Kevin who just called. He had worn a serious expression on his face as he continued, "Don't believe them. They were just trying to fool you."

"What are you talking about?" I questioned.

"Myra and Britcha."

"You heard everything?" I asked surprised.

"No, but I saw them coming out of your cabin. I know them. They are the people who try to destroy the things they couldn't get."

I passed him a reassuring smile and nodded my head. He had cleared the thoughts of confusion from my head.

Whispering a thank you, I went towards Mr. Rud-Advik's cabin.

I entered as I heard a come-in. He was there, reading a red cover file with his full attention.

As I stepped in, his eyes fell on me, and he passed me a bright smile, with his dimples popping out, making me feel butterflies in my stomach.

Things are fine, I guess.

I cleared my throat.

"You need anything, Sir?" I asked as I stood beside his desk.

His eyes locked with mine, and he spoke, "Yes."

I waited for him to speak, but instead, he kept staring into my eyes, making a deep blush spread on my face.

I cleared my throat, "Sir?"

He blinked, and averted his gaze, looking at the laptop screen ahead of him.

Then, he looked at me again, "I was thinking if we could practice tomorrow's presentation. The client is important. We can't lose the deal."

I stared at him.

He's a master at giving presentations. Why does he want to practice?

"Now?" I asked, blinking my eyes.

"You want to do it after tomorrow's meeting?" His sarcastic reply came making me purse my lips.

"No. let's do it." I said and went near him. Taking the chair, I put it at a three-foot distance from him and sat.

"Show me the slides," I requested, gazing into the laptop screen where a ppt was opened.

Feeling his gaze on me, I looked at him, and he was staring at me with an amused look. I blinked, wondering what he was finding so amusing.

"How are you going to see it from that far?" He spoke, and before I could reply, he pulled my chair closer to him.

Our arms brushed. His scent filled my nose, making my heart race, and causing a deep blush to form on my cheeks at the close proximity. He glanced at me, and the corner of his lips curved in a little smirk. He knew the effect he was having on me.

Sliding the laptop a little in front of me, he rested his arm on the head of my chair and casually pressed the enter on the keyboard while leaning back. My heart started beating faster as I felt his breath fanning my skin.

I tried my best to focus on the slides and ignore his presence which was quite hard. He was close. Too close.

The slides ended, yet my breath was caught in my throat. I couldn't breathe.

I could feel his intense gaze on me, but I didn't look at him. Instead, I kept staring at the screen.

"How was it?" His voice whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I nodded, stuttering, "N... Nice."

I didn't dare to glance his way; I was afraid that I would get lost in his captivating eyes.

The silence hung in the air. Then, after what felt like an eternity he spoke, "You have to present it tomorrow."

My eyes widened, and I instantly turned my head towards him.

"Me?" I uttered in disbelief.

His ocean-blue eyes roamed my face and stopped for a second on my lips before they met mine.

"Yes, you."