05

The days went in a blur, and a week passed since I joined the company. Nothing special happened. Mr. Rude is his usual self. It has now become a routine that every morning I make him the black coffee, and after that, I don't see him all day, he is always locked up in his cabin, he doesn't leave his cabin unless he has to, like for attending meetings. I accompany him in all the meetings as I have to take note of what they say.

I didn't see him for two days because He went to Singapore for an award event. They invited him as our company has entered the list of the Top 10 most valuable and rich companies in the world.

He didn't take me with him and said that there was no work for me there.

I rolled my eyes and stood up.

Nowadays, I try not to think about him too much, but the more I tried, the more I was being pulled toward him. I don't even have any memories of him outside the work. But still, he doesn't seem to leave my mind.

I have this very bad habit of making impossible scenarios in my head which was making the situation worse.

I started making my way towards his office, taking a file with me. I don't know when he's coming back. So, I thought to leave the file on his desk, hoping that he would read it when he will be back.

I opened his office door and paused when I saw him sitting there. I didn't know he was here. He looked up and frowned, probably thinking that was why I didn't knock.

"Sorry," I said, smiling apologetically. He didn't smile back, and I don't expect him to.

In all these days, I have never seen him smile. He never did. He only knows how to glare and scowl at people. He nodded and started doing something on his laptop, ignoring me. I sighed and stepped into his office, remembering why I came here.

Making my way towards his desk, I stood and cleared my throat. He didn't look up. Of course.

"Um... Sir, there's something I need to discuss," I said, trying to hide my nervousness. He gave me a brief glance and gestured for me to sit down. Taking a seat across from him, I noticed as he shut his laptop, directing his complete attention towards me.

"I hope whatever you are going to say is important, otherwise you know I don't like wasting my time." He warned in his deep voice. I looked at my sweating palms and took a deep breath.

"I was checking these files, and I found some...loopholes," I said, showing the files to him. A frown took over his calm face.

"Loopholes?" He eyed the files and took them from my hands.

For the last three days, I have been inspecting the earlier documents related to the manufacturing department. And I found a huge gap in the financial records. I don't know who's behind all this, but he's smart enough to do all this without anyone's knowing.

"This has been happening for a year now..." And I explained to him everything I found. His expression was calm just a little frown was present on his face as he heard everything keenly.

"And... I've discovered that some important documents are missing," I revealed.

His head jerked up from the files he was reading.

"What?" he whispered under his breath. I nodded, about to elaborate, when the office door swung open suddenly.

He looked at the door, annoyed. His expression changed, and he glared at the person who entered. I was not able to see who it was as my back was facing the door.

"Hello, Bhai." I heard the person say loudly, the voice sounded a bit familiar, so I turned around, and a familiar face appeared in my vision.

There was a man who I think I have met before. He has Black hair and ocean-blue eyes.

Oh right! He was the same man who gave me a ride to the hospital that day.

What was his name?

Aahan?

Aditya?

or Is it, Aadav?

I struggled to recall his name when, at the same time, his gaze met mine. He paused mid-step, and the grin that previously adorned his face gave way to a frown. Narrowing his eyes, he analyzed me, likely trying to remember me. Then, just as suddenly, the grin reappeared on his face.

"Ria?" He asked, walking towards me, I smiled and greeted him.

He even knows my name. I cursed myself mentally for not paying attention when he introduced himself.

"Hello, Aadav." I stood and gave him a side hug. I heard Mr. Rude snicker from behind me, but I assumed it was just my imagination.

"It's Aarav." The man said, giving me an offended look.

Oh!

"Sorry. It's nice to see you again, Aarav." I smiled at him apologetically. He nodded his head, telling me it was okay. A small smile appeared on his lips.

"Likewise. But What are you doing here?" He asked, glancing at his brother, who was looking at us with a scowl. I opened my mouth to answer Aarav, but Mr. Rude cut me off.

"She's my secretary." He replied and glared at Aarav. Aarav stared at him, and for a brief moment, they shared eye contact. It looks like they are conversing with their eyes. Suddenly, Aarav's expression changed, and he smirked, looking at me, and breaking eye contact with him.

"Oh." He spoke

"Oh." He repeated while taking a seat on the sofa that was in the corner of the room. He sat and placed his legs on the table, leaning back like he owned this place which technically he does. He looked at us waved his hand and spoke,

"Please, continue your work. Don't mind me."

I sank to my seat and gazed at Mr. Rude, who was already busy examining the files I had given. I stared at his face scanning his features. He has long eyelashes that touch his cheeks as he looks down. Thick eyebrows, Sharp jawline, Pink lips. The line on his forehead deepened as his eyebrows creased when he frowned, reading something.

"By the way, How's your grandma?" I avert my gaze from his face on hearing Aarav's voice. I rubbed my cheeks once, trying to get rid of the blush that had formed.

What were you doing?

Get yourself together.

I looked at Aarav, who was already looking at me, and it looked like he was trying hard to hide his smirk, which proved that he caught me staring.

"She's fine," I answered with a nervous smile and started fiddling with my fingers. Aarav hummed and started doing something on his mobile. After some time, I heard a sigh and looked up.

Mr. Rude closed the file and leaned back in his seat. A second passed, and he spoke.

"I will take care of this, and... um...Thanks for informing me." I looked at him wide-eyed. Did he just say thanks?

This is the first time I've heard him say this word. He never says 'Thanks' and 'Sorry' to anyone. It's like these words don't exist in his dictionary.

I heard someone coughing, wait -Fake coughing.

It was none other than Aarav. Mr. Rude glared at him, and Aarav laughed.

"You can leave," Mr. Rude said to me, and I nodded, rising to my feet.

"Wait, wait, wait," Aarav interjected, waving his hand and signaling for me to halt.

I paused and looked at him, puzzled. He flashed a grin.

"Are you coming to the party tomorrow?"

Oh yeah, I remember Rosy talking about some party. The whole staff is invited, including me also. The party is to celebrate the success as our company won the award.

The thing is, I have never gone to a party, and I wasn't planning to go to this one too.

Because of my introverted self.

Rather than going to a party, I would prefer to sit at home with a cup of coffee and read my favorite novel.

Thus, I opened my mouth to decline.

"No." A firm voice replied from behind me, not leaving any space for argument. I turned and frowned at Mr. Rude.

I admit that I don't like going to parties, but he can't decide whether I should go or not. He can't control my life.

His attitude wounded my ego, and Now I have changed my mind.

I was about to speak when Aarav interrupted me.

"Bhai, just because you're not coming doesn't mean she can't," Aarav said, giving him an annoyed glance.

"Yes. Anyways, I was planning to come." I added, folding my arms across my chest and giving Mr. Rude a challenging look. He just stared at me blankly. I shrugged and looked at Aarav, who had the widest grin on his face.

"Who said I'm not coming?"

We both turned and looked at Mr. Rude with our mouths gaping. He was doing or more like pretending to do something on his phone. I guess it was one of the reasons to not make eye contact.

"But you never come," Aarav responded with a smirk threatening to spread on his face. I looked at him in awe. Mr. Rude shot him a blank look.

After that, I came back home. When I lay on the bed, I recall everything that happened today and drifted off to sleep.

At that time, I didn't know that agreeing to the party would turn out to be the worst decision ever or.... the best.