"Meeting in five!", I announced before heading to my office. Rishabh scoffed at me as he entered his office that is located just beside mine. I rolled my eyes and slid in before closing the door shut.

I thought he'll be competitive and challenging. Thanks for breaking my little belief. He's completely childish and immature. When he realized I won't be coming to his bed lured by his handsome face, he started throwing nasty glares in my direction.

My phone rang and I fished it out of my purse before dropping the bag on my desk.

"Yes, Mrs. Raichand?", I smiled.

"Mom!", She corrected me.

I breathed out a chuckle. "Apology. Mom, anything important?"

"How's Kabir?"

"He's completely fine now. He's smiling. I'm just scared-"

"Scared. Scared of what?", She sounded impatient.

"I'm scared of him turning back to his old self. In fact, I saw a glimpse of him today. The same, controlling and dominant Kabir. I'm scared he'll be torned away from us again.", I blurted out my fears and heard her hum from other side.

"Even I'm scared of that. You know how he's Rivaah? He hates emotions controlling him. He despises if something tries to hold him back. And the memories, they've the power to challenge him. He's protecting himself.", She murmured dejectedly.

"I know. I'll try to talk with him. If he loses his temper, know that we've lost him again.", I said and heard her short gasp.

"I hope he doesn't disappoint us.", She said and I couldn't agree less. Hanging up, I grabbed the pendrive from my clutch and headed out towards meeting room.

My team was already present there and greeted me when I addressed them with a nod.

"I'm really sorry for disappearing like that. But I've the presentation ready that we can give day after tomorrow. Your ideas are welcomed and we'll make the necessary changes? How about that?", I suggested and they nodded. I asked Karan to connect the projector and shared the presentation with them.

"So?"

"It was nice. But we've some ideas in our mind, Ma'am.", Nayan said and I regarded him with a smile.

"Of course. You're free to talk. We're working together.", I said as I placed my palms on the edge of table and leaned down curiously.

"So we're thinking.....", He continued and frequently in between, others added their own suggestions. To say the least, I was impressed. They didn't appeared lazy or lagging, but ready to defeat the opponent. Their suggestions were fresh and new, and I found our idea strengthening.

"I'm really impressed.", I smiled huge and everyone grinned, excitement lurking around in atmosphere. "We should start working on your suggestions soon. We only have 48 hours.", I reminded them and everyone nodded, ready to work hard.

"Okay then-"

A knock interrupted me and I called the person in. Everyone stood up as a sign of respect when Karthik Sir entered. "Good morning, Sir.", They greeted together.

"Good morning. Please continue what you were doing.", He smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Miss. Verma?", My back straightened and I looked at him alarmingly.

"Mr. Raichand is asking for you.", Almost everyone gasped and I gulped. The whispers started and I stole a glance at them. Their eyes held pity for me.

I felt myself returning the emotions. They think I'm in some kind of trouble.

"Now?", I asked and he nodded.

"Right now.", He said as he walked out, after nodding at me to follow him.

"Is everything okay, Ma'am?", Shana asked, worry and concern lacing her voice.

"I don't know. I'll be back. Until then continue your work.", I said and walked out.

Rishabh stopped me mid way and Karthik Sir frowned at him. He turned to face me straight, before sending me a malicious lopsided smile.

"You seem to be in a huge trouble, Miss. Verma.", He whispered before walking past me, intentionally bumping his shoulder against mine.

"What was that?", Karthik Sir asked in whisper as I joined him in elevator.

"Just a silly office argument.", I shrugged. I honestly find that man annoying. He irritates me rather than making me angry. He seems all talks and no action.

"Why am I called by the way?"

"No idea.", It was his turn to shrug now.

I followed him until we reached an expensive carved oak door. He knocked on my behalf and Kabir called in curtly. Karthik Sir opened door for me, jutting his chin towards the office for me to get in.

When I entered, seconds later the door closed with a click sound.

He looked up, before his eyes brightened like fairy lights. He grinned and ushered me closer. I chuckled at his silliness before advancing further. Grabbing my wrist, he pulled me on his lap and nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck.

"This is what you called me for?", I snorted, but a smile was still plastered on my face.

"Hmm hmm.", He hummed and engulfed me in his arms, pressing me more in his embrace. I laughed when his breath tickled the skin where my neck and shoulder meets.

"And a stupid said you won't even bat an eyelash at someone like me.", I scoffed as a victorious grin overcame my features.

"Who?", He asked sitting straight. His brows furrowed together.

"Just some stupid. Don't worry about him.", I said and he clenched his jaw before nodding. He was trying to control himself, I could see that.

"Don't worry. It's really no one. Just some stuck up guy who thinks too high of himself.", I said as I turned around and sat like I did yesterday. Thank goodness that I chose pants instead of skirt today.

"Hmm.", His calloused fingers rubbed on a spot of my clothed waist. "I just want to provide you a healthy and stress free work environment.", He looked up at me before smiling softly.

"I understand.", I said pressing a warm kiss on his cheek. That relaxed him a little.

"That reminds me, the interior designer will be coming today at three to show the animated visualization of the office after renovation.", He said and I hummed. Too lost in admiring the perfect specimen before me to understand anything logically.

"You're so beautiful.", I whispered and almost instantly he stiffened. "Did I said something wrong?", I queried worriedly.

"No.", His beautiful long eyelashes fluttered rapidly.

"I'm sorry if I did.", Fuck! Did my compliment triggered something from his past!?

"Just kiss me.", He sighed and I immediately leaned down to catch those plump pair of tempting and juicy lips. They were soft and so enticing. Contrasting to how his eyes are always, hard and grim. My fingers twitched to feel his silky soft hair and I guided them to his neck, to satiate their desires. Grasping at the end of his locks, I sucked on his bottom lip as my tongue fought for dominance. When he submitted to me with a gentle smile, I gasped in his mouth. A husky laugh rumbled out of his hot mouth when I got too much excited to dominate the kiss.

"Babe, stop!", He laughed.

I pulled back with a frown. I was enjoying God damnit!

"What!?"

"I'll get a boner at this speed. Stop before I embarrass myself in front of the whole office.", He chuckled but I was too focused on his wet lips that looked swelled from the recent torture.

"Just one more.", I narrowed my eyes and pouted at him. He laughed more harder. Did I cracked a joke!?

"I don't know what to say.", He pursued his lips, onyx eyes gleaming in amusement.

Fine! Keep making my fun! I'm out of here!

"You wanna make my fun?", I raised my one brow at him. Daring him to say something and I'll be very much pleased to get back at him with my own smart plan.

"You're making it hard for me to not.", He shrugged.

"Keep laughing then!", I said and he grinned. Leaning down, I gave a soft bite to his already swollen bottom lip and he gasped, not expecting something so bold from me. "I'll see you in the meeting.", I said and quickly got off him, he looked too shock to react.

"Bye, honey.", I smiled sweetly before rolling my eyes and strutting out.

I joined my team again. They enquired about the sudden meet of mine with the boss himself but I dodged them along with some lies. When they were assured that I'm not fired or transferred, we all resumed our work.

Sharp at three, we were summoned in the conference room six for the meeting with interior designer.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm Lavanya Mehrotra, the one Mr. Raichand gave the golden opportunity of redecorating your offices.", She smiled politely. She was tall. Her slender figure grabbed many eyes, even of the ladies sitting around. She was as white as some fragile porcelain doll, her curves at right places and would be no doubt alluring for the opposite gender. She has amber eyes, eerily similar to mine. But apart from that, she was absolutely ethereal and a real seductress if you can name someone like her using a countable noun.

Kabir was seated right adjacent to me, just the corner of table separating us. He apparently had no interest in her as his eyes looked bored and done with this silly thing.

Well, if he's bored, let's entertain our man?

My smart brain suggested and I was like, why not? So, fishing out my phone from the pocket, I sent him a message.

Sent 3:19 PM

I was suddenly feeling very excited and playful. I held my breath as he unlocked his phone under the table and read my message. He coughed, which grabbed attention from everyone.

"It's fi-fine. Continue.", He waved his hand before sending me a discreet glare. I smirked.

I was kind of bummed out by his small reaction.

Sent 3:21 PM.

This was too bold but I couldn't come up with anything else.

Kabir suddenly looked stiff and uncomfortable. I frowned as he tossed his phone in the inside pocket of his blazer. His forehead formed beads of sweat and he constantly shifted on his chair, panting softly.

I frowned.

Is he okay?

"So? Any doubts?", I flinched and turned my gaze towards the lady. Most of them shook their heads so I joined the queue and did same. "Great! Mr. Raichand, do you have any problem if I start the work immediately with my team?", She asked.

His teeth gritted against each other. "No.", He forced out.

I noticed Rishabh looking at me with a frown on his face. What the hell is this guy's problem!? It's not me who's panting, it's Kabir! Then why the fuck is he looking at me!? I feel like snatching out his eyeballs! I threw a glare in his direction before looking down.

A minute later she called it done and everyone stood up to leave.

My phone beeped and I unlocked it.

Received 4:15 PM.

Why do I feel like I've dug my own grave?

I pretended to find something around my chair and prolonged it until everyone eventually exited. But Lavanya was still there and it kind of felt odd to stay when she was glancing at me in confusion.

"Shit! I lost it.", I mumbled and left, ignoring the piercing stare that spaded arrows at me as I walked out.

My phone beeped again.

Received 4:20 PM.

I gulped.

"What is it?", The sudden intrusion in my private space made me stumble back. I glared at Rishabh as he tried to peek in my mobile screen.

"Stay the hell away from me!", I snarled and he scoffed.

"I've no interest in you anyways!", He said rolling his eyes.

"Then what will you take to leave me the fuck alone!?", I bared my teeth to force out the words.

"You're such a desperate woman-"

"Enough! I'm tolerating your bullshit but that doesn't mean I'll let this continue! If you love your job, stay in your limits!", I growled as I took a step closer, he lost his footing and tripped back.

Shooting one last glare at him, I walked past him. Intentionally bumping my shoulder against his while doing so.

My phone rang and I almost groaned but held myself back from acting on the temptation. The name flashing on my mobile screen however made me frown.

"Yes, Jiya?"

"I need to talk to you. Can we meet somewhere?"

_______