Once Upon A Mr. Goody Two Shoes

Chapter 12

* A special note: We extend all thanks to khadeja_29 for the AMAZING cover of our book! It livened up our book. Thanks so much for the efforts! :D Please do check out her graphic shop. Her works are so aesthetically pleasing! *

I hadn't thought of the repercussions of my actions (or the lack thereof) when I had chosen to not call him that Friday night. Or the entire weekend. What would I do when he would come before me, in all his Bengali hotness, first thing Monday morning? Our days began with me personally taking the files that had to be signed to his cabin, or when he arrived earlier than me, he would walk to my cabin to take those. I didn't have the time to ponder the question all weekend, owing to the mental torture I was inflicting upon myself by repeating the fated evening in my mind. And all the worries associated with it. And trust me, there were a thousand of them. But none I found a solution to. It was beyond maddening.

And now, as I walked in the foyer to the glass gate of my office, the question of facing Abeer plagued my mind. I clenched and unclenched my fingers, my palms clammy with anxiety. Keep your professional and personal life separate. Well, that was rich, considering I was planning on romancing my own senior.

Or was I? It is just a date...

And why would he suggest a date if he hadn't felt attracted to you? The thought made my heart swell. Someone had shown a romantic interest in me...someone like Abeer. The thought was enough to get any girl giddy. You had to hand it out to him, the guy had his charm. Not the boyish, immature kind, but then disembarking, shivering kind. The one that didn't make your knees go week, but pierced you, body and soul.

I had never been in this situation before. I had never stepped out of my comfort-giving, romantically-uninvolved state of life. I wasn't afraid, just blissfully preoccupied with my career.

And all of a sudden, my career had shown me the path to romance. Stupid, stupid life.

I sighed, and pressed my hands to my face. It is fine, it is work first, I reminded myself as I entered the office. It was abuzz with activity, just like any Monday after the two-day weekend was. I was greeting Mrs. Saxena, our new middle-aged receptionist when I heard him.

"Good morning, Aashi." I whirled around to face him, and my breath hitched. He looked nothing out of ordinary, but something had changed since Friday night. He looked far more handsome than before. I had never thought a simple white shirt and black trousers could make one look...ravishing. But he did. His posture was calm, normal, showing no sign of anything being amiss. But his eyes, his eyes spoke the truth. They held a knowing glint in them, telling me they knew something. And I knew it too.

"Good morning, Abeer," I replied, surprised at the steadiness of my tone. He smiled and stepped forward, thrusting a file towards me.

"This needs reviewing. Could you do it and bring it to me later for the signatures?"

I nodded mutely and stepped forward to take it. But Abeer hadn't let go of the file. Our fingers brushed against each other, sending tingling sensations through my hand. I looked up at his face, surprised, only to see him already watching me, a mischievously devilish look in his eyes. His fingers, which were beneath mine till now, slowly moved above mine, caressing them in circles.

My eyes widened, as I felt my cheeks heat.

He hadn't, had he? This was Abeer, Abeer!

I looked up again, only to see him fight a triumphant smile from taking over his face. My eyes narrowed. "Uncommonly flushed today, Aashi, is it too hot outside?"