Running from Him by YH Yohi

Chapter 9: Stuck with him

 "Good morning, how can I help you?" A brunette asked from behind the glass counter. Pari nervously fidgeted, this is it. She shook off her thoughts and straightened her back.

"Good morning, I am here to work for Mr.Arin"

"Oh...the project?"

"Yes, that one"

She eyed Pari up-down before retreating to the back as she disappeared into a long corridor with glistening chandeliers leading the way. It had a dark palette but was oddly satisfying to look at. After a few minutes, she returned.

"Mr. Arin will see you now. Welcome"

"Thanks" Pari adjusted her mask as she followed the lighted path, at the end was a majestic black door. It was an odd mix of gothic and modern art, simple yet never bare. Timidly, she knocked on the door softly.

"Come in" a voice vibrated ticking her insides. She clutched her stomach, bracing herself to the worst possible scenario. She slowly opened the door. As Pari entered she was greeted by the alluring skyline through tall glass windows, the office was simply appealing with hanging abstract art on towering monochromatic walls, as the carpeted floor that radiated a fainting warmth. 

"Are you done looking?" A rich yet ever-so-slightly supercilious voice came from her left. Pari's head snapped towards the voice. She was so engrossed with the details and layout of the room she barely noticed Arin leaning against his desk with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

"Sorry Sir, I didn't see you there" Pari begin with her new voice

"Continuing with the same voice I see" Arin signed

"Sir?"

"Nothing. Go to your desk" Arin motioned her towards a small desk a few feet from him, on the side.

Pari visibly gulped, her desk was right under Arin's nose, she would barely be able to stay sane under his scrutinizing gaze "Here?"

"Ofcourse! Don't you want the opportunity to work with your CEO...closely"

"No!..I mean Yes, I mean I'm afraid I will disturb you sir" Pari tried to reason with Arin, who only looked at her amused, as if she was some object intriguing him.

"Don't worry about me, I would love some company" Arin winked as he turned to return to his chair. Pari barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes. This guy! She settled in her desk with nothing to do as she pondered...Was she close to marrying a pervert? Was he a playboy? How did she never notice? Pari gasped, did he put up an act to rip her off? Everything was an act! The nerve of this jerk! Pari unconsciously banged her fist on the table.

"Does my presence irk you, Ms.Riona" Arin leaned away from the desktop covering his face

"Yes...no..no Mr. Arin. Sorry" Arin smirked as Pari lowered her eyes

"Well then if there is nothing else on your mind, there is a list of task in your email, complete it by today"

"Yes sir" Pari quickly opened her email to find a long...quite literally long list. Seriously?! 

"Any problems?"

"No sir" Pari muttered and quickly began working, Arin leaned back in his chair as he looked at Pari engrossed in her work. He grabbed a remote and turned off the AC, now the game begins.

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Pari was exhausted and thirsty. The bright sun shone through the glasses, it felt harsh on the skin. She was sweating and thirsty, but Arin looked perfectly comfortable as he sat shadowed by the bookshelves behind him. Every other minute, he would look at her and give her a bright smile, but it managed to send shivers along Pari's back. 

She couldn't help but question, was he doing this on purpose? Was he so oblivious to her disheveled state.

"Sir?"

"Yes"

"May I step out for a minute?"

"For what?"

"Water sir"

"Right next to you"

"Ahh, washroom as well sir"

"Diagonal to you"

"A little fresh air, sir"

"Open the windows"

"Actually sir, I had some work to give to Mr. Namer" Arin finally looked up from the files

"Ms. Riona, do you not wish to work?"

"no sir"

"I guess you need a break, drink the water"

"okay sir"

"Now"

"Now?" Pari looked at him holding on to her mask. Arin mischievously smiled at her, as he kept his file away, fully focused on her.

"Yes, right now"

"I'm not that thirsty sir"

"Now, remove that mask. It's quite irritating to look at" Pari signed, this man wouldn't let her be at peace even for a minute. But little did he know she came fully prepared. She quickly ducked under her desk and pulled out a straw from her bag. Arin clearly did not expect this. Disappointment was written all over his face. Pari slipped on end inside the bottle and the other carefully beneath her mask, and drank to her heart's content.

"Whatever" Arin signed as he resumed work, as Pari looked at him victoriously clearly unaware of what is to unfold the next day.