Bruises| Abhira FF ✔️

CHAPTER 11

Third Person's POV

He walked into the building, holding the hand of his five year old, avoiding every person's curiosity filled gaze. Unlike her father, Rhea was flashing everyone with her wide, goofy smile on the way to the office. The minute he entered his office, neil barged in, with a furious look on his face. He looked at Abhimanyu, then at Rhea and then at Abhimanyu again.

"Are you kidding me? What the hell is she doing here?" he raised his voice slightly.

"That's a nice way to introduce yourself, Neil." Abhimanyu moved towards Rhea, who was struggling to sit on his king-sized chair and made her sit.

"Rhea, this is Neil. My friend." Abhimanyu told her, and she waved at Neil with a soft smile. He couldn't help but wave back at her awkwardly. Before he could confront Abhimanyu further, Akshara entered the office.

"Sir, the clients are here." she told him, and he nodded.

"Rhea, I have to go for a meeting. Stay here, okay?" he told her, and Akshara looked at both of them.

"I don't wanna stay alone. I'll get bored." she pouted as she got down from the chair and moved towards Abhimanyu.

"Do you want hot chocolate?" he asked, picking her up in his arms, and she nodded with excitement. Akshara was both amazed and confused to see this side of him.

"Ms. Akshara!" he looked at her as he put Rhea down.

"Yes, sir!" she replied.

"Order a hot chocolate for her and stay with her until I come back." he told her, and she nodded.

"Neil, let's go. Our clients must be waiting." By saying this, both the men made their way towards the meeting room. Akshara stared at Rhea silently for a minute before approaching her.

"Hey there!" she exclaimed as she bent down to her level.

"I'm Akshara. What's your name?" she asked politely.

"I'm Rhea Birla." she replied, and Akshara was shocked upon hearing her last name.

"So, Abhimanyu sir is your dad?" she asked her, still not able to take in all this information. Rhea nodded.

"Alright. Let's order your hot chocolate. Do you want something else with it?" she asked, and Rhea shook her head. After ordering a hot chocolate for Rhea, they both sat down on the couch.

"So, Rhea. How old are you?" she was trying to make a conversation with her.

"Five." she raised her hand up, showing five fingers.

"Hm. Why are you at the office today?" Akshara asked her.

"I get scared when I'm alone. So, Papa brought me here with him." she replied.

"Are you Papa's friend?" she asked, making her chuckle.

"No. I work for your papa. He's my boss." Akshara replied before they both heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." she permitted, and a lady came in with a cup of hot chocolate in her hands.

"Hot chocolate!" Rhea immediately stood up from the couch.

"Careful, Rhea. It's hot." Akshara said, taking the cup from the lady.

"Thank you, you may go now." Akshara told her politely, and the lady left.

"Thank God, we got the deal." Abhimanyu exhaled a long breath. They just got done with the meeting and were now on their way back.

"Yeah, it would have been a huge loss if we didn't." Neil said. They were about to enter the elevator when Aarohi stopped them.

"Hey!" she flashed a smile to both of them.

"Neil. Can I talk to you?" she asked, fidgeting with her fingers. Abhimanyu looked at both of them sceptically.

"Alright. Let's go to my office. Abhimanyu, I'll see you later." Neil patted his shoulder as he turned to move towards his office along with Aarohi.

"Papa!" Rhea quickly ran towards Abhimanyu as he entered the office. He picked her up and kissed her cheek.

"Were you a good girl while I was gone?" he asked her, and she looked at Akshara.

"She was!" Akshara told him with a smile as Abhimanyu put Rhea down.

"Kiddo, grab your things. I'm done with work for today. Let's go have lunch somewhere." he told her, and Rhea started packing her little backpack.

"And Ms. Akshara, you can get back to your work." he said. Before she could leave, Rhea stopped her.

"Wait!" she ran towards her and motioned her to come closer. Abhimanyu looked at them as Akshara bent down to her level.

"Thank you!" Rhea kissed her cheek, and she smiled.

"Anytime." she ruffled her hair before leaving the office.

"What has gotten into you?" Aarohi asked, breaking the long silence. He shrugged his shoulders.

"You're avoiding me." she stated, and he looked at her.

"I'm not." he replied.

"Yes, you are!" she argued.

"Even if I'm, what's your problem? You should be happy that I'm not bothering you anymore." he told her.

"Neil. Don't let these feelings ruin our friendship." she held his hand, which he immediately shoved away.

"I've got work to do. I think you do, too." he motioned her to leave.

"Where are we going?" Rhea asked as they were on their way for lunch.

"Where do you wanna go?" he asked.

"McDonald's!" she replied with excitement.

"Ok then." he smiled at her as she did a little clap.

They reached the destination and got off the car. He took a corner seat so he wouldn't get noticed by some familiar faces. The food arrived after nearly fifteen minutes of ordering.

"Want anything else?" he asked. He was almost done with his food, whereas Rhea was playing with the toy she got from the happy meal.

"No. I'm full." she replied as she continued to play with her toy. 

"Papa?" she looked at him as he took a sip of coke.

"Can I come to your office tomorrow again? I loved playing with Akshara." she asked.

"We'll see about that!" he replied, wiping the corner of his lips.

"Akshara is pretty, right?" she stated, and he looked at her.

"Y-eah. She is." he stuttered, not sure what to really answer. Wait, why was he stuttering?

"Come on. Let's go home." he said, and they both made their way out.

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