PAINFUL PLEASURE [COMPLETED]

7. Work Desk Romance

AVNEET'S POV

With my chin held high, I fling the door to Siddharth's cabin open. It's a huge room. A sofa set is tucked at the far left corner. A washroom is on the same side. A full-length glass covers one wall. His work desk is in front of this wall. And there, on the work desk, sits my husband in his customized roller chair.

The minute my eyes land on him, I lose sense of my surroundings. I'm mesmerized by his beauty. The way his shirt hugs his torso. The neatly knotted tie around his neck. The furrow on his forehead as he scans the document carefully. The subtle way he lifts his chin to look at me. And his smile! His smile! Smile that brims to his lips the moment he registers my presence.

He immediately springs to his feet. In less than five seconds, he has discarded the document, walked around the desk, and headed straight towards me. His arms fly open even before he reaches me. He wraps his toned calf muscles around me and engulfs me in the tightest hug possible.

"Avneet," he says in a low hushed tone.

"Yes?" I asked, matching his tone.

"I missed you so much," he whispers.

"I missed you too," I whisper back, smiling.

The sound of papers rustling brings us back to the present. We jerk away from each other, and I am suddenly aware of the third presence in the room. The new assistant is standing awkwardly near Siddharth's desk with the same clipboard from before in hand. Siddharth, too, looks a little taken aback, like he too forgot about her.

"She's Niharika. Now that Sandy's pregnant, she won't join back for another two years. So she'll be backing me," he says, introducing us to each other.

Niharika. Ok, so that's her name.

She gives me a light bow and a tight smile.

"I'll be right outside, sir -" she begins, but I cut her off.

"Have you discussed the clause with him?" I inquire.

"We were midway through it," she responds.

"Then don't mind me. Please continue, "I saying so I walked towards Siddharth's desk authoritatively and sank into his chair.

BEAT 1- Remind her of my authority in this company and office.

Siddharth follows close behind with his hands tucked in his pants pockets. He leans his butt on the desk to my right side.

She looks hesitant at first, but when she sees that Siddharth has not objected, she continues.

"Sir, as I was saying that the budget -" her voice trails off as I bring my foot to Siddharth's chest.

I sink further in my chair and place my second foot over the first one. From the corner of my eye, I watch Niharika's jaw plunge open. Siddharth, to his credit, doesn't utter anything.