Faking It With a Billionaire || MaAn

Chapter 1 | Anupama

"Anu, Anu, Anu." I'm sitting at my desk, completely engrossed in my work when suddenly a familiar voice startles me from my computer screen. I quickly spin around in my office chair to see who it is and find myself face-to-face with my best friend, Devika, hunched over the wall of my cubicle. A sly smile plays on her lips, which are painted in a bold shade of red.

'What?" I remove the pen from my mouth, pulling it out with a slight pop. With a suspicious expression, I squint my eyes at her, wondering what her intentions are.

"Looks like you've ruffled someone's feathers again, huh?" Running her tongue over her teeth, she proceeds to playfully tap the head of the Ryan Renolds bobblehead that she had gifted me a long time ago. The miniature figurine wobbles unsteadily before settling back into place with its head nodding up and down.

As soon as she utters those words, my stomach plummets and a sense of unease washes over me. I'm at a loss, with no clue as to what she could be referring to.

"You're acting a little strange. Did you have a bit too much to drink last night?" I accuse her, mentally retracing the events of last night when we drank two bottles of cheap beer with our roommate and best friend, Stella. We each had our fair share, but I can't believe she's still feeling the aftereffects. However, I can't think of any other reason for her odd behavior.

She lets out a frustrated sigh, her features contorting with annoyance. "I'm not still drunk. I was in the lounge getting more coffee when Annora brought up your name." I restrain the impulse to roll my eyes, biting back a sarcastic remark. Annora should have realized by now that I'm always in one of two places - either sitting at my desk or hanging out by the coffee maker, guzzling down cups of coffee.

Annora was well aware of my whereabouts. She just didn't want to.

You pour water into the wrong receptacle, the realization hits me like a ton of bricks. The office receptionist glares at me, her once-friendly demeanor replaced with icy disdain. I can't help but feel frustrated by her reaction. It's not as if I intentionally sabotaged the machine; I simply didn't know where the water was supposed to go. I wish someone had told me before I made the mistake. Now, I'm left feeling like a complete outsider, and I can't help but wonder if anyone will ever trust me again.

Glancing briefly at Annora's desk, I offer my input. "As far as I know, I haven't received any communication from her," I say.

She isn't present, yet her phone vibrates with an incoming call. Annora seldom gets up from her desk. It's not a good omen that she's nowhere to be found. Annora wouldn't leave her perch even if the sky was collapsing.

Devika appears by my cubicle, swiveling around the corner and plonking her ass on my desk as if it's her designated spot, despite my repeated requests for her not to do so. It's a familiar sight - Devika has a habit of making herself at home in my workspace, regardless of my protests.

"I'm trying to get some work done," I say firmly as I reach out and give her black stiletto a light smack, urging her to remove her foot from the armrest of my chair.

She chuckles, teasingly digging her heel into my thigh. "Well, Annora, that wonderful woman, informed me that the boss wants a word with you," she says with a mischievous grin.

"Derek's not supposed to be back until tomorrow. Are you sure it's not just someone else pretending to be the boss?" I question, doubting her statement.

Devika chews her lower lip and shakes her head at me. "I'm talking about the big kahuna, the one in charge, the top brass. And they want to see you."

She begins to speak again, but I interrupt her. "That doesn't sound possible."