Stuck with the boss

Chapter - 12 Futuretalks

Shreya's POV

"Being up to the mark," he said slowly, almost teasing.

And somehow—

that single line gave me goosebumps.

Which was ridiculous.

Because this was the same man I used to argue with daily.

Same man I called a pain in the ass.

Same man I mentally tried to survive around.

And now my body was acting like he had just spoken a foreign language called attraction.

I mentally cursed myself.

Focus, Shreya.

Not feelings. Not reactions. Not him.

I took a breath.

"Rey," I said finally, serious this time.

"We need to clear something."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Sounds dangerous."

"Us," I said.

That one word made him stop completely.

Even his fork paused mid-air.

"What about us?" he asked, quieter now.

I swallowed.

Then everything just... spilled out.

"I don't think I'm ready for this," I said quickly.

"I mean, I'm not some perfect woman you think I am. I get overwhelmed, I overthink, I'm emotionally all over the place—sometimes I don't even know what I want for breakfast, forget marriage."

I exhaled.

"And you... you are—well—you."

He gave me a blank look.

Which made me panic more.

So I continued.

"You're confident, powerful, used to control, used to winning, used to people listening to you. And I'm... not sure I fit into that world."

A pause.

"I said yes yesterday but today I feel like I jumped off a cliff without checking if there was water below."

Silence.

Even the waiter, who had just walked in with food, froze slightly like he didn't want to interrupt the emotional disaster unfolding.

Rey looked at me for a long moment.

Then calmly said:

"If you are done, now it's my turn."

I blinked.

"Wait—"

"No interruptions," he added simply.

I shut up.

Immediately.

⸻

The waiter placed the food.

And as if the universe had perfect comedic timing—

Rey immediately gestured at him.

"Eat first."

I frowned.

"I can't eat after that emotional breakdown."

He nodded.

"Then sit through it hungry."

I glared at him.

He smiled slightly.