Thawing the CEO's Heart

Chapter 9: The Unwelcome Guests

A calm Monday morning quickly turned tumultuous for Meena as Ice came rushing towards her, breathless and agitated. Concerned, Meena inquired about the cause of her distress, only to learn that Aoom's parents were on their way up. Puzzled by the urgency, Meena followed Ice to Aoom's office.

Aoom's demeanor remained stoic upon hearing Ice's report. "Don't let them in, Ice," she commanded. Then, turning to Meena, she diverted the topic to discuss Ms. Lee's proposal.

Outside the office, Ice's attempts to block Aoom's parents proved futile. Bursting in, Mr. and Mrs. Chen confronted Aoom, igniting a silent standoff.

Meena's astonishment peaked when she recognized Aoom's parents—Mr. and Mrs. Chen, influential figures in Thailand's elite circles and related to the royal family. Questions swirled in Meena's mind as she witnessed the tense exchange.

Aoom's Father: Can I have a word with Aoom alone?

Meena: starts to stand up, assuming she should leave

Aoom: No, she's staying. We are working, and she is my secretary. You don't have the right to order her around.

A chilling silence enveloped the room as Aoom locked eyes with her parents, her demeanor colder than Meena had ever seen. Amidst the tension, Aoom's mother attempted to diffuse the situation with a hug, but Aoom remained stoic.

With a curt dismissal, Aoom signaled the end of the encounter. Still reeling from the encounter, Meena found herself caught in the crossfire of familial conflict, unsure of her role amidst the power dynamics at play.

After Aoom's parents left, Meena sat quietly beside her, the weight of the encounter still lingering in the air. Aoom broke the silence, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "I know you're surprised about what you witnessed, but all you need to know is that my relationship with my family is like a tornado—unpredictable and disruptive if you're not prepared for it."

Meena nodded slowly, processing Aoom's words. "It's okay," she replied softly. "My family isn't perfect either."

Aoom offered a brief nod of gratitude before suggesting they head home. Meena agreed, and they fell into their routine of commuting together, a silent understanding passing between them.

As they walked, Meena's phone rang, startling her. She answered to Charlotte's voice on the other end, but her attention was diverted by the sound of a motorcycle approaching at an alarming speed.

Without a second thought, Meena shoved Aoom out of harm's way, their bodies colliding with the pavement. Aoom's instinct was to give chase, but the assailant was already disappearing into the distance.

Returning to Meena's side, Aoom's hands shook slightly as she checked her over for injuries. "We need an ambulance," she said urgently, dialing for help.

In the chaos of the hospital emergency room, Aoom's resolve solidified. "I need to find out who did this," she muttered to herself, a steely determination in her eyes.

The next day...

Meena and Aoom sat in the hospital room, the tension palpable in the air. Sensing Aoom's troubled demeanor, Meena decided to broach the subject.

"What's bothering you?" Meena asked gently, her eyes filled with concern.

Aoom sighed, her expression grave. "I'm sure this isn't just a simple accident," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "Someone wanted to hurt me, and they succeeded in hurting you instead."

Meena listened intently, her heart heavy with empathy for her CEO. "But why would anyone want to hurt you?" she wondered aloud.

Aoom's gaze hardened. "It's not the first time someone has tried," she confessed. "But I've always brushed it off. This time, it's different."

Trying to lighten the mood, Meena offered a joke about their frequent visits to the hospital, but Aoom's response was unexpectedly stern. "Don't joke about it," she said curtly. "I don't enjoy seeing you in a hospital bed."

Meena felt her cheeks flush at Aoom's blunt remark, a mixture of embarrassment and something else she couldn't quite place.

Attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction, Meena inquired about when she could go home. Aoom's response caught her off guard—she would be going home with her the next day.

Eyes widening in surprise, Meena stuttered, unsure how to respond. Aoom's chuckle only added to her bewilderment. "Don't look at me like that," she teased. "You need someone to help you around, and since you're alone, it might as well be me."

Meena considered suggesting Charlotte as a potential caregiver, but Aoom shut down the idea before she could even voice it. "I'm not asking you, I'm telling you," Aoom declared with authority. "You'll stay with me until you recover. End of discussion."

With that, Aoom walked away, leaving Meena both stunned and amused by her CEO's unexpected display of authority and concern.

Left alone in the hospital room, Meena couldn't help but laugh, marveling at Aoom's unique blend of strength and compassion. "She really is something," Meena thought to herself, a smile tugging at her lips.

To be continued...