Thawing the CEO's Heart

Chapter 16: Comfort in the Night

As Aoom's car pulled up in front of Meena's apartment building, Meena couldn't help but notice the faint traces of exhaustion on her boss's face. Concerned for Aoom's well-being, Meena offered to make her some coffee before she headed home.

"Aoom, you look really tired. How about I make you some coffee before you drive back?" Meena suggested, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Aoom considered the offer for a moment before nodding. "That sounds like a good idea. Thank you, Meena," she replied gratefully.

Inside Meena's apartment, Aoom took in the clean and neat surroundings, admiring the simplicity of the design that reflected Meena's personality.

"Your apartment is lovely, Meena. It's so inviting," Aoom commented, genuinely impressed.

Meena blushed at the compliment. "Thanks, Aoom. I try to keep it cozy, especially since I spend a lot of time here," she replied with a smile.

As they sipped their coffee, Meena brought up the topic of the company event, discussing the successful evening and the promising investment offers they had received. Aoom listened intently, nodding in agreement as Meena shared her insights.

When Meena offered desserts, Aoom eagerly accepted, her fatigue momentarily forgotten in the face of sweet treats. However, as Meena disappeared into the kitchen, she returned to find Aoom fast asleep on the couch, her expression peaceful but her posture tense.

Concerned for her boss's comfort, Meena hesitated for a moment before deciding to act. Gently lifting Aoom into her arms, she carried her to the bedroom, careful not to wake her. With a mixture of reluctance and determination, Meena tucked Aoom into bed, ensuring she was comfortable before quietly retreating to the living room.

As Meena settled onto the sofa, ready to spend the night there, Aoom's voice suddenly broke the silence. "Please stay," she murmured, her words tinged with sleep.

Surprised by Aoom's request, Meena paused, unsure of how to respond. Realizing that Aoom was still asleep, she fetched a pillow and blanket, preparing to spend the night on the couch.

However, just as she was about to drift off to sleep, Aoom sat on her bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Why are you sleeping there?" she asked, her tone soft but puzzled.

Meena blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Aoom's sudden appearance. "I... I thought you wanted me to stay," she replied, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Aoom's expression softened, and she shook her head with a small smile. "I appreciate the gesture, Meena, but you don't have to sleep on the couch. Come join me," she said, patting the space beside her on the bed.

Relieved and grateful, Meena accepted Aoom's invitation, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort envelop her as she settled into bed beside her boss. 

Few hours after...

Meena lay awake in bed, her mind swirling with thoughts. It wasn't the fact that someone was sleeping beside her that kept her awake, but rather the realization that it was her boss, Aoom. She couldn't shake off the nervousness of sharing a bed with her employer.

As if sensing Meena's restlessness, Aoom shifted on her side and opened her eyes, noticing Meena staring up at the ceiling. Concern flickered in Aoom's gaze as she asked, "Meena, is everything alright? You seem unable to sleep. Are you uncomfortable?"

Meena hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's nothing, Aoom. Just a touch of insomnia, I suppose."

Aoom reached out and gently brushed her fingers against Meena's head, a gesture of comfort that caught Meena by surprise. "This is what my grandmother used to do when I couldn't sleep as a child. Let's see if it helps," Aoom murmured softly.

Meena smiled, touched by the unexpected tenderness in Aoom's actions. "Were you close with your grandmother?" she asked, curious to learn more about Aoom's past.

As Aoom began to share stories about her beloved grandmother, Meena felt a sense of peace wash over her. The sound of Aoom's voice was soothing, and gradually, the tension that had gripped her began to ease. Slowly but surely, Meena drifted off to sleep, comforted by Aoom's presence and the gentle caress of her hand.

Once Aoom was certain that Meena had fallen asleep, she gazed at her with a mixture of fondness and bewilderment. "What is it about you, Meena?" she whispered to herself. "Why do I care so much about you?"

With that thought lingering in her mind, Aoom allowed herself to succumb to sleep, finding solace in the peacefulness of the night and the comforting presence of Meena by her side.

The next morning...

The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room as morning gently nudged Meena awake. Stretching languidly, she blinked sleep from her eyes and yawned, slowly becoming aware of her surroundings.

But as she tried to move, she found herself unable to shift, her body held in place by the unexpected weight of another. Startled, Meena realized that Aoom was hugging her tightly, her arm draped around Meena's waist in a protective embrace.

A flush of heat crept up Meena's cheeks as she struggled to extricate herself from Aoom's grasp, careful not to wake her sleeping boss. Once free, Meena hurriedly made her way to the bathroom, the lingering warmth of Aoom's touch sending her heart racing.

In an attempt to shake off the surrealness of the moment, Meena busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for them both. The savory aroma of cooking filled the air, mingling with the scent of freshly brewed coffee.

When Aoom finally stirred and joined her in the kitchen, Meena couldn't help but admire how effortlessly stunning her boss looked, even in the simplicity of her casual attire. Aoom's presence seemed to fill the room, her charisma undeniable as she greeted Meena with a warm smile.

As they sat down to breakfast together, Aoom praised the food, declaring that she would happily eat it every day if she could. Meena's cheeks flushed pink at the compliment, a shy smile gracing her lips as she thanked Aoom.

Lost in the easy rhythm of conversation, Aoom checked her phone and realized it was Saturday. With a sense of contentment settling over her, she hesitated, searching for the right words to express her desire to stay a little longer.

Meena noticed the thoughtful furrow of Aoom's brow and inquired gently, "Is everything alright, Aoom?"

Caught off guard, Aoom blurted out her thoughts without thinking. "I was just... thinking about how to ask if I could stay here today without it sounding strange," she admitted, her cheeks tinted with a hint of embarrassment as she avoided Meena's gaze.

Meena chuckled softly, her laughter echoing in the cozy kitchen. "You don't have to ask, Aoom. You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like," she replied, a warm smile lighting up her features as she met Aoom's eyes.