𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 ✅

Chapter 17 : Long Distance

Anaya was deeply engrossed in a lively conversation with Armaan, her boss's younger brother, who stood right in front of her desk, his charismatic presence filling the office with an air of mischief and charm.

"Miss Arora," Armaan teased, flashing a mischievous grin, "are you trying to charm me with your work ethic, or are you just trying to avoid going out with me tonight?"

Anaya chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, Mr. Malik, I'm afraid you'll never know my true intentions."

Their banter was abruptly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Harsh Malik, Armaan's older brother and the CEO of the company. Anaya quickly composed herself, straightening up in her chair as Harsh entered the room.

"Ah, Harsh bhai," Armaan greeted casually, a hint of mischief still lingering in his voice. "What brings you here?"

Harsh raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting between Armaan and Anaya. "I came to remind you two that this is a place of business, not a playground for your antics."

Anaya nodded respectfully, her composure intact despite the teasing exchange. "Of course, sir. We'll ensure that our work doesn't suffer because of our... extracurricular activities."

Harsh offered a small smile, acknowledging her professionalism. "See that you do, Anaya. We have important projects on the horizon."

With a nod from Harsh, Armaan flashed one last playful grin at Anaya before leaving the room, leaving her to resume her work with a newfound sense of determination.

As Anaya returned to her tasks, she couldn't help but smile to herself, her mind still buzzing with the energy of her interaction with Armaan. Despite the interruption, there was an undeniable spark between them, one that promised both excitement and uncertainty in the days to come.

----

Sathi was engrossed in her office work, diligently typing away at her computer when she saw a familiar figure approaching her desk. Her face lit up with a smile as Ayaan walked towards her, carrying a stack of files.

Just as Sathi was about to thank him, Ayaan surprised her with a cup of tea. "Sweetheart, your tea," he said with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with affection.

But before Sathi could respond, she was interrupted by a voice calling out, "Ma'am, your tea." It was the office peon, not Ayaan. Sathi's smile faltered for a moment as she realized her mistake, feeling a pang of disappointment at the missed opportunity for a sweet moment with Ayaan. "I must be missing him more than I thought," she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, in a bustling hotel halfway across the world, Ayaan was engaged in a conversation with clients, discussing important business matters. As he was explaining a crucial point, he glanced over the shoulder of one of the clients and saw Sathi standing there, looking at him with a mix of affection and playful annoyance.

"How could you leave me alone, huh?" her voice echoed in his mind. Ayaan blinked, shaking his head slightly. When he looked again, the figure was gone. It wasn't Sathi, just a fleeting illusion born out of his longing for her.

He sighed deeply, trying to refocus on the meeting. The clients continued their discussion, oblivious to Ayaan's momentary distraction. His heart ached with the realization of how much he missed her.

Both Sathi and Ayaan, in their separate worlds, felt the pull of their connection.

----

It had been five days since Ayaan went to New York. The nights in India felt longer for Sathi without him around. One night, missing their usual banter, she decided to call him.