Hers To Love

Chapter-20

I worked late into the night, tucked into a corner cubicle. There wasn't much to do but replay all the old training sessions. I watched one after the other, taking notes and highlighting the important points. These notes would come in handy when I prepare my internship report for the university. The submission was still months away, but there was nothing else to do. I should be home by now. Comfortable and happy in the warm embrace of my boyfriend. But I couldn't bring myself to face Arun right now. If I saw him, I would have to tell him about Vedh and his cunning actions. I couldn't imagine what Arun would do after he learned these things. That was why I hid myself inside this cubicle, watching as the hands of the clock ticked by.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated, and I saw Arun's name flashing on my screen. He messaged me.

Where are you?

I bit my lip, contemplating if I should tell him the truth. This was the first time Arun texted me as my boyfriend. I should have been giddy. But thanks to Vedh, I was trying to evade him. I finally decided that I should tell him the truth. I didn't know if Arun was at home or in the office. Wherever he was, he could easily catch me in my lie.

At the office.

As soon as the message was sent, my phone started ringing. I answered and held it up to my ear, and Arun's silky voice poured through the speakers.

"Why are you still at the office? You are an intern. What the hell do you have to do to stay so late?"

"I am just taking notes. There's not much to do, even if I go home. And at home, I cannot concentrate like I do in the office." I said, rubbing my forehead. At least, I was not completely lying.

"Good to see you are taking this seriously. This internship will be a real leg-up for your career."

He was proud of me, and that realisation made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I wanted to see him immediately. Kiss his sweet lips, bury my face in his chest, and get swept away in his masculine scent.

"Where are you?" I asked, a smile adorning my lips for the first time since I saw those abominable photos this morning.

"Look up," he said. I obeyed and there he was, standing at the threshold of the office. He stood tall over all those little cubicles. He held the phone to his ear with one hand, and with the other, he gave me a little wave.

All the pent up anger, frustration, and sadness inside me dissolved like a cloud as I saw him standing there, waiting for me. My man. Only mine. I stood and ran towards him eagerly, as though touching him was the solution to all my problems. Arun caught me as I ran into his arms and enveloped me in a tight hug. His embrace and scent were just as therapeutic as I expected them to be.

"I can stay like this forever," I murmured into his chest. It felt liberating to be able to voice my love for him.

"I know. Me too." He said, rubbing my head. We stayed like that for a minute when I remembered my surroundings.

"Arun, we are in the office building. There are cameras everywhere. Someone could have seen us." I covered my mouth with my hand. No. Not another scandal.

"So what?" Arun shrugged. "This is my fucking company. I can do whatever I want; no one can say shit."

A few months ago, words like that would have enraged me. But now, they made me feel hot and bothered.

"Anything?" I asked, with a challenge in my voice.

"Anything." Arun agreed. "And I know all the blind spots in my office very well. For example, that cubicle you were sitting in. That's a good spot. No one can see anything."