only HIS

Chapter 15 : Beneath the Mask

**Abhishek's POV**

The drive to the office was supposed to be a distraction, a way to escape the storm brewing inside him. The events of the last few days had left him raw, his mind a tangled web of anger, suspicion, and fear. Clark Claw Christanio was back, a ghost from his past, and the weight of that reality pressed heavily on his chest. But Abhishek knew he needed to focus, to keep his mind sharp. The office was a place where he could control the chaos, where the routine of work might offer a momentary respite from the darkness closing in around him.

As his car pulled into the underground parking lot, Abhishek glanced at the security cameras, noting the usual protocol being followed. He wasn't in the mood for the customary greetings or smiles from the staff, so he slipped quietly out of the car and headed straight for the elevator, his steps quick and determined.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Abhishek stepped into the sleek, mirrored box. The reflection staring back at him was a stark reminder of the toll the past few days had taken on him. His eyes were rimmed with dark circles, bandage on his head, his expression hard and unyielding. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the exhaustion that clung to him like a second skin. The elevator doors opened, and Abhishek stepped out into the hallway, his mind already racing through the tasks he needed to tackle today.

He turned the corner, his thoughts still elsewhere, when he suddenly collided with someone. The impact was unexpected, and Abhishek instinctively reached out to steady the person he had bumped into.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was—" he began, but the words died in his throat as he found himself staring into Sofia's wide, surprised eyes.

The moment their eyes met, the air between them seemed to shift. She was dressed in a red shirt and black jeans, the vibrant color of her top standing out starkly against the muted tones of the office. Abhishek felt a flicker of discomfort at the sight of the red, a color that had come to symbolize danger and betrayal in his mind. For a split second, his gaze hardened, suspicion creeping into his thoughts. But he quickly pushed it aside, chiding himself for being paranoid, but it still put him on edge.

Abhishek's eyes, usually so sharp and cold, softened ever so slightly as he took in the sight of her. There was something in her expression—a mix of surprise and something else, something he couldn't quite place. Her own eyes, wide and startled, reflected a similar confusion. For a moment, the guarded walls they both kept so firmly in place seemed to crack.

"You should be more careful," Sofia said, her tone holding a hint of irritation as she adjusted her shirt, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of something else he couldn't name.

"I could say the same to you," Abhishek replied, his voice a bit sharper than he intended.

"I was just grabbing some files related to the house designs," Sofia explained, holding up the folder in her hand as if to justify her presence in the office. "I'll be out of your way in a minute."

Abhishek nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. The unease was still there, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind, but he forced himself to push it aside. "Take your time," he said, his voice more controlled now.

Sofia hesitated for a fraction of a second before offering a tight smile. "Thanks," she murmured, And then they both moved to pass each other, but as they did, their hands brushed for the briefest of moments. It was an innocent touch, accidental and fleeting, but it sent a small jolt through Abhishek. He noticed how her breath hitched slightly, her gaze flickering down to where their hands had met. For a moment, her eyes softened, a crack in the armor she wore so carefully. It stirred something unfamiliar within him, something he wasn't ready to confront a momentary vulnerability that made something in his chest tighten.