Mission Love

Thirteen

Recap: Ryan turned up to my door.

At the moment, my mind flooded with millions of questions, each more absurd if not bizzare. Like, what in the world was Ryan-Mr.CEO-doing here at this ungodly hour, standing in front of my apartment? And why did he look like I just swiped his wallet and used all his assets?
Oh, and the smirk.
That smug, infuriating, devilish smirk plastered across his face like he'd just won some secret bet.

Or secretly plotting ways to ruin my life!

"What are you doing here?" I hissed, closing the door halfway so that Mom
couldn't see him and assume.. things.
I did told her it was.. delivery.
My heart was racing like I'd just finished a marathon, but Ryan's expression didn't budge.

Instead, he raised his eyebrows, slow and deliberate.

God! he needs to be faster than that!

"Are you hissing at me?" he asked, his voice dropping low and almost amused as he leaned against the doorframe, looking way too comfortable for someone invading my personal space.

"No! I didn't," I sputtered, waving my hands in denial.
"I was just, um, asking you...politely."

Nailed it.
If he were anyone else, I'd definitely give them a hard time. But.. Ryan was my boss, and as much as I hate it, he should be thankful for the fact.

Cause that's what saved him from being dead tonight.

His eyes narrowed slightly but remained quiet for a few seconds. With a long sigh, and a face that said I'm-fed-up-with-her, he scratched his temple.
"I came here for the file. Where's the file?"

"What file?" I blinked, clueless.

"Aisha?" My mom's voice shot through the air, dragging me back to the real nightmare unfolding behind me.
Oh shit! I need to hurry up.

"I don't have time for this," I muttered, my tone dropping as I tried to stay calm amidst the chaos.
"Have you seen Naveen?"

"You don't have time for-" Ryan's eyes widened as he cut himself off, clearly blown away. "This should be the only thing you should make time for!"
Ryan snapped sharply , reminding me that he was still the boss.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, raking a hand through his hair before speaking again in a tone that was almost calm, but still dripping with condescension.
"The file. The project. Remember?"

I forced a tight-lipped smile.
"Sure, sir. But have you seen Naveen? He's not answering my calls-"

Ryan groaned out loud, cutting me mid sentence. He threw his hands up in the air and stared up at the ceiling like he'll leap out through the roof any second.

"He's in an urgent meeting with a client, if you're concerned about him." Ryan said, too casually, with that damn smirk creeping back onto his face. "I guess... he'll be tied up for a long night."

I almost gasped but managed to hold it back. He was doing this deliberately. Torturing me. He lived for these moments, didn't he?

"Aisha?" Mom called again, her footsteps growing closer. Oh shit.

In a panic, I grabbed Ryan by the arm and pulled him out of the apartment, slamming the door shut behind me. I took a deep breath of relief, but it was short-lived when I realized we were standing way too close.

I thought he'd move, but Ryan wasn't moving- an inch.

What's his problem!

"Can you move back?" I whispered-yelled at him, trying to keep my voice down.