In the dimly lit parking lot, Advika felt a presence behind her, a breath on her neck that sent shivers down her spine. Startled, she turned, only to stumble and feel a sharp pain shoot through her foot. Before she could fall, strong arms wrapped ar...
"Aadduu... get up or you'll be late!" Saanvi called from downstairs. Not getting any response from her daughter, she sighed.
"Ohhh, this girl! Kuch din baad iski engagement hai and she still hasn’t learned to wake up early." (In a few days, it’s her engagement, and she still hasn’t learned to wake up early.)
"Maa, it's okay. She's still little. I'll go and wake her up," Aahan said, getting up from his chair. But before he could go, Aditi clutched his coat, looking up at him.
"Bu-bby... B-bubby."
Aahan sighed, "Wait baby, I'll get your bua (aunt) here. Until then, you sit here, okay?"
But not liking the idea, she let out a cry, looking at Aahan with innocent eyes that he couldn’t resist. He picked her up in his arms and went toward Advika's room.
---
Advika was sound asleep, cuddling Buddy. Aahan knocked softly on the door, but knowing his sister was a heavy sleeper, he opened it. As he got closer to the bed, he was shocked by what he saw, and the next second, his scream filled the room. Thankfully, the room was soundproof, or who knows what might have happened to Advika and Buddy.
Advika, who was in deep sleep, woke up with a jolt, along with her sleeping companion.
"Bhai (brother), what are you doing here so early in the morning?" she asked in a sleepy voice.
Aahan ignored her question. "Leave your question aside for a second and tell me—what is this puppy doing here?" he asked, looking shocked.
Hearing his question, Advika’s sleep vanished. She started fidgeting with her fingers, looking down, and whispered slowly, "It's Buddy."
Aditi, in Aahan's arms, chimed in, "B-bubby."
Now eager to meet her “bubby,” Aditi wiggled to get down on the bed.
Aahan raised an eyebrow, "Wait a second... that means this was your and your niece's little secret?"
Advika gave her brother a sheepish smile as he sighed in defeat.
"Where did you find this puppy?" he asked.
Advika hesitated at first but then narrated the whole story—without mentioning Akhil. She wasn’t sure how her brother would react if he knew she had slapped her soon-to-be fiancé.
Aahan frowned. "If Maa finds out about this puppy, you both are doomed."
"Bhai, it's Buddy! Stop calling my little heart a 'puppy.' He has a name now! And as for Maa, this will be our secret. You’ve joined the team now, right, baccha?" (baby) she asked, looking at Aditi, who was now cuddling Buddy, giggling at her aunt.
Aahan shook his head. "Marvaygi tu ek din mujhe." (You’re going to get me killed one day.)
To which Advika gave him an angry pout.
Aahan ruffled her hair and said, "Get ready fast, or you'll be late for work."
She looked at the clock and gasped. One thing was clear—before her mom could scold her, her "Hulk" brother would.
"Aaj toh main gayi..." (Today, I’m done for...) she mumbled, dashing to the washroom to get ready.
---
Standing in front of the closed elevator, she impatiently waited for it to open, worried about being late. As soon as it opened, she quickly stepped out, glancing left and right. Sighing in relief, she found no one in the corridor as everyone was busy with their work.
Advika did a little happy dance in her head and headed for her desk.
"Ms. Bakshi."
Advika shut her eyes in pain. She gulped, knowing what was about to happen.
She turned around and smiled at the PA of Mr. Akhil Agarwal.
"Good morning, Ms. Rhea," Advika greeted her with a warm smile.
Rhea smiled back. "Good morning to you too, Ms. Advika. Sir wants to see you."
Advika forced a small smile, confirming she'd visit her boss soon. Once Rhea left, Advika groaned inwardly.
"Ab is sadu hulk ko kya chahiye?" (What does this grumpy Hulk want now?)
---
Advika took a deep breath before knocking on the door, hearing a cold "Come in."
"You called for me, Sir?" Advika asked as she entered.
Akhil, without removing his eyes from the file, hummed in response. He stayed silent for a moment, making her frown in confusion. When she looked up, she froze. He was staring at her with cold, piercing eyes.
A shudder ran through her, but she quickly composed herself, determined not to let him know the effect he had on her. But nothing escaped the sharp eyes of the Mafia king.
He got up, standing in front of the table, leaning against it with his arms folded across his chest. He looked irresistibly attractive.
"Ms. Bakshi, from tomorrow, you'll work as my PA," Akhil announced, picking up the file and flipping through it.
Advika, in disbelief, blinked. "I reject this offer, Sir."
Akhil didn’t bother looking up. "I didn’t ask for your acceptance. It’s an order, Ms. Advika," he said in a chilling voice.
"B-but what about Ms. Rhea? And I’m just an intern! You can’t do this!" Advika protested.
"I’m the boss here. I can do anything. As for Ms. Rhea, she’s been assigned to the design group and will handle another branch," Akhil said, closing the file.
"Anything else?" he asked, stepping closer to her, causing her to take a step back.
"B-But I d-don't w-want to! I’m fine with my job!" she said, unknowingly pouting.
Akhil smiled slightly, but it soon turned into a mischievous smirk. He stepped closer, forcing her back against the wall.
Her eyes widened in horror, knowing exactly where this was going. She gulped, her hands pressing against his chest in an attempt to push him away.
Seeing her futile efforts, a chuckle escaped his lips. She glared at him, her cheeks puffing up in an adorable pout. Akhil let out a small laugh, which only made her angrier.
"What are you laughing at, huh? Ek toh khud itne haathi jaise bade ho, mujhe jaise masoom bachi ko—aise tang karte hue sharam nahi aati? And my decision is final! Leave me now!" she snapped at him, making him go speechless for a moment. (You're as big as an elephant, and you don't even feel ashamed of troubling me, an innocent girl!)
He cleared his throat but didn’t release her. In fact, his hands moved to her waist. He picked her up, making her squeal, and tightened his grip as she wriggled to get free.
With his other hand, Akhil pushed the file aside and made her sit on the table, his hands resting on either side, effectively caging her in. He leaned down, his closeness making her nervous.
"Repeat yourself, my little wildflower," Akhil breathed huskily.
♡♡♡ TBC...
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