Closer Than Before | 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 ✅

Chapter 34: Stripper Club?

Radhika's POV:

The sunlight peeked through the curtains, warming my face as I woke up, still tangled in Samar's arms. A small smile crept onto my lips as the memories of last night flooded back.

I could feel his steady heartbeat beneath my hand, and for a moment, I stayed perfectly still, wanting to hold onto this peaceful morning.

But the reminder of our work in Dubai pulled me back to reality. Today was important; we had to be at the office early to meet with the Dubai team, and my mind was already racing with everything we needed to accomplish. I nudged Samar gently.

"Samar," I whispered, but he only groaned, burying his face deeper into the pillow.

"Samar, wake up," I said a little louder, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked at me, still half-asleep.

"Already?" he mumbled, a lazy smile forming as he pulled me back down beside him. "We could just stay here..."

I chuckled softly, but part of me wanted to stay, too. "Tempting, but we're here for work, remember?"

He sighed dramatically, finally sitting up and running a hand through his hair. "Fine, but you owe me coffee."

The morning flew by as we prepared ourselves and headed to the Dubai office. The building was sleek, all glass and steel, with a view of the bustling city. The air inside buzzed with energy, and a small thrill of excitement ran through me.

Working in a new environment always brought its own challenges, but it was exactly what I'd been looking forward to.

As we walked toward the conference room, Samar nudged me gently. "Nervous?" he asked, his eyes glinting with encouragement.

"A little," I admitted, though the nerves were quickly fading. "But it's exciting, too."

We met with the Dubai team, diving into introductions and discussions. It was an intense morning, filled with back-to-back meetings. I found myself caught up in brainstorming sessions, strategizing new plans, and sharing our insights.

Samar was in his element, confident and smooth, handling every question thrown his way. Watching him like this, I felt a sense of pride-and maybe a little awe, too.

During a break, Samar caught my eye, giving me a small, reassuring smile. It was subtle, but somehow, it was exactly what I needed to push through the day.

After another few hours, we finally got a lunch break. As we grabbed our plates in the cafeteria, he leaned in close. "See, I told you we'd survive."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Barely," I teased.

He chuckled, passing me a napkin as we found a seat together. "You're doing amazing, though. The team is impressed."

"Thanks," I said softly, feeling a warmth spread in my chest. His words meant more than he probably realized.

The afternoon was filled with more collaborative work, and by the time we finished, we were both exhausted. As we headed out of the office, Samar stretched his arms over his head, looking equally drained but content.

"Dinner?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded eagerly. "Absolutely. After today, I think we've earned it."

Over dinner, we talked about the day's events, laughing about the hectic schedule and the new colleagues we'd met.

I felt a renewed sense of excitement and satisfaction. Working here, exploring the city, and, most importantly, being with him... it was like everything was aligning perfectly.