When Disaster Meets Perfection

Ch.54 Secrets and Smiles

The next morning, Annika began her daily routine, feeling refreshed after a soothing bath. As she applied moisturizer to her hands, sitting in front of her dresser, memories of the previous night flooded her mind. Shivay's heartfelt confession and the tender kiss they shared made her cheeks flush with a delicate blush.

Lost in thought, Annika's fingers instinctively touched her lips, reliving the sensation of Shivay's gentle kiss. A girlish giggle escaped her, and she couldn't help but smile at the recollection.

As she styled her hair, Annika's thoughts drifted back to the rose Shivay had given her. She had impulsively passed it off as a peace offering to Ishana, but now regretted it. "How could I be so stupid?" she chastised herself. "Ishana dislikes roses, and I lied about buying it for her. What if she's already figured it out?"

Determined to retrieve the rose, Annika tiptoed out of her room. She silently pushed open Ishana's door, only to find her fast asleep. Closing the door gently, Annika continued her search.

She glided into the living room, scanning every surface for the rose. Not finding it there, she moved to the dining area, her eyes scanning the tables and shelves. The rose was nowhere to be seen.

Annika's brow furrowed, wondering where Ishana could have placed it. "Where did she put it?" she thought, her mind racing with possibilities.

Annika then continued her discreet search in the kitchen, she heard a faint rustling from Ishana's room. Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze, holding her breath.

Ishana's door creaked open, and she emerged, rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes. Her gaze landed on Annika, standing motionless in the kitchen.

"Annika, what are you doing?" Ishana asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of amusement.

Annika's mind sprinted to concoct a believable explanation. "I-I was just... looking for something to cook," she stammered, attempting to sound nonchalant despite her racing thoughts.

Ishana's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression skeptical. "You're looking for something to cook... at this hour?" she asked, her tone laced with playful sarcasm. "Has the sun risen from the west?"

Ishana's witty remark highlighted the absurdity of Annika's claim, making her feel increasingly uneasy.

Annika, attempting to deflect Ishana's scrutiny, feigned annoyance. "Why would you say that? You know I'm a capable cook!" Her tone was playful, but her eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness.

Ishana chuckled, her expression teasing. "I'm aware of your culinary skills, Annika. However, I'm curious about your sudden change in behavior. You're never up early, and yet, here you are, bright-eyed and ready to go."

Ishana's gaze swept over Annika's neatly styled hair and outfit. "You're not only awake but also dressed for the day. What's behind this transformation?"

Annika fumbled, struggling to maintain her facade. "Umm, I-I decided to start waking up early from today. With my increasing workload, I should probably get to the office earlier."

Ishana raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "That's quite a drastic change, don't you think?"

Annika hastily attempted to shift the focus. "Leave all that aside, do you want me to make something for breakfast? I can whip up some pancakes or scrambled eggs."

Ishana replied, "No need to cook, there are leftovers from last night. You can reheat them for yourself. I'll be heading to the office late today, so I'll reheat mine later."