Our Secret Love : Office Romance

27. Tara

The office hummed around me, a constant drone of keyboards and hushed conversations. But I couldn't focus. My mind was still reeling from the stolen kiss, the intensity of it, and the fear it ignited. I'd spent the past few hours avoiding Dhruv.

I glanced at him across the room, his gaze steady, his expression unreadable. A shiver ran down my spine. Did he feel the same way? Was he as terrified as I was?

Looking at him, I don't feel like he is.

I can't take it anymore; I need some water.

I head past his office to the break room.

"Tara, we need to talk."

I gasp in horror, "Oh lord, you scared me!"

"You are scaring me. Let's talk this out."

He cornered me by the water cooler, and my heart pounded in my chest.

"About what?" I asked, feigning nonchalance.

"About us," he replied. "About what happened the other day."

A blush crept up my cheeks. "I know," I murmured. "It was impulsive."

"No, it wasn't," he countered. "It was real."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I could see the vulnerability in his eyes—the same vulnerability I felt within myself.

"I'm scared, Dhruv," I confessed, my voice trembling. "Scared of what people might think, of what might happen if we're found out."

He reached out, his hand gently brushing against mine. "I understand," he said softly. "But we can't let fear dictate our lives."

"You are my boss, Dhruv."

"I was your friend Tara, way before I was your boss."

I could just sigh.

He cupped my cheeks in his hands and said, "Let's go out. You and me, on a proper date."

"A date?" I echoed, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, a real date," he affirmed. "I want to make this as comfortable as possible for you, Tara. No one can say a word. I'll make sure of that."

My heart raced with excitement and fear in equal measure.

"But what about work?" I asked, hesitant. "What if someone sees us?"

Dhruv's eyes softened. "We'll be careful. We'll find a way to make it work. Maybe a quiet dinner at my place?"

"I don't know, Dhruv," I admitted, torn between desire and caution. "It's complicated."

He nodded understandingly. "I know. But I can't shake this feeling, Tara. This feeling for you."

I looked into his eyes, and I saw the same longing, the same vulnerability that I felt. In that moment, I knew that I couldn't resist.

"Okay," I finally agreed, my voice barely audible. "A date. But we have to be careful."

Dhruv smiled, a radiant beam of hope. "We will be," he promised. "I promise."

I turned my face so his kiss could land on my cheek, and he leaned in for a kiss.

"What? That's not fair!"

"No kisses for you until the date!" I said turning around and walking off.

I was excited, nervous, and hopeful all at once. The future was uncertain, but for now, I was content to live in the moment, to savour the thrill of this secret love.

—

The office was deserted. A hush settled over the space, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of work hours. I was the last one to leave, the lingering scent of coffee and stale air filling the room. As I gathered my belongings, I heard a familiar voice.

"Ready?" Dhruv asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

I turned to face him, surprised to see him there. "You scared me!" I exclaimed, my heart pounding.

He grinned. "Sorry about that. I thought it would be more romantic to pick you up here."

He handed me a small, beautifully wrapped package. "A little something for our date," he said.

Intrigued, I unwrapped the gift to reveal a stunning dress, the colour a perfect complement to my skin tone. I was speechless. It was elegant yet playful, and I could already picture myself in it.

"Dhruv, it's beautiful," I breathed.

"I thought you'd like it," he replied, a satisfied smile on his face. "Why don't you change at my place? I'll start preparing dinner."

My heart raced with excitement and anticipation. The idea of spending a quiet evening with him alone filled me with a sense of warmth and comfort. As I walked towards his car, I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my stomach.

Dhruv's apartment was cosy and inviting, the perfect setting for a romantic evening. He'd lit candles, soft music played in the background, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air.

"You didn't have to go to all this trouble," I said, my voice filled with gratitude.

He smiled. "I wanted to. I wanted to make this special for you."

As I changed into the dress, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. I felt beautiful, desired, and loved. When I emerged, Dhruv's eyes widened in surprise and admiration.

"You look stunning," he murmured, his gaze lingering on me.

I blushed. "Thank you."

He took my hand and led me to the balcony, where a small table was set for two. The city lights twinkled in the distance, creating a magical atmosphere.

"I made your favourite," he said, gesturing towards the table. "Spaghetti aglio e olio."

We sat down, and as we ate, we talked about everything and nothing. We laughed, we shared stories, and we simply enjoyed each other's company. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only us two.

We sat in silence for a moment, the only sound being the gentle rustling of the leaves. Then he leaned in and kissed me. It was a tender, loving kiss, filled with a lifetime of unspoken words.

"I'm so glad we took this chance," I said, my voice soft. "I never thought I'd feel this way about someone."

Dhruv smiled. "Me neither. I'm the luckiest man in the world."

As we pulled away, I felt a sense of peace and contentment. This was it—the moment I'd been waiting for. This time when he leaned for the kiss again, I knew the night was not going to end soon.

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Fun fact: Spaghetti aglio e olio is actually my favorite because it's so simple to make but I make the best pesto penne chicken pasta.  

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