An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 47

I step into my office, with Ivaan in my arms excitedly chattering.

His arms wrapped around my neck, my Italian suit probably has wrinkles from his grip, but I couldn't care less.

"And then, Mr. Big, Sarah said my drawing was the best in class!" he beams, pulling back just enough to look at me.

Those innocent eyes, never fail to melt something inside me.

"Is that so, buddy? Well, we'll have to put that masterpiece on my office wall then," I grin, adjusting him.

His dark curls tickle my chin as he giggles and pecks my cheeks.

I close my eyes. Five days. Five fucking days of silence that have been driving me insane.

My phone weighted with all those unanswered calls and messages.

The restlessness has been eating at me, making it hard to focus in meetings, impossible to sleep at night.

The emptiness of my house without them... I've been avoiding going home early, pushing myself into work instead.

I wasn't prepared for it, their absence, one I'm not ready to acknowledge even to myself.

When did they become so essential to my peace of mind?

"Mr. Big?" Ivaan's voice pulls me from the spiral of my thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"Can we get ice cream later?"

I'm about to answer when she catches my eye.

And suddenly, everything else fades away. Ishika.

She's standing near my desk, and the sight of her hits me like a physical blow.

My heart actually fucking stops for a moment. She's wearing those wide-leg jeans that make her legs look endless, a simple crop top that shows just a hint of skin.

Her hair falls loose around her shoulders, slightly messy like she's been running her fingers through it.

She looks beautiful. Tired, but beautiful.

There are shadows under her eyes that weren't there before, and something in her seems off.

I want go to her, to pull her into my arms and ask why was she ignoring me, but I control myself.

First, I need answers.

I move toward her, still holding Ivaan.

She tries to smile, but I catch the slight tremor in her lips, the way her fingers twist nervously.

Something's definitely wrong, and it's taking all my self-control not to demand answers right now.

"Hi," she says softly.

"Hey," I respond, studying her face.

There's a wariness in her eyes that wasn't there before, and it makes something dark and uncomfortable curl in my stomach.

Ivaan wiggles in my arms, reaching for her.

"Mama! Look what Mr. Big got me!" She takes him, and I watch as she fusses over the new toy.

The natural smile and free movements of hers with him only make me realise how stiff she is around me.

She keeps a careful distance, her body angled slightly away, avoiding my eyes.

"The view from here is amazing," she comments lightly, gesturing toward the windows.

Her casualness grates against my nerves.