Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-57: Unexpected Confessions

Even in a room full of people, it’s his silent gaze I seek first, and his smile that anchors me.

Manik’s POV,

The clock ticked slowly on the wall, mocking my patience. I leaned back on my chair and rubbed my temples. The numbers were blurring at this point, and I needed that damn Mr. Mehta file from the record room. I pressed the intercom button and called Nandini.

No response.

Frowning, I tried again. Still no answer.

What the hell?

I picked up my phone and dialed her number. It rang and rang—no answer. She never ignores my calls. Pushing back my chair, I walked toward her cabin.

Empty.

She never leaves without telling me, at least not now… not when she knows I look for her more than I admit.

I walked toward the record room, steps quickening unconsciously. That’s when I heard her voice. I stopped at the corner and looked in.

There she was. Laughing.

With him. That new guy from the marketing department—Ravi or Ramesh or whatever the hell his name is. He was standing a little too close, and Nandini was smiling, even chuckling at something he said.

And then he said, "Nandini, would you like to go for coffee with me sometime?”

Before she could respond, I stepped in.

“Miss Murthy, I’ve been calling you for half an hour. Bring me Mr. Mehta’s file from the record room.”

She blinked at me, her smile fading as she nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

I didn’t wait. I turned on my heel and left—but not before shooting that bastard a glare that could reduce him to ashes. Back in my cabin, I was pacing now. My mind wasn’t on the file anymore—it was burning with something else.

Jealousy?

No. No way. I’m Manik Malhotra. I don’t get jealous.

When she entered with the file, I was calm. Or at least pretending.

I took it from her and asked casually, “So… are you going for coffee?”

Her brows furrowed. “What coffee?”

“With that guy. He asked you. You were laughing, seemed like you were having a good time,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral, but it came out clipped.

She blinked in realization, then gave a half-smile. “We were just talking. And I already told him no.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You denied?”

She gave me a look. “Obviously. Why would I go with him?”

That strange wave inside me stilled for a moment, replaced by something that felt like… triumph? Relief?

I tried to keep a straight face, but she narrowed her eyes. “Wait a second… you’re happy.”

“What? No. I was just asking.”

She walked toward me slowly, a smirk on her lips. “Someone’s being jealous…”

“No way. I don’t get jealous,” I said, looking away.

But she was already at my desk.

She leaned down, slowly, teasingly. “Really? Then why were you glaring at that poor guy like you’d bury him alive?”