Stuck with the boss

Chapter 19 - Best night

Shreya's POV

That devil was staring at me like I had personally offended his existence.

I held his gaze just as sharply.

If he thinks I'll melt first, he is severely underestimating my stubbornness.

He stepped slightly closer.

I stepped on his foot again—lightly this time. Strategic. Not emotional.

He didn't even flinch.

Of course.

Of course he wouldn't.

This man probably processes pain like corporate emails.

But I did notice it—his jaw tightened slightly.

Good.

Victory.

Or at least... emotional disturbance achieved.

Before I could celebrate privately, Anamika's voice cut through the chaos from across the room.

"Shreya."

Oh no.

Caught in HD.

I immediately straightened like a saint who had never committed a crime in her life.

Rey, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered.

Of course he would.

Men like him don't suffer consequences. They outsource them.

I was then dragged into a group of cousins and younger chaos generators—Aayush, Abhay, Aryan—and somehow even Raghav joined in like this was a family sport.

Aayush leaned in. "So... did you intentionally step on him or was it accidental affection?"

"Accidental breathing, Aayush. Move."

Aryan gasped. "She's violent AND defensive. My role model."

Abhay calmly said, "She's the reason security systems exist."

I pointed at them. "All of you—stop discussing my life like it's a podcast."

From the corner, Rey watched.

Smiling slightly.

Annoyingly entertained.

I hated that.

⸻

By evening, I was exhausted.

Social interaction should come with recovery time.

I went upstairs, locked myself in my room, and finally—peace.

Bath. Silence. Hot water.

Healing.

I stepped out, wrapped in comfort, wearing a simple white cotton frock—soft, loose, peaceful.

Exactly the energy I needed to avoid murder today.

I was about to sit on the bed when—

Hands wrapped around my waist.

Warm.

Familiar.

Too familiar.

I froze.

Screamed internally.

And turned—

Rey.

Of course.

WHO ELSE ENTERS ROOMS LIKE A ROMANTIC THIEF?