THE MISTRESS ✔️ (COMPLETED)

26~ Surprise and Anger

Eshaan parked his car in the parking lot and climbed down. He locked his car and turned around. Buttoning his grey blazer, he adjusted the sling of his laptop bag. He entered the building and took the stairs to the first floor.

'Hey, Shalini.' He greeted a young girl behind the counter. She looked up from the sandwiches she was plating and smiled at Eshaan.

'One Coffee.' He said. She smiled tugging at her white cap and turned. Eshaan watched her make coffee. Contrary to the image of all the Cafeteria the food here is very decent, especially the coffee. It is Heavenly.

'Hey.' Eshaan turned his head and smiled.

'Hey, Karishma.' He greeted her. She smiled pushing back her cat-eyed glasses. Eshaan frowned. Karishma was Kabir's secretary and she has never been seen smiling. Kabir vents all his anger on her and its rarity he is in a pleasant mood. His mood reflects on her.

'One coffee for me too.' Karishma said to Shalini, the young girl turned around and with a bright smile she nodded. She left the coffee machine and walked towards the cabinet next to the machine. She took out a long paper cup and walked back to the machine.

'So,' – Eshaan turned to look at Karishma, - 'You are in a good mood?' He asked and smirked at her. Karishma looked away and nodded. She looked back at Eshaan.

'Kabir is in a good mood. In fact, he is even better since last few days.' Karishma said. She sounded as though she disbelieved her own words.

'Really?' Eshaan picked up his paper-cup and placed money on the counter. He turned to look at her.

'Hmm.' Karishma nodded.

'Strange.' Eshaan shrugged. Then the two bid good-bye and he walked off with his cup of coffee.

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Eshaan entered his cabin and placed his laptop bag on the table. He took out his laptop and placed it on the wooden table. Unlike Kabir, Eshaan's cabin is comparatively small. A small black leather sofa, a wooden table, revolving chair, a large French window with a decent view, a long show rack with some awards and small decorative pieces.

Eshaan adjusted the papers on his table and made a place for his laptop. He sat in his seat and extended his hand. He picked up a photo frame from beside the pen stand and looked at it. It was a photo of him with his parents and Jhanvi. This was taken last year when Jhanvi had come from Australia. He caressed her bright smiling face. His lips curved into a sad smile. He missed his best friend. Before they used to hang out every day, then after she shifted they were forced to video call and phone calls and gradually life overtook them, and they hardly speak.

Eshaan sighed and placed the photo frame back on the table. He opened the flap of his laptop and switched it on. He adjusted his wristwatch and then he picked up his mobile.

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As he worked there was a knock at the door.

'Come in.' Eshaan replied not looking up from his laptop.

'ESHAAN!'

Hearing a feminine squeal, Eshaan got alarmed. He looked up and saw Monica enter his cabin. He was taken back on seeing Monica in his cabin. He glanced at the wall-clock behind her, he noted the time was around One. He looked back at her. She was dressed in pink and white floral short romper. A scarf loosely hung around her neck and her sunglasses on top of her head. She beamed happily at him.

'Monica.' – Eshaan rose from his seat and stepped from behind the table, - 'What are you-' Before he could complete his sentence, Monica had marched towards him and pounced at him. Eshaan was taken by surprise and stumbled back. Before he could hold the edge of the table he fell along with Monica clinging to him.