Now and Forever

3. Low blood pressure

Nandini could feel her self control giving in to her desire of sucking his blood. Frustrated, she covered her mouth and nose with her right hand, trying hard to block his scent but it did nothing. She turned to leave but Manik's voice stopped her midway.

"Did I tell you to leave Miss Taylor?"

She closed her eyes in frustration. "No sir you didn't." she turned to face him.

"Brief me my schedule." he reclined on his chair and looked at her. "And uncover your mouth. It's irking me."

"Yes sir." she complied as she uncovered her mouth and his blood smelled even stronger than before. She dabbed her lips and clenched her fist trying hard not to lose her control.

"Miss Taylor brief me my schedule." he said yet again and she forced a smile, taking out her phone from her pocket.

"At 12:00, you have one me-meeting-" she paused, letting out a sharp breath, before continuing, "with the strategy and planning department regarding the recent updates made in the game sir."

"And what more?" he closed his eyes.

"That's it. There's nothing more to your schedule."

"I have a very busy day." he let out a sigh and she looked at him in disbelief. For all she knew he just had one meeting to attend.

"May I take my leave sir?" she asked in a polite tone.

"No, not yet."

Sighing, she took out a capsule from her pocket. She couldn't hold herself back any longer. So she tossed the capsule into her mouth and it calmed her down a bit. That was her third capsule that very day. One more and there would be high chances of overdose.

"What did you just eat?" he paused, looking at her. "Do you realize you are disrespecting me?"

'It's better to get disrespected than to get eaten up.' she thought, forcing an apologetic smile on her face.

"I am sorry sir. I really didn't mean to disrespect you. But you know this-" she took out a small box which contained two capsules. "this are my medicines and I need to take them on time."

"Ohh." he sounded uninterested on that matter, at least that's how it seemed like to her. But the very next moment, he asked, "Are you sick?"

"Umm these are the medicines for my low blood pressure." she lied. "If I don't take this medicines on time, I get dizzy and I lose my concentration. And at times I faint too."

"Only specific answers Miss Taylor." he sounded uninterested but contrary to the attitude he showed, all his attention had been fixed on her.

"I'll keep that in mind sir." she said.

"Mmm go and bring me the files of the recent updates made."

"Okay sir." she hurriedly left his cabin and heaved a sigh of relief on getting out. She had been having a hard time sharing the same enclosed space with him without the thought of sucking his blood passing through her head. What was wrong with her?

"I wouldn't be able to control myself this way. I need stronger dose of this capsules." she looked at the box that she had been holding in her hand. Stuffing the box inside her pocket, she made her way towards the planning department.

Meanwhile inside the office cabin, Manik was busy browsing about 'Low blood pressure'

"Take medication on time. Eat more salt. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Cross legs while sitting. Drink water. Eat small meals frequently. This are by far the best remedies for low blood pressure." he read out the search result, looking at his phone screen. Minutes later, he closed the search tab and placed his phone aside when he realized what he had been doing. "Why should I even care?" he said to no one in particular but the very next moment he added, "She is my secretary. So it's normal to care, right? Yeah, it's normal."

He reclined on his chair, looking towards the door. "What's taking her so long?"

Right then he heard a knock on the door. He mumbled a hasty 'come in' before closing the laptop screen.

"Sir the files." Nandini walked in with a few files in her hand.

"Keep them on the table and follow me." He said as he got up from his chair and walked out of his cabin. She did as he said and followed him.

They entered the elevator and both of them were reminded of yesterday's elevator incident. Awkwardness filled the atmosphere and neither of them spoke, not until the elevator door closed and the elevator started to descend.

"Sir where are we heading to?" she asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"To the second floor." he answered .

"I can see that sir but why are we going there?" she asked as politely as she could.

"Because I want to." he said casually and that was all the conversation that they had before the elevator door dinged open on the second floor.

'Good food. Good life.' That was the very first thing that caught Nandini's eyes after she got out of the elevator. It was the company's cafeteria. She had no idea as to why she was there but she still followed behind him. He stopped at the counter.

"Are you okay with vegetable soup?" he asked. She nodded, not putting much thought as to why he asked that. He ordered two bowls of vegetable soup. Only after taking his order he made his way towards a table in the corner of the cafeteria.

"Sir I have to organize all the files. So if I am not needed here then can I just go?" Nandini asked.

"I ordered this for you. First eat." he said placing the tray on the table and taking a seat.

"Sir but-"

"Sit and eat with me." he said as he forwarded one bowl of vegetable soup towards her. Nandini looked at the soup bowl and then at him. Vegetables weren't something that she preferred to eat.

"No thanks. I don't want to eat sir." she denied but he held her hand and pulled her down, making her sit beside him.

"You should finish this soup." he paused. "You said you were okay with vegetables."

She sighed not knowing what to say. She grabbed a spoon from the holder. "Thank you for the soup." she said, taking a sip of the soup.

"Is it good or wait you could add more salt to it?" he pushed the salt sprinkler towards her and she pushed it back to him. "No thanks. It's good the way it is."

"But I read eating more salt is good for low blood pressure." he mumbled to himself.

"Did you say something sir?"

"Nothing. Just finish up the soup. If you don't finish this up, I'll double your workload." he said and she shot him a glare. "You know right you are misusing your authority."

"So what if I am? You can file a complaint later." he shrugged and reached for the mineral water bottle. "For now finish up the soup and drink water too." he pushed the bottle of mineral water towards him.

"I almost didn't notice you." Sia's voice made Manik tear his gaze from Nandini to her. "I thought you don't do little breaks and-" she paused, looking towards Nandini. "who's she?"

"Ah I just felt like taking a break today and she's Nandini, my secretary."

"Oh." she smiled, placing her drink on the table. "Hi Nandini. I am Sia Reyes, the head of planning department."

"It's nice meeting you Miss Rey-"

"Just call me Sia."

Nandini smiled. "Nice meeting you Sia."

Sia smiled and ignored the churning feeling in her stomach, seeing Manik steal glances of Nandini.

"Hmmm nice meeting you too."