ch 9 Return
The heavy oak door groaned as Ashiana pushed it open, her hesitant knock barely audible over the soft hum of the air conditioning.
Inside, Aarav sat behind his massive desk, jacket draped casually over the chair, sleeves rolled to his elbows. His storm-grey eyes lifted, sharp and unreadable, the quiet weight of his gaze pressing down before a word was spoken.
So she finally came. Nervous, defiant, achingly stubborn... and utterly predictable, he thought.
"You called me, sir..." she said softly, stepping closer, clutching her bag like a shield.
Why is he looking at me like that? As if he can see right through me... ugh, stay calm, Ashiana. Don't let him see you falter, she chided herself silently.
Aarav leaned back, studying her. His fingers drummed lazily against the desk, each metallic clink of his ring deliberate, a subtle rhythm that seemed to mirror the tension in the air.
Without a word, he slid two small objects across the polished surface her silver bracelet, the tiny star charm glinting faintly, and the delicate anklet catching the office light. They stopped just at the edge, directly in front of her.
"You've been... dropping things," he said finally, voice low, smooth, edged with amusement. He tapped his ring against the deskclink. "Careless habit, intern. One day, you'll lose something more important than jewelry."
Her eyes flicked between the items and him, a flush creeping across her face. Oh god... he found them. I dropped them... and he noticed... why... why me? She huffed silently.
Predictable. Careless. And still... infuriatingly captivating, he thought, watching her small gestures the subtle tremble of her hands, the sharp inhale when her stomach twisted again from nerves.
She moved forward slowly, picking up the bracelet first. "Ohh... aapke office mein chori bhi hoti hai? Aapko pata bhi hai... aapki chori ki wajah se mujhe kitni problem hui," she said, narrowing her eyes, tilting her head with accusation.
Careful... don't show fear. Stand your ground. He can't know he gets under your skin, she reminded herself internally.
Aarav's lips curved into the faintest flicker of a smile. Defiance... right under my nose. Delicious.
"Chor?" he repeated softly, testing the word on his tongue. A low, quiet chuckle escaped him, dangerous and unreadable. "Of all the names people have called me... that's a first."
He tapped his ring once moreclinkthe sound sharp in the heavy silence.
"You think I go around stealing trinkets, intern?" His tone was calm, deliberate, but heavy, as if daring her to push further. "If I wanted something from you..." His gaze dipped briefly, deliberate, then rose again to lock with her eyes. "...you wouldn't even realize it until it was already mine."
A long pause. Then, that faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"But perhaps I should thank you. You leave... reminders of yourself in my path. Bracelets. Anklets. Maybe tomorrow... something else."
Her eyes widened, narrowing as she crossed her arms, flicking her hair back. "Excuse me... main koi careless, waresless nahi hoon. Aur mujhe koi shauk nahi hai apni important cheez khone ka... aur vo bhi aapke paas... No. Neverrrr."
Aarav's gaze followed the movement, noting the sharp flick of hair, the line she drew between them with folded arms. Bold. Naive. And utterly irresistible.
For a long moment, he said nothing, leaning back in his chair, one arm draped casually over the armrest, the other fingers drumming slowly.
"No... never?" he repeated, savoring the word, letting it hang. He leaned forward, elbows on the desk, voice dropping low. "...that confidence of yours... let's see how long it lasts in my world."
"In your world? Excuse me... zyada hawa mein mat udo samjhe. Boss ho to boss raho. Zyada 'my world' bolke sar pe chadne ki zarurat nahi hai," she shot back, rolling her eyes.
Ugh... why does he make everything feel like a challenge? Stay focused... don't let him enjoy this, she thought, pressing her back straighter despite the nervous flutter in her chest.
The cabin seemed to contract, his presence wrapping around her like invisible chains. He tilted his head, memorizing the exact moment she dared to challenge him.
"Careful what you declare so loudly, Ashiana Sharma," he said, calm, dangerous. "Life has a way of making people eat their words."
and one day i will eat you up.. she thought and huffs
A soft buzz from his phone broke the tension. He swiped it away with one deliberate motion, his attention snapping back to her.
"Now..." he said smoothly, voice low and commanding. "Do you plan to stand there and argue all evening, or will you do the work you're here for?"
She's fire, and I haven't even begun to burn her yet, he thought, storm-grey eyes sharp, tracing her every subtle reaction.
Keep your cool... one word at a time, Ashiana. Don't let him intimidate you. He can't control you... not entirely, she reminded herself, eyes narrowing as she squared her shoulders.
then Aarav slids a file at desk in front of her and gesture her to sit and adds, '' So .. lets begin''
he said with smirk leaning back to chair hand steeped under his chin elbows on armrest of his chair
a sweat bead on her temple but she quickly wipes it off clears her throat and held her chin high like saying THROW ANYTHING I WILL NOT FLINCH