19 #2
Rising, I searched for a seat that was hidden in a corner, and still gave me a view of the lift.
And as promised, fifteen minutes later, both Raina and Oliver exited the lift, and suddenly I was glad about the fact I had moved.
Because, as though her natural instinct, her eyes landed to where I’d been sitting before, and when she found a stranger there instead, I could see the smile from where I sat now.
Once they left the building, I made my way back to Rihaan’s room. This time I had a plan. One that involved my purse, and possibly, my charger.
Swiping the extra card Rihaan had handed me, I gently pushed the door open, and then I heard a voice.
“Chat, I'm telling you, that wasn't my fault.”
I’d taken a single step inside before I stopped.
Rihaan sat at the desk, headphones on, completely absorbed in whatever game he was playing.
As though sensing my gaze, his eyes flicked to me and he paused, too.
I bit the inside of my cheek, unsure what to do next.
He watched me.
I watched him.
Then I made the only sensible decision available to me. I began to close the door before his eyebrow lifted, making me pause.
A single nod, and I gulped before walking inside and closing the door softly.
Lifting his finger, he asked me to remain quiet.
“I’ll be back.”
Clicking a couple buttons on his laptop, he turned his attention back on me.
“Everything OK?”
I nodded. “I just came back to grab some stuff.”
“Is your room ready?”
“No. Late check-out. I was working in the lobby, but then Raina found me—so I had to make up a lie about there being a leak in my room,” An amused expression spread across his face.
“I told her they’d fix it in a few minutes, so I thought I’d come grab my bag and head out to a cafe or something until everything is ready.
To make sure she doesn’t catch me in a lie. ”
“Just stay here,” He said easily, his eyes still lit with amusement.
I blinked. “What?”
He shrugged.
“If you don’t mind the noise—that is.” He gestured towards the screen. “Just stay here. I don’t mind.”
I glanced at the mini gaming setup he had. “You are…gaming?”
“Streaming, actually. But the camera is facing just me, and oh—” He looked around the room once. “You can borrow my noise cancelling headphones if you want? They already have my room number downstairs to call once your room is ready.”
“I don't want to interrupt.”
“You won’t.” He replied instantly.
I hesitated.
He looked at me patiently.
Then, softer, “It’s your choice.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Headphones?”
I smiled. “I’ve got mine. Thank you.”
He gave me a nod then, and turned back to his screen.
Tucking my laptop back into my bag, I pulled out my headphones and my e-reader, before settling on the bed.
I felt his stare burn into my skin as I got comfortable, before he turned back his stream.
Unable to help myself, I flicked it back to him before he spoke again. Even though the narrator started the book, I couldn’t help but notice the ease Rihaan had sitting there. It was unlike to what I’d seen ever before.
I knew he occasionally streamed from the time I’d researched his socials for his profile, but I could never bring myself to watch him.
When I turned my focus back to my reader, letting the audio book pull me into the immersive reading, the room settled into a strange rhythm.
His voice occasionally rose from the desk, filtering through the gaps of silences between chapters.
The occasional burst of laughter, him cursing out one of his friends on the call, his little quips to his chat.
I tried to focus.
I really did.
Eventually, my eyes grew heavy.
The words blurred.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Before I let sleep took me.
A SOFT TOUCH MOVED across my cheek, making me stir.
My eyes opened slowly just as Rihaan's fingers brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
“Hey.” I blinked at him, pulling my headphones off. “What time is it?”
“Fifteen minutes to one.” He replied, pulling back.
I pushed myself upright. “Oh. Did they call?”
He nodded. “A couple minutes ago. Your room is ready.”
I looked at him, still groggy and nodded. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
I sat up properly, and only then, I realised how close he was sitting to me.
“It’s okay. You looked peaceful.”
I blinked, trying to absorb his words as the words left me. “I wish I felt it.”
Rihaan frowned. “You think you’re coming down with something?”
No. Just trying to make sense of this version of you.
Instead, I shrugged. “Maybe, or just a case of oversleeping.”
“Is there such a thing?”
I nodded. “Both under-sleeping and over-sleeping can make your metabolism slower. They both can make you more lethargic, and cause inadequate sleep. And considering, I never nap and the last week altogether—I’ve really messed up my sleep schedule.”
“Last week?”
I covered my mouth, hiding my yawn before nodding. “Haven’t slept all that well.”
“I thought it was just the night before.” He sounded smug, and if my watering gaze was to be trusted, he looked it too.
“Jet lag.” I muttered, trying to cover up.
“Now, who’s the liar?” He smirked.
“Oh, bite me.” I snapped, even though there was no real bite to my own words.
“Sure, if you’re into it.” Rihaan blinked, like realising what he’d spoken out loud. Only, he made no effort to take it back.
His gaze fell to my mouth just as my did to his, and suddenly, the temperature in the room dropped.
I became far more aware that his face was inches from mine.
Close enough that I could feel his breath.
Close enough that one small movement would have erased the space between us.
My heart hammered.
Then a knock sounded against the adjoining door, making both of jump. “Rihaan! We’re back.”
Rihaan’s gaze was still fixed on me. Like he was giving me a choice.
And there was a part of me that wanted to say fuck it to my own rules. But, it had been my father’s voice surfaced in my head with cruel precision that had brought me back to reality.
You do not cross lines with the players.
You keep this professional.
You are there to do your job.
Disappointment was evident in Rihaan’s eyes as I pulled back. Before he could reply to them, I spoke softly. “Go. I’ll be out of here in a few.”
He frowned, but gave me a nod anyway and pushed himself straight. Rounding the bed, he moved to grab his phone.
“Rihaan?”
“Yeah?” When he looked at me, I could see that I’d forced him to shut something down. I tried to enjoy the fact that I could read him just as easily as I thought he could me, but failed.
“Thanks for letting me stay.”
He gave me a silent reply before he left his room, as I remained sitting there, staring at the floor.
I wanted to kiss him.
The realisation moved through me slowly.
Whatever was happening between us, we needed to be careful.
Much more careful.
Because wanting him was one thing.
Acting on it could destroy far more than either of us had admitted.