23. Office Surprise #3
Before he could respond, she pulled him into a tight hug.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face near his shoulder.
Rakshit slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer instinctively.
"Aksh…" she whispered near his ear, her warm breath brushing against his skin,
"why your nameplate has my name?"
Her question was soft… but it carried curiosity, emotion, wonder.
He slowly broke the hug, just enough to look at her properly.
His hands still rested on her waist.
"Not only the nameplate," he said calmly, but his eyes were intense.
For a second, she didn't understand.
Then it hit her.
Her eyes widened.
"Every… document?" she asked slowly.
"Yes," he replied without hesitation.
"Business registrations. Legal papers. Company holdings. Internal records. Wherever Rakshit Mahajan exists… Shivika exists with him."
She was completely shocked.
She looked at him as if she was seeing him for the first time.
"Aksh… why would you--"
He gently placed his finger on her lips to stop her.
She frowned slightly.
His thumb brushed her cheek gently.
Her breath hitched.
A tear escaped her eye again, but she was smiling.
Not a small smile.
A wide, glowing, emotional smile.
Because she had always wished for a husband who would use her name with his with full devotion and respect.
Not as an obligation.
Not because she wished.
But as pride.
And she got one.
"My cutie…" she whispered softly, her voice filled with affection.
Before he could react, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
He froze.
Then she leaned to the other side and kissed his other cheek.
His neck, ears, everything turned red instantly.
She giggled softly seeing his reaction.
"Ika…" he muttered lowly, embarrassed but unable to hide his happiness.
"You get shy too?" she teased lightly.
He cleared his throat, trying to regain composure.
"I don't get shy."
"Oh really?" she raised her eyebrow playfully. "Then why your ears are red, Mr. Mahajan?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled her closer again, this time resting his forehead against hers.
She smiled gently.
Before he could even reply...
Knock. Knock.
The sudden sound on the door made both of them look up.
Rakshit straightened instantly and got up from his kneeling position.
Shivika also turned toward the door and then at him. Instinctively, she held his hand and tried to stand up from the chair.
But he gently placed his hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down softly.
"Aksh, what are you doing? Let me get up and you sit here. Someone is at the door," Shivika said, trying to rise again.
"Ika, sit," he said calmly but firmly. "You don't need to overthink so much."
His tone wasn't harsh.
It was protective.
He adjusted his coat quickly, composed himself, and then looked toward the door.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Satyam and Rahul entered together.
In their hands was a beautiful bouquet of red roses and pink carnations (flowers that represent admiration and deep love) and a neatly decorated cake.
"Welcome to the Empire, Queen!" they both shouted in excitement.
Rakshit's lips curved into a broad smile.
Shivika blinked in surprise, looking first at them… then slowly at Rakshit.
"You knew?" she asked softly.
Rakshit didn't answer immediately.
He just looked at her with that familiar calm expression, the one that always meant he plans everything.
Rahul stepped forward dramatically.
"Of course, Mam! How can we let such a historic moment go just like that? The Queen entering her empire for the first time?"
Satyam walked ahead respectfully and handed the bouquet to Shivika.
"Congratulations, Shivika," he said warmly. "This is officially yours too."
Her fingers wrapped around the bouquet slowly.
She looked at the flowers.
Then at Rakshit again.
"You planned this?" she asked in disbelief.
Rakshit shrugged lightly.
"They insisted."
Rahul immediately protested.
"Sir! You told us to arrange everything!"
Rakshit gave him a look.
Rahul coughed.
"I mean… we all mutually agreed."
Shivika couldn't stop smiling.
She looked around the cabin once more.
Her portrait on the wall.
Her name on the cabin.
Her name on the documents.
A bouquet welcoming her.
A cake celebrating her.
And Rakshit standing beside her like she truly belonged there.
For the first time…
She felt like the queen of his world.
Rahul placed the cake carefully on the table in front of her.
"Sir, should we…?" he gestured toward the knife.
Rakshit looked at Shivika.
"Mrs. Mahajan, would you like to do the honors?"
She looked at him softly.
"Only if you stand with me," she replied.
He walked beside her without hesitation.
Satyam and Rahul began clapping lightly.
Rakshit placed his hand over hers as she held the knife.
Together, they cut the cake.
"Congratulations!" Rahul cheered loudly.
Satyam smiled proudly.
Shivika looked at Rakshit once more, her eyes shining.
He leaned slightly toward her and whispered quietly so only she could hear..