61. Corporate War #3
Yugant stepped inside before quietly closing it behind him.
I instantly let out a relieved breath I didn't even realize I was holding.
Walking toward him, I frowned lightly. "Why weren't you picking up my calls?"
He removed his shoes and socks tiredly before stepping closer while loosening his jacket. My hands moved automatically to help him.
"I was downstairs only," he replied.
His voice sounded rougher than usual. Deep, exhausted... unfairly attractive in a way that sent a small shiver through me.
I hummed softly while watching him aggressively tug at his tie like the poor thing personally ruined his day.
"Wait," I muttered gently. "Let me do it."
My fingers moved toward his neck as I slowly loosened the tie for him.
My eyes stayed fixed on his face.
Dark tired eyes. Thick lashes. Exhaustion sitting heavily over his features.
He looked drained.
After tossing the tie onto the bed, I slowly unbuttoned his shirt and helped him shrug it off.
"Tired?" I asked, lifting my brows at him.
He hummed softly. "A lot."
Then suddenly he turned me around so my back rested against his chest.
Before I could react properly, his lips brushed against my shoulder slowly.
Warm. Lingering.
I bit my lower lip immediately, trying hard to stop the soft sound threatening to leave my throat.
His hands settled lightly on my waist while another slow kiss touched the sensitive skin near my shoulder again, softer this time, almost like he was silently trying to let go of the entire day's exhaustion through me.
And somehow... I melted a little more into his hold without even realizing it.
I turned slightly in his hold and looked at him properly.
His hair was messy from continuously running his fingers through it, eyes tired enough to show he probably hadn't rested even for a minute since I left office.
And somehow... he still looked unfairly attractive.
"Did you eat dinner?" I asked.
"Hm."
I narrowed my eyes. "That's not an answer."
He sighed before resting his forehead lightly against mine. "Not properly."
"I knew it."
Without another word, I held his hand and pulled him toward the couch near the window.
"Sit."
"Dhwani-"
"Sit quietly."
He looked at me for a second before surprisingly obeying without argument. Probably because he was genuinely exhausted.
I quickly walked out of the room and headed downstairs toward the dining area where dinner had already been arranged earlier.
The house was mostly quiet now. Probably everyone had already slept.
I reached the table and lightly touched the serving bowl to check if the food was still warm.
Cold.
I frowned instantly.
Was he really going to eat cold food after such a horrible day?
My eyes slowly moved toward the kitchen.
Then immediately away.
No. Absolutely not.
I still didn't know properly how to turn on that complicated stove, and honestly, I was scared of touching it alone.
Every single time I entered the kitchen, I somehow ended up creating more mess.
And right now, at midnight, the last thing I wanted was to accidentally burn something and wake up the entire house like some disaster announcement.
But I also couldn't give him cold food.
Urghh... this was so hard.
I had never done these things for anyone before. It was always bhai who did them for me. And when he wasn't there, I usually ate cold food myself... or sometimes barely ate at all.
I was still standing there confused when I noticed Vedika coming downstairs with Pihu half asleep restlessly in her arms.
"Hey," I said awkwardly.
Honestly, we had never really spoken properly before.
She gave me a small smile, though it didn't fully reach her eyes. "You here?"
"Yeah... actually Yugant just came back. I came to take dinner for him but..." I stopped awkwardly, unsure how to even explain my problem.
Her eyes moved toward the cold food and then back at me. "But?"
I scratched my fingers lightly against my palm. "Actually... I don't know how to heat it. And I don't want to give him cold food, so can you... I mean, if you're comfortable... help?"
God. Even asking for help felt strange.
I rarely asked anyone for anything except Yugant.And now somehow, I was doing it for him only.
"Sure," she replied softly. "Can you hold Pihu for a minute? She won't stay down."
Hold Pihu?
My eyes instantly moved toward the little girl.
Can I even hold kids properly?
I don't really like children much. They usually scare me more than they like me.
But Pihu looked quiet. Fragile almost.
And honestly... for Yugant, I could try.
I stepped closer carefully and took her into my arms.
Pihu shifted slightly, making a tiny uncomfortable sound, but she didn't cry. Probably because Vedika stayed in front of her the entire time.
A few seconds later, the little girl quietly snuggled against my neck.
Something inside me softened unexpectedly.