The office was buzzing with voices, but Aisha’s mind was lost elsewhere. Her diary, hidden in her drawer, carried lines copied from the romance novels she read every night.
“One day,” she whispered to herself, “someone will love me the way they do in books… the roses, the promises, the forever.”
Her phone buzzed. It was a short reminder: Meeting with Arhan – 11 AM.
Adjusting her dupatta, she took the files and walked into his cabin. He was seated in his chair, head bent over papers, but his eyes lifted the second she entered.
“Sit.” His voice was low, commanding.
Aisha hesitated. Why does he always make it sound like an order?
She took the chair across from him, carefully placing the files on his desk. He leaned back, watching her with an unreadable expression.
“You’re… different from others,” he said suddenly.
Her brows furrowed. “Different?”
“Yes.” His gaze darkened, piercing. “The way you avoid me… the way you hide your thoughts. It bothers me.”
Aisha’s heart skipped. She tried to laugh it off. “I’m just your employee, sir. Nothing more.”
Arhan leaned forward, his elbows on the desk, voice dropping to a near whisper.
“Don’t say ‘nothing,’ Aisha. You have no idea how much I notice you.”
Her throat went dry. She gripped her notebook tighter, forcing her voice to stay steady. “Sir… I think you’re imagining—”
The sudden buzz of his phone broke the moment. Arhan glanced at the screen — another update from his man. No boyfriend. No one close. She’s… free.
He smiled faintly, satisfaction hidden behind his calm face.
“You can go,” he said at last, dismissing her with a flick of his hand.
Aisha quickly gathered her files, but as she turned to leave, she felt his eyes still on her back, heavy and burning.
Outside, she placed her palm over her heart, trying to calm its wild rhythm.
“Why does he look at me like that?” she wondered.
“This isn’t the kind of love I read about… yet… why does it feel more real?”
And somewhere deep inside, Arhan’s thoughts echoed dangerously—
“You can hide behind your books, Aisha… but sooner or later, you’ll belong to me.”
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