A few minutes after Kate left, I walked into Brae's cabin. Entering, I saw her sitting on the desk with her head in her hands. She was gripping her hair in her hand.

"Ms. Taylor." On seeing me she straightened up but there was a slackness in her movement as if she was exhausted.

"Here are some files. I want these to be done within two days. And on Sunday, you're coming with me for lunch."

"Is it a lunch meeting?" She asked.

"No. Only you're coming." I said.

"I need to work on these files on the weekend to complete it by Monday. I won't be able to come." I rolled my eyes. Of course she was coming. I wanted to talk to her .

"So, You're going to manage your schedule and come." I ordered in a bossy tone.

"I can't." She gritted through her teeth.

"Are you disobeying me Ms. Taylor? Have you forgotten that I am your boss?" I folded my hands across my chest and this seemed to snap her patience.

"No I haven't. I know you are my boss and I am still saying I won't be able to come." I raised my eyebrows at her. She continued with her speech.

"What will you do? Fire me because I am trying to complete my work instead of going on a lunch with my boss? Do it. Make sure that I don't get a job anywhere else on this damn planet ? Do it. Do whatever you bloody can!" My eyebrows creased at her sudden outburst. This was the second time in a day that her anger seemed to go out of her control.

"Brae?" I called but she was nowhere near coming to her senses.

"Whoever you look at is giving threats. That's what you are good at! Giving threats. Do it. Do everything you can to make my existence difficult! " This time I was seriously worried. Angry tears were rolling down her cheeks. Her face looked like she was about to break at any moment.

"Okay, just calm down." I tried taking a step closer to her while she moved two steps back.

"Don't. Don't show me like you care. No damn one cares. What did you think ? You're going to threaten me about my job and I-I am going to b-beg you? I won't. I bloody won't! I-" She cut herself off, her breath coming out in pants, her hands shivering. Why was she so agitated? I quickly held her arms and brought her closer.

"No." She tried taking out her arm from my hold.

"Brae, come here." Putting my hand at the back of her head I pulled her in for a hug.

"I won't." She put her head on my shoulder.

"Ssh. Calm down. You don't have to do anything. Just calm down." Her shaky hands clutched my shirt for support. I repeatedly stroked her hair to soothe her down. After some minutes I supported her to the chair and made her sit.

"Here, take it." I brought a glass of water to her lips. When she was finally a bit calmer, I decided to speak.

"Do you want to talk about anything? What made you so excited? " I kept my voice as soft as possible. She immediately shook her head.

"No, nothing. I'm fine." She was anything but fine a minute ago and the question of what was the reason behind it was plaguing my mind. I have been harsher towards her previously but she hadn't even whined. So this reaction of her's was not normal. Nevertheless I kept my curiosity aside for the time being.

"Well I think you should go home today."

"Even on the last day, I went home early. I can't go home early everyday in front of everyone." She nervously fiddled with her fingers.

"You can because I am asking you to. Nobody else has a say in it, yeah?" She nodded meekly.

"Come, I'll take you home." As soon as I said those words she protested.

"No!" My eyebrows furrowed at her perplexed reaction.

"I mean I will manage alone." She composed herself. I sighed thinking that she must be wanting to be alone. I didn't push her further.

"Fine , my driver will take you and this isn't up for discussion." I cut her off as she opened her mouth to protest.

……………..

"Oh God! How can I be so stupid?" Realisation hit me hard as I stood under the shower.

I had shouted at Evan, my boss and asked him to fire me and do whatever he wished to.

I had never lost control over my anger like this. On top of that I cursed. This could have cost me my job. It's strange how Evan helped me to calm down instead of throwing me out of the office. But I had no control over what I did at that moment. I felt crushed under huge pressure, I felt suffocated and frustration got the better of me.

Coming out of the shower, I put on some clothes . For nearly an hour I was sitting in front of my phone contemplating whether to call Evan or not. Finally gathering some courage, I did it.

"Brae." He picked up the third ring.

"Uhmm Hello." I nervously let out.

"What happened? Are you fine?" His words tugged at my heart. Was he concerned for me?

"No, I am fine. Actually I called uhh about today morning."

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" I wanted to but I couldn't.

"No, I called to apologise. It was highly unprofessional of me to burst at you like that. I am extremely sorry for my incompetence. I shouldn't have let my personal reasons affect my professional ethics. I promise to never-" I was cut off by him.

"Shut up." I wasn't sure of what I heard.

"Huh?" My confusion came out in my question.

"Breathe, Ms. Taylor." He sounded amused by my mini rant.

"Right, I'm sorry." I said embarrassed.

"You can do something else instead of apologising." One of my eyebrows rose on its accord.

"What is it?" I asked skeptically.

"Lunch on Sunday." I wanted to say yes but I couldn't afford to get close to Evan.

"Uh huh, maybe frame you or your sister this time . Don't forget that I am powerful enough to do that." Kate's threat rang in my ears.

"I seriously can't. Else I won't be able to complete the work by Monday." It was true though.

"I can always extend the deadline till Tuesday." I bit my lips. Every part of me wanted to go on lunch with him. It was neither a date nor a formal meeting. I don't know what it was going to be but still I wanted to go. Maybe for the last time.

"Okay." I said, clearing my doubts.

"Great. I will pick you up at twelve. See you then." I listened to him while playing with my nails.

"See you." I hung up the phone but kept looking at the screen. The feeling was similar to when I called him for the first time in our college days. That day I kept staring at the phone for hours. I sadly smiled thinking that it was one of the last.