I groaned and woke up. I slowly opened my eyes when sunlight hit my face. I stretched my arms and felt a little prick on my shoulders. But it felt better than yesterday. I looked around and saw that I was alone in the room. I don’t know when he left the room. I was too exhausted to stay awake. I went to the bathroom did my business. I wore a black slacks and a matching off white blouse and went down stairs. I went to the kitchen to see what breakfast Nirmala made today.

When I entered kitchen I saw Arohi cooking something. I frowned and cleared my throat. She turned to face me and smiled. I smiled back. “Where is Nirmala?” I asked. She frowned. “Who?!! Oh the maid?” She asked while raising her eyebrows. I nodded. “She went to clean the patio. I told her that I will cook today’s breakfast.” She said smiling.

Oh now she want to cook also. I fake a smile to cover my annoyance. “So what is today’s breakfast?” I asked while walking near her. “Pancakes. Ved loves pancakes. He always wanted me to cook pancakes when we were together.” She said cheerfully but then went silent after noticing what she just said. I looked away. “I. I’m sorry. It’s just slipped my tongue.” She said awkwardly. I nodded my head and went to open the fridge. I took out the oranges and peeled them and put in the juice blender.

I took the glasses and poured it into the glasses. When I was about to pour the juice into the second glass I heard Arohi speaking. “Hmm. Ved doesn’t like orange juice.” I looked at her. She looked at me awkwardly and bit her lips. “He always says that they are sour. I have already made his green juice. It’s in the fridge.” She said pointing her thump towards the fridge and then tucked her hair behind her ear.

I gritted my teeth in irritation and kept the blender down on the countertop. “It seems that you both have to get to know more about each other.” She said and gave a tight lipped smile. ‘Fuck off’ I really wanted to say that but in reality she is right. We both barely know each other. We haven’t even had a decent conversation as a husband and wife. She might know him well because they dated in the past. I sighed and plastered my fake smile on my face. “Yeah. We have a lot to catch up. Hmm. It’s okay I will give it to Nirmala.” I said to her. “I’m sorry if you felt bad.” She said apologetically. Yeah bitch, don’t you know that every woman will feel jealous and insecure when their husband’s Ex lives with them. I wanted to yell at her but being a good host I let it pass. “No. It’s okay.” I said and took the juice glass in my hand and walked towards the dining table.

We both were setting the dining table when Vedant walked in. “Good morning.” He said to us. “Good morning Ved.” Arohi said cheerfully. I just nodded my head. I and Arohi sat opposite to each other and Ved sat on the head seat. “I made your favourite pancakes today.” She said smiling at him and served him the pancakes. Doesn’t he have hands of his own to serve him? My grip on the fork tightened. I took a sip from the orange juice to cover my annoyed face. I took a deep breath and started to eat.

“How is it Ved? Does it still taste the same?” She asked again. I looked at my plate and filled my mouth with more pancake. Ved glanced at me but I didn’t give any reaction. I kept on eating the pancakes like I was starved for a whole month. “Yeah. It tastes good.” He said and smiled at her.

“Hmm. Arohi, Raghu will take you to the office today. You can join in finance department as a trainee. I have informed Mr.Signh. We both have to be somewhere important.” He said to her. I looked up from my plate to him. I gave him questioning frown but he ignored me. “Oh. Ok. Where are you going?” She asked. Her voice lost the cheerfulness. “Just, somewhere.” He said looking at her and smiling and then he grabbed my glass of orange juice and drank it in a go. I frowned and looked at him and then Arohi. She too was looking at him in shock and her mouth wide open. “Are you finished? Then let’s go.” He said looking at me and stood from the chair. He frowned looking at our expression. “What?” He asked. “That was my orange juice.” I told in a low voice pointing the glass. He looked at the glass in confusion. “Oh. Uh-uhm. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise. I will ask the maid to make you another glass.” He said apologetically. “Uh-uh. No. No. It’s okay.” I said shaking my head sideways and coming out of the trance.

“But you didn’t like orange juice before. You used to say that it is sour.” Arohi said. She looked annoyed and surprised. He looked at her and then the glass. A small smirk formed on his lips. “May be I am starting to like new things.” He said and glanced at me. I looked away. He kept the glass on the table. “You ready?” He asked me and I nodded. “Ok then let’s go. Bye Arohi. See you in the office.” He said to Arohi. I too gestured her with my head. She nodded in respond. We both walked out of the house. My heart was beating with a unknown happiness and I bit my lips to stop the smile lingering on my lips.

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“Where are we going?” I asked while buckling my seat belt. “You will see when we reach there.” He said and took off the car. Jerk. I was annoyed. I looked outside the window.

After about 20 minutes the car stopped in front of a villa. He gestured me to get out. We both walked towards the entrance. He pressed the door bell and a few seconds later the door opened and an old lady appeared.

“Can we meet Mrs. Ragini?” He asked the woman. She nodded and asked us to come inside. She brought us to the living room and asked us to wait till she go and get Mrs. Ragini. She went up to the staircase. We both sat there in silence. “Good morning Ved.” We both turned around to see a beautiful woman in her late 30s coming down through the staircase.

She reached us and smiled widely to Ved and they both hugged. He then turned towards me. “This is Niharika, my wife.” He introduced me to the Mrs. Ragini. “Hi. I’m Ragini” She said and extended her hand. I smiled and took it. “So you are the one who made him to wake me up in the early morning.” She said smiling. I looked at her confused. Ved glanced at me and looked downwards.

“So show me your shoulder. Ved told me that you hit your shoulder pretty badly.” She said to me. Creases formed on my forehead. She scoffed. “I’m a doctor. I’m their family doctor.” She said smiling pointing at Ved. “Oh.” I gasped in surprise. I looked at him. He was looking expressionless. She took me to her consulting room.

“Hmm. It’s just a small bruise. It will be fine in two days. I will write painkillers. Take them if it is necessary and apply ice pack and the anti-inflammatory gel two times a day.” She said after finishing checking my bruise. “Vedant was very worried. He woke me up at 4.00 am in the morning to inform me that he is coming with you for check up. I fell asleep just before the call after coming home from an 8 hour long surgery and I was so annoyed, you know. But I am also happy for him. He had find his happiness at last. You both are made for each other.” She said smiling at me. He was worried? For me?!! I gave her a small smile. I walked out of the room after fixing my dress and taking the prescription from her.

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We reached the office and took the lift. I came out when the lift reached my office floor and he followed me. I frowned. Why is he coming to our section? Is he coming to see me off?

We both walked into the office together. All the staffs greeted him with respect. I saw Mr. Signh coming out of his office in hurry and walking towards us. “Good morning Mr. Aryan.” Mr. Signh greeted Vedant and he nodded at him. “I have arranged everything perfectly for Ms. Arohi Mittal as you ordered. We will make sure that she is comfortable.” He said again and Ved nodded.

My smile dropped. So he came here to see Arohi. Yeah, otherwise why would he come? He never came here before when I was working. Now when his ex-girlfriend came to join he is personally coming to see whether she is comfortable or not. I sighed in annoyance and walked towards my cabin. I sat on my chair and switched on the desktop computer.

“Hey Ved.” I heard Arohi calling him. I puffed and started to do my work. “Hi. So, how is it? Did you like it?” He asked her. “Yeah, the office is nice and I hope the work will also.” She said and giggled. “Happy to hear that. Ok then carry on I don’t want to waste your time.” I heard him saying. “Sure. Bye.” She said and walked to her cabin. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

“So, Mr. Signh. Have you prepared the budget presentation for the new project?” Ved asked again. “Hmm. Mrs. Aryan was the one who were preparing it. I will ask her.” I heard Mr. Signh saying. They both came near my cabin. “Mrs. Aryan? Have you finished the budget presentation?” Mr. Signh asked me.

“Yes Sir, I will check it for a last time and will mail to you now.” I turned around in my chair and said to him.

“Let me see it.” Ved said and stepped inside my cabin. “Mr. Signh you can leave. I will tell Niharika if there are any changes to be done.” He said to Mr. Signh. He nodded his head and went away. I looked at him in surprise. He moved closer and I gulped. He gestured me with his eyebrows to show the presentation. I licked my dry lips and turn around in the revolving chair.

He kept his palm on the back cushion of the chair and moved the chair a little forward and lean on it. I gulped in nervousness. I knew that everyone in the office is staring at my cabin now. I was grateful that the partition is a little higher so that no one can see me. I searched the folder were the presentation was but I was too unfocused. I couldn’t find it. That’s when I felt a warmness on my right hand. I looked and see Ved’s hand was covering my hand which was holding the mouse.

He bends down to my eye level. His eyes were now focused on the computer screen. I looked at him and gulped. He moved the cursor on the screen towards the presentation file. Still holding my hands. “Focus on your screen Niharika.” He whispered. “Uh-uhm” I hummed. “Or can’t you take your eyes off me?” He asked with a smirk, still looking at the computer screen. I sighed and turn to look at the screen.

His breath were fanning my cheeks and his lips were brushing my ear. My heart was beating fast. I slowly tried moved to my left so that I could keep a little distance between us. But then he brought his other hand through my left side and held the desk caging me in.

“The presentation is good. Send me a copy later.” He said after looking at the presentation. “Ok. S... Sir.” I said. “What did I tell you to call me, Niha?!!” His breath on my neck and his lips brushing against my skin. Goosebumps raising on my neck and hands. The fragrance of spices and citrus filled my nostrils.

I was looking around to see if someone is looking at us. “No one is going to come here. Don’t worry.” He said and tucked my hair behind my ear. “It’s office time. You should go back. I will mail you the presentation.” I said gulping hard.

“Mmm- mmm. I asked you something. Answer me first.” He whispered again. His lips on my earlobe. I breathed heavily and closed my eyes. He smirked at my reaction.

He was enjoying his effect on me. I wanted to push him back but at the same time I wanted him close to me. “Mr. Aryan. Please. Someone might see us.” I whispered back. “Let them. I'm with my wife right.” He said in a seductive husky voice and removed my hair from my neck and leaned close. I gulped hard and closed my eyes. He placed a soft but lingering kiss on my neck. I gasped and bit my lips to stop the moan came to my mouth. “Ved. Please.” I plead. He smirked. “That’s my girl.” He said and moved away. He stood straight.

I sighed in relief. I looked at him. He was looking at me with his beautiful smile. “Hmm. I want to ask you something. Please don’t say no.” He said rubbing the back of his head. I frowned. “What is it?” I asked.

“Hmm. Would you like to go out with me sometime?” He asked. He bit his lower lip and raised an eyebrow looking at me. I looked at him surprised. My lips parted with amusement. Did he ask me on a date?!! Seriously?!! I blinked my eyes to confirm it’s not a dream.

He looked at me for an answer. Creases formed on his forehead when he didn’t get my reply. “It’s ok. If. If you don’t want to...” I cut him off. “I would like to go out with you.” I said smiling. His face became bright and he smiled widely.

“Ok then I will pick you up after work.” He said and I nodded. He walked out of the cabin. He turned around again and smiled at me and I smiled back. He walked backwards smiling and looking at me. He collide with somebody and the poor man dropped the files and apologized to Ved. He helped him to pick up the files and patted his shoulder. I scoffed. He again looked at me and smiled then walked out of the office. I turned around in my chair and I couldn’t stop smiling at myself. I bit my lips. Oops. Am I acting like a teenager now?

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