The moment I shut the door behind me, the noise dulls. The chaos outside fades just enough for me to breathe. I drop into my chair and grab my phone.
First call—Jayesh. He picks up on the second ring. “Hey,” I start, pressing my fingers against my temple. “So you remember the stunning chandelier you ordered?”
There’s a pause. Then a sigh. “It’s broken, isn’t it?”
I close my eyes. “Yeah.”
Another sigh. I can practically see him shaking his head on the other end. “It’s okay,” he says after a moment. “Let me talk to the supplier. I’ll text you what they say.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, relief washing over me.
We hang up.
I lean back in my chair and stare at the ceiling for a second.
Breathe. Just breathe. It’s fixable. Everything is fixable. There’s a knock on the door. Before I can respond, it opens.
Of course.
“Aryan,” I say flatly, looking up at him. “Do you know,” I add, narrowing my eyes slightly, “you are averynosy boss?”
He smiles like that’s a compliment. “I’ve been called worse,” he says, stepping inside.
I roll my eyes and lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “For someone who claims he understands nothing about design, you take a lot of interest.”
He doesn’t reply. Just watches. I huff. “You shouldn’t be here, Mr. Khanna.”
“Shouldn’t doesn’t mean couldn’t, Ms. Vyas,” he replies easily. “I want to be here.” He has the audacity to wink at me.
I roll my eyes again. “Why?” I ask. “Don’t you have anything to do?”
He laughs softly. “I am doing something.”
“Oh really?”
“I’m watching you work,” he says, completely serious. “It’s fun.”
I stare at him. Then I force a smile. “You are distracting me, Golden boy.”
I raise my eyebrows, waiting for him to take the hint. He doesn’t move. Of course he doesn’t. “Hmmm,” he hums, a smirk forming. “I’m distracting you, huh?” He walks toward me slowly, placing both his hands on the desk and leaning forward slightly. My breath catches for half a second. “Am I that good looking, Sunshine?” he asks, eyes dancing with amusement.
I let out a humorless chuckle. “I always fail to understand you.”
His smirk widens. “You want to understand me now?”
“Wow,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I have never met anyone so self-absorbed.”
Before he can reply, my phone dings. I glance down.
Jayesh:You can pick up the chandelier on Sunday. They won’t deliver it. Ishika, please see it doesn’t break this time. It’s really expensive. You’ll get 20% off though.
I exhale slowly, relief loosening something in my chest. I type back a quickThank youand look up at Aryan. “I’ll pick up the chandelier this Sunday,” I tell him. “So timelines won’t be affected.”
He hums, nodding once. Then his eyes narrow slightly. “You will pick it up…all by yourself?”
I nod. He hums again, thinking. “I’ll accompany you.”
“No—”
