Mrs. Orasa looked at me and asked,
"If Mr. Chak asked you to go on a date with him, would you agree?"
I paused, then answered calmly,
"No. I would never go on a date with someone like him. Cold, arrogant, and he doesn't show any emotions. And actually, I have a girlfriend."
"A girlfriend?" she repeated, her eyebrows lifting. I noticed the surprised expression on her face.
"Yes," I nodded, "I've had a girlfriend for about three months now."
"I want to meet her," she said, smiling. "In two days, at 10:30, in the conference room."
"She's from Europe," I replied, quickly thinking of a lie. "I don't know if she'll be able to come."
"Even more interesting," Mrs. Orasa grinned.
I felt Chak's eyes on me. He had been silent, just watching.
Then, in a firm tone, he said,
"I thought you came here for business, not to interrogate Niran about his private life."
"That's true," she responded smoothly. "I came to check the prices for the new products for the Japanese market. Some are far too high. We'll talk about that in two days."
With that, she stood and said,
"See you in two days," and walked out.
Once we were sure she was gone, Chak turned to me and said,
"I didn't know you had a girlfriend."
"Mhm," I mumbled.
"And what's her name?"
I smiled. "Chaky."
Chak stared at me for a second, then let out a soft laugh and said,
"Let's eat. I'm hungry." He took my hand and led me outside to the garden table, where plates, glasses, and trays of food were already waiting.
"Smells amazing," I said, sitting down across from him.
As we began to eat, Chak looked at me and asked,
"So... where are you going to find a European girlfriend?"
I grinned. "I'm wondering that myself. But I'm not worried. If I don't find one, I'll just say she got sick… or something came up."
Chak gave me a thoughtful look. Then he said,
"I hope your plan works. But if it doesn't, I'll just get up and kiss you in front of everyone."
I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Actually… I like that plan better."
After we finished eating, I gathered the plates, and Chak helped me carry them to the kitchen. As I started loading the dishwasher, he stopped me.
"We don't have time for dishes," he said, glancing at his watch. "We have to leave."
"Alright. What about the bags of sweets?"
"We'll deal with them after work," he answered.
We walked to the car and got in. As Chak drove, I kept glancing at him. Slowly, I moved my hand closer to his on the gearshift.
He noticed.
"If you keep looking at me like that while I'm driving, I'll have to kiss you," he said.
I blushed, but said nothing. Then, without a word, he reached over and gently took my hand in his.
When we pulled into the parking garage, he turned to me and said softly,
"Next time, you can hold my hand whenever you want. Don't be afraid. You're mine."
"You mean a lot to me," I whispered. "No matter what people say or will say about you."
"And when we get home," he added, "I want your kiss."
Still holding my hand, I lifted his fingers and pressed a soft kiss to them.
Then I stepped out of the car, still feeling the warmth of his touch.
Back inside, as I approached my desk, something caught my attention the green folder. I always left it slightly to the left. Now it was perfectly centered.
Frowning, I slid it aside… and underneath, I found a small folded note.
I opened it.
"Don't forget the pajamas. —Kit"
A smile tugged at my lips. Typical Kit. I tucked the note into my pocket and shook my head.
I had just started reviewing tomorrow's schedule when I saw Vikran walk in — calm, confident, and too smooth, like always.
He came straight to me.
"Is Chak inside?"
"Yes," I replied neutrally. "In his office."
Vikran nodded and walked past me without another word.
I watched him for a second longer than I meant to not out of interest, but… wariness. Something about him always felt too perfect. Too polished.
And today, I wasn't in the mood for polished.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed. It was an internal call from Chak.
"Niran," his calm voice said, "can you bring me the product declaration documents?"
"On my way, sir," I replied, standing up.
I took the folder from the cabinet and walked to his office. The door was slightly ajar, so I knocked before stepping inside.
Chak and Vikran stood shoulder to shoulder, looking at something on the screen. For a moment, my heart clenched their arms almost touching.
"I brought the documents," I said, my voice lower than usual.
Chak turned immediately, his eyes locking with mine steady, warm, intentional. The jealousy that had just begun to rise melted in an instant.
"Thanks," he said softly.
Vikran's phone buzzed. He checked it and said,
"I have to go."
He turned to Chak. "We'll continue later."
Chak gave a small nod. "Sure."
Vikran walked past me and out the door without a glance. I didn't watch him. Chak's eyes had never left mine.
I stepped closer to the desk and laid the folder down gently.
"Your documents, sir," I said formally and turned as if to leave.
But just as I reached the door, I paused leaned in ever so slightly and whispered,
"My Chaky."
Only loud enough for him.
In the reflection on the glass, I caught it: a subtle shift in his face. His serious expression softened. His eyes grew warmer. Then, just as quickly, the mask returned.
I walked out with a quiet smile.
Back at my desk, I gathered a few reports to staple but of course, we were out of staples for the hole punch.
I sighed and headed down the hall to the supply room. As I opened the cabinet and began rummaging through drawers of sticky notes, pens, and paper clips, the door creaked behind me.
I froze slightly and turned expecting maybe Kit.
But it wasn't Kit.
Someone stepped in… and closed the door behind them.
My heart skipped.