Scene 1: Lunch Break Drama
The lunch break bell rang, echoing through the glossy hallways of Veerayut Corporations. Employees poured out of their cabins and meeting rooms, the air suddenly laced with the scent of cafeteria food and casual chatter.
In the middle of the hustle, Thanwa leaned against the wall with a mischievous grin. Pakorn, standing beside him with his arms crossed, looked more like a bodyguard than a co-conspirator.
"Operation Love, Phase 2 begins now," Thanwa whispered, rubbing his hands together excitedly.
Pakorn sighed. "I'm only here because you bribed the pantry guy and said you'd drag me into the plan whether I liked it or not."
"That's the spirit," Thanwa said with a wink. "Just imagine the look on Big Bro's face."
Pakorn didn't answer, but the slight raise of his eyebrow suggested reluctant interest.
They had arranged for a "reserved" table in the cafeteria. Officially, it was meant for four people. But conveniently, only two chairs had been left when the time came.
Aarohi, balancing her lunch tray, scanned the bustling cafeteria. Most tables were full, and the only one with a spot was—oh no. That one.
There sat Rithvik, tall and composed, sipping black coffee like the world didn't exist.
Aarohi hesitated. Should I…?
Before she could turn away, Thanwa was suddenly beside her, resting a casual hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Aarohi, there's a seat there. Come, come! Don't be shy," he said, grinning like it was the most natural thing in the world. From behind, Pakorn stepped forward with his usual calm voice.
"We were just about to sit too... but someone from the IT department urgently called us." His tone was flat, almost robotic, like he didn't believe his own excuse—but he was still going through with it.
Before she could object, they subtly guided her forward and poof—vanished.
Aarohi blinked. Then looked toward Rithvik, who had now raised his eyes to meet hers.
"Sit," he said softly. Not cold. Not commanding. Just… calm.
Without a word, he pushed the chair out for her.
The cafeteria seemed to hold its breath.
An intern. Sitting with the CEO?
Aarohi's cheeks flushed, but she obeyed, sitting down quietly and unwrapping her lunch. She kept her head down.
The silence was awkward, filled with the hum of conversation and distant cutlery.
To break the ice, Aarohi gathered her courage.
"Sir… the file from marketing… I arranged it by—"
"You already submitted it. No need to talk about work during lunch," Rithvik replied. His voice was quieter than usual.
She nodded quickly. "Right. Sorry."
He noticed her trembling fingers about to knock over her water glass. Without a word, he reached over and gently moved it to safety. Their fingers brushed briefly.
Aarohi stilled. Her eyes widened.
Rithvik didn't flinch. He didn't withdraw his hand as quickly as he usually did. He just… looked at her.
And she looked away, her heartbeat thumping in her ears.
From behind a nearby pillar, Thanwa whispered dramatically, "He touched her hand. He did not flinch. That's character development!"
Pakorn, beside him with his arms crossed, gave him a side-eye. "We are wasting office hours for this."
"Not wasting. Witnessing history," Thanwa beamed.
Pakorn didn't answer, but he didn't leave either.
Across the cafeteria, Rhea, arms folded, narrowed her eyes. "What are those two up to now…"
Back at the table, Aarohi nervously picked at her chapati.
"Sir… thank you. For earlier. With the files. And… everything."
Rithvik turned to her slowly. His expression softened, just a little.
"You're doing your job well. Don't let noise distract you from it."
Her breath caught. It wasn't a compliment, but it wasn't cold either. Coming from him—it felt personal.
"Thank you, sir," she said, more quietly now.
He nodded once, taking a sip of water.
Behind the pillar, Thanwa turned dramatically to Pakorn. "Okay, that's our cue. Romance level: simmering. I say, mission successful."
Pakorn sighed again. "I need new hobbies."
But even he didn't look away.
The scene faded into a hum of whispers across the cafeteria:
"Did you see the CEO pull her chair?"
"They were talking. He wasn't even frowning."
"I think he moved her water glass. Isn't that, like, peak soft-boy behavior?"
In the center of it all, Aarohi's heart beat a little faster—not out of fear or embarrassment, but something warmer. Something unfamiliar.
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Scene 2: Restricted Area – Love in Progress
The post-lunch buzz was alive in the cafeteria, and Rhea was determined to get the scoop. She adjusted her kurti sleeves like a soldier going to war and headed straight toward Aarohi's table, where she sat next to none other than Rithvik Veerayut, the stone-faced CEO who just shared a lunch with a mortal being. The audacity.
But before Rhea could take three steps—
"STOP!"
Two figures blocked her path.
Thanwa, grinning like a child who just found free candy.
Pakorn, arms crossed, eyebrows raised, face reading: Why am I doing this? Oh right—Thanwa.
"Uh, hi?" Rhea blinked at them.
"Restricted zone," Thanwa said, throwing his arm out like a security barrier.
Pakorn sighed deeply and muttered, "Thanwa, this is unnecessary…"
"Nope!" Thanwa cut in cheerfully. "She's a threat to the moment. Emotional interference. Eyes sharp, ears sharper."
"I just want to say hi to Aarohi," Rhea replied, confused.
Thanwa leaned in dramatically. "Say hi later. They're digesting emotions."
Pakorn rubbed his temples. "Thanwa, we're in an office cafeteria, not shooting a K-drama."
Rhea tilted her head. "Are you seriously stopping me from going to my best friend?"
Thanwa stepped forward. "This is not about you, Rhea. This is about the cosmic balance of love. You go now—boom! Vibe ruined."
Pakorn looked away, muttering under his breath, "Why am I here? I'm supposed to be checking budget files."
Rhea narrowed her eyes. "Pakorn, don't tell me you believe in this madness."
Pakorn, deadpan: "I don't. I'm here because if I don't stop him, he'll probably climb on the table and declare a love emergency."
Thanwa gasped. "Ooh, that's not a bad idea."
Pakorn gave him a glare. "Don't."
Rhea grinned. "So, you're babysitting your younger brother while he plays Cupid?"
"Exactly," Pakorn replied with complete exhaustion. "I've given up arguing. This is my fate."
Thanwa whispered like a spy, "Phase three: barrier intact. Target successfully distracted."
Pakorn responded dryly, "Phase four: my patience evaporating."
Rhea tried to move past again.
Thanwa blocked her. "Nope. Sorry. You'll thank me later."
"I will not," Rhea said with a glare.
Pakorn pulled out his phone and pretended to text. "Remind me to never follow Thanwa again."
Thanwa leaned toward Rhea and winked. "Come on, Rhea. Just a little more time. They're bonding. Let him hold a hand or drop a pen or accidentally brush shoulders."
Pakorn said flatly, "Thanwa, this isn't a fanfiction."
Thanwa beamed. "Yet!"
Rhea rolled her eyes. "You two are the weirdest pair of brothers I've ever seen."
Pakorn added, "Tell me about it. I'm the only sane one in this family."
At that moment, a junior intern carrying coffee tripped slightly, spilling a little on the floor near them. Thanwa immediately jumped in front of the spill.
"Alert! Unstable flooring near emotional duo! Mop team needed!"
Pakorn sighed again. "I swear if I lose my job for this…"
Everyone in the cafeteria was now half-eating, half-watching the scene unfold like an impromptu sitcom. The moment was being enjoyed with popcorn-level energy.
Meanwhile, at the far table, Rithvik's sharp CEO gaze briefly shifted to his brothers. His jaw tightened a little. He knew. He just knew they were the cause of the cafeteria ruckus.
Aarohi, oblivious, quietly sipped her juice. She wasn't sure why she was being stared at by half the office or why his gaze kept meeting hers with a strange depth, but her cheeks were warm, and her stomach had butterflies that lunch couldn't explain.
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Scene 3: Unexpected Alliance
The cafeteria buzzed with post-lunch energy, but Rhea sat alone at a corner table, stabbing her pasta like it had personally offended her. Her jaw was tight, her eyes flicking now and then toward that table—where Aarohi and Rithvik still sat, now silently eating.
"She's just... sitting there, with him," Rhea muttered to herself. "Does she even know how much trouble he can bring?"
She didn't hate Rithvik. No. She respected him. But she didn't trust him—not with someone as soft and sweet as Aarohi.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Thanwa suddenly slid into the chair opposite her. Pakorn followed more slowly, taking the seat beside his excitable cousin with the expression of a man who would rather be anywhere else.
"Oh wow," Thanwa said, peering into her lunch. "That pasta looks like it's going through a breakup."
Rhea didn't laugh.
Pakorn looked at her evenly. "You're mad. We get it."
"I'm not mad," she snapped. "I'm concerned. There's a difference."
Thanwa leaned forward, elbows on the table, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You don't trust our bro?"
"I do trust your brother," Rhea bit out. "I just don't trust him with her. Aarohi's too... soft."
Pakorn spoke calmly. "We understand. That's why we're keeping watch."
"Keeping watch? You two are the ones who set them up like a fake couple in a drama!"
Thanwa raised his hand like a student. "Guilty. But hear me out—we just want our bro to be happy. And trust me, your friend?" He pointed toward Aarohi with a slight grin. "She might just be the only one who can melt that frozen iceberg of a man."
Pakorn nodded once. "And he's already changing. We've never seen him like this."
Rhea stared at both of them. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Thanwa put a dramatic hand on his chest. "Madam Rhea, this is not just some passing office crush. This is project eternal love. And you, dear matchmaker-in-denial, are exactly the sharp-eyed strategist we need."
Pakorn deadpanned, "He means we need your help."
Rhea looked between the two of them—Thanwa's over-the-top sparkle, Pakorn's reluctant-but-reliable support—and finally cracked a small smile. "You guys are ridiculous."
"But effective," Thanwa grinned.
"Fine," she sighed. "I'll help. But I swear, if he breaks her heart, I'm not blaming Aarohi—I'm blaming you two."
"Deal," Thanwa saluted.
Pakorn added dryly, "It was probably his fault anyway."
Rhea snorted. "Okay, what's the next step in this ridiculous matchmaking plan?"
Thanwa grinned wider. "Glad you asked. Phase 3: Accidental Team Project."
Rhea leaned back, arms crossed. "Let's hear it."
And just like that, the trio—one fiery, one dramatic, one brooding—formed the most unlikely alliance in Veerayut history.
Operation: Make the CEO Fall in Love With the Intern… had just gained its most cunning member.
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