After Hours
11:47 PM.
The entire office floor was empty.
Lights dim.
City glowing outside the glass walls.
Silence… except for keyboard clicks.
Anika rubbed her temples.
She had been reworking the design for hours.
She wouldn't let him say she wasn't capable.
The cabin door opened.
She didn't look up.
"I've sent the revised—"
"Still here?"
His voice.
Low. Calm.
Too close.
She looked up.
Arman had removed his coat. Sleeves rolled up. Tie slightly loosened.
He didn't look like the arrogant CEO right now.
He looked… human.
"Deadlines don't scare me," she replied.
He walked around the desk, standing beside her instead of across from her this time.
Different energy.
He leaned slightly over her shoulder to look at the screen.
She felt it instantly.
His presence.
His warmth.
His cologne.
Her heartbeat betrayed her.
"You fixed the sustainability model," he said quietly.
"You said it wasn't profitable."
"It isn't."
"Then why are you looking impressed?"
Silence.
He didn't answer.
Instead, his hand reached past her — fingers brushing lightly against hers while adjusting the screen.
The touch was accidental.
But neither of them moved.
The air thickened.
She slowly stood up.
Now they were inches apart.
Too close.
Her back lightly hit the desk.
His gaze dropped to her lips.
Dangerous.
"Why are you doing this?" she whispered.
"Doing what?"
"Looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
Her breath trembled slightly.
"Like I'm not your enemy."
His voice dropped.
"Maybe you're not."
Her pulse raced.
The city lights flickered behind them.
For a second—
The war paused.
His hand slowly lifted.
Almost touching her cheek.
Almost.
And then—
The cabin door suddenly opened.
"Arman, I forgot my—"
Rhea stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes taking in the scene.
The distance.
Or lack of it.
Anika stepped away immediately.
Arman straightened.
Cold mask back in place.
"Yes?" he said calmly.
Rhea's expression hardened slightly.
"I didn't realize you were… busy."
Anika grabbed her file.
"I was just leaving."
She walked past Rhea without another word.
But her heart was still racing.
And behind her—
Arman's jaw tightened.
Because for the first time…
He didn't want to be interrupted.