Lunch hour.
The cafeteria was quieter than usual.
Anika stood near the coffee machine, flipping through design printouts, mentally revising measurements.
"You work late."
Her fingers paused.
She didn't need to turn to know who it was.
Rhea.
Anika calmly picked up her coffee before facing her.
"Deadlines don't complete themselves."
Rhea smiled faintly. Perfect. Polished. Controlled.
"Ambitious."
"I prefer dedicated."
Silence.
Rhea stepped closer, lowering her voice slightly.
"I'll say this directly. Arman doesn't get… distracted."
Anika's expression didn't change.
"Good for him."
"He values focus. Discipline. Professional distance."
Anika took a slow sip of her coffee.
"And?"
"And girls who misunderstand attention tend to get hurt."
There it was.
Not loud.
But clear.
Anika placed her cup down gently.
"I don't misunderstand anything."
Rhea's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're new. You don't know how things work here."
Anika met her gaze steadily.
"I know exactly how things work."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Anika said calmly, "I'm here for my project. Not for your insecurities."
The hit landed.
Rhea's smile thinned.
"Just remember your position."
Anika tilted her head slightly.
"My position?"
"You're temporary."
Anika stepped closer — not aggressively, but confidently.
"Temporary things," she said softly,
"can still leave permanent impact."
For a brief second, the tension was almost visible.
Rhea straightened.
"Don't mistake kindness for weakness."
"I never do."
Footsteps approached.
Both women stepped back slightly.
Professional masks on instantly.
Arman walked in.
His gaze shifted between them.
Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
"Is there a problem?"
Rhea smiled smoothly.
"Not at all."
Anika picked up her file.
"Everything's clear."
But as she walked past him—
She could feel his eyes on her again.
And this time—
It wasn't subtle.