The office had finally calmed down.
No more loud whispers.
No more open comments.
But the tension?
Still there.
And Anika could feel it.
More than that—
She could feel him.
Evening.
Most employees had left.
Anika stood near the large window in the empty corridor, staring outside at the fading sunlight.
Her mind wasn't at peace.
Not after what happened today.
Not after what Arman did.
Footsteps approached behind her.
She didn't turn.
"I know it's you."
A pause.
Then his voice—
"You're getting good at this."
Anika finally turned.
Arman Khurana stood there, hands in his pockets, expression calm.
But his eyes—
Still intense.
"Why did you do that?" she asked directly.
"No greeting?"
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Silence.
Then she stepped closer.
"You didn't just stop the rumors."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"You warned the entire office."
He held her gaze.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because they were wrong."
"That's not enough."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"It is for me."
"No, it's not," she said firmly.
"You could've ignored it. You've ignored worse things before."
That made him pause.
She wasn't wrong.
Anika took a breath.
"Why are you doing all this for me?"
The question hung between them.
Heavy.
Real.
For a moment—
Arman didn't answer.
Then he stepped closer.
Not too close.
But enough.
"You really want to know?"
"Yes."
His eyes softened—
Just a little.
"Because you don't deserve it."
Anika frowned.
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
"No," she whispered.
"It's still an excuse."
That hit.
For the first time—
Arman looked slightly… conflicted.
Then he spoke again.
Quieter now.
"Because when they talk about you…"
He paused.
His voice dropped.
"…it annoys me."
Anika blinked.
"Annoys you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Arman looked at her.
Really looked.
"Because I know how hard you worked for this."
Her breath slowed slightly.
"And I don't like seeing it reduced to something cheap."
The words were simple.
But they carried weight.
Truth.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
Then Anika asked softly,
"And if it wasn't about work?"
Arman's gaze didn't move.
"What do you mean?"
"If it was personal," she said.
"Would you still defend me like that?"
Silence.
Long.
Dangerous.
Arman took a step closer.
Now they were close again.
Too close.
His voice dropped to almost a whisper—
"You're asking dangerous questions, Anika."
Her heart skipped.
"Maybe I want dangerous answers."
That did it.
Something shifted in his eyes.
Something deeper.
Something he was trying not to show.
"You don't know what you're getting into."
"Then tell me."
Another step.
Now there was barely any space between them.
The air felt heavy.
Charged.
Arman's voice came low—
"If this becomes personal…"
A pause.
"…I won't treat you like an employee anymore."
Her breath hitched.
"And how will you treat me?"
His gaze dropped for a second—
Then back to her eyes.
"Not in a way you'll be able to ignore."
Silence.
Their breathing almost in sync.
The moment stretched.
Tight.
Intense.
Unavoidable.
And just when it felt like something would finally happen—
A voice broke it.
"Anika?"
Both of them stepped back instantly.
A male colleague stood at the end of the corridor.
"Client call is ready," he said.
Anika nodded quickly.
"I'm coming."
She turned and walked away.
But her heartbeat—
Was anything but normal.
Behind her—
Arman stood still.
Watching her leave.
And for the first time—
He didn't try to stop himself.
Because whatever this was…
It was no longer just business.