Nothing was official.
Nothing was said.
And yet—
Everything had changed.
In the office—
They were the same.
Arman Khurana: cold, focused, untouchable.
Anika Kapoor: professional, composed, distant.
No one suspected anything.
Because there was nothing to see.
But in between—
There were moments.
Small.
Hidden.
Dangerous.
Like the way his eyes found her in every meeting.
Even when he pretended they didn't.
Like how he'd correct others—
But never her.
Not anymore.
Like the messages.
Short. Simple. Unexpected.
"Reached?"
"Eat something."
"Don't skip lunch."
No names.
No emojis.
But she knew.
One evening—
The office was half empty.
Anika walked into the records room to find a file.
Quiet.
Dim lights.
Shelves lined with documents.
She reached for a file—
But someone else grabbed it at the same time.
Her hand froze.
She didn't need to look.
"Again?" she murmured.
"Seems like it."
His voice.
Closer than expected.
She turned slightly.
And there he was.
Too close.
Always too close.
"You could've just asked," she said.
"And miss this?" he replied.
She rolled her eyes.
But didn't move.
Silence.
Not uncomfortable.
Not awkward.
Just… full.
"Close the door," he said quietly.
Her heart skipped.
"What?"
"Someone might walk in."
She hesitated.
Then—
Closed it.
The moment shifted instantly.
The air heavier.
Quieter.
Arman stepped closer.
Now there was barely any space.
"You're dangerous," she whispered.
"You noticed late."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the file.
"You keep doing this."
"What?"
"Acting like nothing matters… and then—"
He cut her off.
"And then?"
She didn't finish.
Didn't need to.
Arman's hand moved—
Lightly brushing her wrist.
Slow.
Intentional.
"Then I remind you," he said quietly,
"that it does."
Her breath slowed.
"Arman—"
But before she could say anything—
He pulled her slightly closer.
Not forcefully.
But enough.
"This stays between us," he said softly.
Her heart raced.
"Why?"
"Because the moment it doesn't…"
A pause.
"…everything changes."
She looked at him.
"Maybe it already has."
Silence.
Deep.
Then—
Without overthinking—
She leaned in.
Just slightly.
And this time—
He didn't wait.
The kiss was quicker.
Less hesitant.
More certain.
Like something they had already accepted.
A soft sound outside.
Footsteps.
Voices.
They broke apart instantly.
Distance.
Reality.
Anika stepped back.
Breathing uneven.
"You're right," she whispered.
"This is dangerous."
Arman looked at her.
Calm.
But his eyes—
Not calm at all.
"Still want to stop?"
A pause.
Then—
She shook her head.
"No."
And that was their answer.
Because this wasn't something they could walk away from anymore.
It was hidden.
Unspoken.
Uncontrolled.
And sooner or later—
Someone was going to notice.