The next morning felt… unreal.
Not because something big happened.
But because something had finally changed.
Anika stood in front of the mirror.
Staring at herself.
Same face.
Same expression.
But her mind—
Kept going back to last night.
The terrace.
His words.
That kiss.
She closed her eyes for a second.
Took a breath.
"Focus, Anika…"
Office.
Everything looked normal.
People working.
Phones ringing.
Meetings going on.
But for her—
Nothing felt normal.
The moment she stepped inside—
Her eyes searched for him.
Without even realizing.
And there he was.
Inside his cabin.
Talking on a call.
Calm. Composed.
Like always.
Like nothing had happened.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Seriously?
A few minutes later—
"Ms. Kapoor."
His voice.
Professional.
Distant.
She walked into his cabin.
Closed the door.
Turned to him.
"You're acting like nothing happened."
Arman leaned back in his chair.
Expression controlled.
"Something did?"
Her eyes widened.
"Are you serious right now?"
He stood up slowly.
Walked toward her.
Each step measured.
"Last night happened," he said quietly.
"Then why are you acting like this?"
"Like what?"
"Like it meant nothing."
Silence.
Then—
Arman stepped closer.
Close enough to lower his voice—
"Because this is the office."
That paused her.
"And?" she challenged softly.
"And here… things stay professional."
Her heart dropped slightly.
"So outside this office, you say things like that…"
A pause.
"…and here, you pretend nothing exists?"
Arman's jaw tightened.
"It's not that simple."
"Then make it simple."
Silence.
Heavy.
Anika stepped closer.
"You said you were done pretending."
"I am."
"Then don't."
That hit.
Because she wasn't wrong.
For a moment—
Arman didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Then suddenly—
He reached out.
Pulled her slightly closer.
Not enough for anyone outside to notice.
But enough for her to feel it.
His voice dropped—
"You want me to act normal?"
Her breath slowed.
"Yes."
"This is normal for me here."
Her heart raced.
"Then what about there?"
A pause.
Arman leaned closer.
Barely an inch between them.
"There…" he whispered,
"I don't hold back."
Her breath hitched.
But then—
He stepped back.
Just like that.
Distance restored.
Control back.
"Meeting in ten minutes," he said normally.
"Assemble the files."
Anika stood there.
Frustrated.
Confused.
And something else—
Pulled toward him even more.
As she turned to leave—
His voice stopped her.
Soft.
Almost unnoticed.
"Anika."
She paused.
Didn't turn.
"Last night didn't mean nothing."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
But she didn't reply.
She walked out.
But this time—
A small smile touched her lips.
Because now she knew—
He wasn't ignoring it.
He was just… not ready to lose control again.
And that?
Made things even more dangerous.