The morning sun was filtered through the heavy velvet curtains, but the atmosphere in the penthouse was unusually quiet. No alarm clocks, no frantic shuffling for files. Myra stirred, feeling the dull, heavy ache in her lower back. She realized she was alone in the massive bed, but the spot beside her was still warm
She sat up, wincing as a cramp flared. She checked the time—8:30 AM.
"I have to get to the office," she whispered to the empty room. "I have to find the real files. I have to..."
The bedroom door opened. Reyansh stood there, already dressed in a charcoal turtleneck and slacks, but he wasn't wearing his suit jacket. He was holding his laptop in one hand and a glass of warm water in the other.
"You aren't going anywhere," he said, his voice a low, firm rumble. "I've moved my meetings to the study. I'm working from here today. And you are staying in this bed."
Myra felt a flush of heat. "I... I'm out of... supplies. I need to go to the store."
Reyansh's jaw tightened. He looked at her pale face and realized this was a crisis he couldn't delegate to his secretary without raising eyebrows. "Stay," he commanded. "I'll handle it."
Ten minutes later, Reyansh Khurana was standing in the "Personal Care" aisle of a pharmacy three blocks away, looking like he was inspecting a structural failure in a bridge. He was staring at a wall of pink and purple boxes with a terrifying intensity.
"Pads... wings... overnight... ultra-thin..." he muttered, his brow furrowed as if he were decoding an enemy cipher.
"Mr... Mr. Khurana?"
Reyansh froze. He turned slowly to see Priya, a junior designer from his own firm's marketing wing. She was holding a bottle of shampoo, her eyes wide with absolute shock. To her, seeing Reyansh Khurana in the "period aisle" was like seeing a lion in a grocery store
"Priya," Reyansh said, his voice instantly dropping into his freezing, corporate tone. He stood taller, trying to look like he was there on official business. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at your desk?"
"I... I was just grabbing something before work, Sir!" she stammered, her gaze sliding to the boxes he was holding. "Are you... do you need help, Sir? The ones you're holding are for light flow, but if it's for—"
Reyansh's ears turned a deep, betrayed red. He didn't let her finish. "I am conducting a market analysis on... consumer packaging," he lied, his voice like ice. "However, since you are here... which of these is the most 'comfortable' for someone in pain?"
Priya blinked, realizing her terrifying boss was actually on a mercy mission. She pointed to a specific brand. "Those ones, Sir. With the wings. And honestly? If she's in pain, get her some chocolate. Dark chocolate. It helps."
Reyansh nodded curtly. "Continue your analysis, Priya. And if a single word of my 'market research' reaches the office, your career will follow."
"Yes, Sir! Crystal clear, Sir!" she squeaked, scurrying away to tell her best friend immediately.
Reyansh didn't just buy the ones Priya suggested. He bought a basket's worth. If he was going to do this, he was going to do it with the same overkill as a corporate takeover.
Myra was drifting off to sleep when she heard the heavy thud of bags. She sat up to see Reyansh walking in, looking slightly disheveled and carrying enough supplies to stock a hospital.
"What did you do?" she gasped.
Reyansh began unloading the haul onto the bed. First, a mountain of pads and tampons in every possible variety. Then, three different tubs of dark chocolate sea salt ice cream. Then, six bars of 80% cocoa chocolate.
Finally, he reached into the last bag and pulled out a large, incredibly soft, cream-colored teddy bear. He cleared his throat, looking everywhere but at her.
"The... staff I encountered suggested sugar. And the bear is a functional cushion for your abdomen," he muttered, tossing the fluffy toy toward her. "It provides consistent pressure
Myra looked at the pile of products and the teddy bear. She looked at this powerful, arrogant man who had just risked his reputation in a pharmacy for her.
"You bought a teddy bear, Reyansh?" she teased softly, a small smile breaking through her pain.
"It's an ergonomic support tool," he snapped, though the tips of his ears were still pink. He sat on the edge of the bed, opened one of the chocolate bars, and held a piece to her lips. "Eat. You look like you're about to faint."
As she took the chocolate, the "Ice King" opened his laptop, beginning a high-level conference call while sitting right next to her.
"Yes, Minister, the Seafront Project is on track," he said into his headset, his voice returning to its cold steel. But under the covers, his hand reached out and found her foot, squeezing it gently.
Author's Thought
THE PHARMACY WITNESS! 😱🏢 Priya is definitely going to leak this to Sarah! The "Ice King" was spotted buying pads—the office is going to explode with rumors! 🚩➡️💖