The office felt different that day.
Or maybe—
Riya felt different.
She sat at her desk, pretending to focus on her work.
But her thoughts kept drifting.
To him.
To Arjun.
To the way he looked at her yesterday.
"Don't try to understand me…"
His words echoed in her mind.
"Ugh… why am I even thinking about him?" she muttered softly.
"Miss Riya."
She looked up.
And her expression changed instantly.
Nisha.
Standing there with a confident smile.
"Hi," Nisha said casually.
"Hi," Riya replied.
Nisha leaned slightly on the desk.
"So… how's work going?"
"Fine," Riya said.
"Really?" Nisha smiled. "Because working with Arjun isn't exactly 'fine' for most people."
Riya gave a small nod.
"I'm managing."
Nisha's eyes studied her carefully.
"Interesting," she said.
Riya frowned slightly.
"What?"
"Nothing," Nisha replied. "Just… you seem different."
"Different?"
"Stronger," Nisha said. "Most people don't last this long with him."
Riya didn't know what to say.
Just then—
The cabin door opened.
Arjun stepped out.
His presence alone changed the atmosphere.
Everyone became alert.
Professional.
Focused.
His eyes moved across the office…
And stopped on Nisha.
For a brief moment—
His expression softened.
"Arjun," Nisha said with a bright smile.
Riya noticed it.
That small change.
That difference.
"Come," Arjun said. "We need to talk."
Nisha nodded and followed him into the cabin.
The door closed.
And Riya just sat there.
Staring.
At the closed door.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
Still no sign of them.
Riya tried to focus on her work.
But her eyes kept drifting toward the cabin.
What are they talking about?
Why is she so comfortable with him?
Why does he act different around her?
Her grip tightened on the pen.
Why do I even care?
Inside the cabin…
(Meanwhile)
Nisha sat comfortably on the chair.
"You've been busy," she said.
Arjun leaned back.
"As always."
Nisha smiled.
"But not too busy for me, I hope."
Arjun didn't respond.
Instead, his gaze shifted slightly…
Toward the glass wall.
Where Riya's desk was visible.
Nisha noticed.
And smirked.
"Oh…" she said softly.
"So that's what's going on."
Arjun's expression hardened.
"Don't start," he warned.
Nisha laughed lightly.
"I didn't say anything."
But her eyes said everything.
Outside…
Riya couldn't take it anymore.
She stood up.
I need some air.
As she walked toward the exit—
The cabin door opened.
She stopped.
Nisha walked out.
Smiling.
Confident.
As if she belonged there.
Riya felt something twist inside her chest.
A strange, uncomfortable feeling.
One she didn't like.
"Riya," Nisha called.
Riya looked at her.
"Yes?"
Nisha walked closer.
"You're doing a good job," she said.
"Thank you," Riya replied.
Nisha leaned in slightly.
"But don't get too comfortable."
Riya frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Nisha smiled again.
"That position…" she said softly, "can be taken anytime."
Before Riya could respond—
Nisha walked away.
Leaving behind a heavy silence.
Riya stood there.
Confused.
Annoyed.
And something else.
Something new.
Something dangerous.
Jealousy.
"Miss Riya."
She turned.
Arjun stood there.
Watching her.
"Yes, sir?" she said quickly.
"Meeting at 6 PM," he said. "Be ready."
Riya nodded.
"Of course."
He turned to leave—
Then paused.
"Don't be late," he added.
Same cold tone.
Same distance.
As if nothing had changed.
But for Riya—
Everything had.
As she sat back down…
Her thoughts became clear.
Sharp.
Unavoidable.
I don't like her being close to him.
She froze.
Her own realization hitting her hard.
No.
This wasn't good.
Not at all.
Because the one rule of this deal was—
No feelings.
And she was already breaking it.