Neil's last words kept buzzing in my ears like a swarm of bees.
I couldn't stand in that suffocating cabin for another second.
My legs were trembling, but somehow I forced myself to move and dragged my body out of the room.
The moment I stepped outside, it felt like I had finally reached the shore after drowning in a deep ocean.
I took a long breath—but the restlessness in my chest didn't fade.
As soon as I returned to my desk, Audrey swooped in like a hawk. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"What happened, Sahana? You look pale! Did the boss threaten to fire you?"
I collapsed into my chair. Everything inside my head felt tangled.
Gripping Audrey's hand tightly, I said,
"Audrey… what I feared the most has happened! I have no escape now—I have to go to that party."
Audrey frowned in confusion.
"A party? What do you mean? Is the boss forcing you?"
I gave a bitter smile.
"Not just that… he wants to take me as his personal assistant to Uncle Kasem's birthday party.
And you know what the worst part is? Rushda will be there too! Neil… I mean, the boss… knows everything.
He knows Rushda.
He even remembers the humiliation of those 200 dollars from last night.
Now he wants to play some kind of twisted game using me."
Audrey stared into my eyes for a moment, then said seriously,
"Sahana, I don't think Neil Chowdhury is punishing you.
I think he wants to deal with Rushda in his own way.
But the question is—are you ready for that? Can you stand there beside your boss, in front of your ex?"
I couldn't answer. I picked up the glass of water from my desk and emptied it in one gulp.
Life had brought me to a crossroads where there was no easy path.
On one side—my sick mother and my younger brother Abir's responsibilities.
On the other—my self-respect… and this mysterious man with blue eyes.
Going to that party might become the biggest risk of my life. Whether it would humiliate Rushda—or drag me into a deeper disaster—only time would tell.
After office, I returned home exhausted and restless.
I went straight to the bathroom and stood under the shower, letting the cold water calm the storm inside me.
Just then, my phone rang in the living room.
With trembling hands, I picked it up.
That familiar, deep voice echoed from the other side.
Neil Chowdhury.
"Call me before coming to the office tomorrow.
No need to come directly," he said, his tone firm—like giving orders was his birthright.
Before I could respond, he added,
"I'll take you shopping.
I'll decide everything you need for the event. And don't be late tomorrow morning."
The call ended.
I dropped onto my bed, covering my face with both hands, sitting there in silence.
My mind was drowning in anxiety.
What would I do if I faced Rushda tomorrow? He would probably be there with his new girlfriend, living his perfect life.
When he left me, he had said I wasn't beautiful enough—that I didn't suit him.
Those bitter words still echoed in my ears.
How would I stand in front of him now? Would he mock me again? Or would seeing me beside Neil change his perception?
I couldn't sleep that night.
The next morning, I didn't even feel like getting ready for the office.
But what choice did I have? If I quit my job, everything would fall apart.
So I called my boss.
After picking up, he said,
"Today, after work—at exactly 4:45 PM—come to Dhaka Super Market."
He ended the call immediately.
At the office, I met Audrey again.
"You know what?" I told her, "Neil Chowdhury said I have to go shopping with him this afternoon."
Audrey's eyes lit up with excitement.
"What! He asked you to come at 4:45? That's a huge opportunity! Enjoy shopping however you like today!"
I glared at her in irritation.
"Are you serious, Audrey? I'm in trouble and you're joking? I'm not talking to you anymore today."
She quickly turned serious and tried to calm me.
"Sahana, I'm saying this for your good. Trust me—the boss won't get angry. He'll forget everything that happened.
Just wait and see."
I sighed deeply and looked out the window.
"The event is tonight at nine. He wants me to stand beside him as someone close.
I don't know what to do… Should I pretend to be his partner and make Rushda jealous? Or is something else going to happen?"
After office, I rushed home, took a shower, and got ready. While I stood in front of the mirror fixing myself, my phone rang again.
I already knew who it was.
Neil.
"Sahana, I told you to come quickly. Don't delay—come straight to Dhaka City Market."
I hated the way he ordered me around. It built a quiet anger inside me. But I had no choice.
Suppressing that anger, I got ready quickly and headed toward the market.
Only one thought echoed in my mind—
Where would this shopping… and tonight's party… take my life?