Riya sat at her new desk, trying to focus on the files in front of her.
But her mind refused to cooperate.
Personal assistant? Seriously?
Out of all the roles, Arjun had chosen this one.
Which meant one thing—
She would have to deal with him all day.
"Great…" she muttered under her breath.
"Miss Riya."
His voice.
Cold. Sharp. Commanding.
She closed her eyes for a second.
Here we go again…
"Yes, sir?" she said, standing up quickly as she entered his cabin.
Arjun didn't even look at her.
"Where's the report I asked for?"
Riya frowned slightly.
"Report? You didn't give me any report."
Now he looked up.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"And you didn't ask either," he replied calmly.
Riya was stunned.
Is he serious right now?
"How was I supposed to know?" she asked, trying to stay calm.
Arjun leaned back in his chair.
"That's your job," he said. "To know things before I say them."
Her patience was running out.
"I'm not a mind reader," she snapped.
The room went silent.
For a moment, even the air felt heavy.
Arjun's expression didn't change.
But his eyes…
They sharpened.
"Watch your tone," he said slowly.
Riya clenched her fists.
Control yourself… you need this job.
"I'm sorry," she said, forcing the words out.
Arjun stared at her for a few seconds.
Then, without another word, he pushed a file towards her.
"Prepare this. I want it done in one hour."
Riya picked it up.
"One hour? This is too much work."
"Then start now," he replied.
No emotion. No concern.
Just orders.
Riya turned and walked out, holding back her frustration.
An hour later…
Riya rushed back into the cabin, slightly out of breath.
"I've completed it," she said, placing the file on his desk.
Arjun glanced at it.
Then looked at her.
"You're two minutes late."
Riya blinked in disbelief.
"Are you kidding me? I just finished a whole—"
"Late is late," he cut her off.
Something inside her snapped.
"I've been working non-stop for an hour!" she said angrily. "The least you can do is appreciate it!"
Silence.
Arjun slowly stood up.
Riya immediately regretted raising her voice.
He walked towards her.
Step by step.
The tension in the room grew heavier with each step.
Riya instinctively stepped back…
Until her back hit the wall.
She froze.
Arjun stopped right in front of her.
Too close.
Way too close.
Her heartbeat went out of control.
"Appreciation?" he said softly.
His voice was low… almost dangerous.
"You think this is a place for emotions?"
Riya swallowed.
"No…"
"Good," he said.
But he didn't move away.
Instead, his gaze dropped for a second…
To her lips.
Riya felt her breath hitch.
Why is he looking at me like that…?
The air between them changed.
It wasn't just anger anymore.
There was something else.
Something intense.
Something she didn't understand.
Arjun's jaw tightened slightly.
Then suddenly—
He stepped back.
As if realizing something.
"Get back to work," he said coldly, turning away.
Just like that.
The moment was gone.
Riya stood there, confused.
Her heart was still racing.
"What… was that?" she whispered to herself.
Later that day…
Riya sat at her desk, trying to calm herself down.
Why does he act like this?
Cold one moment…
And something else the next.
It didn't make sense.
"Miss Riya," a female voice interrupted her thoughts.
She looked up.
A stylish woman stood in front of her, looking her up and down.
"You're the new assistant?" she asked.
"Yes," Riya replied.
The woman smiled slightly.
"I'm Nisha. Arjun's close friend."
Riya felt something strange at the mention of that.
"Oh…"
Nisha leaned closer.
"Be careful," she said softly. "He's not easy to handle."
Riya gave a small smile.
"I've noticed."
Nisha chuckled.
"Good. Then you'll survive."
As she walked away, Riya couldn't help but feel something odd.
A strange uneasiness.
As if—
This was just the beginning of something complicated.
Very complicated.