SANA POV

I have been staring at the shiny wood surface for about 10 minutes now.

I huff relentlessly and dare to move my gaze up.

To my utter surprise, he is already staring at me.

"I was waiting for a hole." He mutters.

I look at him confused. A hole?

He must have noticed my confusion because he smiles and says, "you have been starting at that spot for a while now, I was just waiting for you to bore a hole there,"

I flush at his remark and look anywhere but at him.

"Okay okay, I apologize," he confessed seconds later.

"I called you here to talk to you about something important." He announces.

I look at him, waiting for an explanation.

"I know you don't have much to do here." My breathing seizes as I hear him. Did Zoya tell him something?

"I..I..." I stammer.

"So I'm thinking if you are up for it, will you work for me, as my assistant?" He asks nervously.

"Just look here, yesterday you cleaned all this but today again I'm a mess." He glares at his chaotic desk.

Papers lying everywhere, and pens wobbled over.

"Umm...but I work at a cafe at the noon, " I inform him.

"It's okay, I just need you here whenever you can and other times on call..." He further instructs.

"Your salary will increase," he adds hopefully as if I'm looking for money.

"Think about it please." he stares me down.

I jumble my mind over and think that being an assistant will keep me more occupied and tired.

"Okay!" I yell just as I realize I will be more occupied from now on.

"Don't you need more time to think?" He asks perplexed.

"I mean that's awesome, just read these documents and sign here." He passes me the set of documents and a pen.

I read the details once and skim over the conditions,

"Here it says, I will have to dress you?" I ask him.

"Ya about that, I might need help with my wardrobe too. I tend to mess up everything." He blushes. I smile seeing it.

"And about your meals?" I look over the second point.

"My mother insisted this, I often skip my meals and have junk." He rolls his eyes.

I nod in understanding and sign the documents.

"No more questions? " he asks and I deny.

"So I start now?" I ask looking at his desk.

He embarrassingly nods his head and gets to work.

"I will sit on the couch and give you space." He gets up and takes his laptop with him to the couch.

"I'm keeping the important papers over here." I point to the first draws. He looks over and nods.

As I kept cleaning his desk I kept him informed simultaneously. But looking at his confused face, I know he doesn't remember anything.

"Now what?" I ask him.

"I need a drink. Can you ask Josh for my usual.." He says massaging his head.

"Did you eat anything?" I ask him.

He thinks for a second and replies, "No but I wasn't hungry, can you just get me a drink."

I nod and walk out of his cabin.

I walk to the bar and wait for Josh to acknowledge me.

"Hey sweetie, where were you? I didn't see you for a while now?" He asks me.

"Prithvi offered me a job as his assistant," I exclaim.

"Really? Is that good?" He asks eyeing me.

"Don't you think it is too much work?" He asks upset.

"I love doing too much work," I claim.

"You're funny," he laughs off and I look at him with a smile. He thinks I'm joking.

"So what brings you here?" He asks as he brings a customer his drink.

"Umm...nothing." I smile and walk off.

He is in pain and might need something to eat with a cup of coffee.

I walk over to the kitchen and walk in.

Chefs hustle around. I walk over to the other end of the kitchen which is more secluded. It is a section for staff to cook.

I take a pan and grease it with butter and then crack two eggs. As the eggs sizzle, I prepare the coffee on the other stove.

I look around for bread and see a packet tucked in the corner. I take a loaf and put the egg on it and garnish it with some coriander.

I settle the coffee and the egg on the tray and take them to his office.

I knock twice before entering.

"What is this?" He asks looking at the tray that I settle in front of him.

"I...I thought you should eat something and black coffee... will help with your... headache." I mumble.

He stares at the food for a few seconds making me think I overstep my boundaries. I should have just done what he asked.

"Thank you," his tone was gentle and filled with sentiment.

He takes a sip of the coffee and a bite of the toast before sighing in contentment.

I smile and say," I will come later to collect the tray, " and exit his office.

Just as I exit the office, Jerry steps inside.

I make my way through the crowd in search of Zoya. I didn't see that girl anywhere.

Looking everywhere near the dance floor and still unable to find her, I make my way to the lounge area.

I see her talking to a guy. I stay a few steps behind her and wait for her but things escalate as they start to kiss.

I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. She loupe an arm around him and drag him to the washroom. I just stay put, appalled.

"Excuse me, ma'am," I hear someone.

I turn to see a beautiful girl standing there looking at me.

I smile gently and she says, " I want some help here." I look in the direction she points and sees a passed-out guy.

"I want to carry him out to the car." She says embarrassed.

I nod sympathetically.

I remember the times when I had to carry Drunk Saurav to our car when he passed out.

People use to look at me weird.

I take his one hand and loop it around my neck and the girl mimics my action on the other side.

We wobbled a few steps but then gain some momentum.

As we reach the stairs we both look at each other.

"Just watch your steps!" I yell over the music. She nods her head and we both take a step down. I ignore the stares from the crowd.

"Sana!" I stop mid-step when I hear my name.

I look up and see Prithvi and Jerry at the foot of the staircase.

Jerry rushed toward us and take the guy from me. He single-handedly carries the guy downstairs.

I follow him with the girl beside me.

Without a word, I follow them outside ad to their car.

The girl turns around before entering the cab and says, "Thank you," I can see the emotions in her eyes. I know how it would feel to meet someone who wouldn't judge you for what your husband does.

I nod with a smile and they drive away

"We have men for that work," I hear someone beside me.

I look at the source expecting to see Jerry instead find Prithvi starting at me.

"She asked me to help," I reply.

"Do you know why I ask everyone to do their work?!" There is an underlying anger in his voice.

I don't reply nor react in any way.

He rolls his eyes and says, "That man was twice your built, if by chance you guys stumble or something then all three of you would have been hurt. Do you understand that?"

I think about it and understand his point.

I nod at him and he nods back as if happy I understood his point.

"Let's go in," he announces and turns around.

I nod and follow him. We reach his office and he shuts the door behind us.

Entering in, I see Jerry already in his office.

"What happened tonight shouldn't be repeated!" He firmly orders Jerry.

Jerry look down and nod.

"And tell the staff to meet me before leaving tonight!" He adds.

Jerry is attentive and takes Prithiv's every word seriously.

He leaves after a while and Prithvi's attention shifts to me.

"Can you use a laptop?" He asks me.

I nod at him and he comments, "enter this data into the file I will just mail you."

I nod my head and see him retrieving a bag from behind his desk.

"Here," he offers me the brand new laptop.

I take the laptop from him and walk over to the couch.

I sit down and settle the laptop on the coffee table.

I proceed with working on the excel and forget about everything else.

Maybe it's after 2 or 3 hours that I lofted my gaze up from the screen and smiled at Prithvi with an excited grin.

"Done!" My voice came out loud than intended.

His gaze quickly meets mine and he smiles back.

"Show me," he stands up from his chair to walk over to me.

I hastily stand up too, only to lose my balance as my legs are numb from sitting in the same position for a while now.

Arm curves around me to provide me with the balance.

And oddly I didn't feel perplexed by his touch.

"Are you okay?" He asks taking a step back.

I nod my head and embarrassingly tucked a strand of my hair back.

He takes the laptop and reviews my work.

I stand there waiting for his approval.

"This is acceptable just a bit of modification and it will be fine." He affirms.

"I'm glad that I made the right decision, you are very useful," instantly a smile carve my face, I'm useful! Not useless. The years-long embarrassment of being a useless person shakes off within a seconds.

"Now we shall continue this tomorrow. You shall leave," he nods at me and walks back to his desk.

I stare at him to see if he is leaving too but see him settling being his desk and typing on his laptop.

A knock on the door makes me avert my gaze.

"Come in!" Prithvi exclaim and good opens up to view Zoya standing there.

"Hurry girl! We have been waiting for you! The cab leaves in a minute." She yells at me.

I sprint into action and follow her to the cab.

We both settle in and gasp for the air.

"So? I heard you are now Prithvi's assistant?" She starts the conversation.

"Yes, he offered me the position today. I thought you might have said something to him earlier about me being idle or something..." I reply.

"No, I didn't, but I'm happy that you are happy!" She smiles.

"Sana, you are one weird girl, you love working. I mean who enjoys being working every day?" She wonders.

I just smile thinking maybe when the time is right, I will tell her everything but not now.

Our ride was filled with her telling me about the guy she made out with and us talking about some random things.

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The next morning my day started the same. Waking up, had my breakfast on the balcony, got ready, and then worked in the cafe.

It was around 4 pm when I got a call.

I cautiously pick up my phone and wait for the caller to speak.

"Sana?" Hearing the voice I calm down when I relapse it's Prithvi.

"Yes?" I reply.

"I need your help! meet me at the address I'm texting you!" His voice sounded distressed.

"Now?" I ask unsure.

"Yes! Please come!" He answers tiredly and hangs up.

I look at my phone waiting for his text.

It arrived not a minute later.

It's an address to a shopping plaza.

I hurry to the counter and stand in front of Savita Aunty.

"Dear, what's wrong?" She implores.

"I have to go, Prithvi called me," I say nervously.

"Okay then, work here has been almost done. You may go," she smiles and turns to the arriving customer.

I grab my bag and leave the cafe.

I wait for the cab and enter when it arrives.

We reach the plaza in 40 minutes and I enter the plaza.

I call him to ask where to come.

"You here?" He asks.

"Yes, where do I come?" I ask him.

"You stay near the entrance I'm coming," he replies and hangs up.

I wait there patiently looking at the beautiful stores around. This is the most expensive plaza in this neighborhood. Only the wealthy comes here.

"Thank you for coming," I hear him say behind me, I whirl around to face him.

Instantly my eyes roam his body. His white t-shirt fit him like a glove.

When my eyes meet him, I see him smirking. I instant flush. Was I just caught checking him out?

"So I need your help urgently." His anxiousness returns.

"My mother has a store here in the plaza. She rarely interferes with my life. But she insisted on meeting my secretory. I can't prepare you for what's going to happen but I wish you luck!" He rambles.

I would have thought it was cute but I'm afraid to meet his mother myself.

"Just be yourself. She's not bad just a bit strict." He reassures me. But it's not happening.

I start sweating.

"I'm not good with people..." I tell him.

"You are! You just don't realize it. You are a very understanding and caring person." He comments as we walk.

"It feels like I'm introducing my girlfriend," he runs his fingers through his hair and messes them up.

I shake my head to delete that mental image. What's wrong with me?

"All the best!" He murmurs and opens the door to the store.

I'm instantly in awe of the decor of the store.

The store is in accents of gold and white which gives it a warm welcoming tinge.

Mannequins line the entrance wall with a beautiful collection of suits and sarees.

"Mumma!" My attention drifts to his voice.

I follow his gaze to view an elegant lady dressed in a beautiful red saree.

She walks over to us.

"Mumma, Sana, Sana Mrs.Hema Shaw." He introduces us.

"Good evening Maam," I greet her with a small smile.

She looks me over and then smiles.

"Come, dear, let's have a chat, Prithvi get us both some refreshments." She orders him and starts walking.

I follow her to a sitting area. It's as beautiful as any other part of the store.

"Your store is beautiful!" I can't help myself but speak up, this store demands appreciation.

"Thank you, " I see the sparkle in her eyes as she looks around with fondness.

"I know you might be nervous with this sudden meeting. But I need to see who my son has appointed," she clarifies.

"You see, I usually don't interfere in his work but I have been telling him to appoint a secretary for a while now and when he said he did, I was a bit shocked. I just wanted to meet you and see what changed his mind." I thought I detected a bit of judgment there.

"Don't get me wrong, I know my son is handsome and rich, I have seen girls throw them at him. I just didn't want someone to work for him because of her looks." She explains.

"When it comes to his work, he is very smart and attentive. But when it's about his life he is the opposite. He is careless. He doesn't eat, doesn't sleep. I'm often concerned for him." She huff. I can see her exhaustion.

"You must have seen a clause in your contract about you taking care of his meals! That's because this guy doesn't eat proper food!" She glares at his son.

I turn to see him walking over to us.

"What?! What did I do!" He is perplexed by his mother's glare.

"Nothing! Sana and I discussed it!" She huffs.

"Mumma, why do you give yourself so much tension? I'm okay!" He kisses his mother on her head and she smiles.

I smile seeing them like this.

She smiled at me and I smile back.

"Take care of him!" She murmurs and I nod.

"Now we have to go, Mumma! See you Sunday!" He kisses her again and looks at me.

I nod and stand up.

"Thank you for coming dear!" She says and I smile and nod.

I follow Prithvi out of the store when he asks, "Do you want to grab a cup of coffee?"

After such an encounter with my boss's mother, I surely need some caffeine.
.
"It wasn't that bad," when I hear him say that, I realized I just said that out loud.

What is happening to me, god?!

"I'm sorry, your mother is very sweet and she cares for you a lot!" I smile remembering back to when I saw the concern and love in her eyes for her son.

"She is, she's the best," he chuckles as we walk into the coffee house.

He settles me at the table and walks to the counter to order.

I sit and stare at his back.

I'm very different around this man, he brings the side of me that I have long ago buried.

I'm afraid of what else is to come with this man...

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