"Before leaving he said to me " it's good to see you laugh and have a normal conversation with me. I love you son" And God did he just got emotional? But I could feel his concern and love over his voice. I smiled at him and continued with my work. After an hour we reached our client's company and made our way to the meeting room. Just so great. I clenched my fist in my arms."

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It's been 3 days since I had seen him. Whenever we had our free time we exchanged text like a teenager and he would call me every night before I go to bed.

Definitely, we both connected with different level. One thing for sure he is already my best friend. He shares most of the things with me. Even his business ideas and asks my opinion about them.

I'm on the way to my office. I reached my workplace and look towards my schedule. Halfway through it, my phone started buzzing and the devil himself called me.

" Baby, do you have my presentation ready?" He asked me.

Yes, yesterday night we both worked on his upcoming idea. So I offered to prepare his presentation. Well, more like complete his presentation. He almost finished it. I just edited and highlighted the main points for him.

" Yeah...almost done. I will send it to you in a few minutes and prepare key points for today's presentation. It will be useful for you." I said to him.

" Why don't you work for me? instead of working for some other company. We both will be benefited in more than one way, baby." He said in his deep and husky voice.

" Yeah, like if I join in your company you will let me work," I noted my point to him.

" We could do more than just work," He said to me. I blushed at his word.

" Mrithun, it's not the time. As per your schedule, you have a meeting in 10 minutes. You remember it or forgot?" I remained him. He laughed at me.

" You know my schedule better than anyone, man. It has cancelled. But I have to get going to a meeting with our client's company. If I'm interested I might buy them." He said to me.

When I was about to reply to him. One of my colleagues called my name. I signed her to wait for a minute.

" Okay, Rithu I need to go. Call you later." I said to him and made my way to her.

I had to interview a few candidates. While I was interviewing my Head of the department that is my HR asked her to meet me and my job was taken over by another employee.

I reached her cabin and knocked. I heard a faint 'come in.' As soon as I got in I heard her speaking.

" Thank God, Shristi you are here. We have an important meeting today and as you see I need a substitute for Nirmala. She has taken a day off today. So I need you to accompany me. You can refer to her presentation and I know that you helped her. So be ready we have a presentation to do." My HR said to me.

I was a little nervous but anyway agreed with her. I never presented in a meeting before but accompanied them. I need to impress our clients.

" Okay, I will be ready and when is the meeting?" I asked her and she replied 'at 2:30 pm'.

Okay, I checked my watch. Good, I have solid 2 hrs with me. With that, I started to go through and make notes for the meeting. I busy when Shakthi asked me to join her for lunch. But I said to have them later.

Soon it was time for the meeting. I was checking everything and was in accordance. That when our company MD entered the room.

" I hope everything is ready? I want the meeting to be perfect. The future of this company holds with your presentation. Do your best." She said to us. We nodded at her.

Just 10 minutes more to start our meeting.

" Shristi, I kept a blue file in my cabin. Can you get it?" My HR asked and I said 'okay'.

I was about to open the door but it opened from outside and a man stood in front of me. He looked up and down staring at my body. I felt self-contained and step aside for him to enter. He had a smirk on his face which made me uncomfortable.

I got out and rushed to my HR cabin. It took me about 3 minutes to find it. By the time I reached the meeting room, everyone was present.

As soon as I entered, I was shocked to see the people who were here to attend the meeting. I gulped at them, what the are they doing here? And he looked so tensed.

"Come in, and start over the presentation." My MD ordered me and I quickly started to do my work.

But I don't know what happened, I started to get dizzy and took hold of the chair nearby. The guy who was checking me out came forward to help me but a voice stopped his action.

"Don't even think about touching her Naveen," Mrithun said to that guy.

His voice was clear and stern. His attitude screamed attention and confidence. He had that arrogant and completely different look. I can't believe that he was my Mrithun. But if it's even possible he looked hotter than before.

"Man, No offence. I'm trying to help her," Naveen said to Mrithun and held his hands up in defence.

My HR came by my side and asked 'if I was okay'. I gave her an assuring smile and nodded my head.

"Let me help you," Tarika said to me and arranged the rest.

I'm so nervous right now. Is it because I'm gonna present it in front of my in-laws or for my company. I can't comprehend the feeling. Mrithun came to my side and he looked at me.

" Baby, Are you okay? You can take rest if you want. We could have this meeting some other time." I know he is worried about me.

I smiled at him.

" Are you trying to make me lazy?" I teased him and he rolled his eyes but then I added.

"I'm feeling nervous. I don't know if it is because of you guys or my first presentation. And I'm also hungry." He chuckled at me and surprised me by pulling into a brief hug.

I felt calm once I'm in his arms. He patted my back slowly and gave a soft kiss on my head. We heard throat clearing from beside us.

" Can't you guys be professional? You are still working here and bro controls yourself." Tarun said to us. But again we were interrupted by my boss.

" Oh...my God! What the hell are you doing? Who permitted you to hug him? Is this the way you work over here?" My boss Rithika snapped at me as she entered and take in the scene in front of us. I don't know what came over me and I instantly moved away from him. She was glaring at me.

" You, come here this instant and leave the room. You are no more required over her. Meet me at my Room after this meeting." She said to me in a most irritated voice.

I almost had tears forming my eyes. I mean I haven't done anything wrong. And she added under her breath,

" Fit for nothing and here she wants him." That's all needed for me to move away but what surprised me was Mrithun's dad.

" Miss. Rithika, If you dare to say something like that to my daughter in law again, We are out of this deal. I convinced my son over there to come here despite his past, just because your company needs our service. I know they were unprofessional but I believe my son over there comforted her. She looks pale and of course, we are worried about her. So think before what you are saying about one and DON"T JUDGE them differently." He said to my boss in a calm but threatening voice.

I looked at him and he gave me a soft smile. I turned toward Mrithun and he looks like he is about to explode or something. He came over and wrapped his arms securely and glared at my boss.

" I... I...mean I don't know uncle. I'm sorry." She looked shocked at the information she heard from him.

" Rithika, I know that you are perfect in your work and professional. But you can't snap at your employees like that." Mrithun said to her and I heard Tarun mumble ' yeah like you don't snap at our employees' I looked at him and raised my eyebrows and he just shrugged his shoulder.

I tried to move away from him but he tightens his grip on me.

" Baby? could you leave me? I don't feel good." I whispered to Mrithun and with that, he made sit on a chair and turned towards others.

" I think, we could have this meeting a little later. We could reschedule at 3:30 if it's okay with you." He said in a stern voice and they accepted to his position.

" Here, have some water." Tarika gave me a bottle. I gladly accepted and gulped down the entire bottle. That's when I got to know about Tired and thirsty I was.

" Did you eat your lunch, Kanna?" Uncle asked me and I replied 'No' in a small voice.

"Why?" Tarun asked me.

"I mean, how could you not eat and work? No matter what food always comes first to us. Remember it Anni" Tarun said to me and it brought me a small smile.

Mrithun came in front of me and crouch down to my level and gave me my favourite chocolate. I raised my eyebrows at him.

"What? I always have some chocolates with me. You know if I got hungry or something." He said and rubbed his neck awkwardly.

"Yeah, totally bro. You carry them around so that you could eat them when you are hungry. I believe you" Tarun said in a mocking tone while I was busy unwrapping the chocolate bar. I gave a few cubes to all and they accepted it.

" Where is your lunch box? you have to eat something before we start our meeting." Mrithun said to me. 

"Yes, Kanna. You must eat something. And by the way, I'm also hungry. Come on Twins lets go grab something." Uncle said to us and instantly the twins said 'okay' and made their way out. leaving us alone. 

Mrithun looked at me and took my hands in his. I had some melted chocolates over my fingers. He took one and put them in his mouth.

His action felt so hot and could feel goosebumps all over my body. He looked into my eyes and I could see his eyes turn a darker shade of brown. He leaned closer and kissed near my lips. I was completely lost at it. 

He cupped my face on both the sides and I closed my eyes accepting the warmth and love from him. I thought he would kiss me but didn't. I could feel 'Him' move near my ears and whispered.

" Not now baby, let our first kiss be special." And pecked my lips.

I'm sure I look like a tomato by now. My heart beating so fast and I feel so hot despite Air condition being on. I gulped down him and looked away. God, what am I gonna do with him? I heard him chuckle at me and kissed my cheeks.

" Come on, beautiful. Let's have lunch." He said and I smiled at him and said,

" Someone is hungry?" 

"Yes, I'm hungry but I'm not sure whether it is for food or you" He whispered the last one in a husky voice.

It sent shivers and jolt of electricity. I think I'm turned on just by his words. I quickly stood me and said that ' I will get my lunch'. I didn't wait for him to reply to me and was out of the room.

I heard him laugh at me. Once I reached down, I heard one of my colleagues talk about the hot guys in the canteen and another guy who is much more hotter than him. Yeah, girls I know he is hot. I smirked internally.

" Yeah, he was totally hot. He looks rich and I think he is definitely single!" I heard Ramya talk about Mrithun and Suddenly she was squealing like a schoolgirl and whispered, "Oh my God."

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Authors Note

office romance? I think it sounds good. I might write office romance once they get married. I hope you guys like this chapter.

Always feel free to suggest and comment.

Stay safe and happy.

#loveyourself

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