A sense of warmth flickered within me when I saw Chak's rare smile. It was brief, almost imperceptible, but it made my heart skip a beat. I quickly turned and walked away from his office, feeling oddly honored to be the one to know his secret. As I made my way back to my desk, I couldn't help but replay his words over and over in my mind.
When I returned to my desk, my colleagues, eager to know how the meeting went, quickly gathered around me. Their expectant looks told me they were hoping for something—anything—dramatic.
I cleared my throat and said, "Ijustneedtobuyhim a newshirt, that'sall. Now, Ihaveworktodo."*
They seemed deflated, visibly disappointed that nothing noteworthy had happened. Of course, they had probably been hoping for a scandal. But I had made a promise to Chak—his tattoo was a secret, and I intended to keep it.
I focused on my work, completing the Valentine's Day flyer. Once finished, I went to make copies when Amara called me. She needed me to pick up her lunch from the delivery guy.
"Sure, I'llgrabitforyou," I said, eager to do something to distract myself from the chaos in my mind. I left my desk and went to get her food.
On my way back, I walked past the elevators, and to my surprise, I found Chak standing there with a couple of business partners. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside, somehow finding myself standing directly in front of him. My nerves hit me like a wave, and I shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, feeling my face flush.
His presence was suffocating—almost magnetic. I could smell his cologne, faint yet intoxicating, just like it had been in his office.
Out of nowhere, someone pushed me from behind, and I stumbled forward, my body crashing into Chak's chest. I froze, my head resting against him for a moment longer than I wanted to admit.
His heartbeat thundered in my ears.
Chak's grip tightened around my wrist as he looked down at me with those dark, penetrating eyes. His expression was unreadable—cold, almost detached, yet something about it sent a shiver down my spine.
I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks, my heart racing out of control. His gaze seemed to pierce right through me.
In a voice as calm as ice, he asked, Are you okay?
I hurriedly straightened myself up, trying to act like nothing happened, my mind spinning in a thousand directions.
"Oh, Niran, you'remakingafoolofyourself,"I chided myself inwardly.
The tension between us was palpable. I had never felt anything like that before—so raw, so intense.
His voice cut through my thoughts again. "Are you okay?" he asked, more insistently this time.
I could barely muster a nod, my throat tight with embarrassment. I didn't trust myself to speak. All I wanted was to disappear.
Finally, the elevator doors opened, and I practically fled out of them. Chak continued on with his business partners, heading for the conference room. I was left standing there, heart still pounding in my chest. I forced myself to keep moving, heading straight to Amara's desk to hand her lunch.
She thanked me, but I barely registered her words. I made a hasty excuse, telling her I needed a moment to myself. Without a second thought, I headed straight for the bathroom.
Splashing cold water on my face, I tried to shake off the overwhelming rush of emotions from the elevator. But no matter what I did, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Chak's eyes, his touch, his voice—they were all still burning in my mind. And I had no idea what to do with the chaos he had stirred inside me.