The moment Ayaan left the office, carrying the empty tray and his small, shy smile, the air inside Malhotra Enterprises changed.
It wasn't obvious at first — just a whisper through the halls, a sense that something unusual had occurred.
After all, nobody ever walked out of the CEO's office looking that… happy.
Meera was the first to notice. She was pretending to check some files when Ayaan passed by.
"Uh… thank you for the delivery!" she said with a polite smile.
Ayaan turned slightly, his tone casual. "Anytime."
But his cheeks were a little pink.
That was enough for Meera. She stood frozen, a folder in her hands, watching the door close behind him.
Wait a second… no one leaves his office smiling. Not even Mr. Chopra from Legal, and he's married to an actual saint.
A soft gasp escaped her before she slapped a hand over her mouth.
"No… it can't be…"
Inside, Rudra sat at his desk again, trying to look normal.
He'd straightened his tie three times. His reflection in the black laptop screen looked calm, but his ears were still a faint shade of red.
He reached for his coffee — the one Ayaan had brought — and took a sip.
Too sweet. Way too sweet.
And yet, somehow, it didn't taste bad at all.
He set it down slowly.
His pulse refused to calm.
What did I just do…? In my office, of all places…
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
Meera stepped in carefully, looking oddly nervous.
"Yes?" Rudra asked, his usual deep tone returning — cold, clipped, the perfect CEO mask sliding back into place.
She blinked rapidly. "Um—sir, I just wanted to confirm—was that delivery… satisfactory?"
Rudra looked up, eyes narrowing slightly.
"…It was fine."
"Ah," she said too quickly, pretending to write something on her clipboard. "I see. Just… checking for quality control. You know. Quality. Of… cupcakes."
Rudra stared. "…Get back to work, Meera."
"Right away, sir!" she squeaked, fleeing the room, her mind racing.
The moment she reached the corridor, she stopped and whispered under her breath,
"I knew it. The delivery guy isn't just a delivery guy. And I swear—Mr. Malhotra smiled."
She nearly fainted at her own words.
"Wait till Maya hears about this…"
To be continued.....