Idiot

By the time I reached his office, I was a total mess. My feelings were all over the place, and I just wanted to run away.

I took the lift and arrived at the reception, where an average-looking lady greeted me with a polite smile.

"Sir is waiting for you in his cabin. This way, please."

I followed her to his cabin, my heart pounding. When I entered, there was no one except him, standing by the window, looking outside.

"May I come in, sir?" I asked hesitantly.

He turned his gaze to me, his expression softening.

"Just call me Abid, and yes, come in, please."

I swallowed hard. The way he said "please" caught me off guard.

I entered and made my way toward the table, feeling his eyes on me the whole time. I put my laptop bag on his table and sat down. He took his seat as well.

"Would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee?" he offered.

"No, thanks. Just a glass of water, please."

"Sure."

He rang the bell, and a man entered the cabin.

"Bring one glass of water and two cups of hot chocolate."

I looked up at him sharply at the mention of hot chocolate. He gave me one of his charming smiles and winked.

I immediately looked down, feeling flustered. Was he really Abid or his twin?

"I am leaving for Dubai tomorrow, so I set up this meeting in a hurry," he said, and my heart sank.

Oh, come on, this is not the right time.

"It's okay, sir. Where are the other members?"

"They are not invited."

"But...why? There is a meeting today. How are they not invited? Is the meeting canceled?"

"Relax, Areena... Relax..."

He said calmly, and I nodded, trying to steady my nerves.

"I just have to discuss some ideas and important issues only with you... So I didn't invite anyone."

He emphasized the word "you," making me wonder if I was imagining things.

"Okay...so what are your new ideas? Actually, I designed a new banner for the product. Check it if it needs any corrections."

I took out my laptop, opened it, and tried to move it to his side, but he stopped me. I looked at the chair across me, but it was empty. I glanced around, feeling confused.

"I'm here," he whispered in my right ear. I could feel his warm breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"Show me what you made."

"Y-yes, th-this de-sign..."

Ya Allah... Why was I stuttering? Focus!

"Are you okay, Areena?"

He bent closer to me, smelling my hair. His hand was on the edge of the table, and the other one was on my right shoulder.

My heartbeat became more erratic. I was unable to say anything.

He tightened his grip on my shoulder and rested his head on my neck. I could feel his lips brushing against my bare skin. I was about to object when someone knocked on the door, and he immediately straightened up.

"Come in," he said in his deep, husky voice.

I exhaled the breath I had been holding.

The man entered with water and two cups of hot chocolate. He placed the items on the table and left.

Abid handed me a glass of water, and I gulped it down in one go.

I hadn't realized I was that thirsty.

I refilled the glass and started to drink again when Abid stopped me.

"Slowly, dear... the water isn't going anywhere."

I heard his husky voice beside me. The water traveled down my windpipe instead of my food pipe, and I started coughing.

He immediately took the glass from my hand and began rubbing my back in a soothing manner.

"I told you to drink slowly. Why are you always in a hurry?"

I sensed anger mixed with concern in his voice. But why was he concerned now? This was all because of him.

I moved away from his grip. My coughing worsened, and I struggled to breathe properly.

"What are you doing, Areena? Let me soothe your back; it will give you relief."

But I didn't listen and moved towards the window to get some air.

"I-I'm... ahem... fine... ahem..."

I tried to tell him. I just needed more oxygen to breathe.

I was about to open the window when a hand grabbed mine from behind and pulled me.

My face crashed into his rock-hard chest. One of his hands was on my waist, and the other was soothing my back.

When I felt his warm hands on my back, shivers ran down my spine. His warmth made me forget everything.

"Now inhale slowly," he said. His hands moved up and down my back in a rhythmic manner. I held onto his shirt tightly.

Slowly, my body relaxed, and I could breathe again. My eyes remained shut; I didn't want to leave this warmth and peace.

He then held me more tightly, wrapping both his arms around my waist, and I nestled my face into his broad chest.

"Are you okay, beautiful?"

My heart skipped a beat when I heard "beautiful" after so many years from him. I nodded my head yes.

We stood like that for some time. Then I realized our position. I tried to pull away, but he didn't budge. He tightened his grip on me.

"Abid..."

"Hmmm..."

"I'm fine now."

"Hmmm."

"You can let go of me now."

"No."

"What? No... Just let me go."

"Okay, on one condition."

"What condition?"

"Call me sweetheart."

"What?"

"Yes, I won't let you go until you please me and call me sweetheart."

"No, I will not."

"Okay then, I'm still enjoying holding you in my arms."

Had he gone mad? Why should I call this idiot "sweetheart"? We didn't have any relationship now.

"Leave me, Abid. I'm warning you, otherwise..."

I tried to threaten him.

"Otherwise what, beautiful? You'll kiss me again?"

And he laughed. I felt my cheeks turn pink.

What the hell is wrong with this man?

I wanted to say I'd kill him, but I also wanted to get away from him.

"Okay. Sweetheart."

"What? I can't hear you. What did you say?"

He was smirking.

"Leave me... Sweetheart."

I said it with all the bitterness I could muster.

"Oh, come on, beautiful... Say it with love."

Love? Now I would show him love.

I moved my leg and tried to smash his foot with my high heel, but it didn't affect him.

"These little things don't work on me, beautiful."

I sighed and said in my pleading tone,

"Please, let me go. Sweetheart..."