Chapter 43: Tremors

She waited for a few seconds, strolled left and right, and tried to make herself feel better.

She had never been stuck in a situation before where she was forced to go into a room with

a man she truly feared. Whenever the thought of running from this place entered her mind,

the previous night would flash in front of her eyes. No. She did not want to challenge him,

especially after coming to know about his true identity. He was a mafia don. That meant he

was no joke. He wasn’t bluffing. He meant every word he had told her. He wasn’t a regular

bad guy.

She looked at the door and then at the clock, rubbing her hands against each other. She was

anxious—anxious about what might be waiting for her in that office. She prayed he wouldn’t

put forward another obnoxious proposition. She didn’t have the heart to go through the

torture and abuse she had endured that night.

When she thought she was feeling a bit better, she gave a nod to the boy as she took a deep

breath. She didn’t want fear to cloud her.

The door was knocked on, permission was given, and they entered. Her heart felt restless.

“Sir, Ms. Sheharzaad is here,” the boy announced to him, who was busy with some

paperwork.

His eyes moved up, glancing at her for a second before he turned them back to focus on the

paper in his hand, a frown forming on his forehead as he continued to scrutinize the

content.

“Why are you late, Ms. Sheharzaad?” he asked.

Her mind went blank, as no answer came to her, and out of sudden nervousness, her fingers

began to fidget.

“Hmn?” he asked again, his eyes still on the documents.

“I w-was sl-sleeping and the alarm co-couldn’t w-wake me up,” she stammered.

He looked up, fixed his gaze on her, and put aside the file in his hands. “You can go,” he

ordered, his striking eyes still on her.

She thought the command was directed at her, so she turned around and began to leave his

office.

“I wasn’t saying that to you. Stay back, Sheharzaad,”

She turned white, stopping dead in her tracks, and with her widened eyes, she watched the

errand boy leave.

“Turn around,” he ordered once they were alone.

Her knees buckled, and she almost tripped but regained her posture before slowly turning

toward him.

“Is the office supposed to wait for your alarm?” he questioned, his voice grave and serious

as he stood up from his chair and began to walk toward her.

Sheharzaad looked down, unable to withstand his gaze. She wasn’t aware of the slight

tremors leaving her body. She felt tears well up in her eyes again. Her lips were slightly

parted to help her breathe properly, memories of that night filling her mind.

“Look up. I’m talking to you,” he demanded, making her lift her head, though her eyes

remained fixed on the floor. She knew if she looked up at him, she would definitely trip this

time.

“I’m—I’m sorry.”

“I need punctuality, not apologies,” he said, stepping closer, and instinctively, her chest rose

and fell rapidly, displaying her fear.

“I-I w-will t-try m-my b-best,” she stammered, unable to control her speech.

“No bluffs, either.” Now he was standing directly in front of her.

She stayed silent, her head hanging low.

Taking a step closer, he invaded her personal space.

Her hands became clammy.

He moved closer, and her body felt paralyzed. She didn’t realize when or how her teeth

started to clatter.

His warm breath fell on the base of her neck as he moved his lips near her ear.

She felt dizzy already.

Pushing her hair away from her neck, his finger brushed against her skin, making her flinch.

He placed his mouth near her ear. “I need my assistant here even before I arrive at my

office. With your attitude, how is that supposed to happen?” he whispered, his lips brushing

her earlobe, causing goosebumps to surface on her body.

Her chin began to tremble as she stood there like a statue. The moment was a complete

calamity for her.

“I-I apo-logize,” she replied, aware of how terrifying he could become if she didn’t respond.

“Will you come on time tomorrow?” he whispered near her ear.

“Y-yes,” her voice came out shivering and thin.

“Sir,” he finished for her.

“Sir,” she repeated.

The overwhelming fear had taken control of her as she stood in the same place, within close

proximity to him. She had thought she would never return to this company, let alone this

office, but fate had something else in store for her.

Slowly, he pulled away and saw her standing like a rock.

Breathless and pale.

“I expect you in my office at exactly six o’clock. Go to your office.” He announced in his crisp

tone. Leaving no room for arguments. Rather she would never want to argue with a man

like him. She would simply and plainly agree in order to escape his vicinity as fast as

possible.

“Yes, sir,” she said in a low voice and took two steps back before turning her back to him.

The door came into view, and a light of hope appeared before her eyes as she took steady

steps toward it. Just as she approached the door, her arm was snatched back, and she

crashed against his chest.

The whimper of surprise that arose in her throat was suppressed when, in a flash, he

pressed his lips against hers. His hand rested on her waist as he pulled her closer,

completely seizing her lips. His eyes closed as he felt her softness against him. Not

prolonging the kiss, he withdrew. His eyes settled on her face that had turned pale.

“Now, you can go,” he said, and she ran away from him as fast as she could.

Tears gushing through her eyes. She rubbed her lips vigorously. Wondering, for how long

she would be stuck with him.