The office felt different that day.
Not louder.
Not busier.
Just… heavier.
Anika sat at her desk reviewing the updated project layouts, but her mind wasn't entirely on the screen.
Rhea's words kept replaying.
"Girls who misunderstand attention tend to get hurt."
Anika scoffed quietly.
As if she was the one chasing attention.
She pushed the thought away and focused on work.
Just then, a message popped up on her screen.
Arman Khurana:
My cabin. Now.
No greeting.
No explanation.
Typical.
She grabbed her tablet and walked toward his cabin, ignoring the curious looks from a few employees.
Inside, Arman stood near the glass wall, staring out at the city.
He didn't turn immediately.
"Close the door."
She did.
"What's wrong with the design now?" she asked calmly.
He turned around slowly.
"Nothing."
Her brows furrowed.
"Then why did you call me?"
Instead of answering, he placed a file on the desk.
"Your updated sustainability model."
"Yes?"
"It's impressive."
The compliment caught her off guard.
"You're… approving it?"
"For now."
She crossed her arms slightly.
"You didn't call me here just to say that."
"No."
His gaze stayed on her a moment longer than necessary.
"I heard you and Rhea had a conversation."
So that's why.
"It wasn't a conversation," Anika replied.
"It was more like advice I didn't ask for."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"What exactly did she say?"
Anika studied him for a second.
"Why do you care?"
"I asked a question."
"And I'm asking one too."
Silence stretched between them.
Finally she sighed.
"She warned me about boundaries."
Arman's expression darkened.
"And?"
"And I told her I'm here to work. Not compete for attention."
He watched her carefully.
"You seem very confident about that."
"I am."
She stepped closer to the desk.
"I don't build my career around impressing powerful men."
Something about the way she said it made his lips twitch slightly.
"Good."
The word slipped out before he could stop it.
Anika blinked.
"Good?"
"Yes."
He leaned back against the desk.
"Because if you were, you wouldn't last here."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You're the one who hired me."
"I hire talent."
"Not distractions?"
A small, almost invisible smile appeared on his face.
"Exactly."
For a moment, the tension between them softened.
Then suddenly the cabin door opened without knocking.
Rhea walked in.
Her eyes moved between them instantly.
"Oh," she said calmly.
"I didn't realize you were in a meeting."
Anika stepped back.
"We're done here anyway."
She picked up her tablet and walked out of the cabin without looking back.
But as the door closed behind her—
Arman's eyes followed her.
And Rhea noticed.
Her expression hardened slightly.
Because one thing had become clear.
Anika Kapoor wasn't just a temporary employee anymore.
She was becoming a problem.