I looked at Anamarija and said,
"Chak's calling me. And I doubt he's in a good mood."
She nodded silently, her eyes following me as I made my way to his office. My palms were slightly sweaty, and for some reason, I felt a strange flutter in my chest—not fear, but anticipation.
I knocked lightly before stepping inside.
Chak was sitting behind his desk, his posture rigid, his cold eyes scanning documents as if the weight of the entire company rested in those pages. The room felt cooler, quieter, as if his very presence had sucked all the warmth out of it.
But when I sat down, his eyes finally met mine, and to my surprise, they softened.
"How did she take the news that Rattan is her bodyguard?" he asked directly, his voice deep and unyielding.
"She's… not exactly thrilled," I admitted.
Chak let out a quiet sigh and leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I know it's not easy for her. She was raised in a completely different environment… and in a culture very unlike ours."
There was a faraway look in his eyes now, as if he were staring at memories only he could see.
"I notice she has a personality similar to mine. Calm, stubborn, determined… and she even gives the same kind of look I do."
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"I'm afraid… when people find out who she really is, she might shut herself off. Just like I did. And that scares me. That's why I want to be there for her. So she can trust me. So I can protect her."
He turned his gaze back to me, a firm resolve shining in his eyes.
"That's why we'll only work mornings from now on. I'll spend the afternoons with her. I want to get to know her – everything about her. What she likes, what she doesn't. I know she's connected with you, so you'll tell me everything she shares with you. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," I nodded, my voice steady even as my heart raced at the tenderness behind his words.
Chak was silent for a moment before a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"And you know what else I'm looking forward to?"
I shook my head, curious. "What?"
"Having more time for us."
A warmth spread through my chest like sunlight breaking through clouds. His words carried a rare gentleness, one that melted the ice in the room.
"Even though I'll be spending time with Anamarija, I'll make sure we have time for each other too," he added softly.
I couldn't stop my own smile.
"That's what I'm looking forward to the most."
A small, genuine smile flickered across Chak's face—one I wished the world could see more often.
I rose to leave, but as I turned toward the door, his deep voice stopped me.
"Niran?"
"Yes, sir?" I asked, glancing back.
"When we're alone… don't call me sir."
I felt my lips curve into a playful grin as I walked back around his desk, leaned down slightly, and whispered,
"Alright, Chaky."
I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. For a moment, his stern expression melted entirely, his eyes softening in a way I'd only seen a handful of times.
I took his hand, gripping it firmly.
"I'll be here for you. So don't worry. And if the media ever finds out… don't shut yourself off. You have me."
Chak exhaled slowly, then gently tapped my nose with his finger, his voice lighter now.
"Go get back to work now, or I won't let you leave."
"All right, Chaky," I replied with a warm smile and finally stepped out of his office.
---
When I reached the desk, Anamarija's curious eyes met mine.
"He wasn't mad at you, was he?" she asked with a hint of concern.
"No," I told her, shaking my head. "He just told me something important."
"Sorry," she murmured, holding up a folder. "I took this and was looking through it."
"Go ahead," I said with a small shrug.
I sat back down and resumed my work, trying to refocus. But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Anamarija flipping through the folder with deliberate care, her fingers tracing the edges of the papers like they held secrets.
After a while, she turned her attention to Rattan, who stood silently nearby, his eyes scanning the room with professional precision.
"Don't your legs ever hurt?" she asked playfully, her tone light.
Rattan blinked at her, then replied in his calm, unflappable voice,
"No."
Anamarija stifled a yawn, covering her mouth politely.
"Are you sleepy, miss?" Rattan asked, his voice still polite but edged with curiosity.
"Yes," she admitted briefly, her words followed by another small yawn.
"It's only 11 a.m.," Rattan observed.
"In my country, it's 5 a.m.," she replied with a faint smile.
"Ah." Rattan nodded, the faintest flicker of understanding crossing his otherwise stoic face. "Now I see why you're so tired."
---
"I think I know what will help me," Anamarija said suddenly as she stood up, her voice carrying a spark of mischief.
I lifted my head, my pen pausing mid-sentence.
As soon as she took her first step, Rattan immediately followed her, his movements smooth but vigilant. Anamarija glanced back at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She took several more steps, and Rattan mirrored her exactly, his stoic expression never wavering.
She quickened her pace, then stopped abruptly. Rattan stopped at the exact same moment.
A playful smile spread across her face as she whispered,
"This is just like that game… where if I look at you, you're supposed to freeze."
The entire department had stopped to watch their little exchange, quiet murmurs rippling through the room.
"That's so much like Chai," a voice murmured close to my ear, startling me.
I flinched and turned sharply. Chak was standing right next to me, arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on the scene before him.
"Sir," I said quickly, straightening my posture.
Every pair of eyes in the office shifted to Chak.
When Anamarija noticed him, her playful expression faded. She slowly returned to her desk, her movements cautious now.
Chak's cold eyes swept over the two of us before his voice cut through the silence like ice:
"Both of you. My office. Now."
He turned to the rest of the team and said firmly,
"Carry on with your work."
Then, without another word, he pivoted and walked away.
I stood up, my heart hammering. Anamarija followed close behind. Together, we knocked softly on his office door and stepped inside.
Chak was standing by the window, his back to us. The air felt heavy, charged. Slowly, he turned, his expression unreadable.
"I've received the DNA test results," he began, his voice calm but laced with tension. "And they say—"
But before he could finish, the door slammed open.
Vikran strode in with a triumphant grin on his face, his eyes scanning the room before landing squarely on Anamarija.
"She's not—"