Time had slipped by unnoticed. The office, once buzzing with the sound of ringing phones and clacking keyboards, had now fallen silent.

One by one, the employees packed their things and left, until the only sound that remained was the faint humming of the air conditioner and the restless tapping of keys from a single cubicle.

Arnika was still working.

Her back ached from sitting for hours, her neck stiffened every time she looked down, and her eyes burned from staring at the laptop screen for so long. Yet she kept typing, flipping through papers, and muttering formulas under her breath like a woman possessed.

When her phone vibrated, she sighed in relief. Finally, a distraction. She picked it up and answered in a tired, lazy voice.

“Hello, Mom…”

“Arnika!” her mom’s voice boomed through the speaker. “Are you even coming home tonight, or should I assume you’ve moved into your office?”

Arnika looked around cautiously, making sure her headache of a boss wasn’t lurking nearby. “What can I do, Mom?” she whispered dramatically.

“This demon of a man just dumped a mountain of files on me because I was five minutes late this morning! Like seriously, who punishes someone for five minutes?”

“Arnika—”

“He’s a heartless, soulless, emotionless, shameless, work-obsessed robot!” she went on. “If I die one day, just tell the police to arrest him. He’ll be the reason for my tragic death. Oh wait—”

A low “ahem” echoed from behind her.

Arnika froze.

Her mother’s voice faded into the distance as she ended the call with trembling fingers. Slowly—very slowly..she turned around.

And there he was. Ruaan Sharma, her boss, standing with his hands folded across his chest and that piercing gaze that could melt glaciers.

He raised an eyebrow. “So I’m heartless? Soulless? Shameless? Go on… don’t stop now. I’m having fun, Arnika.”

Her heart almost stopped. “N-no, sir! I was just… talking about—uh… not you! Definitely not you!”

Ruaan tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into the faintest smirk. “You’re right,” he said after a pause.

“Huh?”

“I am everything you said.” He stepped closer, his voice calm yet commanding. “But since you seem to enjoy talking about me behind my back, you can now stay until you finish every single file on your desk. Only then, you’re free to leave.”

And without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.

Arnika stared at the door, mouth open. “Me? Like me?! Stay until I finish all this...this pile of torture?”

She let out an exaggerated groan, slumping in her chair. “Perfect. Just perfect. If I die here, I swear my ghost will haunt you, Mr. Ruaan Sharma.”

She muttered as she continued typing, rubbing her temples, and glaring at the files like they were her mortal enemies.

Ruaan’s POV

The clock on my desk read 9:00 PM. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Everyone had already left for the night—except her.

Arnika.

I knew she was still in her cabin. I thought of letting her go home early; she’d been working since morning without a proper break. But when I walked toward her cabin, I stopped at the doorway.

She was talking on the phone—animated, frustrated, and completely unaware of my presence.

The range of expressions on her face was... interesting. Her eyebrows furrowed, lips pouted, hands flying in the air as she ranted about me.

I listened for a while, and then realized she was actually calling me a demon. I cleared my throat to announce my presence.

She froze instantly.

When she turned around, those almond-shaped eyes of hers looked up at me in shock, guilt, and something else I couldn’t quite name.

She tried to explain herself, fumbling with her words, cheeks flushed. It was almost amusing—almost.

But my pride didn’t let me laugh.

She talked behind my back. So yes, I made her stay late. Fair enough.

Or at least that’s what I told myself.

Later That Night – 11 PM

The office was dim now, the only light coming from the lamp near her desk. I packed my laptop and walked to her cabin, ready to tell her she could go home.

But the moment I entered, I stopped.

She was asleep; head resting on her folded arms, hair falling across her face, her breathing soft and steady. The sight caught me off guard.

The fierce little secretary who always argued, who worked endlessly, who cursed me under her breath… looked so peaceful now. So fragile.

I walked closer and hesitated for a moment before gently brushing the strands of hair away from her face. The moment my fingers brushed her skin, I froze.

She was burning.

I frowned and pressed the back of my hand to her forehead. Definitely fever. Guilt settled in my chest like a heavy weight. I was the reason she overworked herself.

And maybe… I’d been too harsh lately.

She stirred and blinked awake, sitting up abruptly when she saw me. “I—I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. The file’s almost done, I’ll finish it right now.”

“It’s fine,” I said quietly. “You can do it later. I’ll drop you home.”

She opened her mouth to protest but stopped when she saw the look on my face. She knew better than to argue.

Later – In the Car

The drive was silent at first. City lights flickered past, painting her tired face with flashes of gold. She sat quietly beside me, her hands fidgeting with the strap of her bag.

“You can take a leave tomorrow,” I said, eyes fixed on the road.

She looked at me, confused. “Why? I’m fine, sir.”

“No, you’re not,” I replied flatly. “And I don’t keep sick employees at work. Rest and come back when you’re better.”

She hesitated but finally nodded. “Alright.”

I didn’t say anything after that.

When I dropped her off, she got out of the car and turned to thank me. But before she could speak, I had already driven off.

Through the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of her standing there—small, tired, but somehow still strong.

And for the first time that night, I couldn’t decide whether I admired her determination…

or hated myself for noticing it.