Page 111 of Carnal Games

It reminds me I’m yet to make photocopies of the documents Kian gave to me earlier in the day. Being an executive assistant is no joke. Kian receives so many emails, all marked as urgent and time sensitive, that I haven’t lifted my eyes off the screen until now.

Standing up, I decide to first print the copies and give them to Kian, who’s busy on an online call inside his office and yet to go home. Not home—The Mirage.

I’m pretty certain he’s the last to leave the building of both his businesses.

As exciting as being a powerful man is, does he ever get tired of it?

Probably because he has no one at home waiting for him to return early to or take half a day off for. Is he the kind of man who’d make such an effort?

“I don’t believe in love.”

His confession flashes in my mind, bringing a pang to my chest.

If only he’d let someone in to prove him wrong. I wonder if he’s ever tried. Will he ever… for me?

Standing up with the folder pressed against my body, I head to the elevator. The printing room is situated on an underground floor, right below the IT department. An idea pops into my head.

This is the perfect opportunity to check it out and see where Mahesh’s office is. I need to befriend an associate from his team to look into him. Perhaps, I’ll discover an important clue regarding the girl he tried to sleep with.

First, I should get these papers to Kian ASAP, so he doesn’t come looking for me. He’d know I haven’t gone home since my purse and other items are spread out on my desk. Even my desktop is switched on.

The elevator halts on the last floor. I step out.

Unease filters in my system at the quietness in the lobby. I look to my right and left, finding no one roaming around the halls. The ambience feels creepy. Perhaps it’s because everyone’s gone home. Next time, I’ll make sure to come during the day.

A sign points me in the direction of the copier rooms, and I march toward it.

I jump when a lone figure pops out from a room.

It’s just a janitor.

I smile at him. “Hello.”

“Have a good day, miss,” he replies, bowing his head as he quickly disappears.

Unlike the above floors, there are no windows here. Just white lights illuminating the place from the ceiling. The last door at the end is the copier room, and I push inside. The interior reminds me of the stock room from the showSuitswith its tallshelves, filled with multiple boxes of papers and contracts, and the machines in the corner.

They look so high tech and complicated that I wish I had asked for instructions. This isn’t like at-home printers that are easy to use.

Standing in front of the white photocopier, I search for any manual to help me get it running. “Guess I’ll randomly click the buttons.”

A4-sized sheets are arranged in the paper tray. Dragging a stool to my side, I place the file I brought and pull out the first document. I’m lifting the top lid of the printer when I hear soft footsteps and a person entering the room.

Relieved someone’s here to help, I turn. “Oh, thank God, I need hel—”

A flying fist is all I see before agonizing pain ripples around my head. I hear myself scream as I’m slammed against a wall, again banging my throbbing head against it. I try to fight off the swinging hands when a swift kick to my midriff crashes me to the ground.

A final kick to my ribs turns my world black.

Kian

The lack of files on my desk at six-thirty has me stepping out of the office. I assume Iris must’ve left it on her desk instead.

What I don’t expect is to see her desk messy with all her things lying around. The purse, the pink tumbler, and lip balm she uses multiple times a day—that’s the secret to her plump lips—but no sign of her.

She could’ve gone to chat with her friend.

Yanking out my phone, I dial her number. The loud ringing comes from her desk, making me curse. “Damn it.”