Page 122 of Cherish my Heart

When I finally pull out, she’s still watching me with that look—the one that says she’s mine. “I love you,” I whisper.

“I know,” she whispers. “I love you too,” and with that she kisses my forehead.

CHAPTER 59

ADITI

We left the house together this morning. In the same damn car. From the same bed.

And yet, the man had the audacity to send me an email last night—not even a text—saying, “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Nothing else. No hint, no clue, no explanation.

Obviously, I tried every trick in my book. Blackmail? Check. Seduction? Double-check. Pretending to be angry? Oh, that too. But the strong-headed man refused to tell me anything. He just smirked and repeated the same infuriating line—We’ll talk in the office, Aditi.

And now here we are. Both with matching dark circles because clearly, if I wasn’t going to sleep peacefully, neither was he. Though honestly? The unfair part is how good he still looks. Perfect hair, crisp shirt, and that watch on his wrist that looks like it belongs in a luxury ad. Meanwhile, I’m convinced my eyeliner is holding on purely out of spite.

Because really, if he’s the reason for my sleepless night, how could I let him sleep either? And no—no sex for him. Restlessness looks good on Abhimaan.

I push open his office door with a little more force than necessary, a cup of his black coffee in hand. Marching to his desk, I set it down with enough impact that a little liquid sloshes near the rim. The sound is loud in the quiet morning.

He doesn’t even flinch. Of course, he doesn’t.

Instead, he smiles that slow, infuriating smile and shakes his head.

“Have a seat, Ms. Aditi Malhotra,” he says smoothly, like this is a board meeting and not my personal torture session.

I narrow my eyes. “What’s with you?”

He leans back in his chair, clasping his hands together. “I’ve observed you since the day you joined. Ten months ago.” My stomach tightens at the way his tone shifts—steady, deliberate. “From day one, you intrigued my attention. You never backed down once or complained about the workload. You’re determined, focused, and passionate.”

My heart starts thumping against my ribs. His words feel… big. Like they’re leading somewhere. “What’s wrong, Abhimaan?” I ask softly, even though my voice sounds braver than I feel.

He watches me for a long moment before speaking again. “Because you were such a good assistant… or rather, associate, because you handled my work yourself sometimes… I’d like to fire you.”

My jaw drops. “What?”

“I’m firing you,” he repeats casually.

“Because I was a good employee?” My voice pitches higher than intended.

“No,” he says with a little smirk. “I’m firing you because your job here is done. You’ve learned everything I can teach you. And in the process, you’ve taught me too.”

I blink at him. “You sound like… like a parent sending their kid to college.”

He laughs—the warm, deep kind that makes his shoulders shake slightly. “I’m not your parent, Aditi. I’m your boyfriend. And one day, I’ll be your husband.”

My heart skips so many beats I’m worried it might file for resignation too. He says it so casually, like it’s already a fact written in stone.

“But you’re ready now,” he continues, voice softening. “To build your own business. And I believe you’ll do wonders. I’m already so proud of you, baby.”

His hand reaches across the desk, fingers sliding over mine. I don’t even realize I’ve been holding my breath until our hands meet and I let out a small exhale. His thumb strokes my skin once, warm and grounding.

I try to look unaffected, but my lips betray me with a smile. “So, that’s why you tortured me last night?”

His smirk grows. “I’d say it was a test of patience. For both of us.”

I roll my eyes, leaning forward so our faces are inches apart. “You could’ve just told me over dinner.”