Chapter 26: chapter 26

What? "Yes! I am in love with you, daddy's little girl", he zestfully reiterated his words with more authenticity.My heartbeat started throbbing as if it would bug-out any second.His blue orbs were hanging with each of his words onto my eyes. My butterflies started grooving again but this time it was evidently because of uneasiness and misgiving.A lot of things flashed back in my cerebrum at the moment, forcing me to pull out from this state of affairs immediately.I desperately wanted to blink, get up and run away from here this very second. However, neither I could move my single nerve nor a muscle.My brainpower and vocals twirled aphasic for the nonce, followed by my limbs and metacarpus turning numb. My insensate hands released files from their grip making them plunge on the floor.*thud*This clumpy sound made him break the eye-up he established with mine. A partial sigh left my mouth. He cleared his throat.Calm down, Aashi. "So..", he straightened himself. Oh God! What's now? My eyes widened unintentionally due to anxiousness. "Why does your eyes always widen out whenever I ask or say something?", he chuckled. I tried to normalise my eyes after discerning his words."Much better", he threw his iconic smile.Gosh!"I know you are too puzzled right now and it's fair on your part. Trust me, this is what I feel for you", he added.What's happening with me? "As I already asserted, I say only what I mean", he substantiated verbally. NO! NO! NO! I can't stand this anymore. I pushed the swivel chair back on which I was seated, got up and rushed out of his cabin as a bullet without wasting a split-second, heedlessly.I could hear his voice adding words, howbeit I was determined to cut and run.I walked taking wider steps and didn't even realise when I reached the rest room. I entered and locked myself inside. I washed my face and my brain started contemplating what just occurred, unwittingly. The thoughts all over my mind, his cabin's ambience, his aura and most importantly his words, which almost gave me an anxiety attack.Though the way he emitted his words were very gently composed and his mannerisms were polite too, even so weren't acceptable by my perceptions in any way.This particular instance triggered the shunned episode of Mohak from the past.I agree that I forgot everything nonetheless, when Neil said those words, all those terrible moments flooded back in my nervous system resulting in an increase in the intensity of edginess.In the next second, my eyes were blurred as tears accumulated at the cusp. I checked for my phone to call Yash or Ayu with a thought that might make me feel lighter.Unfortunately, I left it on my desk before I went to his cabin.Argh! I hate this day. I almost wept. Although, my courage reminded me that I can't be this weak by any chance. No, Aashi. So what, if he has confessed his adoration for you?Everyone has their own freedom of speech and expression and so has he And what if, he is the CEO of this organisation, where you are just an employee?That doesn't give him the authority to alter your notions. However, you need to be determined and stick to your intentions. No one has the right to rule your thoughts and attainments.That is it! You need not give up. You are so strong-minded as you have already handled so much in bygone days and still have the capability to deal with further crap. *self-appease*Eventually, I gained my composure back. I took a deep breath. I cleansed my face again and paced towards my cubicle while glancing at my wrist watch.It read 10:55 AM!*thought clicked*The hell! My presentation? It's scheduled at 11!I rushed to my desk, grabbed my laptop and searched for the data files to be presented, but they weren't in sight anywhere. I panicked. Where did they go? Think, Aashi. Shit! Shit! Shit! I left them there in Neil's cabin. How do I get them now?Going again in his cabin is a big NO! God, please help. Meanwhile, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned likewise and was soothed to see the file back. Steadily, I raised my sights to see the person holding it.It was Princy!"Hey, thanks a lot", I expressed."Try to keep the things where they are supposed to be or else you might end up paying for it", she shot impolitely and walked away without waiting for my response. What's with her now? That seemed more as a warning than advice. Never mind! Anyways, I was relieved that it was not him again. I am aware that I will have to present before home.However, there is a solace that there will be a lot of employees and not just him. That means, the presence of the other mates might prove to be a positive note.Well, I proceeded considering the phrase "gasping at straws".Anyhow, I need to face him one or the other day.Let's do this!With all this in mind, I approached the conference hall with the walls made of Red Oak again. My steps were halted by a voice scream."Babydoll".I turned expecting them to be the twins and I was right."Why is your face so dull?", Ella was concerned.Shucks!No, I can't be that obvious. "Um..it's time for the presentation. Let's go!", I avoided the topic."But..", she stretched. I cut her off and dragged her inside the conference hall.I entered and saw all team members sitting there along with Abby, who smiled at me gesturing 'Good Luck'. I nodded to convey a THANK YOU!I strolled towards the screen, on which PPT was to be presented and stood beside the screen edge, from where I was supposed to speak.As I took my place, accidentally my vision caught the disruption of my day.. Neil Oberoi. He was sitting exactly opposite of my position on his specified chair at the left end of such a huge conference table which could accommodate almost 20 employees with personal mics.His face appeared to be a bit jittery initially. Nevertheless, the moment he saw me, he seemed to be collected.He looked at me with his iconic smile as if he was just waiting for me to arrive.My heart beats accelerated. Somehow, I held it with undertaking the fact that I have no option left other than working in his presence.I can't give up my dreams because of someone's inclinations towards me.Shucks! Why am I even noticing him? He is such a distraction. I closed my eyes and exhaled to tranquil myself. You can do this, Aashi. *self-motivation*I adjusted everything and played the PPT, I had prepared."Good Morning ladies and gentlemen", I initiated.I started playing the slides using a remote and explained my frame of reference.After about 45 minutes, I concluded my presentation including queries.Everyone applauded and appreciated my efforts. "You did a great job, Aashika", Abby congratulated me. "I am glad you liked it", I was pleased. I went to my cubicle, sat pushing myself back on my chair and closed my eyes for a while as my head provoked a mild migraine."Hey, you were amazing today', Emma sounded thrilled. "Thanks", I expressed.They scanned me for a minute. "Told you! I bet, something is wrong with you", both exclaimed.Not again, please. "Nah! Nah! All good", I tried to sound confident. They didn't buy it. "Just the headache. Coffee?", I changed the matter. "Absolutely", they unisoned. They both took their mugs and went to sit on a table. I took mine and headed towards them.I glimpsed Ella and Emma stood up grinning looking in my direction and seemed to be excited as if they discerned someone unusual.Why are they behaving so?I thought of turning, meanwhile my phone rang.It read an unknown ISD number! Who's it might be?I swiped the green icon..Me- Hello!Unknown- *no voice*Me- Hello? Unknown- *no voice again*Beep.. Beep..I disconnected thinking it to be a connectivity issue.It read an ISD number and it was England's number. Who has called me from here?Anyways, the person will call me again if anything important. I shifted my sights from the phone screen to them and surprisingly, they were still in the same posture.What happened to the twins? "Excuse me", I heard a deep voice at a safe distance from my ear making me flinch a little. I spun around in a single jerk. It was Neil. I never knew that the turmoil of my first flight journey will ever turn up as the turmoil of my life so far. Ugh! I looked at him and instantly my sights targeted the ground without self-consent.I don't know why, but I couldn't stand his blue orbs eyeing me. "I guess, I am not that bad for at least an exchange of look, ain't I?", he queried with his forbearing smile.I still didn't respond with my head tilted down."I didn't know you were a remarkable example of..", he pulled my attention. I stared at him in confusion. "BEAUTY WITH BRAIN", he whispered.Holy Lord! He is too much. "Listen..", I was about to finish. Twins interrupted and approached him extremely enraptured."Neil Sir", twins chirped or should I say almost yelled, enthusiastically.To my surprise, their presence didn't affect him even a bit."Well, you really did a great job with the presentation, Aashika", he voiced. I don't want to disclose what happened at his cabin to anybody just to avoid further unwanted trouble.That being said, I need to pretend and talk to him normally due to their occupancy. Umch!"Thank you, Sir", I acknowledged. "Sir?", he raised his left brow. Now what? Shouldn't I be addressing him as 'Sir' being his employee? "Good morning, Sir,", Emma greeted him. Ella joined her. "Morning ladies", he replied formally."Alright, I should get going now", he added and walked ahead.Thanks to these girls. I sighed. Suddenly, his stride ceased near me. "Call me, Neil thenceforth", he mumbled which was just audible to me. What! What? What? Why should I? I will not. Prior to my reaction, he evacuated the place."He looks more handsome from such close range", they both frisked.*rolling eyes*"Oh, please", I dragged them outside.***********************************What do you think, what's next? Let me know if you can. See you in the next chapter. Till then stay tuned and miss me. 😉#KeepReading #KeepLoving❤️❤️