Seven (a)

"Call me Kayish, please. No formalities. After all, you are my...hmp..." He cleared his throat just to swallow whatever sinful comments he was about to pour.

"After all you're the project manager and the daughter of my dad's friend." He then gave me a knowing look but a bit of confusion twinkled across his face for what seemed to be a rare second.

Bang! He got the point.

"It means you are a friend to my family, no formalities between friendship. Right, dad?" surprisingly, he managed a good answer and it impressed his dad more.

Good actor. He could have got a good chance in Cini field if he had tried once.

"Yeah! Her dad is my close friend. It's an honour for me to have his daughter working for us, please do me a favor Kayish, you need to taking care of her, my friend always said that she's a gem to his family, and we will not break a gem right?" Mr. Miller explained to Kayish about me and even adding a teasing tone,,,,, and what?????! He asked Kayish to take care of me??!! I mentally cursed myself for being trapped in this messy situation. Who takes care of whom, really?

"Of course I will dad, a gem like her need to be taken care of, in the proper way, right Miss Kader?" he said to his dad and giving me a bright smile like he really understands what he will do to 'taking care of me', his eyes shining with armor. I know he has another meaning for taking care of me.

"Hello, Boss. It's good to finally meet you. I'm Juliet Hamem. I will assist with your work ahead." Juliet politely greeted him and introduced herself after. Kayish glanced at her for a moment and only nodded his head without any word. DAMN!! This arrogant man!! I mentally slapped him twice in my mind and cursed him to be in the 7th hell. How arrogant, rude, and manipulative jerk!!!

"I know a good restaurant near here; I heard they serve good dishes as well. All tables are full, and our employees are enjoying their lunch. I think we should take lunch there, right son?" Mr. Miller glanced at Kayish for his suggestion. True to his words, all tables were already full.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir. I think I forgot to mention to the event manager to manage the VIP station empty for you and our new boss." Juliet explained the crisis to Mr. Miller.

"Don't worry, Julie. You did a good job. There's another good place I know who serves wonderful." Mr. Miller gave her a reassuring smile. "Shall we go now?" he added and glanced towards Kayish once again who only managed a small nod. I think it's a good time for me to excuse myself.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Miller. But I can't." I set up an answer for my escape, and all three heads just looked at me with a questioning look. Uh..oh.. What a good excuse not to join them?

"I don't eat non-veg sir," I added the sentence that first came into my mind, but Oh God!! What a silly excuse I made. Zero credit for me, it will not make myself free.

"Then let's order veg, Riya. Not a big problem. I'll make them serve vegs for you, dear." Mr. Miller simply said and walked ahead not bothering to hear me up.

"Such a blind excuse." Kayish whispered in my ear before walking behind his dad; his hot breath sent shivers down to my spine. Unexpectedly, I felt my arm was being hit and I glared at Juliet who attempted to kill me.

"Ouch, what's for that?" I asked her and rubbed the spot where she hit.

"Are you sure you don't eat non-veg?" She gave me another questioning look.

"Hmm—ya-- Why?" I asked, throwing her one of my best glares.

"Yesterday I saw a chicken bog on your table. So...." She trailed off.

Shit!!

"I'm fasting today. That's why." I masked my lie before walking behind Mr. Miller and his devilish son.

The restaurant Mr. Miller mentioned was a huge hall which was arranged neatly. There was a giant table in the middle of the hall and almost twenty members were seated around the table. This table setting made all visitors look like important guests.

"Riya and Miss.Hamen please take a seat." Mr. Miller said politely to me, and Juliet who as dumbfound as me looking at our surroundings in awe.

I examined the seat arrangement before walking towards another direction which is far from Kayish. Sadly, Juliet is destined to take a seat near Kayish and here I just noticed there was a handsome man who sat on my left side.

"Hello, gorgeous!" He greeted me with a wink. Sassy much.

"Hey, Handsome" I mimicked his tone and took my forks.

Mr. Miller started to order the food and asked both of us what we want for lunch, and to my luck, with the silly excuse I made before, I only ordered a salad as my option.

Tragic..

They all enjoyed their food except me. Why did I come with a silly excuse? My mouth watered when the smell of hot chicken noodles and curry filled my nostrils but my luck, I have only fruit salad and sandwich.

"You don't eat non-veg?" Mr. Handsome asked me, glancing at my salad. I know man, I know... it's pathetic.

"Only for today, I'm fasting," I said and took another bite of my sandwich. The taste was good but I want more.

It's okay. I will order my favourite Chicken Curry and noodles at home. Sweety like chicken curry too. I gave myself an assurance of the meal and a smile appeared on my face when I remembered the way how Sweety had her chicken curry for the first time. It was amusing, yet, adorable. She was too much eager for the food after she had a taste of curry, and the sauces can be found all over her mouth and upfront dress when she was done.

As I was drowning in my daydream about Sweety, a hot sensation hit my sense and I looked up only to spot Kayish staring straight into my eyes and I can tell that he was in his deep thought.

"What's the reason for your bright smile, dear? You seem very happy with whatever you are thinking?" Mr. Miller asked and teased me at the same time.

"Ahh! hmm! It's just......" I tried to reason him, but Mr. Handsome beside me cut my word.

"Oh! come on! It's your boyfriend. Isn't it? I bet you have a handsome boyfriend. Why did the gorgeous girls I always meet have a boyfriend? Can't one of them stay single for me?" He spoke with a loud voice far enough to grab everyone's attention.

Eww! My cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

"No wonder, beautiful gem always have an owner." Mr. Miller gave me a warm smile and turned his attention towards his Chicken Curry. I twirled my eyes to Kayish and find him staring at me intensely. I ignored his stares and stared back at my lovely salad and burger. Once the lunch has done, I and Juliet excused ourselves to go back to the office, since the restaurant is not really far from our destination.

"Hey!" Mr. Handsome called out when I and Juliet came out of the hall. It seemed he has been waiting for us. "I'm Harith Walsh, you can call me Harith." He introduced himself; He sure knows how to get girls' attention.

"Riya Kader." I took his hand for a polite handshake.

I studied his appearance once more this time, with him standing in front of me granted easy access to get a proper look at him. He has grey eyes match his hair, sharp nose, and a strong jaw which definitely make any girls drool over him. He stood 6.2' height and has a broad shoulder, he's a charmer for sure. For a second I mesmerized by his handsome figure. I believe he must be every girls' weakness.

"By the way---" Even before he could move to his sassy level, we were interrupted by someone. "Harith." A hard voice called from behind us and I turned my head to find Kayish giving Harith a hard look.

"Hey man!" Harith waved at him while Kayish is walking towards us. And to my dismay, he stood beside him. I took one step backward when I felt his closeness.

"Dad is looking for you," He told Harith in monotonic.

"Okay--- that old man sure knows how to kill my date! I'm going." He managed an answer to Kayish.

"See you later, beautiful! Say hello to your boyfriend." He waved his hand to me and gave me another wink before walking away to meet Mr. Miller.

Is he serious? Who told him I have a boyfriend? Boys and their bizarre thoughts! I shook my head.

"Let's go, Juliet." When I and Juliet were about to take another step, Kayish's voice stopped us.

"Miss Riya Kader, meet me in my office once 15 minutes from now" he ordered in a demanding voice, his jaw clenched and with that, he takes his leave. I and Juliet looked at each other not knowing what to say before we made our way back to the office. Well, the first day of work with Kayish will make my life more colorful.. Please... note my sarcasm.

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