Date.

Anushka's eyes widened in surprise. "You remember that?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Mark's eyebrows shot up, his surprise evident. "Wait, you actually had a crush on Jerry? I just jokingly guessed!"

Anushka groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Oh my God, Mark. You're the worst."

Mark laughed, clearly enjoying her reaction. "I knew it! All the girls who got in Jerry's path couldn't help but fall for him. And I knew you wouldn't be an exception."

Anushka peeked out from behind her hands, her cheeks still bright red. "It wasn't like that, Mark. It was more of infatuation, just… a silly crush. And it didn't last long."

Mark leaned back in his chair, his grin widening. "I guess you found out about Jerry and Emily, and that's how the crush faded, huh?"

Anushka looked down at him, her expression thoughtful. In her mind, she realized that Mark didn't actually remember her crush on Jerry—he had just guessed. She decided to play along, not wanting to complicate things further. "Yeah," she said, her tone light. "Something like that."

Mark chuckled, leaning forward and resting his head on her lap. "Well, I'm glad you came to your senses. Jerry's great and all, but he's not a fit for you. Trust me I'm the only right fit for you."

Anushka laughed, her fingers instinctively running through his thick afro hair. "You're so full of yourself. You think you are the best there is?"

Mark looked up at her, his eyes filled with affection. "Maybe. And I know that's why you love me."

Anushka's smile softened, her heart swelling with emotion. "Please don't make me say the words."

They sat there for a while, the silence between them comfortable and warm. Anushka's fingers continued to play with Mark's hair, her mind drifting back to the early days of their relationship. She thought about how far they had come, from her initial frustration with him to the deep connection they now shared.

---------

Minutes Later.

Anushka and Mark sat in comfortable silence, Mark's head lazily resting on her lap as she absentmindedly played with his hair. The office was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the computers and the occasional rustle of papers. Mark's eyes were closed, his breathing steady as he began to doze off, clearly enjoying the moment.

But Anushka's mind was racing. She glanced around the office, suddenly aware of where they were. What if someone walks in and sees us like this? she thought, her cheeks flushing at the idea. She gently shook Mark's shoulder, pulling his head up. "Mark," she said, her voice firm but soft. "I need to continue with my work."

Mark groaned, his eyes fluttering open as he looked up at her. "Can't you just let me be at peace for another five minutes?" he protested, his tone half-serious, half-teasing.

Anushka shook her head, her expression serious. "No, Mark. What if someone barged in and found us like this? What would they think?"

Mark sat up, stretching lazily before turning to face her. "And what's wrong with me spending time with my girlfriend?" he asked, his tone playful but pointed.

Anushka's eyes widened, and she quickly corrected him. "I'm not your girlfriend, for the record."

Mark raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "But do you wish to be my girlfriend?" he asked, his voice soft but probing.

Anushka's breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to say yes—it was all she had wanted for so long. But the words stuck in her throat, her fear of commitment holding her back. She looked away, her cheeks flushing as she remained silent.

Mark leaned closer, his gaze intense but filled with affection. "Then be my girlfriend," he said, his voice firm but gentle.

Anushka hesitated, her mind racing. She wanted to say yes, but the fear of vulnerability, of fully committing to someone, made her hesitate. Finally, she looked at him, her tone teasing but nervous. "Who says I want to be your girlfriend?"

Mark chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Deny it all you want, Ruhi. I can see it in your eyes. You want to."

Anushka's cheeks flushed, but she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. Mark was right—she did want to be with him. But she wasn't ready to admit it just yet. Instead, she said, "Let's go on a date. Then I'll decide if I can be your girlfriend."

Mark's grin widened, and he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Deal," he said, his tone confident. He knew she loved him, and he knew she couldn't resist him for long. She was just playing hard to get, and he was more than willing to play along.

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. Before Anushka could respond, the door opened, and Stacey walked in. She froze in the doorway, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the scene before her—Mark and Anushka in an almost compromising posture as though they were a couple, his arm draped over the back of the chair, and Anushka looking slightly flustered.

"Uh… hi," Stacey said, her tone awkward but polite. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

Mark stood up, his usual confident demeanor returning as he greeted Stacey. "Hey, Stacey. Long time no see."

Stacey smiled, though her expression was still a little surprised. "Hey, Mark. It's good to see you back. How are you?"

Mark shrugged, his tone light. "I'm good. Just catching up with Ruhi here."

Anushka shot him a look, her cheeks still flushed. "Mark," she said, her tone warning.

Mark chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "What? It's true."

Stacey glanced between the two of them, her curiosity evident but her professionalism keeping her from prying. "Well, I just came to drop off these reports," she said, holding up a folder. "But I can come back later if this is a bad time."

Anushka shook her head quickly, her tone firm. "No, no, it's fine. You're not interrupting anything important."

Mark raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Speak for yourself."

Anushka shot him another look, her expression a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "Mark, behave."

Mark held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll behave. For now."

Stacey chuckled, clearly amused by their dynamic. She handed the folder to Anushka, her tone professional but friendly. "Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else."

Anushka nodded, her smile genuine. "Thanks, Stacey. I'll take a look at these later."

Stacey nodded, then glanced at Mark. "It's really good to have you back, Mark. We've missed you around here."

Mark's expression softened, his tone sincere. "Thanks, Stacey. It's good to be back."

As Stacey left the office, closing the door behind her, Anushka turned to Mark, her hands on her hips. "You're annoying, I hope you know that?"

Mark grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Maybe. but I don't care for as long as it's you I'm annoying."

Mark stepped closer, his tone soft but filled with affection. "So, about that date…"

Anushka's cheeks flushed, but she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "We'll see, Mark. We'll see."