Page 185 of One Hellish Love

No, she couldn’t cancel. That wasn’t what she wanted. She quickly typed back.

Don’t cancel. Plan A is ON. But… I’m still thinking about Plan B.

Rudra sat in the now-empty conference room, his fingers tapping out a reply with a smirk on his face.

What part of Plan B are you thinking about?

Kashish felt a warmth spread over her cheeks again. He was definitely doing this on purpose now. She was barely able to concentrate, wondering what to reply. And then, another text came from him.

Stop pouting. You know that does something to me.

Her eyes widened. Was he watching her? She glanced toward the open lobby curtains. The meeting room wasn’t too far away. She quickly closed the curtains and shot back a reply.

We need to finish our work, Mr. Raheja, before we even consider Plan A. Let’s leave Plan B for later.

Rudra’s next reply came almost instantly.

So, it’s not a NO to Plan B? I like that there’s still a chance.

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. This back-and-forth banter was exciting, but she knew tonight would be different. She just wasn’t sure how ready she was. With trembling fingers, she typed back her final message.

Plan B… maybe. Maybe not. Be prepared for both. Now, let me work. See you tonight.

******************

It was 5:30 p.m. Kashish finished her work, cleared her desk, and tucked her laptop into her bag. She had to leave now and prepare for their dinner date—more specifically, forPlan Atonight. But no matter how hard she tried, the bells ofPlan Bstill rang in her ears, sending an undeniable current of tension through her body. She left her cabin, wishing her team a good evening as they exchanged goodbyes.

“Kashish, any plans for the weekend tomorrow?” Roma, one of her team members, asked with a smile.

“Nothing decided yet. Why do you ask?”

She tried to keep her mind off the intense conversation she had with Rudra earlier.

“We’re planning a movie tomorrow. The whole team is coming. Will you join us? It’ll be fun!” Roma suggested excitedly.

Kashish nodded thoughtfully.

“A movie? Sounds nice. I’ll let you know by tonight if I can make it.”

Roma’s smile widened.

“Great! You should come. You never join the team outings.”

Kashish smiled back, knowing that was true. She had always avoided too much socializing. Her phone buzzed in her hand, and when she saw Rudra’s name flash across the screen, she couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat.

What’s being discussed?

Kashish glanced around. Where was he watching her from? She spotted him standing in the lobby, speaking to one of the senior managers. Despite being in the middle of a conversation, his eyes were glued to her. She rolled her eyes. Why did he always have to know what was going on with her? But she replied anyway.

The team’s planning a movie tomorrow. I think I’ll go.

She purposely phrased it to sound final, just to see how he would react.

Don’t,came his immediate reply.

Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. If Rudra was so possessive about her time, why had he gone to Paris in the first place? Did he have any idea how much she had missed him while he was away? Now that he was back, it was as if he wanted every minute of her time.

Sorry, plans made. Can’t change them now,she texted back teasingly.

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