Page 8 of The Pursuit
“What if I don’t need more coffee but good company to hear the story behind that ring and your mother? The dinner date offer is still open,” I teased.
She bit her lip, slightly flustered, and rolled her eyes before making her exit. I couldn’t keep the grin off my face as I watched her disappear out the door. Even after she was gone, I found myself replaying every second we had shared, marvelling at how Trisha had the power to make even the most mundane day feel extraordinary. If this was just a small taste of what it could be like between us, then I was excited to see where this undeniable connection might lead next. Trisha had awakened a longing in my heart I never knew existed.
TRISHA
With each passing day, I found myself more drawn towards Krish despite my attempts to remain professional. There was so much about this man that drew me in and excited me. He had awakened in me hopes and emotions I’d long kept dormant. In my life, I’d always prioritised my career over relationships. Even with Sanjay, my ex-fiancée, it was never like this. There were no secret glances, playful banter, or electrifying touches. But with Krish, every interaction left me yearning for more.
As a GLEN agent, I knew I should keep my distance. Personal ties were dangerous in this world of covert missions. But when Krish was near, my professional instincts faltered. Being around him awakened my feminine side that craved affection.His affection.
Our recent lighthearted moments together had shown me a glimpse of something beautiful developing between us. He had a way of making me feel special in a way no one else ever had. And in his absence, I kept replaying his flirtatious words and stolen glances in my mind.
I had no doubt Krish, too, felt this undeniable connection between us. His heart also fluttered every time our hands accidentally touched. With Krish, I felt a sense of possibility that both thrilled and terrified me. I knew giving in to my feelings was risky. Yet the thought of denying this rare chance at love pained me too. For now, I could only take each moment as it came, while my heart continued to wish for more.
I was in the intelligence room, focusing on the case filesfor an upcoming mission, when Krish walked in. And as usual, whenever he was around, I found it hard to focus anywhere else.
“Hey there,” Krish greeted casually, pulling up a chair beside me. “Prepping for the Drug Lord case?”
I nodded, trying to remain professional even as my pulse quickened being so close to him.
“I was thinking...” Krish continued, his tone thoughtful. “For a case this big, we should celebrate after cracking it. Maybe over dinner?” His gaze held a tentative hopefulness.
“Why are you so fixated on the dinner thing?” I inquired, locking eyes with him.
“Wrong question,” he smirked, leaning in closer. “I’m not fixated on just the dinner thing, but a date with you, over dinner.” Krish winked at me before adding, “I’ve even decided what I’m going to wear for our dinner date. How about Bermuda shorts, a linen button-up shirt, flip flops, and a straw hat? Does that tempt you?”
Gosh, he never missed a chance to flirt.
“Are we heading to a beach location for dinner?”
“That sounds like fun, doesn’t it? I love beaches. What about you? Are you a beach person or do you prefer hill stations?”
Unsure how to respond, I lightly bumped his shoulder with mine. “Neither. And cracking the case comes first, Director,” I replied in a playfully evasive tone.
Krish sighed.
“You’re right, duty calls.” He was about to get up but then paused, his gaze danced mischievously as he looked at me again. “But just so you know, I don’t give up so easily on things I really want.”
My cheeks flushed at the insinuation. Our gaze lingered longer than needed. This was the first time I caught a whiff of his aftershave, or was it his musky, woodsy cologne?
“Just a dinner date, Agent Trisha,” he insisted. “I have only two days here before I fly back to Austria.”
His eyes pleaded with me to say yes, and then he left. I watched him saunter away, while trying to keep my heart in check. Despite my better instincts, I was looking forward to what might unfold next. Would I continue to decline his request for a dinner date, or would he succeed in convincing me?
The Next Morning…
Krish was in the middle of his morning workout routine at the GLEN gym facility. Clad in a sleeveless vest that highlighted his muscular arms and track pants, he was engrossed in a set of pushups. As he rhythmically lowered and raised his body, a light sheen of sweat glistened on his skin.
Unbeknownst to him, I walked into the gym at that very moment and paused in my tracks, momentarily distracted by the sight of Krish’s athletic form. His focused expression as he trained, the flex of his arm muscles with each pushup—it all made my heart involuntarily flutter.
“Is that an expression of admiration on your face?” Krish inquired, glancing at me and breaking into a grin.
“83...84...85,” he counted his pushups aloud in his breathy voice.
“You observe too much,” I muttered, moving further ahead.
“Do I?” he chuckled. “Then why are you here? To join me for a workout, Agent Trisha?” he asked with a playful glint in his eyes.
“Perhaps,” I replied coyly.
