I sat back in my high-backed leather chair, the sleek, dark wood of my desk perfectly organized in front of me. The early morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office on the top floor of Black Crown Industries, casting a golden hue over the room. It had been a week since Miss Avleen started working as my personal assistant. The change in the office atmosphere was palpable.

She was efficient; I had to give her that. In just a week, Avleen had managed to streamline my schedule, handle important communications with precision, and even anticipate my needs before I voiced them. Despite her clumsiness, which grated on my nerves, I couldn't deny her competence. However, her presence also brought an unwelcome liveliness to the otherwise cold and quiet environment I preferred.

Every morning before I arrived, the office buzzed with hushed conversations and soft laughter. I knew it was because of her. She had an uncanny ability to draw people in and make them feel at ease.

She always keeps the office atmosphere lively with her quirks. Not to mention, my expenses have increased since she joined the Black Crown. She will break something one day or another.

I couldn't help but think about what she did this past week. Thinking about her antics, her fearlessness, her talkativeness, her clumsiness, and much more.

FLASHBACK:

ONE DAY

I arrived earlier at the office than usual. As I passed by the break room, the sound of muffled laughter caught my attention. It was early, and I rarely ventured into this part of the office at this hour, but something about the liveliness piqued my curiosity. I was moving forward but halted at my steps as I heard Avleen mention my name. I stood there as I decided to hear, eager to know what she was up to now.

"Mr. Raisinghania? Oh, he's so boring and cold-hearted. He is always angry. Maine kabhi unhe muskurate huye nahi dekha. Vaise muskurana toh baad ki baat hai voh toh Kabhi expression nahi dete chehre pe. Expressionless and Emotionless Robot. Unhe sirf gussa ke expression pata hai." Avleen's voice came through clearly, followed by a chorus of giggles.

(Mr. Raisinghania? Oh, he's so boring and cold-hearted He's always angry I've never seen him smile Well, smiling is a whole different story for him; he never shows any expression on his face Expressionless and emotionless robot. All he knows is how to express anger.)

"Like an akdu lamba khamba," she added with a dramatic flourish, making everyone laugh harder.

(Like an arrogant, tall guy.)

I clenched my jaw. 'Akdu lamba khamba,' was I? I peered through the partially open door and saw her sitting on one of the tables, surrounded by a few employees, all looking at her with a mixture of amusement and admiration.

One of my employees, Raj, shook his head in disbelief. "Ma'am, you have the guts to say something like that about Mr. Raisinghania. No one dares to open their mouth in front of him; no one dares to look into his eyes straight, and here you are, saying that he is arrogant so openly."

Before Avleen could respond, I decided I had heard enough. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room fell silent instantly, the laughter dying in their throats as they turned to see me. Their expressions shifted from amusement to horror in a heartbeat, their faces quickly adopting an indifferent mask.

Avleen, oblivious to my presence, looked around, puzzled by the sudden change. "Why is everyone so quiet?" she asked, her back still turned to me.

I moved to stand beside her, crossing my arms over my chest. She looked at me, still laughing, and swatted at my shoulder absentmindedly.

"Aapke hi bare mein baat..." she started and looked forward, then froze as she turned to look at me again and realized it was me. Her eyes widened, and a nervous smile tugged at her lips. "Mr. Raisinghania...", She immediately got down from the table.

(We were talking about you...)

"Get back to work," I said, my voice cold and commanding. "This is not a bloody fish market."

The employees scrambled to leave, scurrying out of the break room as if their lives depended on it. Avleen stood there, rooted to the spot, her face pale. I turned to her, my expression stern. "Miss Avleen, come to my cabin. Now."

Avleen followed me into my office, her footsteps hesitant. I walked to my desk and turned to face her, leaning back against it. She stood before me, wringing her hands, her nervousness palpable.

"Akdu lamba khamba hoon main, hnn?" I repeated, my voice laced with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

(I'm an arrogant, tall guy, huh?)

She shook her head vigorously, her eyes wide. "No, no, Mr. Raisinghania, aap kahan akdu hain."

(No, no, Mr. Raisinghania, you are arrogant.)

"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. "Tum hi toh keh rahi thi abhi kuch minute pehle yehi baat."

(You were the one who was saying this same thing a few minutes ago.)

She stammered, "I... I didn't mean it like that, sir. It was just, you know, a joke."

I pushed myself off the desk and took a step closer to her, watching as she instinctively took a step back. "Akdu lamba khamba, hmm?" I leaned down, my face inches from hers, enjoying the way her breath hitched.

"Tum sara din sar uppar rakhogi niche nahi karogi. It's your punishment." I commanded.

(Arrogant, tall guy. You will keep your head up all day; you will not bring it down.)

She looked up at me, clearly struggling with the height difference. At 6'4", I towered over her 5'4" frame. Her cheeks flushed with a deep shade of crimson as she realized how close we were.

"Mr. Raisinghania, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I straightened up, my expression softening just a fraction. "I expect professionalism, Miss Avleen. I am your boss, not a subject for your jokes."

She nodded quickly, her eyes downcast. "Yes, sir. It won't happen again."

I allowed a small smile to tug at my lips. "Good. Now, go into your cabin and bring your working stuff here."

"Why...why here, Mr. Raisinghania?" she asked, confused. "Because you are going to work from my cabin today so that you can complete your punishment. Now, get back to work. And try not to break anything else today."

She looked up, her nervous smile returning. "I won't, sir. Thank you."

As she left the office hurriedly, I couldn't help but chuckle softly. Despite her clumsiness and her knack for creating chaos, there was something undeniably endearing about her. Maybe, just maybe, having her around wouldn't be so bad after all.

After a few minutes, she came back and started working, sitting on the couch. She held her head high as I told her. I could see her struggling; her neck must have turned stiff by now, but she needs to learn that Eshank Raisighania is not a joke.

-----------------------------------------------------------

ANOTHER DAY

I was in the middle of a conference call when I heard a loud crash coming from the adjoining room. My brow furrowed, and I ended the call abruptly, striding towards the source of the noise.

As I entered, I saw Avleen squatting on the floor, her eyes wide with horror. Shards of porcelain lay scattered around her, the remnants of my favorite Ming dynasty vase. She was frantically trying to pick up the pieces, her hands trembling.

"Miss Avleen, stop," I commanded, my voice sharp.

She flinched at the sound of my voice, and in her haste, a piece of the vase pierced her hand. She winced but kept rambling, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I am... so sorry, Mr. Raisinghania. I didn't mean to do this. It accidentally fell... I was just adjusting the curtains."

"I said stop!" I repeated, my tone more forceful.

"But let me clean it," she insisted, extending her hand again to pick up the pieces.

Before she could hurt herself further, I crossed the room in a few quick strides and grabbed her wrist, pulling her up to her feet. "Stand up!"

She looked up at me, confusion and fear mingling in her eyes. Without another word, I bent down and carefully picked her up in my arms. She instinctively wrapped her arms around my neck, her eyes widening in surprise. "Sir, please put me down. Aap kya-"

(What are you-)

"Shut up," I said sternly, trying to keep my voice steady. "You will regret it if you say one more word."

Her eyes widened even more, but she obediently made a gesture of zipping her lips, locking them, and throwing away the invisible key. I had to fight the urge to chuckle, keeping my face stoic as I carried her to the couch.

I set her down gently and turned to retrieve the first-aid kit from my drawer. My mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions. I was furious about the vase, but seeing her in pain stirred something unfamiliar inside me. Worry. Concern. It didn't make sense, but I couldn't ignore it.

Returning to her side, I sat down and opened the first-aid kit. I carefully took her hand, inspecting the cut. She hissed in pain and tried to pull back, but I held her hand firmly yet gently. "It's alright. Bas ho gaya."

(It's almost done.)

She nodded, her eyes fixed on mine, and for a moment, there was silence between us. I cleaned the wound with an antiseptic wipe, my touch as gentle as I could manage. She winced but didn't pull away again.

As I bandaged her hand, I couldn't help but notice how small and delicate her hand looked in mine. There was a certain fragility to her that I hadn't seen before, and it unsettled me. Why did I care so much about her pain?

"There," I said, finishing up the bandage. "All done."

She looked at her hand and then back at me, her eyes softening. "Thank you, Mr. Rai Singhania."

I nodded, standing up and putting the first-aid kit away. "Just... be more careful next time."

"I will," she promised, her voice sincere.

As I turned back to my desk, I couldn't shake the feeling that this incident had changed something between us. Despite my irritation and her clumsiness, there was an undeniable connection. And as much as I tried to ignore it, I knew it was something I couldn't easily forget.

-------------------------------------------------------------

PRESENT

Here today, I am Sitting in my leather chair, I glanced at the clock on my desk. I leaned back on the chair, running a hand through my hair, wondering what new destruction my clumsy PA would bring today. Thinking about the chaos she has created in the past week, I couldn't help but smile. Wait, I am smiling, thinking about her clumsy antics.

While I was pondering, there was a knock at the door. "Come in." I responded in my normal, frigid tone. Rivan entered and said, "Sir, the clients are waiting in the conference room. I nodded as I rose up from my chair. I walked towards the conference room with Rivan.

As I walked in, Avleen was already there. She was distributing the materials. When everyone saw me come, they rose up in respect, or, should I say, in dread. They greeted me, and I simply nodded. Everybody took their seats. Everything about the meeting, including the presentations, was remarkable.

After the meeting, "Miss Avleen, give me the relevant documentation linked to this deal." I said it with an authoritative tone. Avleen nodded and left.

In the afternoon, I found myself standing near the big French window, looking out over the city. Beside me stood a tall plant in a pot, which was obscuring my view. I was taking a rare moment to enjoy a cigarette, puffing smoke into the air.

There was a knock on the door, and Avleen entered, carrying a stack of files I had asked for. I turned slightly, still hidden by the plant, and watched as she placed the files on the desk and said, "Sir, I brought the files you asked for before the next meeting." She suddenly froze, her eyes widening in alarm as she saw the smoke curling up from my cigarette.

Before I could react, she grabbed the jug of water from the desk and threw its contents at the plant-and me. She is really a troublemaker.

"What the fuck!" I exclaimed, turning to face her, water dripping from my suit.

Her face turned pale as she realized what she had done. "Pagal ho kya tum? Mujh par pani kyu phenka?" Are you out of mind? Why did you throw water at me?

She looked genuinely confused. "Yahan smoke dikhi toh mujhe laga aag lagi hai." She trailed off, noticing the cigarette in my hand.

(I saw the smoke and thought there was fire.)

"Tum chalti phirti aafat ho," I muttered under my breath. "I can't even smoke calmly in my own cabin."

(You are walking trouble.)

Her eyes widened in horror. "Hawww... aap smoke karte hain?"

(Haww, do you smoke?)

I grabbed a glass from the table, ready to take my revenge. "Karta hoon toh tumhe kya taqleef hai?" I started chasing her around the office.

(I do. So, what's your problem?)

She darted away, yelling, "Sir, mujhe lagta hai aapke chashme ka number badh gaya hai! Aapne padha nahi kabhi, 'Smoking is injurious to health.' Don't smoke, sir!"

(Sir, I think your spectacle number has increased! Haven't you ever read, 'Smoking is injurious to health.')

"Padha hai na! But who are you to tell me what I should do or not? And why the fuck are you running?"

(I have read.)

"Because you are running after me!" she called back, dodging behind a chair.

For the next fifteen minutes, we ran around the office like children, her weaving in and out of hiding spots while I pursued her with the glass of water. Whenever I thought I caught her, she would just slip away, grinning like a kid.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of irritation and amusement at the absurdity of it all. Finally, I cornered her between the glass window and the couch.

"Where will you go now?" I said, my voice full of mischief. Without warning, I threw the glass of water at her.

"Main kisi ka karz nahi rakhta," I declared triumphantly.

(I never owe anyone anything.)

She stood there, soaked, looking both indignant and amused. "Aapne mujhpe pani daala."

(You threw water at me.)

"Haan daala, toh kya karogi? Pehle tumne phenka tha pani mujhpar. Maine toh bas hisaab barabar kiya hai."

(Yes, I did, so what will you do? You were the one who threw water at me first. I just settled the score with you.)

"Dekh lungi aapko," she said, pointing her index finger at me, her eyes flashing with mock anger.

(I will see you.)

"Kaise dekhlogi? Maarogi kya mujhe?"

(How will you see me?) (What, will you kill me?)

"Why will I kill you, sir? After all, if I kill you, who will pay my salary? Abhi toh first salary bhi nahi mili."

(I haven't even received my first salary yet.)

I smirked. "Acha, agar main salary naa doon toh?"

(Oh, if I don't give you a salary, then.)

She looked me straight in the eye, her voice a little angry. "Mere paas ek hazaar ek tareeke hain aapko maarne ke liye."

(I have one thousand and one ways to kill you.)

The boldness of this woman! I felt both irritated and amused. I was stunned that I'd gone after my PA around the office for water revenge. I advanced towards her, and with each stride forward, she took a step back. I stood in front of her immediately, as she had nowhere to go.

I kept my hands on the glass window and leaned forward, trapping her between me and glass. She glanced at me with wide eyes; her cheeks went shades of pink as I approached. I kept my attention on her and chuckled inwardly since she looked so gorgeous with those crimson cheeks. I couldn't help but feel a peculiar type of sensation whirling within me, knowing that the cause behind her blushing like this was me. "Should I throw you out of the window?" I stated mischievously.

She tilted her head slightly, looked down at the window, and swiftly shook her head. "No, Sir. "Please don't." She glanced back at me, begging, as if she thought I would really toss her from such a height.

When my phone rang on my desk, I straightened up and approached it, picking it up as soon as I saw the caller ID: it was my mother. As I answered the phone, I spotted Miss Chalti Phirti Aafat about to leave the scene. As she passed by my desk, I grabbed her wrist and refused to let go. I'm not finished with her yet.

"Hello, Maa," I said with a strong hold on Avleen's wrist.

"Eshank beta," my mother said, as joyful and persistent as always. "I need you to go shopping with me. We need to finalize some details for your wedding."

"Ma, I've told you before, I'm not going," I said, my voice flat and unyielding. "I have too much work."

"Nonsense," she retorted. "You need to take some time off for this. It's your own wedding, not someone else's, Eshank. Kabhi toh kaam ko chodd diya karo."

(Sometimes you should leave work.)

"I said I wasn't going, Maa. It's all just a waste of time. You can choose whatever you want. I will not mind. I repeated, my patience dwindling. But then an idea came to me, and a smirk tugged at my lips. "Actually, Maa, I have a solution. I will send someone to assist you."

Theek hai prr zyada accha hota agar tum aa jate." She inquired curiously, "Btw, who are you sending?"

(Okay but It's better if you come.)

"Miss Avleen, my PA," I said, looking at her. "She's very efficient and has excellent taste. She will help you, Maa."

Avleen's eyes widened in dread. She shook her head furiously and mouthed, "No, no, please."

"Perfect!" my mom shouted. "I'll expect her in an hour. Tell her to meet me at Platinum Mall."

"Alright Maa. She will be there in an hour." I answered, hanging up the phone and focusing my complete attention on Avleen. "Looks like you have a shopping trip to attend."

"But, sir," she said, "I can't."

"I do not want to hear a no. You have to leave; you have no option." I interrupted while still holding her wrist. "Consider this your punishment for soaking me with water."

Her shoulders fell with defeat. "But I don't know anything about your preferences or your wedding plans."

"Then you'll learn," I murmured, letting go of her wrist. "My mom will fill you in. And believe me, she is more fearsome than I am. You do not want to disappoint her."

She sighed, plainly upset but knowing she had no choice. "Fine, I'll go."

"Good," I said as I walked towards the bathroom in my cabin. "Of course, sir," she whispered as she moved towards the door. She was going to open the door when I called after her, "Miss Avleen."

She turned and looked at me with resignation and curiosity. "Come here," I ordered. She returned and inquired, "What is it, sir?"

I handed her one of the towels I brought from the bathroom. "Dry yourself first. I cannot have my PA collapsing on the job."

She took the towel from my hands and said, "Thank you, sir. Aap itne bhi bure nahi hai jitna aap dikhate hai."

(You're not as bad as you show.)

She began drying herself with that towel and murmured something under her breath, but I overheard, "Thank God, I wasn't wearing a suit today."

I also started to wipe myself with the towel and said, "Maa will meet you in Platinum Mall in an hour, so get there on time."

Avleen nodded, saying, "Don't worry, sir. I will handle everything. Why fear when Avleen is here." I smirked and replied, "Tum ho yahi toh dar hai. Only God knows what you will break next with your clumsiness."

(You are here; that is the terror.)

She put the towel on the chair and stood in front of me, glaring at me. She pressed her index finger into my chest and exclaimed in anger, "Aapko kya issue hai, mere clumsy hone se? Jab dekho tab complaint karte rehte ho, mujhe taunt karte ho clumsy hone ke liye. Main hun clumsy toh kya? I am proud to be clumsy. Maine kabhi complaint ki hai, aap jo sara din logon ko darate rehte hain. Jab dekho sher ki tarah ghuraate rehte hain, sab prr gussa karte rehte hain. Punishment dete rehte hain, Maine kabhi complaint ki. Mujhe aapke chehre ko dekh ke kabhi kabhi darr lagta hai. Apne itne attractive face pe hamesha stoic expression rakhte. Bhagwaan ne itna handsome face diya prr nahi majal hai ki aap kabhi smile karlo, hassna toh bohot durr ki baat hai. Jab dekho naak pe gussa lekar ghumte rehte hain."

(What's your problem with me being clumsy? Whenever I see you, you always keep complaining and taunting me for being clumsy. I am clumsy, so what? I'm proud to be clumsy. Have I ever complained about you? You make people suffer all day. When you roar like a lion, when you are angry at everyone, when you keep punishing us, have I ever complained? Sometimes I'm afraid to look at your face. You always keep a stoic expression on your attractive face. God has given you such a handsome face, and you don't even smile; it is a very far thing to laugh. (All the time, you walk around with anger on your nose.)

I was shocked to hear her! Was she insulting me or saying I was attractive? She is literally one piece of this globe; she was offering both criticism and praise-what an incredible combination! I can read anyone's thoughts but hers. This woman is driving me insane. If someone else had been in her position, he would have been buried alive by now. Let that go for a while, but the main point is that she thinks I'm attractive.

"So, you think I am handsome, huh?" I teased.

"Maine aapko handsome kab kaha?" She inquired innocently, her eyes wide in confusion.

"Abhi toh kaha tha tumne ki bhagwaan ne kitna handsome face diya hai." I asked, looking at her in wonder and shock. She just said that a few seconds ago, so how could she forget so quickly? Itna jaldi toh alzimer ka patient nahi bhoolta jitna jaldi yeh bhoolti hai.

(She forgets faster than an Alzheimer's patient does.)

"Maine kab kaha mujhe toh yaad hi nahi." She said this while trying to hide her smirk, which I caught. Oh, so she is playing this game with me. Let's play it; the game is now on.

(I don't remember when I said it.)

"Achaaa toh, Miss. Avleen, aap bhool gayi hai aapne kya kaha tha kuch minute pehle? But how is that possible? You stated in your CV while we were interviewing you that you had a good memory. You do not forget things easily. So, you lied on your CV.

(Well, Miss Avleen. You forgot what you said a few minutes ago?)

She shook her head quickly and replied, "No. No. Mr. Raisinghania, I did not lie. I have excellent memory," she responded, her voice quivering slightly.

"Oh, so you have a good memory; you should have remembered when you called me handsome. So, do you recall it now?" I questioned, smirking, knowing she'd fallen into her own trap.

"Mujhe yaad nahi rehta main gussa mein kya kehti hun toh mujhe nahi pata maine aapko handsome kab kaha prr aap....hadh karte hain, maine kitna kuch kaha but aapko....bas yahi suna ki maine aapko handsome kaha?" She spoke quickly, but she tried to maintain her composure.

(I don't remember what I say when I'm angry, so I don't know when I called you handsome, but seriously, I've said so much to you and all you've heard is that I called you handsome.)

"Nahi. Maine sab suna hai. Jab tumne kaha, meri naak prr hamesha gussa rehte hai. Main sher ki tarah ghurata hoon. Aur bhi bahut kuch kaha tha tumne, sab bataun?" I mocked her for what she said.

(No, I've heard everything. When you said that I always have anger on my nose, I roared like a lion, and you said a lot more. Should I tell you everything?)

"Hehehehehe....main bas... aap meri clumisness ke barein mein kuch mat kaha kariye. Jab koi meri clumsiness aur short height ke barein main bolta hai, toh mujhe gussa aa jata hai. Aage se dhyaan rakhiyega, hmm. Main...main chalti hoon, Mrs. Rai Singhania ki shopping mein help karne jana hai. She said, attempting to flee the scene again, using my mother's shopping as a reason. Not to forget her hehehehe smile. She laughs nervously every time she damages anything or gets trapped in a difficulty.

(Hehehehehe...I just...don't say anything about my clumsiness. When someone talks about my clumsiness and short height, it makes me angry. Be careful from now on, Hmm. I...I am going; I have to help Mrs. Rai Singhania with her shopping.)

"You think you can escape, huh?" I challenged her mockingly.

"Please, Mr. Raisinghania, let me leave. Your mother must be waiting for me, and you told me to get there on time; if you don't let me go, she will have to wait, and it is not good to keep your mother waiting for too long." She said, feigning innocence as if she were the most innocent person on the entire plant. She's trying to play the emotional card on me.

Before I could react, she continued, "Pretty please," with a lovely voice and innocent eyes, like a child trying to escape from his mother after being caught stealing cookies.

I sighed and grinned inwardly, then stated in my usual chilly tone, "Okay, you can go." She hurriedly turned and sprinted towards the door, as if afraid I would change my mind.

Then I was only walking towards the bedroom in my cabin to change my soaked clothes, thanks to my clumsy PA. I've had to sleep in the office on occasion for work. Work is an exceptionally important aspect of my existence. After what happened seven years ago, I only want money.

As I prepared to open the door, I heard the voice again: "Mr. Raisinghaniaaaaa." She sang it like that. Avleen is back. When I turned to see her, she was smiling sheepishly and poking her head through the creak of the door.

I raised my brow and quietly asked her, "What do you want now?" She understood my question by my motion and asked, "Sir, how will I recognize your mother? I have never seen her.

"I will send you her picture and phone number, okay?" I explained quietly. I've never explained someone that softly before, but with her, it's different. I can't be furious with her for long. I'm not sure why, but I never want her to be terrified of me. She has seen my rage, yet it is only 1% of it.

"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Raisinghania. I am leaving now." She chirped, saluted me, and then left. Arghh....this girl compels me to do things I've never done before. Never in my life have I spoken as much as she made me today. She spoke as many words in an hour as I would in a year.

Finally, she left. There would be some serenity in my office for a few hours as the chaos of my office, my chalti phirti aafat, went away. But the turmoil she causes has a distinct kind of peacefulness to it. Perhaps a little sunshine isn't so terrible after all. I'm looking forward to her crazy things and childish behavior. She is actually a toddler trapped in the body of a 24-year-old woman. She was clumsy, yet she exuded confidence and determination. She never backs down from a fight, even if I'm the one opposing her. She is absolutely unique, a mix of childishness and strength-a deadly combination. I really want to know about their shopping binge right now.

My lovely readers,

I am sorry for the late update, as I wasn't feeling well for the past two weeks. Here is the update. I hope you like it. And I apologize if it doesn't match your expectations. This is for today: 4.6K+ words. Please vote, comment, and share. I would really love to talk with you guys. You can DM me on my Instagram handle: writingsbymili and please give me your suggestions and opinions about the chapter.

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Mili