My Boss Is My Tormentor.

10. Living Accommodations

ROSE

I didn't know why I even bothered, it wasn't like I cared for this bastard but seeing the drop of blood on his lower lip and imagining that it must be causing him pain brought about all the caring instincts of mine to the surface.

Not knowing what took over me, I brought the first-aid kit for him and thank god I didn't make a fool of myself by further treating his injuries. At the last moment my mind cleared from the spell and I turned to rush out of there, thinking that the person who hurt him, Arjun, can probably help him, but then he stopped me in that deep commanding voice of his.

"Stop."

That single word halted me as if an invisible string held me attached to him. And, I stopped. I had no idea why this was happening to me. One moment I just wanted to b***h slap him upside down and the very next when I saw him hurt I wanted to soothe him. Get a grip, Rose.

"Turn around, Miss Rose." Dreading, that once again he was going to ridicule me I was a little surprised when I saw him sitting on the couch and the first aid kit beside him. "Why don't you finish what you came for?"

Startled, I looked up at him, his steel eyes didn't held any of the cruel intentions that I saw earlier even though his lips were still set in a straight line but, he looked... curious, as if he couldn't comprehend why I'd even think to help him.

Thinking that for the moment when he was acting like a normal human being and not blackmailing me, I could probably do this small favour for him. And, then I will ask him to just leave me the hell alone or at least stop with the carriages and drivers.

Carefully, I settled beside him, maintaining the appropriate distance, of course. I took out the small piece of cotton and disinfectant spray.

Holding his grey steel eyes, I dabbed the small cut on his upper lip. Once again, it felt like the earth stopped on its axis. I didn't know I was holding my breath till he caressed the escaped lock of my hair between his fingers and then very carefully tucked it behind my ear.

On an exhale I broke the eye contact and as I sprayed the disinfectant on the cotton, I murmured for him, "This is going to hurt a bit."

Not wanting to meet his eyes, this time I focused my attention on what I was doing and clearly it was the worst idea I ever had as the memory of that kiss in the hotel room came rushing back to me. The taste, the scent and the feel of his lips on mine, it was all I could do not to lean forward and press my lips to his. Once again.

Swallowing thickly through my suddenly parched throat, as quickly as possible, I collected the kit and ran out of there. Not wanting to speculate anymore what was happening to me, I made my escape from his captivating presence.

I was sitting behind my desk, reading the notes the former assistant had left me and was trying very hard to forget it, the slight hum of attraction, shivers of awareness that I had I felt near him. Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths to control my traitorous mind. When I was satisfied that I was no longer under his spell, I opened my eyes and screamed my head off.

"Hello, there." Arjun said, a teasing smile gracing his lips.

"You scared me." I said, accusingly.

"Sorry for that." He replied with a pout, managing to look cute, as he pulled back after being in my face and scaring me. "So, how's your first day going so far?"

The memory of the contract came unbidden and I had to clutch the corner of my desk to steady myself. When I looked up I found his concerned eyes focused on me. "Listen," Arjun looked frustrated as if he wanted to tell me something but couldn't. "Ryan is not a bad person." When I opened my mouth to argue, he rushed on, "I know you don't agree with me at that.”

I had to lift a sardonic eyebrow at that. “You think.”

"But, I've known him since we were kids. He's like a brother to me and believe me when I say that the life changed him. He was and still is, sometimes, the most compassionate man you'll ever see."

"I don't—" At that very moment the door opened to the devil's lair and he came out. His steely eyes immediately took in the scene of Arjun leaning towards me on my desk and my head bent as it was, to listen to him.

Just for a second, the mask slipped and a frown occurred on his forehead, making the magnificent Ryan Johnson look like more of a human than devil himself. But then in a blink he changed, his steely greys glared at me as he said, "Miss Rose, check your email and come in my office if you've any queries." Then he turned to look at his friend, totally dismissing me as he said to Arjun, "Stop disturbing my P.A. let her do her job." Saying that, he turned around and disappeared back in his office, leaving the impression that he'd have said something else if Arjun wasn't there.

"Sorry, I think you should go." I gave a restrained smile to Arjun.

"It's okay, but I'm here if you need anything," Arjun replied back with a warm smile and for a moment I really wanted to share everything with him.

After waving goodbye to Arjun, feeling a little bit lonely and dejected I opened the email and prepared myself for whatever s**t “my new boss” had in store for me. But, I wasn't ready for what I saw.

____

From: Ryan Johnson

Subject: Living accommodation

Date: 12 June 2017 17:30

To: Miss Rose

You are to collect all the "essential" items from your apartment tonight as tonight will be the last night you'll spend there. From tomorrow evening you're going to live in the apartment provided by me.

Do you have any questions?

Ryan Johnson

Ryan Arts& Commerce Co.Pvt.Ltd.

____

I was sure I looked like I have seen a ghost, I could feel the blood leaving my face and my hands trembled from the rage I was feeling. Leaving everything as it was, I stormed to his office and without missing a beat, pushed the door open. If it had been non-automated door, it’d have slammed in the wall and broken on impact.

I glared at him while he sat in his chair like it was a throne, looking sinfully poised and handsome. Very slowly, he closed his laptop as he glared at me, a tick going on in his temple. "Last time, Miss Rose, you don't barge in here without knocking first, and after that only if I say that you can come in, then you'll enter my office."

"What drugs are you on?" I had to ask this. I just had to. "Or, if you're totally insane?" I demanded, knowing my voice was starting to rise high but I didn't care.

"Is there anything you want to ask?" He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping unstoppably on the armrest.

Taking a deep breath I tried to be reasonable, I had learned a long time ago that the anger and lashing out isn't always the best solution. And, for once I was ready to deal with this situation with a cool mind. "Yes, for a matter of fact I want to ask you something."

"Then ask away, Miss Rose." His voice was laced with humor obviously gauging the fact that I was trying to calm down.

Gritting my teeth tightly, I asked, "Why the hell would I leave my apartment to live with you?"

"Uh huh..." Ryan shook his head in amusement. "No, you're taking it all wrong, Miss Rose." He stood up from his chair, his long strides taking him closer to me. "You're alone going to live there for the three months you're under my employment."

I observed this as much as I could. "But.. but, I don't want to."

"You don't have a choice."

"Don't I?" I asked him, showing him the bravado I didn't feel. "What if I just leave you and your bullshit all here, and never look back."

"Then, here's the advice for you, Miss Rose," When I looked up at him, Ryan stated, "You've already done enough to let all this happen," he lightly touched his cheek, "You don't want to make me go on a raging spiral, you wouldn't like the outcome." When I started to speak again, he held up a hand as he backed away to his desk and brought out an envelope with him, sliding it toward me, he said, "Open it."

With fingers that trembled, I opened the envelope and felt my world tilt on its axis as I looked through the photograph. It was my uncle, Mr. Ajay Kharanna, and his son, Aditya. My best friend, Adi.

In one picture Adi was standing outside with his father, laughing while he admired his new XUV.

Involuntarily, my steps faltered and I looked up to meet his unflinching gaze. "You wouldn't want them to be homeless and car-less, I gather."

Without saying a single word I turned around, not wanting him to see the helpless tear that slipped past my eyelids. "Miss Rose." His voice, commanding in its own way, stopped me. My hand on the doorknob, I waited for him to say whatever he wanted to. "Let’s not forget this in the future. You don't want me to do something drastic to these good people." His voice turned cold and more mean as he finished, "Because, believe me, I will."

As the clock showed six in the evening, my desk phone rang startling me. "Hello," I grimaced at my hesitating voice.

My tormenter on the other hand didn't have any problem like that, his smooth cool voice filled my ear, "You can leave for the day, Miss Rose. And, being the P.A. to me, that you are, you've to be early in the morning."

"How much early?"

"At nine sharp. Not a minute late. Understood?"

I gritted my teeth as I replied. "Yes, Mr. R. K." Taking a deep breath, I added, "Good night."

I left the building and there it was, my carriage and Mr. Gavin, thinking of him as a driver didn't sit well with me after the crying fest I'd had in front of him. "Good evening, Miss Rose," Mr. Gavin gave me a warm smile as he opened the door for me.

"Please, just call me Rose, Mr Gavin." I said to him as I slid into the backseat.

He rounded the car, settled in the driver seat and then met my gaze in the rear-view mirror as he replied to me, "Then you should call me, Gavin."

"Uh, no, I can't do that. You know how it is in India, we don't call our elders by their names," I said, knowing too well he'd understand.

"Fine. Then call me 'tìo'. His eyes sparkled back at me.

"And, what does that mean exactly?" I asked as I've never heard that word before.

"'Tìo' means uncle in Spanish, my niece is half Spanish and she calls me that."

Hearing that I felt the moisture gather in my eyes and wasn't too surprised after the day I'd had, I needed it, a little warmth. The rest of the ride to my apartment was spent in silence as Mr. Gavin, now 'Tìo', drove through the traffic of Mumbai and I silently watched the scenery pass by.

When we stopped in front of my building then only Tìo broke the silence. "You live here." It wasn't a question as much as a horrified statement. I looked at him and raised my brow to which he murmured with, "No wonder he wants you out of here. I'm just surprised he's letting you go for the night."

I wanted to tell him that he didn't make me do anything but that would have been a lie so I just simply exited the car. I would think later about that cryptic comment of his. Mr Gavin fell in step beside me as I approached the front gate of my building. I looked at him, confused. "What are you doing?"

"Seeing you off to your apartment." Was his curt reply.

"I can go by myself. I've done this for two years before your arrogant boss entered in my life... making it a living hell." That last part was whispered to myself.

"It will give me satisfaction," He replied, looking around the neighbourhood pointedly.

Fine. The neighbourhood was a little sketchy. Fine, fine, a lot sketchy. But, I've learned to live here and I always checked before going out or coming to my apartment. The thought hadn't fully finished in my mind when an arm snaked across my body and snatched my purse away. A stunned moment later, when my mind registered what had happened I looked for the thug who was running very fast, and then I noticed Mr. Gavin running after him.

I watched in amazement as Tìo grabbed a hold of the thug and punched him square in the face. The thug stumbled back, not relinquishing his hold on my purse. Mr Gavin whispered something in his ear and the thug nodded vigorously. And, to my utter amazement Tìo pulled out his wallet and gave the thug a wad of cash. Not able to stop myself, I walked to them and looked at the thug, who was not older than a sixteen years old boy.

The boy gave me back my purse and whispered a hoarse apology as he turned around and disappeared in the night. Before I could ask what was all that about, Tìo said, "So, you were saying that you can go by yourself?

Not wanting to answer that and humiliate myself any further, I turned back toward my building. I kept silent while we trudged up the stairs, feeling his judging eyes all over the place. When we got to my apartment I turned to Tìo who looked more and more worried by the second. "Are you okay?" I asked him.

He looked amused, shook his head to himself and asked, "Will you be okay?"

Smiling at his concerned look, I said, "Yeah, Tìo, I'll be okay."

"I have your number and I'll message mine, contact me if you need anything."

"Okay, I will." I took out my keys as I said, "Good night, Tìo."

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