Secretary to Mrs. Campbell

The Dinner and Questions

Both were having dinner in comfortable silence; Nate cleared his throat to get Anika’s attention but the silly girl passed him a glass of water. Oops! “Anniikaa” he called out annoyedly and in response, he just got ‘Hmmm’ “We have to leave for Rome next Thursday and will be back on Monday. Tomorrow in the first half itself we will decide the schedule for the remaining week and then I have a meeting with my PI about Mr. Ricci at 12.00 pm” At the mention of PI Anika snapped her head at Nate so quickly that one would get dizzy. Anika yet again hmmed in response and she was lost in her thoughts about the same. Nate did observe this behavior of hers yet again and was confused if it was the word PI or Mr. Ricci that made her go in deep thoughts and what was she thinking so deeply of them? The unknown feeling made his heartache, maybe that was jealousy? But why, he hardly knows her yet sometimes she somehow makes him feel so familiar like he has known her for eternity.

Nate snapped his fingers in front of Anika to grab her attention and asked, “What’s wrong? What were you thinking so deeply about?” Anika was startled and replied, “Huh!? Hay Krishnaji what what’s wrong? No, I’m not thinking about anything.” ‘No, I should not tell him just yet. Kya sochengey mere baare mein… Ek hafta bhi nai hua aake aur favours maang rahi hu!?’ (What will he think about me… It’s not been 1 week of joining the job and I am already requesting favours)

Nate replied, “What are you blabbering in Hindi?” Anika replied, “Huh nothing nothing… What about visas and all? Tickets? Will it be sponsored by the company or will I have to buy it? What about stay? What about…?” Nate interrupted her by saying, “Woah…Woah… Relax woman… How much can you speak in one breathe!? Everything will be on the company and you don’t have to buy tickets. We will be going in my chopper and about…” “You have a chopper!? Like a helicopter - chopper!? Oh my god! Hay Krishnaji! You’re rich!!” Anika reacted her dove eyes went wide with this bit of information. “Yes, I do have a chopper… Anika, I run a multi-billion company; don’t you think I’ll be rich? The tours related to company affairs are paid by the company. Mrs. Bridget will guide you on the bookings tomorrow. So, did you like the Spaghetti? It’s vegetarian, I hope it’s as per your taste.” Anika smiled slowly and replied, “I didn’t know you could cook such delicious food. Thank you so much. You know, no one till date has ever cooked for me well except my sister and the orphanage’s lady.” Listening to Anika Nate had so many questions in his mind but he kept it to himself, thinking it’s not the correct time as they are having a nice time. Nate was done with his dinner and is now looking at how Anika is enjoying her food. The models he had previously dated were very conscious about their food and he hates that. Nate unconsciously lifts his hand and wipes the sauce off her lips and licks it while making eye contact with her. He wants to taste those luscious lips of hers since she came in for the interview. Small, pink, and soft. He wonders what it would be like to kiss her. Slowly he moves his lips towards her. Anika is stunned wondering what’s going on… Does he want to kiss her? Anika looks down at his lips as well and then moistens her lips with her tongue, this doesn’t go unnoticed to Nate. Nate brings his lips close to hers and Anika subliminally comes closer… 

“Nate my man, oh who do we have here?” A man’s voice alarmed Anika and she clumsily fell off the chair. “Oh fcuk! Anika” Nate reacted and helped her off the floor and made her sit onto the chair back again. “Are you hurt? How can you be so clumsy?” Nate worriedly asked her. Anika was still in shock and embarrassed about the whole situation. She couldn’t believe she was just about to kiss her boss. ‘Haye Krishnaji that would have been awkward if they had kissed’ Anika thought, shaking her head and here, Nate thought she replied to his question. Nate started to check her hands, elbows to see any sign of injury and asked her, “Where is it paining?” Anika got out of her dazed and replied, “Huh? No... no… I’m okay. Thank you” and gave a small reassuring smile. Nate let out a breath of relief and angrily walked towards the man who had interrupted his moment with Anika, “What the fcuk is wrong with you? Don’t you have the decency to ring a bell? I should probably change the code.” The man just chuckled and walked past Nate to meet Anika. “My my don’t be so uptight and who’s this beautiful lady here Nate? You must be a very special lady, Nate has never got any of his flavor of the month lady at home” the man said while kissing the back of Anika’s hand. Anika pulled back her lady, not used to strangers touching or kissing her hand. ‘This man is handsome as well but not more than Natheniel’ Anika’s eyes widened at her own thought. Not be rude she replied the man politely, “I’m just  Mr. Campbell’s secretary Ms. Anika Gupta.” “Ahh…. Anika so Asian huh? Are you sure you're JUST a secretary? By the way, I’m Daniel, your boss’s younger brother and you can call me Danny.” he replied with a smile and forwarded his hand for a handshake. Anika shook her hands with him but Nate pulled her possessively towards him and asked Daniel, “What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you’re coming here today?” Daniel yet again ignored his older brother and sat at the dining table, helping himself with the food, and said, “Yuummm, this smells heavenly bro! But since when did you start having vegetarian food, there’s no chicken pieces in this, or did you guys eat it all?” Anika replies, “I’m vegetarian” she felt guilty because for her Nate cooked vegetarian food and had to eat it as well. She thought, ‘maybe agreeing to come here was a bad idea’ and she stood up to leave but Nate caught her hand and shook his head not allowing her to leave. “Danny, I asked you something! Don’t touch the food I have cooked for her. Anika, you continue eating and ignore him” Nate said to his brother after seeing him taking almost all the food from the bowl, not wanting Anika to be left hungry. Danny rolled his eyes and replied with his mouth full, “I’m sorry to interrupt you guys and I have a shoot tomorrow so decided to meet my dear elder brother tonight. By the way, I tried calling you so many times but you never received them so I decided to come by myself and now I can see why you didn’t.”

After everyone was done with the dinner it was awkward for Nate and Anika, while Danny was just being himself teasing them and being carefree. Anika liked his attitude, it made her miss her sister more. She was also the same, at this thought her eyes pooled with water. Anika just went inside the kitchen and started helping Nate with the dishes. Nate replied, “Anika sit outside, you don’t have to do this.” Anika just smiled and said, “But I would love to help you and this is the least I can do after you have offered me a wonderful dinner. Can you share the recipe? I'd like to try it.” Nate thought to himself, ‘I’ll cook for you whenever you want baby girl.’ Nate just nodded his head but didn't say anything to her. It was a comfortable silence they were in, for once they weren’t arguing. 

“Guys before I walk into your moment again, are you decent so I can come in?” Daniel’s voice rang from the dining area. Nate rolled his eyes and replied, “Even if we were having a moment, it’s ruined because of your annoying voice.” At this Anika’s eyes went wide and smacked Nate’s shoulder and Nate playfully raised his eyebrows at her. Daniel entered the kitchen jumping on Nate’s back and said, “Brother can we go and have some drinks. If you want we can take your secretary as well. You’ll need her as I’ll have many girls to distract me.” Nate glared at his brother but then liked his idea that this would give him more time with Anika. Tomorrow being at work everything would go back to formality and he is liking this time he is getting to spend time with her. Nate faced her and asked, “Will you join us?”  Anika embarrassedly replied, “Sorry, I don’t drink. But it’s okay you guys carry on. I’ll take my leave as well.” “WHAT” came a reaction from the brothers. Daniel hurriedly replied, “Ice cream” Nate quizzlily looked at him. “I mean, you do eat ice cream, right? We can all go for ice cream.” Anika excitedly replied, “Of course I love ice creams!! But are you really okay with it? Didn’t you wanna go out for drinks?” “Nah… it’s cool. I always go out for drinks. Change is good. And…and I just want to get to know my brother’s secretary a bit more. What Do you say, man?” Daniel replied nonchalantly, waving his hands and dismissing the idea of drinks. Nate nodded and said, “Let me change and come.” Anika hurriedly replied, “No! I… I mean this looks good on you” Nate smiled at her and said, “I’ll just finish this off, and then let’s  go.” 

Sitting in the car, Daniel got bored and asked Anika, “Which is your favorite ice cream? Have you tasted Gelato Italiano? I like all of them. But here Nate is just fond of Vanilla Brownie.” Anika joyfully replied, “I have just visited that place once. In general I love all types of ice creams but chocolate is my favorite… yummy..” and licked her lips. Watching her enjoying the ice cream at the fullest, moaning to the taste made Nate shift about uncomfortably on his chair. This whole exchange amused Daniel. On one hand, Anika is pleased with her ice cream and having her own time and on the other hand, Nate was being teased by her innocent action and he laughed out loud. Anika and Nate both looked confused at Daniel's reaction. Anika asked, “What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?” After calming down Daniel replied, “No no… Just ignore that I laughed. So tell me about you? Where are you from? I’ll like to get to know you a bit if you don’t mind that is.” Anika replied, “I’m from India. Came here to study business and now here I’m learning how to run a business from your dear brother. Well, what about you are you an actor?” Nate felt a bit jealous when he saw his brother and secretary chatting as if he wasn't present. “India…I have visited once for a Lakmé shoot. It’s a great place. I don’t do acting as of now, just modeling and all. What about your family? Are they in India or…''As soon as Danny asked about her family, Nate’s eyes went wide, and kicked him to stop talking. “Woah dude!? What’s wrong with you? I’m trying to have a conversation here. Don’t tell me you’re jealous of your own brother!” Anika looked away and with a gloomy expression she replied, “I don’t have a family.” Daniel frowns and says “Meaning you’re an…” “Yes Daniel, I've been an orphan since I was born.” Anika completed the sentence. With this, the playful atmosphere is now a bit crestfallen. Nate facepalmed and annoyedly said, “ Can’t you keep your mouth shut for once!?” “Nate it’s okay he didn’t know. Excuse me, I’ll be back in 2.” Anika replied softly and went outside the ice cream parlor to get some fresh air. It pained Nate that he can’t do anything to wash that feeling away from her. He wants to show her the world. Keep her smiling and cheerful aura always high on top of the clouds. He glared at Daniel and left to comfort Anika.

Daniel was shocked at this whole scene. His brother for the first time in life wanted to comfort a woman. He wouldn’t have asked Anika anything if he had known. It’s difficult to live as an orphan and he knew that because he did know a beautiful person who is an orphan as well. Daniel sighed and decided to wait for some time before joining them.

Nate turns Anika to face him and hugs her without any warning. Anika is stiff for some time, not sure why he is doing this? Why is he comforting her? He mutters sweet nothings to her trying his best to help her. Anika now hugs him back, liking how he made her feel at home after 2 long years of her life. After some time, Anika pulls off from the hug and misses the warmth of it immediately. “Thank you for today. I loved the dinner. I think I should leave now. Will meet you at the office tomorrow.” Anika said but Nate protested, “No. I’ll drop you off. Are you okay now?” Anika nodded and just in time Daniel came out and hugged her stating, “I’m really sorry. Didn’t mean to hurt you. But from today onwards you have a family! Okay? I’m your brother. I may be younger than you and I’ll protect you like a brother… from everyone, even from your boss.” Anika giggled at his last comment. Danny hugged Anika and all left for home. The drive home was silent, with radio in the background.

Daniel and Nate are sitting together on the terrace enjoying the view, the wind both in their own world. Daniel likes Anika. She was one of the most cheerful person he had met. She reminded him of someone who is close to him. He is happy for his elder brother and prays to God for Nate and Anika to end up together. He sees his brother smiling, wiggling his eyebrows and he teased, “Oh ho... Who got you all smiling huh?” Nate stopped smiling, cleared his throat, “I’m not smiling, you’re just imagining it. Nothing else. I never say thank you, so yeah here it is, thank you for today.” Daniel smiled, he knows why Nate is thanking him, “No worries bro… You know Anika reminds me of her…” Nate nodded and asked, “How’s he? Did anything improve? How’s everyone else?” Daniel replied, “He is the same. She is the same. Well, rest all are great, trying to be positive.” Nate just hmmmed at this.

Anika freshened up and sat in bed thinking about today. She enjoyed Nate and Daniel's company. Nate showed a different side of his to her today, the side she liked. ‘Anika you can’t go ahead of yourself, you have come here for a reason, and don’t forget that. Tonight I miss her more than ever. I just wish she was here with me.’ with this thought she went off to bed.

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Hello readers!

This is the first bit of their romance and I really do hope you guys liked it.

Thank you for all your responses!! Love you all…

 If you have any suggestions or want to share your views on the story let me know in the comment sections. Your appreciation will motivate me a lot.

Thank you.

Enjoy and stay tuned!