Secretary to Mrs. Campbell

The Tease

Anika reached the office dressed in formal pants, a shirt, and a coat looking beautiful as ever with no makeup only kajal and lip gloss. Mrs. Bridget and Kate were more than happy to welcome Anika again in the office.

Nathaniel woke up with a stupid grin on his face, which he hadn’t realized yet. Kelly his housemaid was shocked to see smiling Nate and asked, “Nate who’s the reason behind your smile? You look more handsome and I’m happy to see you smile it suits you.” Just then he realized and frowned thinking the same ‘Why am I wearing a grin on my face since morning?’

Little did he knew; his heart has started beating for someone else as well.

Nathaniel requested a coffee from Anika as he reached his cabin. After some time Anika knocked on the door and walked in. “I didn’t say you could come in Ms. Nupta” replied Nate without looking up from his laptop. Anika annoyedly replied, “I got your coffee as you requested. You can call me Anika as you cannot pronounce GUPTA.” And further muttered to herself in Hindi, ‘itne bade Hotels ka malak hai aur ek simple sa surname bolne nai aata hai bolo’ (He is the owner of such a great chain of the hotel and can’t seem to remember how to pronounce a simple surname.) “What are you muttering.” Nate asked. “Nothing sir, nothing at all. Let me know what else do you need anything else I can do for you? Even I have some filing work to get back at.” And faked a smile. Nate was having a hard time stifling a grin as he saw how annoyed Anika was getting. “You will be joining me for a lunch meeting today at 12.00 pm. You’ll have to take notes of the meeting and make its report. From there we will be going to check few locations for the new hotels and post coming to the office we will seat and review this and next week’s schedule. Am I clear Ms. Nupta?” “Ahhh…. It’s Ms. GUPTA I mean yes sir. I’ll be ready by that time.” Nathaniel was enjoying teasing her, but now suddenly was wary when he saw a hot coffee mug placed on his desk made by Anika. As if reading Nate’s thoughts, she said, “I have not added sugar in it, taste it” and left the office for some work.

It was around 12.00 and Anika was packing to leave for the lunch meeting with Nate. Anika and Nate came out of their respective cabins at the same time. Nate unconsciously wrapped his hand around Anika’s hip and guided her towards the private lift which was at the other side of the regular lift. This gesture didn’t go unseen by Mrs. Bridget. Anika went rigid for a second as Nate wrapped his hand, this was the first time any man had touched her and she felt something in her heart… They reached the parking floor and Nate opened the passenger’s seat for Anika and she was impressed and thought out loud, “Gentleman and all huh…” Nathaniel replied coolly, “I can be one. By the way, did you take a notepad for notes?” “Yes, I did. Whom are we meeting though? You didn’t mention any details.” On this, while driving to another Campbell hotel Nate replied, “It’s an Italian client, who has got us a proposal to expand in Rome, but I want you to be really careful. He has connections with the mafia and I’m not sure how deep it is. My PI is still searching for everything we can. Please don’t start with your babbling and speak only when I ask you to.”

Anika had stopped listening to him when she heard PI, maybe later on she can request the contact details of that person. She was deep in her thoughts when she saw Nate had stopped driving and they had reached the destination. “God! what is wrong with you? Didn’t you hear anything at all? Get out now! I was trying not to get annoyed with you, but you just keep pushing my buttons. Just remember DO NOT SPEAK.” Anika just nodded. Anika was left behind at the door by security as he wasn’t aware who she was. ‘Mr. Campbell just went inside the hotel as if he owns it. Oh actually he does own it Anika’ she thought to herself. “Why are you stopping me? I’m Mr. Campbell’s secretary. We have a meeting inside. Move let me go.” Anika said pushing the guard but he just didn’t budge then Anika shouted loudly like in movies, “MR. CAMPBELL. WAIT. MR. CAMPBELL” At this Nate turned around and shook his head at Anika’s antics and nodded at guard to let Anika come. Anika irritatedly said to Nate, “What’s wrong with the guard? How rude was it of him to stop me at the gate, mainly not letting me speak? Ahh… All the people you’ve hired well except Me, Mrs. Bridget, and Kate are like you? While walking at the reserved table guided by the manager, he just raised his eyebrow and questioned “Like me?” “Yes, like you. Rude, cold, stern, unwelcoming, in…” “Nice colorful words for me huh… Even Daniel?” pointing at the manager. Anika’s eyes widened as she realized what she said and started shaking her head vigorously. Nate was just amused by all this but he did feel a pinch for a moment when he heard her say cold.

As they reached the table, the clients were already seated there. The whole meeting was going perfectly except for one thing. Mr. Ricci was continuously staring at Anika which was making her quite conscious this was not neglected by Nate. He was becoming angry with every passing minute. Nate abruptly got up and stated, “I’ll have to leave, we will continue this next weekend when I come to Rome.” He took hold of Anika’s hand and left. While waiting for the valet Daniel was updating him on the hotel status.

After seating in the car, Anika questioned, “why did we leave, we don’t have any meetings just a few locations to visit and I was hungry I didn’t eat anything since morning?” Nate didn’t want to admit his possessive act so lied, “The proposal didn’t seem interesting. I’m the boss if you’re forgetting don’t answer to you. As for food, we will go to a nearby restaurant. They serve Italian there.” Anika rushed to the washroom and came back instantly at the table as they reached the hotel. Nate looked at her questionably. When he looked up, he was scared as she was very pale shaking her out of her daze he asked, “Anika… Ms. Gupta… Anika…. are you okay?” Anika replied, “ There… there in the washroom, I saw a couple kissing… like… like really kissing!! OMG, that’s so embarrassing I can’t believe what I saw… and that the man had the nerves to smirk and wink at me… Can you believe it? Damn man… Why would they do it in the washroom in LADIES washroom…” Listening to Anika Nate let out a full-blown laugh! He was so laughing so hard that he got few tears in his eyes… “Oh god, Anika oh God… That’s natural here so just chill. Oh my god, you’re so cute, so naïve.” Anika just gave him a glare and asked for lunch. Nate just ordered his chicken pizza, diet coke, and a salad. Anika was just confused about what to have. “What’s wrong love?” Anika naturally replied, “I’m sorry…I don’t know what to order. I… I am pure vegetarian, there’s nothing in the menu that I can eat.” She just ordered Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino. Suddenly Nate got up from his chair and left. When he returned just sat down and said “Ms. Nupta, 1st we will visit the office then go further for locations as soon as the food arrives.” Anika just nodded, ignoring Nupta, which Nate said just to irk her. After some time their order was served, and Anika was surprised to see Margarita pizza with tomato and onion toppings. She got up from her chair and hugged Nathaniel and he was surprised with her action then later he as well hugged her back. They both felt something strange inside them.

Post lunch they reached the office. Nate wanted to carry few files back to his apartment and this way Anika would stay a little longer with him, there’s always a giddy feeling inside him whenever she is with him. Something he’s scared of as well as eager to find out. He was astounded by the reaction Anika gave when she saw a couple making out in the toilet and was a pure vegetarian. That’s next level for him. Before entering his cabin he said, “Ms. Grupita ready two mugs of coffee for the go, freshen up, take all your belongings and come to my cabin.” “It’s Gupta! Get it. Now I’m feeling quite insulted. You can’t pronounce my surname properly then either practice it or just call me Anika. Please.” With that said she entered her cabin. Mrs. Bridget entered Nate’s cabin as soon as he entered. “Nate why are you teasing that poor girl, I know you can pronounce her surname very well? Kindly apologize. Oh yes! Before I forget, I wanted to ask, if you’re visiting Italy next weekend and will you be taking Anika with you?” Nate thoughtfully replied, “Okay as you wish, I’ll stop teasing her, but tell her as well na she talks so much man. Yes, I’ll be visiting Rome next week and yes, she will be joining me. Now thank you Mrs. Bridget, but I have to pack so I can leave.” Satisfied with the answer Mrs. Bridget opened the cabin door to leave, there was Anika ready for the next line of action. Smiling to her Mrs. Bridget turned a bit, cleared her throat, and said, “Behave.” Feeling like a child, Nate shook his head and Anika let out a small giggle at the whole act.

Nate and Anika left to check the locations. As they came to the last location, Anika saw the time it was close to 8 and she was so tired that she decided to get a takeaway for dinner from McDonalds. She just wanted to sleep now. Seeing her expressions Nate asked, “What’s going on in that little head of yours?” Startled, Anika replied, “Huh, nothing that concerns you.” Then muttered, “he must have servants to cook, I’ll have to arrange it for myself, what does he know about doing everything by oneself. Huh.” 

While seated in the car, Nate said, “Let’s go to my place for dinner then I’ll drop you off at your place. Is that fine?” Anika thought about the proposal tempting Yes but she didn’t want to intrude. “Are you sure? Because I don’t have meat I’m a pure vegetarian. I don’t want to intrude or anything like that. I was going to get takeaway.” “It’s fine. Let’s go then.” Nate said with a smile.

Anika and Nate arrived at his place and yet again seeing the interior design and decor she was awestruck… She was gaping at it with her mouth open… Nate was amused by her reaction and closed her mouth which brought Anika out of her daze.

Nate directly walked into the kitchen and started cooking for them. Anika couldn’t keep the thought to herself and exclaimed loudly, “You can cook Mr. Campbell? Wow! I didn’t know… But can you cook vegan?” Seeing Anika’s reaction Nate said, “First of all when we both are alone you can call me ‘Nathaniel or Nate’ no need to be formal, and secondly, Yes Anika I can cook vegan as well. There's a lot of things that you don’t know about me, Anika. Now go sit outside and watch tv or something. I'll be back. If you like you can sit at this counter here as well.” “I would first like to freshen up a bit. Can you point the directions?” Nate replied, “Sure. Take the stairs then right and the last room will be the guest bedroom.” Anika walked up the stairs and saw a wall full of photos and she walked down the passage to enter the room. She halted to check these photos. Nate certainly did have a huge family she thought to herself feeling envious of Nate. A big fat family was what she always craved for. She sighed and opened the bedroom door. The design of the bedroom screamed masculinity. Dark grey wall with wooden bed, her eyes widened as she realized she entered Nate’s bedroom and not the guest. Hurriedly she turned and bashed herself to a breathing wall. Wait!? What!? There stood Nate, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “What are you doing here? I said right from the stairs and not left. Not that I mind you in my bedroom.” He walked closer to her and Anika startled, started walking backward and fumbled on her words. “Sorry I wasn’t paying attention and I don’t want to be in your bedroom where 1000s of ladies have been. I do read and watch the news. I.. I mean sorry, I’ll just go use the guest bedroom.” She tried pushing Nate but of course, he didn’t buldge. Nate moved aside and let her pass but caught her hand before she left and said, “I may be a playboy and I have never and I mean never got them home. You’re the first.” Nate let go of her hand and went to freshen up himself. Feeling ashamed Anika used the Guest Bedroom and came downstairs. “Anika, why would you say such things to Nathaniel!? He is your boss!!” She cursed herself. It’s been 20 mins and he’s not yet down. She was tempted to go upstairs and check on him. 

Anika got up from the sofa and went into the kitchen for a glass of water. That's when she felt him come into the kitchen and quietly said “I am sorry… I didn’t mean to offend you back then.” Nate smiled and teased, “It’s okay, like I said you don’t know me. I meant what I said. Sit at the dining table and I'll get the food.”

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Hello readers!

How are you all? I’m sorry I wasn’t able to update the chapters…

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.

Stay tuned in the next chapter there will be a bit of romance and I really really hope you guys like it, as this is my first time ever… Fingers crossed.

Thank you.

Enjoy and stay tuned!