Page 54 of Yes Boss
“The puppy,” she said suddenly, unable to help herself.
“He’s fine,” Raghav cut her off, not looking up. “Safe at my place.”
His tone remained neutral, but then he tilted his head slightly. “I was wondering what will you do if this... secret admirer approaches you tomorrow? Valentine’s Day and all.”
Ishani caught the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth. She squinted, studying him. “I would definitely like to see who he is,” she replied, keeping her voice professionally even despite the sudden flutter in her chest.
“And after that?” The question hung in the air between them.
“After that, I’ll,” she stopped herself, straightening. “I don’t see why I should tell you what I’m going to do.”
“Of course.” Raghav nodded, eyes returning to his laptop. “Make sure those changes to my calendar are done within the hour. I’m leaving for my meeting soon.”
“Yes, Boss,” she replied, turning to leave.
As the door was closing behind her, she heard it—a soft, unmistakable snort.
Back at her desk, Ishani stared at her computer screen, mind racing. Valentine’s Day tomorrow. The puppy now at his home. That barely suppressed amusement in his voice. The precise knowledge of her likes and preferences reflected in each gift.
It had to be him. Yet he gave her nothing concrete—just more mysteries wrapped in professional distance.
Her eyes drifted to where he now walked toward the conference room, heading to the meeting he’d interrupted.
Chapter 14
Valentine’s Day
Ishani lay in bed, counting fan rotations. Thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine... She’d been at it since the time she slid into bed last night.
It was a Sunday.
She should have been sleeping because she didn’t have to go to the office, but here she was—wide awake, brain buzzing, blanket twisted around her legs like a boa constrictor with commitment issues.
Because it was also Valentine’s Day.
“This is ridiculous,” she muttered, punching her pillow. “Completely ridiculous.”
The fan made a slight clicking sound on every twelfth rotation. How had she never noticed that before? Probably because she wasn’t usually awake at dawn, mentally going through seven days of mysterious gifts while wondering if her boss—her impossibly controlled, unreasonably handsome boss—was secretly wooing her or if she’d tripped into some elaborate corporate prank.
She flopped onto her stomach. No office today. No chance to study Raghav’s face for microexpressions. No opportunity to catch him watching her from behind his glass walls with that intensity that made her forget spreadsheets existed.
“Maybe it’s over,” she told her ceiling. “Maybe yesterday’s puppy was the finale.” The memory of Raghav cradling that tiny ballof fur against his expensive suit made something flutter in her chest. Who knew the man who terrorized boardrooms could look so... tender? That image alone had cost her approximately three hours of sleep.
She glanced at her phone. 6:17 AM.
The doorbell rang.
Ishani froze, pulse jumping in her throat. For several seconds, she didn’t move, just listened to the heavy thud of her heart. The bell chimed again, more insistent this time.
She moved through her apartment in measured steps. At the door, she hesitated, then looked through the peephole. A delivery person stood outside, holding what appeared to be an eloquent flower bouquet.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she unlocked the door.
“Ishani Rao?” the young man asked, looking at his tablet.
“Yes.”
“Delivery for you. Need a signature.” He held out the electronic pad, then struggled to balance the massive bouquet while reaching for a second item. It was a small black bag with elegant gold handles. “This comes with it.”
