He sat on the chair before her table and asked, "Do you need any help, Miss. Sheharzaad,"

"Yes, sir. Can you help me in decoding the figures here? I'm thinking of making a statistical

analysis of the last five years so it could be more evident and lucid to one yet I'm unable to

comprehend what's going on here," she said, pointing at a line.

"Show me the file. I will assist," he said, rolling his chair closer to her. She placed the file on

the table and he sat next to her. And they both began to work.

As soon as they both were done, he left the office and her skeptical grey eyes looked at his

retreating. His 'accidental' touch left a lingering feeling on her hand. Sheharzaad didn't

know but she thought, he continuously touched her hand and kicked at her feet on purpose.

Because on and on, and out of nowhere he would place his hand on her or hit her foot

through his, yet she would ignore it thinking it might be a coincidence.

Since it was kind of her official first day she let it go. She thought she was being too

skeptical. At least, he helped her in understanding the file and brushed the thought away.

As Mr. Ijaz had said, she was handed dozens of files and instead of understanding it from

Rafay, she went to Ijaz who gave her an idea she was a quick learner, and she immediately

grasped it. The training sessions were very useful otherwise she couldn't do anything.

Dozens of files were given to her for review and report and she was supposed to submit the

work by tomorrow so she decided to go home once her work was done. At 7 pm sharp,

Rafay again came into her cabin.

"Won't you go home?" He asked.

"Once I'm done with the assigned task, I will. I have to submit it by tomorrow," she said.

"You know, you can go home. I'll talk with Mr. Ijaz," His tone turned casual. But there was

something more about him. He was talking as if he held the strings of her work in his hands.

As if she was dependent on him?

Sheharzaad didn't need unnecessary favors or unwanted attention from anyone. And he

was just giving her that.

Especially him.

She was here to work and she could do it without his help. She didn't need to rely on him.

He had the same post as hers so there was no need to act as if she was less than him and she

would have to rely on him.

There was something off about him. Her third eye was pointing at something else. And her

subconscious was instigating her to stay away from him.

Her mother used to say, that God sent a man with physical strength but a woman with

mental strength.

"No. Thank you very much, Mr. Rafay, I will manage. I'm here to work," her tone came out

polite and professional indicating that she didn't like what he was trying to imply.

"Okay, Sheharzaad," he said, his voice holding an edge.

Only Sheharzaad?

"Yes, Mr. Rafay," She purposely called him 'Mr' indirectly asking her to be professional with

her.

"Thanks for your time, Sheharzaad," Again she used her name only. Clearly understanding

what she meant but playing a fool. After a short while he spoke, "Sheharzaad madam,"

She was done with him at this point.

"Please close the door on your way. I'm a bit busy. Thanks a lot," She told him

straightforwardly and she felt as if his features slightly morphed into wickedness but before

he could let that anger completely overpower his face, he nodded and passed her a glance.

He didn't say anything and left and she got herself to work again.

But he didn't close the door.

On purpose.

'What does he even want?'She thought ruefully.

Unaware that her beautiful features were enough to attract and pull men down on their

knees.

It would be her beauty that would put her in the most trouble in life. Just like the one she

was already stuck in. But was unaware of it.

She caught his eye.

She didn't keep track of time and when she was done with all her work, she was surprised

to know it was 11:30 already. She didn't even inform Amna that she would come late. Given

how stressed Amna would become, she quickly began to pack her things took out the key of

her cabin, and locked the door of her room. The light was coming out from the glass walls of

her room only while the whole floor was swirling with silence and darkness.

She was lowkey afraid yet she wasn't admitting it because if she admitted it, she would

become more afraid. Her hands slightly shivered as she was turning the lock of her cabin

and for unknown reasons, her heart began to pummel within her chest and she slowly

began to mutter religious chants under her lips, seeking for protection.

That scene from the hotel was running in her mind and when she looked around herself,

there was just loneliness and darkness. The floor was dimly lit. That hotel incident did affect

her mentally.

'Don't or you'll die'

That voice whispered again in her ears overpowering her fear.

She turned around and hurriedly began to move towards the lift while struggling to open

the zip of her purse so she could take her phone out and place the keys within her bag. She

was walking and walking without looking up when suddenly she crashed into someone and

at that exact moment the office drowned in utter darkness as the light was out.

She shrieked and was almost falling on the floor when she felt two firm hands on the small

of her back and she was pushed up.