Layan's POV...
I sighed before finally getting up from my seat, the file in hand.
I felt my heart race in my chest at the thought of going to Mr. Imran's office and here I was, making my way to the exact place I didn't want to be in.
Ever since the day I tripped on the staircase and fell right into Mr. Imran's arms, I felt embarrassed every single time I'd come across him in the office. I mean, who wouldn't, the first impression he had of me was probably a clumsy girl who just keeps falling into people's arms!
I took a deep breath once I approached his office. I knocked on the door slightly and waited for a reply.
"You can come in!" I heard him say. I used my shaky hands to open the door before slightly closing it behind me.
I slowly made my way to his desk, my head hung low as I carefully placed the file on his desk.
"These are the files you asked of from the data management team". I looked up at him as I spoke. I almost forgot how silky his hair looked upon close examination. I shook those thoughts away and diverted my attention back to him.
I watched as he picked up the file and began looking through it before suddenly closing the file." Okay. Call Michael to come meet me in my office".
"Okay sir". I said before making my way out of his office. A wave of relief washed over me as I made my way to my own office, at least now I can finally finish the project I've been working on.
I stretched my arms as soon as I got to my office.
"Do how did your meeting with Mr. Imran go?" I heard a familiar voice say. I turned around only to come face to face with a familiar pale girl with green eyes and short black hair staring back at me with a big grin plastered on her face.
Olivia was one of the first person I met on my first day here. She showed me to my office and introduced me to all of my other coworkers in the department, and since I told her about how I first met Mr. Imran, she'd never let me have a break.
"Ha ha, very funny". I said sarcastically as I sat down on my seat. Sometimes her teasing gets on my nerve, but other times it just constantly reminds me of that day.
"But you've gotta admit. He is super handsome". I heard Olivia whisper in my ear as I whipped my head around to see her.
"Don't you have something else to do". I said as I pushed her away.
"You can't deny the truth Layan". She sang in my ears.
"You-" I said as I got up from my seat whilst Olivia giggled and rushed back to her desk.
I sighed as I sat back down. I turned on my desktop and clicked on the excel icon.
I stared blankly at the spreadsheet that popped up on the screen.
'but you've gotta admit, he is super handsome...' Olivia's voice rung in my ears as a small smile spread across my face. An image of Mr. Imran seated at his desk with a file in hand, his curly locks scattered around on his head...
Oh wait! Why am I busy daydreaming about Mr. Imran? This is all Olivia's doing, why did I even bother listening to her.
I sighed before turning my attention back to my spreadsheet.
...
I sighed before finally switching off my desktop. The wind blaring through the windows as rain began to pour outside.
'UGH!' I thought to myself as I threw my head back. "Now how'd I get home..." I said softly as I finally got up from my seat .
"What's wrong?" I heard Olivia ask as I began packing up.
"Nothing, just.... I don't have an umbrella and I can't possibly wait for the rain to cool down". I said as I turned around to see her.
" Well, I have to run. I'm pretty sure the rain won't last too long". She said as her grip on her binder tightened.
" Wait, you're going out in this weather?" I asked as I leaned back on my desk.
"What can I say? Being the only sibling with a driver's license?" She said in a little annoyed tone. I knew what she meant. She was the eldest having two younger brothers that each weren't old enough to get a driver's license and now she gets to pick them up from college.
"Well at least you have a car?" I said loud enough for her to hear.
" It's not always a pleasure you know", she loud enough for me to hear. "But anyways, see you tomorrow". She said as she began walking away.
"Bye ". I said just before she walked out of the office. I sat back on my chair and rested my head on my desk.
...
My eyes sprung open at the sound of thunder blaring outside. I rubbed my eyes a bit as I glanced at the wall clock.
'just thirty minutes?" I thought to myself as I sat up straight. Grandma would probably be so worried if I don't come home.
UGH!!!
I got up, grabbed my handbag and binder and began making my way out of the office.
I took a few steps closer towards the stairs when the power went out. ' just great! Now the powers are out too'. I thought to myself as I began taking slow steps towards the stairs and finally caught hold of the railing.
Everything was so dark I could barely see a thing. My grip on the railings grew tighter as I finally made my way downstairs. I slowly made my way towards the front door and as soon as I felt the metal handles, I pushed them open giving way for the chilling wind and pouring rain to make it's way inside. I took a step back to avoid getting wet. I could've always just skipped work today but here I am, on my way to getting drenched by the rain.
I rubbed my hands together to reduce the cold feeling when I suddenly felt someone's presence. I froze a bit. My muscles tensed up as the person's footsteps got closer and soon enough, was right behind me.
I turned around to see who it was only to be met by Mr. Imran himself. He pulled out an umbrella and put it above my head. For a moment I felt less cold and just stood there staring at him.
"Why are you still here? Closing hours were an hour ago?" His voice brought me out of my daze as I quickly diverted my attention to the rainy streets.
"Uhm, I didn't bring an umbrella with me so I waited for the rain to cool down". I narrated softly.
"Well, since we coincidentally happened to be here together, why don't we sit down for a bit?" I looked up to see him. His expression was soft and he didn't sound anything like I'd initially expected. I thought he'd be cold and nonchalant but he seems different.
"Yeah, okay". I smiled back at him as we made our way back upstairs. I used my phone flashlight as a guide as he opened the door to his office. I never thought I'd actually be cool with coming to his office until now .
" You can have a seat". He said motioning towards the two armchairs that weren't too far from his desk. I made my way towards them and sat down as I placed my phone at the centre of the table that sat in-between the two armchairs to let the room have more light.
"I don't think we've had a proper introduction". I heard him say as he too sat down on the arm chair. I stared at him blankly, did he really just forget about how we first met? Well then I'd gladly not remind him.
"Oh yeah, I don't think we have". I said shyly as I looked anywhere else but his heated gaze. I can't believe we're actually conversing. Maybe we'd be on good terms and I can finally come to his office whenever I want.
"Well can you tell me anything about yourself?"
"Like what?"
"Anything. You go first". I felt a bit anxious, like as though the spotlight was on me and I was tongue tied.
"Uhm.... I have a twin, her name is Laila Saleem". I said as I looked down at my hands, a great opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with Mr. Imran and I totally blew it.
"Laila Saleem", I heard him say as I looked up to see his face. " Yes! Now I know where I've seen you before!"
"Me!?"
" Yes. That day when Kareem and I went to your apartment to pick up your sister".
"You were also in that car?"
"Well yeah, but that's not important for now, let's go back to where we were shall we?" I stared back at him in astonishment. He was a lot more outgoing when you don't talk to him about work related issue.
"What about you?" I asked as I began to observe his every move.
"What?" He asked softly, his brow arched.
"I need to know something about you too".
"Well, unlike you, I'm an only child . I was born into a rich family, though not as rich as Kareem's. Our parents were pretty close so over time, we grew close too. And here we are". He summarised.
"Oh, not what I expected ". I whispered the last part to myself.
"Guess that's it for today. The rain seems to have cooled down". He said as he looked through the big window behind his desk.
I glanced at the window and rain did stop for a while. "I guess I should be going". I said as I got up from my seat .
"Why don't I drop you? My driver would be here soon". He said as he too got up.
"No it's fine, I walk home everyday ". I said as I grabbed my handbag and binder and began making my way out of his office.
The rain was clear and I'd left Mr. Imran's office, so what's making my heart beat so fast?