Can you mend my broken heart? Chapter 44

Akira didn't want to overthink as her heart was telling her to believe that Raymond had the room temperature increased for her . But her mind was smart enough and was not letting her heart to roam around in some fantasy world . But no matter how hard her mind tried, her heart didn't give up . She was trapped inside a makeshift bubble of happiness . So while they were waiting for the lift to come in the lift lobby, Akira popped the question,

"Umm . . . sorry I don't want to sound like I am intruding into your personal space but are you ok? I mean healthwise?"

Raymond was already irritated because of the behavior of the receptionist . He didn't want Akira to find out that he increased the temperature of the room because of her . He did not want to look like he was trying hard to get her . Rather he didn't want to look like he was even trying . So he retorted back immediately and asked,

"I am feeling perfectly fine but why do you ask?"

"Umm . . . nothing . Just that the receptionist said that you never increase the room temperature and today you wanted to . So I just wanted to know if . . . . " she said and her voice trailed off .

She wanted to ask if he did that for her . But she realized that it would be too weird to ask a question like that and there was a chance that he just did that without a reason and by asking such a question she would do nothing but make a fool out of herself . So she stopped herself midway .

"You wanted to know if . . . ?", Raymond asked . He didn't like unfinished questions . He could sense that she wanted to ask something but was probably not ready to ask .

Just then the lift arrived and the doors opened, but it seemed like neither of them took notice of that . She was lost in her trail of thoughts and he was lost in wondering about what she was thinking . But somehow deep down Raymond knew that Akira was thinking that he did that for her but didn't want her to think that way .

Seeing that she was still silent, Raymond thought that this was the best time to clear out everything . He did not want her to get any wrong ideas about him in her head .

"No one likes to have a boss who is hitting on you on your very first day", he thought . But he didn't understand that any girl would die to be 'hit on' by him on any day, anywhere and Akira was no different . Probably he just needed a small peek into her thoughts to understand what she was feeling . So he looked at her again and said,

"I never increase the temperature of the War Room because I like it that way . I increased the temperature today not because I was feeling sick, but because I thought you might get sick because of the cold . "

Akira looked at him and anybody could say easily that she was totally doting on him because of the way she was looking at him . but before she could reciprocate by saying 'Thanks', Raymond added,

"As our company has a lot of deadlines to meet and we are short on staff members, I like to make sure that everybody is hundred percent productive . If you get sick, then that makes one person less in the task force . I saw that you were uncomfortable and didn't say a word about it, so I had to make the call" .

And just like that, all the bubbles of happiness were gone !!!

"See it was just for the company, not for you stupid", said Akira's mind to her heart .

Raymond pressed for the lift button again and this time the lift arrived in no time . Akira followed him silently and entered the lift . She didn't want to look at all disappointed, so she acted like she was checking her notes . But deep down, her heart was cut into pieces and then thrown away like mulch . She went back into another zone of her thoughts . She remembered the Raymond who had covered her with a blanket thinking that she was cold . She remembered his face which was in close proximity with hers during that fateful flight journey .

Maybe the soft memories that she had with Raymond made her think that this time also he did it for her . She instantly regretted for even thinking that her boss would be concerned about her . Even if she was trying to console herself, she had already started feeling low . She did not even realize when the lift arrived at the 5th floor and the door opened . Raymond had already gotten out of the lift and he walked ahead assuming that she would come out following him .

But seconds after he noticed that she was not behind him and turn back . He saw that the lift door was about to close and she was still standing inside lost in some deeply troubled thoughts of her own . He took quick strides and pressed the elevator button again .

The doors of the lift opened and she was still inside unfazed and unaware of what was happening around her .

Raymond came close to her and snapped his fingers in front of her face and asked,

"Do you really like this lift so much?" .

Akira realized what just happened . She was pissed with herself, for acting dumb again . She apologized and came out of the lift, deeply mortified .

Raymond walked ahead and as soon as they reached the cafeteria entrance, he halted and said .

"This is the cafeteria . You can choose whatever food you like . No need to pay here at any of the counters . Just swipe your company badge . "

But after speaking so Raymond realized that she was not wearing a badge .

"Do you have a bagde with you right now?",he asked in a concerned tone .

"No, Chloe told that it will take two more days to be ready . But it's ok I can pay by cash till then", she said and again started looking down .

"Do you have cash on your right now?", Raymond asked her as they had directly come from the meeting .

"Oh, I left my purse at my desk . I did not take it to the meeting room . But it's ok I will just go and get it . Now I know how to get to the cafeteria thanks to you", Akira said and threw a brief smile in his direction .

Even though Raymond and Akira were not even at the level of acquaintances but he clearly sensed that his words have upset her somehow . Before she took a step back towards the lift, he stopped her and said,

"No need to go back . I can buy you lunch today" .

Chapter end