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CHAPTER 6
As Asad entered the building for another week of work, he pondered what had happened with him and Miss Farooqui. The closeness of the night they'd spent in the abandoned house and the fact that it wasn't getting any easier being around her when she was essentially taken and still getting married. She was his employee and his feelings was disrespectful and inappropriate. This was an entirely new position to be in for Asad Ahmed Khan. He wasn't used to such situations- such feelings. It made him feel out of control and Asad Ahmed Khan liked having control. It made him feel grounded and being around Miss Zoya Farooqui made him feel anything but grounded. There was still only one option that he been prolonging too long. It was time to do what he'd intended and wrong or not, he had to do it because in the end it would be better for them both.
Most of the day went by without much activity. Asad worked in his office all day and hadn't called in his assistant all day. Partially because he was avoiding her. Okay not partially but he was completely trying to avoid her. She'd knocked and entered earlier bringing him coffee. He'd been gruff and rude to her.
FEW HOURS EARLIER...
"Mr. Khan, I have your morning coffee." Zoya Farooqui said as she entered his office and rest the coffee on his desk smiling. She seemed to be very happy this morning and that made Asad's mood even more glum because of what he was planning to do.
"Who asked for this coffee Ms. Farooqui? Because I didn't and I surely didn't give you permission to enter my cabin." He said cuttingly trying his hardest not to react when he saw the smile slip off her face. "Uh...I-I'm sorry Mr. Khan."
"Please leave my cabin and take the coffee with you." He said keeping his tone flat and indifferent. He could see the confusion and hurt in her eyes and felt like he was ripping his own heart out by being cruel to her.
She picked up the cup of coffee and turned to leave, he called her back, "Oh and Ms. Farooqui?" He said and she turned around looking at him dejectedly. "Don't come into my cabin again unless I give you permission to enter." He said and she nodded, "Yes sir." And then she turned away and left.
Asad sighed heavily and tried his hardest to quell the guilt eating at him for what he'd just done.
Asad sighed as he came back to the present. He pressed the button to connect to Ms. Farooqui's line and spoke, "Miss Farooqui can you come into my office please? Now."
"Yes sir." he heard her answer completely professional. She knocked and he acquiesced for her to enter. "Please have a seat, we need to talk." He saw her visibly pale as she sank down into the chair in front of his desk. "Is something wrong sir? I don't mean to be rude but -" Asad lifted a hand to stop her. "Let me just get straight to the point Miss Farooqui-" He said derisively. He looked at her ashen complexion and felt guilt gnaw at his insides. This was his issue, he shouldn't be taking it out on her when she was so oblivious. "I-" He breathed in deeply, "This isn't working out Miss Farooqui, I am afraid I have to let you go." He said tonelessly. He watched her face crumple. "I'm fired?" she asked gruffly. He didn't respond. "I don't understand, what did I do wrong? I just -don't...I don't understand!" He stood up from his desk and said, "You don't have to understand. You'll clear out your desk this evening. I am not without feelings so I've secured you another job at another firm." He watched her face transform from confusion and sadness to anger as she stood up, "Don't do me any favours Mr. Khan."
"Mr. Khan?" Asad heard a voice distantly call to him. And he jerked out of his reverie seeing Ms. Farooqui looking at him curiously. "Uh sorry about that." He said absently. "Is everything okay, Mr. Khan?" she asked sounding concerned. "Yes, thank you. As I was about to say, you're changing offices, Miss Farooqui. You'll be working for our Managing Director a couple of offices down this floor. Don't look of it as a demotion. It gives you more hands-on work as he handles a bulk of work that we're doing." He watched her eyebrows furrow before she finally spoke, "So you're firing me?" She asked. "You're not being fired Miss Farooqui, merely moved to a different office. Think of it as an opportunity to spread your wings more." She pursed her lips as she considered before she nodded, "Thank you." "You'll start promptly at eight tomorrow. Good luck." He said dismissing her. When she left her fell back into his seat and sighed heavily. "Why do I keep doing this?" He was supposed to fire her-again! And he chickened out again. At least now he wouldn't have her so close. She'd still be around. He wouldn't feel guilty for firing her and he'd be able to get over these misplaced emotions that she evoked in him.
ZOYA
He'd essentially demoted her. Might as well have fired her. This was so insulting. First he'd been uncharacteristically rude to her for bringing him his morning coffee. Something she did every day since she started working there and now he was sending her to work elsewhere. Could he be any more clear that he didn't like her? She felt beaten down. After all this work she'd put in with him, he'd treated her horribly. Zoya looked back at his office, seeing him working at his desk and she remembered that night. The way he'd looked at her and how he'd almost kissed her. Snuggling up to him while they slept. She was sure now that she'd imagined all that. Then again, why should she care...she was engaged to Hassan and he was so far out of reach that thoughts about longing looks in the rain was plain pathetic. She sighed and began packing up her desk. Such a horrible, horrible day!
END OF CHAPTER.
I know it's short but short is all I can really manage right now!
I had thought about discontinuing my stories because I don't get time to write much anymore but I couldn't do it because you all have been such loyal readers I had to continue for you!
Please leave your comments! PMs will be sent soon!
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
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