Beneath the Silence - Chapter 2

 

Chapter 2: Boundaries & Barriers

Aditi’s first day began with a list of things she couldn’t do.

No small talk.
No unnecessary questions.
Never enter his office without knocking.
Never ask about his personal life.
And above all—never assume familiarity.

She noted everything with a nod, her expression unreadable.

As she settled into her corner just outside his office, she noticed how the whole floor functioned like a well-oiled machine. No laughter. No whispers. Just the sound of clicking keyboards and the occasional sharp tone of the CEO’s voice.

At exactly 10:00 AM, her phone buzzed.

Aditya (Internal Line): “Coffee. Black. No sugar. Now.”

She blinked once. No please, no thank you. Just an order.

She walked into his office—this time after knocking—and placed the cup on his desk.

“You didn’t ask how I like it,” he said, looking up with a half-smile.

“I read the last PA’s notes. She was... detailed.”
A pause.
“You read her notes?”
“I read everything I could find. If I’m assisting you, I should know how to avoid your irritation.”
He chuckled—a deep, low sound that surprised even him.

“Smart.”

Aditi turned to leave.
“Oh, and Aditi?”
She turned, expression calm.

“You’re different.”

She blinked. “So are you.”

---

That evening, as she packed her things, a man in a grey suit walked past her desk. He stopped abruptly, staring.

“Aditi Sharma?” the man said, startled.

She stiffened. “Rajeev?”

Before anything more could be said, Aditya emerged from his office. His eyes flicked between them.

“You two know each other?” he asked, tone flat but alert.

Aditi answered quickly, “Old friend from college. That’s all.”

Rajeev gave her a long look. “Yes... that’s all.”

Aditya nodded, but something about the exchange didn't sit right with him.

Later, alone in his penthouse, Aditya stood at the window, watching the rain blur the city lights.

“She’s hiding something,” he murmured.

But so was he.