SHE WAS EXTREMELY late. If Julie hadn't called her past midnight to tell the end to her book that she had finally thought of, Laavanya would have woken up in at least three rings of her alarm. Laavanya was happy that Julie—who was on a writer's block for a week–was able to give her characters (or her babies, as she likes to say) a proper end but not at the cost of her punctuality. Laavanya was planning to send her rough draft of the secret project to Mr. Z today. She wanted to work on it and make some final changes followed by two meetings with Ryker and two authors. She had been busy for the last two weeks which was the best since she didn't have time to think about her parents.

After her visit at Underhill, she got a call from the rehab centre informing her that Sara had admitted Henry. Laavanya asked for a report on his well-being from the last few months and after having a detailed conversation with his therapist two days ago, she found out that her father didn't need to be in the rehab anymore. He would be a free man in a week and Laavanya wasn't sure what to do with that information.

Despite what had been done and said, she couldn't digest the voice that told her to call him. Or make arrangements after he was discharged. How was she supposed to take care of her father who never could be a father to her?

Laavanya caught the subway just before the door was about to close. Thankfully, she was able to find herself a seat in a corner beside an old woman. As soon as she sat on the seat, her phone rang. She rifled through her purse until she found it.

"Savannah?" She said, "Hi! How are you?"

"Sick with anxiety," She laughed nervously. "Jake and I finally decided on a date and...we're getting married in a month!"

"A month? Wh...That's so early, isn't it?"

"Okay, well...no one knows this other than my parents, Jules and Jake but I am pregnant. I found out just a week ago." Laavanya wasn't an expert but she could hear the excitement and nervousness as she gave her the news.

"Oh, my God. Sav, that is amazing. Congratulations!"

"Thanks. That is why we are getting married. We want to promise our vows before we bring a new baby into this world. The wedding invitation will reach your doorstep soon but I called you because I want you to be there for the rehearsal dinner. The whole ceremony will be at Bayfort. I assumed you'd have to put in a request beforehand at your work."

"Oh. Yes. Thank you for being that thoughtful. I am so excited for you. I can't wait to see you in your wedding dress especially with that pregnancy glow. I am so happy for you and Jake." Laavanya stood up from her seat when her stop was about to come. "Anyway, I gotta go. I'll call you soon. Text me if you need anything."

"Yes, of course. Goodbye."

Laavanya had punched in her arrival and took a breath of relief. She had managed to be just a minute late—all she had to do was not try to put on an eyeliner since all this time and she still couldn't perfect a wing. She doesn't even know why she tries.

She offered a small smile to her co-workers (including Diana) and sat on her desk. She pulled out Mr. Z's book And This Is How I Die and stared at it for ten long minutes. Something felt off about the font that she had crafted but she didn't quite know what was wrong about it.

"What are you working on, Ms. Shaw?"

She flinched when Ryker's voice reached her ears. She lifted her chin towards him and then pointed at the illustration on her screen. "The font is bothering me. It contrasts the theme. I'm trying to fix it but..." she trailed off. Ryker walked and stood behind her. She looked over her shoulders to find him analysing her work. He folded his arms over his chest and furrowed his eyebrows. About a minute or so later, he leaned down and took the mouse in his hand. His eyes were fixated on her screen but Laavanya's back had suddenly straightened up when his hot breath reached her shoulder pad. She focused on what he was doing but she caught his fingers moving over the mouse—clicking, rolling, shaking here and there. She breathed heavily, her skin pulsating at the proximity between them.

"Easy there, Ms. Shaw." His icy blue gaze met hers. His lips moulded into a smug smile. "We both have a busy schedule today. I have a work gala to attend. You have to wait until tomorrow night." He turned his gaze back to the screen, pretending to make changes in her work. She spun her head away from him too.

They shouldn't be discussing this here.

"You are busy, I am not," she murmured. "I'll enjoy myself with my vibrator."

She heard a gulp down Ryker's throat. Her smug smile grew. "Fuck," he cursed. Her hands reached below her knee where her pencil skirt ended. She was aware that his eyes were on her so she inserted her one finger inside her skirt. Just a little."Fuck," he cursed again. "Stop, Laav." He threatened.

"What are you going to do, boss?" She asked. "Punish me?"

"Laav." This time it came more like a plea.

Her peripheral vision caught Mr. Edison as he entered his cabin. Laavanya was suddenly aware of their surroundings. She pulled her hands back up and moved her chair away from Ryker. She didn't look at him. "Thank you, Mr. Morris," she spoke loudly. Ryker stood straight, grasp of reality reflecting back on him. "I will email this to Mr. Z right away."

He cleared his note. "Very well," he said. "Until then." He buried his hand in his pocket and charged away. A breath left from Laavanya's lungs.

They were going to the HR soon.

They had to be more careful around each other.

But the problem was, around him—all she could think about is him.