Scene 1: The Chamber of Expectations
Aarohi stood outside the CEO's office, her hands clutching her notepad like a shield. The hallway was too quiet. She could practically hear her own heartbeat echoing off the polished marble walls.
She took a breath.
"You're just going in to take notes. It's fine. You won't die," she whispered to herself.
With one last mental push, she raised her hand and knocked twice.
"Come in," came the deep voice from inside — sharp, composed, and unmistakably Rithvik Veerayut.
She stepped in, instantly feeling the shift in energy. His office was pristine — not a paper out of place. Floor-to-ceiling windows let the soft sunlight pour in, casting reflections off the glass shelves. Everything felt organized, sterile... powerful. Just like him.
Rithvik didn't even look up at first. He was going through some documents, his long fingers flipping the pages with mechanical precision.
"Sit," he said curtly, still reading.
Aarohi quietly took the seat opposite his desk, balancing her notepad on her lap like it was sacred scripture.
He finally looked up.
His gaze was intense, like he was evaluating her entire existence in one glance. "Tomorrow, there's a quarterly strategy meeting at 9 a.m. sharp."
Aarohi immediately nodded, jotting it down.
Rithvik leaned forward, voice crisp and devoid of warmth. "I want every document — printed and digital — arranged in the meeting room before 8:30. The client portfolios, department reports, the financial review deck... everything."
She blinked, her pen hovering. "Yes, sir."
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Not yes, sir, Aarohi. Listen carefully — I don't like last-minute chaos. If a single document is missing, I'll know. If the room isn't ready, you'll answer for it."
Aarohi swallowed. "Understood."
His tone didn't soften. "Send out calendar invites again. Double-check all RSVPs. Cross-verify the deck with the finance team, and speak with the IT department to ensure no glitches during the presentation."
She scribbled fast, trying not to let her fingers shake.
"Don't wait for someone to remind you. Anticipate. That's what makes a good assistant."
She looked up briefly, nodded once more. "I'll handle everything, Mr. Veerayut."
He watched her for a moment — eyes sharp, unreadable. Then gave a small nod. "Good. You're dismissed."
Aarohi stood quickly and walked out with polite haste, resisting the urge to run. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, she exhaled the breath she'd been holding in.
Her heart still pounded.
Not from fear exactly… but something else. Something strange.
A weird mix of stress, thrill, and… admiration?
She shook her head.
Nope. Too early for mental breakdowns. First, survive the meeting prep. Then she could go to HR for emotional damage claims.
Scene 2: Teasing, Secrets, and Spies
Aarohi dropped into her seat like she had just survived a battlefield.
Rhea slid into the seat across from her, iced Thai tea in hand, and gave her a knowing smirk. "So? What happened in the lion's den?"
Aarohi widened her eyes. "Don't even ask. He was... intense."
Rhea leaned in, curious. "Details, please. Was it sexy intense or scary intense?"
"Scary! He was all serious and commanding. Told me to make sure everything is ready for tomorrow's meeting—every file, every document, placed in the meeting room before it starts. And then he said—" Aarohi lowered her voice to mimic him, "'I don't like mistakes.'"
"Oof." Rhea winced dramatically. "Classic Ice CEO."
"I was so nervous, I think I forgot how to speak. I just nodded like a puppet and ran out the second he dismissed me."
Rhea, trying hard not to giggle, casually reached into her bag and tapped her phone. The screen was already in a call—silently connected to Thanwa.
On the other end, behind a wall in the hallway, Thanwa and Pakorn crouched with a shared earbud, listening in real time.
"She's describing the meeting now," Rhea whispered into the phone before turning back to Aarohi like nothing was happening.
Pakorn whispered beside Thanwa, "You people are unbelievable."
"Sshh! This is golden," Thanwa whispered, adjusting the earbud.
Back in the café, Rhea tried to look nonchalant. "So... he was being all bossy and intimidating?"
"Totally. But it wasn't just that," Aarohi said, biting her lip. "I don't know... I felt like he was testing me. Like one wrong move and I'd be kicked out."
Rhea hummed. "Or... maybe he was just being extra because he's paying more attention to you."
Aarohi looked suspicious. "Why are you grinning?"
"No reason," Rhea said innocently, sipping her tea.
But Aarohi narrowed her eyes. "Wait. Why are you acting weird? And what were you doing during lunch with the Veerayut brothers, hmm? You seemed pretty close with Thanwa."
Rhea nearly choked. "What? Nothing! We were just... talking!"
Aarohi smirked. "Thanwa offered you his dessert."
"It's called being polite!" Rhea protested, then quickly changed the subject. "Anyway! Back to your story."
Aarohi folded her arms. "You're avoiding the question."
"Because there's nothing to say!"
Meanwhile, in the hallway—
"She's onto her," Thanwa whispered gleefully.
"I can't believe you're listening to this like it's a drama," Pakorn muttered.
Thanwa grinned. "It is a drama. And we're the VIP audience."
Pakorn sighed, but even he looked slightly amused.
Back at the table, Rhea tried to stay calm. "Look, maybe I did call Thanwa during lunch. Just a little. So he could... listen."
Aarohi's jaw dropped. "You did what?!"
"It was just for fun!" Rhea laughed. "Come on, you two were having a whole slow-burn romance moment. Someone had to witness it!"
"You are unbelievable!" Aarohi groaned, half laughing and half scandalized.
Rhea smirked, leaning in with a teasing whisper. "And you like him, don't you?"
"Absolutely not!" Aarohi said a little too quickly.
From the hallway, Thanwa snorted. "She's lying."
Pakorn shook his head. "This is going to end badly."
But Thanwa just grinned. "Or beautifully."
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Scene 3: Brothers, Doubts & Decisions
The call ended. Thanwa slipped his phone into his pocket, grinning. "She's so flustered. It's adorable. We're making real progress here!"
Pakorn didn't smile. He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, face serious.
Thanwa noticed the shift in his mood. "What? Why the stormy face?"
Pakorn didn't answer right away. After a pause, he muttered, "I don't think this is a good idea."
Thanwa raised an eyebrow. "You mean matchmaking?"
Pakorn nodded.
"Why?" Thanwa asked, genuinely curious.
Pakorn hesitated again, then finally said, "Because we don't know who she really is."
Thanwa frowned. "Aarohi? What do you mean?"
Pakorn sighed. "Look, I'm not saying she's a bad person. But something about her… feels off. Like she's trying too hard to seem innocent. The way she talks, the way she reacts—it's all just a little too perfect. Like she's acting."
Thanwa's smile faded. "You think she's fake?"
"I don't know," Pakorn admitted. "But you remember Kanlaya, right?"
Thanwa's face stiffened slightly at the name.
Pakorn continued, "She joined our company all sweet and humble too. Always smiling, always helpful. Played innocent until... until she didn't."
There was a heavy silence.
Pakorn's voice softened but was firm. "Rithvik gave his heart to her. Trusted her. And she shattered it—for money, for status, whatever. Left him questioning everything. It took him years to even look at someone properly again."
Thanwa looked down at his shoes, nodding slowly.
"I see some of that same... energy in Aarohi," Pakorn said. "I hope I'm wrong. I want to be wrong. But I'd rather be cautious now than watch our brother get hurt again."
Thanwa finally looked up, more serious now. "You're right. It is his life. We can't treat this like one of our dumb romantic dramas."
He paused, then added, "Maybe I was too excited. I just... saw the way he looked at her. It wasn't like with anyone else."
"I noticed too," Pakorn said quietly. "But love isn't just chemistry. It's trust. And we don't even know who she really is."
Thanwa sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay. New plan."
Pakorn glanced at him. "Go on."
Thanwa's tone was steady now. "We don't interfere—not directly. No more matchmaking chaos. Instead, we observe. Watch her. See if she's really what she seems."
Pakorn nodded slowly. "And if she's not?"
"Then we protect our brother," Thanwa said. "No matter what."
"And if she is genuine?"
Thanwa gave a small smile. "Then maybe he deserves a chance at happiness. But either way... we take it slow. No assumptions."
Pakorn extended his hand for a shake. "Agreed."
Thanwa shook it. "Operation 'Protect the Ice King' is officially in observation mode."
"Still a dumb name," Pakorn muttered.
"You love it."
Pakorn rolled his eyes but didn't deny it. "Just don't start narrating everything like a soap opera again."
"No promises," Thanwa grinned. "Now let's keep a close eye on Miss Aarohi... and see what secrets she might be hiding."
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