Chapter 8 Breakfast with My Boss
Nadira was beginning to realize that living under the same roof as Arkana came with one major problem.
She could no longer avoid him.
At the office, she could pretend to be busy. She could avoid taking the same elevator. She could enter the conference room first. But at home, there was nowhere to hide. Especially at breakfast.
That morning, Nadira came downstairs and immediately saw Arkana sitting at the dining table.
“Morning.”
“Morning.”
Nadira took a seat.
A servant placed breakfast in front of her.
Nadira looked at the plate. “I didn’t order this.”
Arkana continued reading his tablet. Without looking up, he said, “That’s your breakfast.”
Nadira stared at him. “I usually eat bread.”
“Every morning?” Arkana asked. This time, he set his tablet aside and looked at Nadira.
“Not always, but usually.” Nadira answered with a frown.
Arkana finally looked at her properly. “You don’t like heavy food in the morning?” he asked again.
Nadira fell silent. “You noticed that?”
“I pay attention.” Those two words made Nadira fidget slightly. “And change the way you address me.”
Nadira fell silent, her lips pursing slightly.
The servant returned carrying two slices of toast spread with chocolate jam.
Nadira smiled and picked up her fork. “Thank you.”
Arkana went back to reading.
A few minutes later, Nadira frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Arkana looked at her. “Is there a problem?”
“You ordered the wrong thing.”
“What?”
“The tea is too sweet.”
Arkana picked up Nadira’s cup and tasted it. “You’re right.”
“See?”
“Want me to have them make you a new cup?” the man offered.
Nadira looked at him in surprise. “No, it’s fine. I can drink this.”
“No.” Arkana called for the servant. “Make her tea without sugar.”
The servant nodded and left.
Nadira looked at the man across from her. “Are you always like this?”
“Like what?”
“Paying attention to little things.”
Arkana didn’t answer right away. “Not with everyone.”
Nadira fell silent. Before the conversation could become even more awkward, she changed the subject. “What’s on your schedule today?”
“Meetings until noon. After that, I have a meeting with an investor.”
“Packed.”
“As usual.”
Nadira nodded. Then she remembered something. “Are you coming home late?”
“Maybe.”
Nadira looked up. “Then I don’t have to wait for you to eat dinner, right?”
Arkana looked at her. “I never told you to wait.”
“Good.”
For some reason, after saying that, Nadira felt a little disappointed. She didn’t understand why.
The day passed as usual. In the late afternoon, Nadira received a message from Arkana.
‘I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up.’
Nadira read the message several times. Then she sent a brief reply.
‘Okay.’
That night, Nadira ate dinner alone. Afterward, she worked in the family room.
It was eleven o’clock when the sound of a car came from the driveway. Arkana was home.
Nadira hadn’t intended to wait for him. But when she heard the door open, she still got up.
Arkana walked in while taking off his jacket. “You’re not asleep yet?”
“I’m working.”
Arkana looked at the table. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
Nadira nodded.
Arkana glanced at the empty plate still sitting on the dining table. “Good.”
He walked past Nadira, but then stopped. “Do you have a morning meeting tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t stay up too late.”
Nadira nodded. “You too, Mr. Arkana.”
Arkana looked at her. Then he smiled faintly. “From now on, don’t call me Mr. Arkana when we’re at home. Haven’t I told you that over and over?”
Nadira sighed. “It’s hard.”
“Get used to it.”
“Okay, Arkana.”
The man looked satisfied.
Nadira sat back down. But a few moments later, she heard Arkana’s footsteps returning.
“Here.”
A cup was placed on the table. Warm tea.
Nadira looked at it. “For me?”
Arkana nodded. “Don’t work until morning.”
Then he left.
Nadira stared at the cup. A small act of consideration. Nothing more.
It shouldn’t have meant anything. And yet that night, for the first time, Nadira realized that living with Arkana wasn’t as difficult as she had imagined.
Quite the opposite. She felt completely comfortable. And that comfort was beginning to scare her. She was afraid of the one-year period they had to spend together.
What would their married life be like?