Bubbles just went away

Akira didn't want to overthink as her heart was telling her to believe that Raymond had the room temperature increased for her. But her mind was smart enough and was not letting her heart to roam around in some fantasy world. But no matter how hard her mind tried, her heart didn't give up. She was trapped inside a makeshift bubble of happiness. So while they were waiting for the lift to come in the lift lobby, Akira popped the question,

"Umm... sorry I don't want to sound like I am intruding into your personal space but are you ok? I mean healthwise?"

Raymond was already irritated because of the behavior of the receptionist. He didn't want Akira to find out that he increased the temperature of the room because of her. He did not want to look like he was trying hard to get her. Rather he didn't want to look like he was even trying. So he retorted back immediately and asked,

"I am feeling perfectly fine but why do you ask?"

"Umm... nothing. Just that the receptionist said that you never increase the room temperature and today you wanted to. So I just wanted to know if.... " she said and her voice trailed off.

She wanted to ask if he did that for her. But she realized that it would be too weird to ask a question like that and there was a chance that he just did that without a reason and by asking such a question she would do nothing but make a fool out of herself. So she stopped herself midway.

"You wanted to know if... ?", Raymond asked. He didn't like unfinished questions. He could sense that she wanted to ask something but was probably not ready to ask.

Just then the lift arrived and the doors opened, but it seemed like neither of them took notice of that. She was lost in her trail of thoughts and he was lost in wondering about what she was thinking. But somehow deep down Raymond knew that Akira was thinking that he did that for her but didn't want her to think that way.

Seeing that she was still silent, Raymond thought that this was the best time to clear out everything. He did not want her to get any wrong ideas about him in her head.

"No one likes to have a boss who is hitting on you on your very first day", he thought. But he didn't understand that any girl would die to be 'hit on' by him on any day, anywhere and Akira was no different. Probably he just needed a small peek into her thoughts to understand what she was feeling. So he looked at her again and said,

"I never increase the temperature of the War Room because I like it that way. I increased the temperature today not because I was feeling sick, but because I thought you might get sick because of the cold."

Akira looked at him and anybody could say easily that she was totally doting on him because of the way she was looking at him. but before she could reciprocate by saying 'Thanks', Raymond added,

"As our company has a lot of deadlines to meet and we are short on staff members, I like to make sure that everybody is hundred percent productive. If you get sick, then that makes one person less in the task force. I saw that you were uncomfortable and didn't say a word about it, so I had to make the call".

And just like that, all the bubbles of happiness were gone !!!

"See it was just for the company, not for you stupid", said Akira's mind to her heart.

Raymond pressed for the lift button again and this time the lift arrived in no time. Akira followed him silently and entered the lift. She didn't want to look at all disappointed, so she acted like she was checking her notes. But deep down, her heart was cut into pieces and then thrown away like mulch. She went back into another zone of her thoughts. She remembered the Raymond who had covered her with a blanket thinking that she was cold. She remembered his face which was in close proximity with hers during that fateful flight journey.

Maybe the soft memories that she had with Raymond made her think that this time also he did it for her. She instantly regretted for even thinking that her boss would be concerned about her. Even if she was trying to console herself, she had already started feeling low. She did not even realize when the lift arrived at the 5th floor and the door opened. Raymond had already gotten out of the lift and he walked ahead assuming that she would come out following him.

But seconds after he noticed that she was not behind him and turn back. He saw that the lift door was about to close and she was still standing inside lost in some deeply troubled thoughts of her own. He took quick strides and pressed the elevator button again.

The doors of the lift opened and she was still inside unfazed and unaware of what was happening around her.

Raymond came close to her and snapped his fingers in front of her face and asked,

"Do you really like this lift so much?".

Akira realized what just happened. She was pissed with herself, for acting dumb again. She apologized and came out of the lift, deeply mortified.

Raymond walked ahead and as soon as they reached the cafeteria entrance, he halted and said.

"This is the cafeteria. You can choose whatever food you like. No need to pay here at any of the counters. Just swipe your company badge."

But after speaking so Raymond realized that she was not wearing a badge.

"Do you have a bagde with you right now?",he asked in a concerned tone.

"No, Chloe told that it will take two more days to be ready. But it's ok I can pay by cash till then", she said and again started looking down.

"Do you have cash on your right now?", Raymond asked her as they had directly come from the meeting.

"Oh, I left my purse at my desk. I did not take it to the meeting room. But it's ok I will just go and get it. Now I know how to get to the cafeteria thanks to you", Akira said and threw a brief smile in his direction.

Even though Raymond and Akira were not even at the level of acquaintances but he clearly sensed that his words have upset her somehow. Before she took a step back towards the lift, he stopped her and said,

"No need to go back. I can buy your lunch today".