Minnie POV
It was already lunchtime when Caroline turned toward me and smiled.
Caroline: "Come on, Minnie. Let's go have lunch."
I shook my head softly. Minnie: "It's okay, Caroline. I'm not hungry."
She sighed dramatically.
Caroline: "Not hungry? Impossible. The cafeteria food here is too good to skip. And I want to eat with you."
Before I could refuse again, Alice, Enzo, and Theo joined her.
Alice: "Yes, Minnie. You can't escape us on your first day."
Enzo: "If you don't come, we will drag you."
Theo (grinning): "And don't worry, Mr. Nova will have lunch with our boss... so we won't eat you."
I laughed a little and nodded.
Right now, I didn't want to see Will. Not even for a second. So going with them felt safe.
We took the lift to the ground floor, and when entered the cafeteria, my eyes widened. It was huge- bright, noisy, and full of people.
Alice suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me forward.
Alice: "Come on girl. Food is waiting!"
I smiled and followed her. I took a plate and looked at the food carefully. There was no Indian food, but I chose what felt familiar-pasta, noodles, bread, and some salad.
We sat at an empty table, and they immediately started asking questions.
Caroline: "So Minnie, which part of India are you from?"
Minnie: "Chennai."
Theo: "Wow. First day in Paris and already in our team."
Enzo: "And what did you study?"
Minnie: "Business management."
They smiled warmly, and for the first time since morning, I felt... a little normal.
Then suddenly, I saw Nova walking toward us with a tray full of food.He came and sat beside me.I smiled politely.
After a moment, I couldn't stop myself from asking.
Minnie: "Mr. Nova... Theo said you usually have lunch with our boss. Why are you here today?"
Nova looked at me and shrugged lightly.
Nova: "I asked him, but he said he wasn't hungry."
My spoon stopped in midair.
Not hungry... because of me?
A strange heaviness filled my chest.
I looked down at my food and whispered, Minnie: "Oh... okay."
Caroline noticed my silence.
Caroline: "Hey Minnie, eat properly. First day lunch is special."
I forced a small smile.
Minnie: "Yes... I'm eating."
But inside, my heart was restless.
He didn't come to lunch because he didn't want to see me. And here I am.. sitting and eating like nothing happened.
Nova glanced at me.
Nova: "You look worried. Is the food not good?"
I shook my head quickly. Minnie: "No... it's good. I was just thinking about home."
He nodded kindly and said "First day is always hard. It will get better."
I wanted to believe him.
I took another bite of food, but my thoughts were far away-
I worried about the man upstairs who chose hunger instead of facing me.
Nova POV
After lunch, I returned to Will's cabin with a cup of coffee in my hand.
knocked and walked in.
"Boss," I said casually, "you missed a very important event today."
He didn't look up. "What event?"
I smiled.
"Lunch."
He replied coldly, "I told you, I wasn't hungry."
I placed the coffee on his table and leaned against the desk.
"Not hungry... or avoiding someone?" I teased.
He finally looked at me. "Nova, mind your work."
I sighed softly and said,
"Tell me if you feel hungry. I'll get you something to eat."
He only nodded, and I quietly left the room.
Minnie POV
After lunch I returned to my desk and started replying to the emails that had come in. Suddenly, the phone on Nova's table began to ring.
I hesitated.
Is it okay if I attend his call?
Caroline noticed my confusion and said gently, "Take it, Minnie. Maybe it's our boss or someone from another department."
I nodded and picked up the phone carefully.
"Hello..." I said in a low voice.
There was silence on the other side.
Then I realized who it was.
It was Will.
My heart skipped a beat.
He finally spoke after a long pause, "I need coffee." Before I could even reply, the call disconnected.
I stared at the phone in shock. "How rude..." I whispered.
Caroline laughed softly and said, "So, that was our boss?"
I nodded.
She sighed.
"He used to be cold before too, but after his vacation, he became even colder. I don't know what happened to him. So... what did he ask for?"
"He asked me to get him coffee," I replied.
She pointed toward the corridor.
"There's a pantry near the lift. You can make it there."
I smiled faintly and thanked her.
Then suddenly, I remembered... He didn't eat lunch. My heart felt heavy.
I opened my bag and saw the cookies Maya had given me before I left Chennai.
Without thinking much, I took a few and went to the pantry.
While the coffee machine was working, my mind kept questioning me.
Why am I doing this?
Why do I still care about him? Why does my heart refuse to forget?
I placed the coffee and cookies on a tray and walked toward his cabin.
I knocked.
"Come in." he said.
I took a deep breath and entered.
Our eyes met for a second. I quickly looked away and placed the cup and cookies on his table without looking at him and said in a formal tone, "Is there anything else, sir? I take my leave?" I turned to go.
But his voice stopped me.
Wait..."
I froze.
Will : "How long are you going to act like a stranger, Minnie?"
My throat tightened. bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying.
I said "Until I forget our memories," I said softly. I felt him move closer behind me.
Will : "I know it's all my fault," he said. "I'm sorry."
I turned to face him, my eyes full of tears. "It's not your fault, Will. It's my fault for falling in love with you. You told me from the beginning that it was a fake relationship... but I still hoped. That's my mistake."
A tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it quickly and continued. "I never imagined I would have to work under you when I came here. Now you're just my boss... Mr. William."
He stepped closer, his voice breaking.
Will : "Minnie... I'm sorry for everything. I know you're worried about me. That's why you brought my favorite cookies when I didn't eat lunch."
He looked at me with pain in his eyes.
Will : "Can we... at least be friends again"
My heart shattered.
Friends?
How can you be friends with the person who once owned your whole heart?
I stood there silently, trapped between love and self-respect, between past and present.
"Some wounds don't heal by calling them friendship, Will."
And with that, I turned and walked out... leaving my love behind on his office room
Will POV
The door closed behind her.
The sound felt louder than it should have... like it slammed directly into my heart.
I stood there, frozen.
Her words kept echoing in my head.
"Some wounds don't heal by calling them friendship."
I slowly sat down on my chair and stared at the untouched coffee in front of me. Beside it... the cookies.
Her favorite cookies. The ones she used to share with me in Chennai.
I picked one up but couldn't eat it.
My throat burned.
Why did I let her go back then?
Why did I pretend my feelings were not real? Why did I hurt the only person who loved me without conditions?
I closed my eyes and leaned back.
"I lost her twice," I whispered to myself.
"Once in Chennai... and now again in Paris."
My chest felt heavy. For the first time in my life, the room that once felt powerful now felt empty.
Minnie POV
I walked fast, not looking back.
The moment I entered the restroom, I locked myself inside and leaned against the door.
My legs gave up.
I slid down slowly and sat on the floor, hugging my knees.
My tears finally escaped.
"I was doing so well.." I whispered.
"I came here to start a new life... not to meet him again." My hands were shaking.
Why does love hurt more when it's unfinished? Why does the heart remember what the mind wants to forget?
I looked at myself in the mirror. Red eyes. Broken smile and a girl pretending to be strong.
"Get up, Minnie," I told myself softly. "You didn't come all the way to Paris to cry for someone who couldn't choose you."
I washed my face and took a deep breath.
One breath.
Then another.
"I am not the girl who waits anymore," I said to my reflection.
"I am the girl who walks forward." But my heart still whispered his name.
Will.
I wiped my tears, fixed my hair, and forced a small smile. Even if my heart was breaking... I would not let him see it again.
I opened the door and walked back to my desk... carrying pain in silence, and strength in disguise.
In the evening, I received a message from Akil saying that he was waiting outside my office. It was already 6:30 PM.
I looked at Nova and asked softly, "Sir... may I leave now?"
Nova smiled and said, "Yes, Minnie. You can go. Will and I also have a dinner meeting. We'll continue the work tomorrow."
nodded, packed my bag, and said goodbye to Caroline, Alice, Enzo, and Theo before leaving the office.
When I stepped outside, I saw Akil standing near his car.
The moment he noticed me, he got out and smiled.
My lips trembled. I walked toward him slowly and said in a low voice,
"Akil... can I hug you for a minute"
He looked surprised but didn't ask any questions. He just opened his arms and hugged me tightly.
I held onto him as if my heart had finally found a safe place to rest. I needed that hug more than words could explain.
After a moment, I pulled away and forced a small, sad smile.
We got into the car.
He closed my door gently, walked around to the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove away.
He didn't ask me what happened. He didn't pressure me with questions.
And somehow, that silence felt kinder than anything else.
Will POV
From my office entrance, I saw Minnie standing outside the company.
A man was waiting for her near a car.
I didn't know who he was.
Minnie walked toward him slowly. For a second, she just stood there... then suddenly she hugged him.
My heart skipped.
Not a quick hug.
Not a polite one.
It was a long hug, the kind people give when they are tired and need comfort.
My chest felt heavy.
"So... she already found someone else?" The thought came without permission.
Or maybe... she just needed someone to hold her because of me. I couldn't understand which one hurt more.
Nova came behind me and followed my gaze.
Nova (laughing softly): "Ahh... looks like our new assistant has a boyfriend."
I looked at him, my face turning stiff.
Nova continued joking, unaware of the storm inside me.
"Poor me. I was thinking to invite her for coffee and show her Paris. Now I think I lost my chance before I even started."
He laughed.
"I will stay single forever."
His words echoed in my head - boyfriend.
I turned away and said "Let's go, Nova. We're late for the meeting," I said coldly.
Nova raised his eyebrows. "Wow... boss mode suddenly."
As we walked toward the car, I didn't look back again.
Because if I looked once more...
I knew my heart would break a little deeper.
Minnie POV
When we reached my apartment, I looked at Akil and forced a small smile.
"Thank you, Akil," I said softly.
He looked at me with worry in his eyes.
"Minnie... I won't ask what happened today. But whatever it was, be strong. You're not alone. I'm here for you."
My lips curved into a weak smile and I nodded.
I stepped out of the car and walked toward my apartment.
Each step felt heavier than the last.After I opened the door, I dropped my bag on the sofa and walked straight to the balcony. The cool Paris air touched my face gently. From the tenth floor, the city looked beautiful- lights glowing, cars moving like stars on the road.
Paris was shining...
but inside me, everything felt dark and empty.
I hugged my arms around myself and whispered, "Why does a city so beautiful I feel so lonely?"
My phone vibrated in my hand.
It was Sara.
Akil must have told her that I wasn't okay.
I hesitated for a second... then answered.
"Minnie... are you alright?" Sara asked softly.
The moment I heard her voice, the wall I had built inside me collapsed.
I tried to speak, but my throat tightened. My lips trembled. Tears rolled down before I could stop them.
"Sara..." was all I could say.
She understood everything from that one word.
"Minnie, tell me what happened. Don't hide it from me."
I sank onto the balcony chair and covered my face with my hands.
"You know i came to Paris because of Will," I whispered.
"I wanted to escape from him... from our memories... from Chennai."
Sara went silent.
"I thought if I changed the city, my heart would change too," I continued, my voice breaking. "But today... when I went to the office... he was there."
"What?" Sara gasped.
"He is my boss, Sara," I cried. "The same Will I ran away from... is now standing in front of me every day."
My chest hurt as if someone was pressing it hard. "I wanted to forget him... but destiny pushed me back into his world," I said.
"I don't know how to work under him.I don't know how to look at him without remembering everything"
Sara's voice became gentle and firm.
"Minnie... you didn't go to Paris only because of Will. You came for your dream. Don't let him take that away from you too."
"But it hurts, Sara," I sobbed.
"Seeing him again opened all my wounds. I thought I was healing... but I was only running."
Sara said softly,
"Running doesn't mean you are weak. It means you were tired.Now you must stand strong."
I wiped my tears and looked at the Paris sky. "I feel so lonely here," I whispered.
"This city is beautiful... but without you and Amma and Appa... it feels empty."
"You are not alone, Minnie," Sara said.
"I'm with you. Akil is with you. And one day, you will look back and say: 'I survived this."I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
For a while, I talked to her, and my mind slowly felt relieved. After ending the call, I opened my fridge and saw that it was full of food Akil had stored for me. I noticed some vegetables, so I prepared a simple salad.
I looked around my apartment and suddenly felt how alone I was. I had to accept this truth. I couldn't go back to Chennai, and I didn't have much money left either-I had spent all my savings to come here.
I said to myself,
"Minnie, you have to face this. This is your dream job. Don't think about Will. Time will give you an answer. For now, just go with the flow."
I finished my salad and went to bed. As I lay down, the bed felt so comfortable, and soon, I drifted into sleep.
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Author Note
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