Eyes on Him

Rhea’s POV

I woke up feeling like someone had used my head for drumming practice all night.

My eyes opened slowly, and the first thing I felt was pain sitting right behind them. I groaned and rolled to the other side of my bed, pressing my face into the pillow like that would magically fix my life. It didn’t.

I walked downstairs like a ghost, one hand on my forehead. The smell of toast and fried eggs hit me first, then I saw my dad already seated at the dining table, dressed for work like the responsible adult he is.

“Good morning, sleepy head,” he said, smiling over his cup.

I rubbed my eyes, squinting against the light. “Morning,” I mumbled, my head spinning. Every word came out fuzzy and garbled in my own ears.

“When did you get in last night?” my father asked.

I grinned. “Before dawn. And I lived on coffee the whole time.”

He gave me a knowing smile. “Alright, coffee drinker. You don’t have to drive me to work today.”

My eyes flew open. I nearly dropped my fork.

“Wait… what?” My mind immediately jumped into overdrive. Driving him to work was the whole point of my morning existence. That was my five-minute window of destiny.

“I… I will,” I said, suddenly alert. “Just give me a minute to freshen up.” I didn’t even wait for him to respond, racing up the stairs two at a time.

I showered so fast I almost slipped. Water, soap, done. I tied my hair into a neat ponytail, the simple kind that still made my neck look longer. Then I picked a tight gown, not too much, but enough. The kind that says I didn’t try… even though I absolutely did.

I sprayed my deodorant like my life depended on it.

When I met my dad by the door, he coughed dramatically and waved his hand in front of his face.

“You are going to choke me with those,” he said, holding his nose.

“Sorry, Dad,” I laughed, but I didn’t stop smelling amazing.

I drove us to his office, my hands steady on the wheel but my stomach doing gymnastics. The office came into view quickly, and I parked. As we got out, I smoothed my gown, applied a touch of makeup, and adjusted my ponytail. Dad’s bag was heavy, but I took it gladly.

“You look good already,” he said with that casual, teasing smile. “Besides… you don’t have to help me to the office today?”

I pouted. “You don’t want people to see me anymore.”

He chuckled softly, the sound warm in my ears. “Everyone has seen you already, and knows you are my daughter.”

“I have to familiarize myself with the environment. I told you I wanted to intern here this summer,” I added, trying to sound serious.

“I didn’t promise that, Rhea,” he said as we walked inside. “I haven’t even spoken to my boss about it yet, I still have a project pending his approval.”

Boss.

My heart did a stupid little jump.

We greeted people as we walked. I smiled at everyone like I belonged there already. When we got close to the boss’s office, I straightened my dress and prayed the door would be open.

It was.

Dad stepped forward first, greeting Mr. Rowan. And then my eyes met his. For a brief, impossible second, it was like the world slowed. My stomach flipped, my breath caught in my throat. He looked away almost immediately.

We walked further into Dad’s office. “Here is your key,” I said softly, handing him the car key. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before stepping back. “I’ll take a cab,” he said.

I walked past the boss’s office again but this time, it was closed.

Of course.

I walked out of the building, still turning back like a hopeless person in a drama series waiting for the door to open.

It didn’t.

I wasn’t looking where I was going when I bumped into someone.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” I said quickly, bending to pick up a book that fell.

Then I stood up.

And my legs almost betrayed me.

Mr Rowan.

Right in front of me.

Up close, he was worse. Taller. Broader. His shirt sleeves were rolled slightly, showing his wrist. Why did wrists even matter?

“You have to face front while walking, kiddo,” he said calmly, taking the book from my hand.

Kiddo?

His fingers brushed mine.

It was small. Barely anything. But my whole body reacted like someone had switched on a current inside me.

I couldn’t even answer properly. I just nodded and walked away, feeling like my lungs had forgotten their job.

I was smiling like an idiot on the road when my phone rang and reality slapped me.

School.

I rushed home, grabbed my books, and ran to class.

Lyra tapped my arm the second I sat down. “You are so cooked. You missed attendance.”

“I’ll make up for it,” I grinned, unable to hide my excitement. “You won’t guess what happened earlier.”

She looked tired already. “What now?”

I told her.

Every detail.

His voice. His hand. The “the kiddo,” which I frowned at.

She stared at me like I had announced I was moving to Mars.

“Girl, you’re becoming crazy. He would never date a child, he already called you kiddo.”

“I’m nineteen,” I frowned. “Not a child.”

“And he is thirty-eight.”

I huffed. “Age is just a number.”

We walked into the library still arguing.

Lyra’s expression was skeptical. “Do you even see the women he’s rumored to date? You’re not up to standard.”

“Shh!” the library attendant snapped, motioning for silence.

“Sorry,” we both muttered.

We sat down, and Lyra showed me a picture on her phone. Another socialite was seen with him.

I made a face. “Rumors.”

“Yeah. Until a wedding card shows up online.”

“You’ll be shocked at the name of the bride,” I smiled.

“Girl, you are sick,” she said.

I studied hard that day, even though all I could think about was him.. If grades were the bridge to that office, I was going to build it myself.

After school, I returned home, scrolling through his social pages, sighing at every post and rumored sighting. I continued my routine, driving Dad to work daily, hoping, wishing, lingering near his office door, but no sight of him came. Every day, I dressed carefully, put on a touch of makeup, and waited.

One evening, I was in my room scrolling through Rowan’s profile for the hundredth time, when a soft knock at the door startled me.

“Rhea, are you in?” Dad’s voice caller.

“Come in.”

He stepped inside, looking awkward, hesitant. He lingered, and I could feel that he wanted to say something but was holding back.

I tilted my head. “Dad… are you okay?”

He hesitated, swallowing. Finally, he asked, “Do you have someone in your life right now?”

I sat up confused. “What do you mean?”

He took a deep breath. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

My heart did a weird flip.

Why was he asking that?

And why did Rowan’s face flash in my head immediately? Oh my God! Did my dad find my dirty, hidden diary about his boss? A thousand questions raced through my head as I stared at him blankly.