My New Boss - Season 3 - Part 14

  

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Chapter 14



Khushi’s POV


I had a meeting with Ayush Singh Raizada and a few of the associates. As soon as the meeting is over and everyone disperses, I am ready to leave too but Sir stops me.

“You never told me you were engaged, Khushi.”


I frown unable to comprehend how to respond to that.

“Was it necessary to tell?”

“Yes” he sighs in disappointment. “I don’t know about you but I have always taken you as my daughter. And a father needs to know everything about his daughter’s life, doesn’t he? When Arnav told me he met your fiancée in Abu Dhabi, I was shocked.”


Obviously, Arnav had to share that with his father.


“I am sorry Sir, I.. I really didn’t deem it necessary to share. If that hurt you, I am sorry again. Please tell me what can I do to make it up to you?”


He smiles back at me.

“I need a treat from you..”

“Treat?” Arnav steps in the room and seems like he hasn’t heard the entire conversation, but just the treat part.

“Yes, treat. I want an Ice cream treat from Khushi. She is engaged after all. She owes me a treat. Do you want to join us?”


Arnav’s eyes darken which doesn’t go unnoticed by me. Every time Shyam’s topic lingers between us, he is uncomfortable.


“No thanks. I don’t like ice creams.”

“Since when?” Sir queries back. “Last month you didn’t mind having it.”


He rolls his eyes and places a file on the desk.

“You wanted this one. I have checked it already. Looks good.”

“Thank you, Son. And yes, now that you both are here, I want to thank you personally for signing off the Oman deal so well. You both make a great team.”


Arnav and I both glance at each other before thanking Sir for his kind words.

“Shall we go now?” Arnav asks me directly once this conversation is over.

“Yes. I will just log off.”

“Are you two going somewhere together?” Sir asks, little surprised.

“Yes.. We..”

I instantly cut off Arnav’s words.

“We are going to a pub tonight. Thought it’s time we celebrate our teamwork.”


That’s a half-lie. We are going to a pub but not to celebrate teamwork and definitely not alone. Arnav has got the info that his cousin Akash will be in some club tonight and hence we decided this is the best time we could try introducing him to Lavanya in another light. Obviously, I don’t want Arnav’s father to know all this until things are concrete.


Arnav quickly stares at me and realizes I don’t want his father to know. He instantly nods at my version of the story.


“Yea.. we .. we want to celebrate our teamwork.”


Ayush Singh Raizada is a bit suspicious but he smiles and asks us to enjoy our time which I am sure we will. I make my way out leaving the father-son together.


********************


Arnav’s POV


I literally forgot Dad has no clue what help I promised Khushi for her friend. Akash is a sweet guy and if Khushi thinks her friend is perfect for him, I wont mind patching them together. This is not something I have done before but I can try. Plus, it will give me some time with Khushi Gupta which for some odd reason, I can’t miss. I stare at Khushi as she leaves the cabin and its only dad’s voice which brings my attention on him.


“You okay, son?”

“What’s wrong with me? I am fine.”

“I don’t know. Ever since you returned from this trip, you seem lost to me.”

“Come on Dad. I do all my work with perfection. Did I ever give you a chance to point at my work?”

“I am not talking about work.”

“Then?”


Dad gives me a confused stare and then heads back to his chair.

“Nothing. Go enjoy your evening.”


I know he is hiding. He wants to ask me something but he is avoiding it. I don’t push him either and make my way out. I already have a lot to take care tonight.


*********************

Club

“She is my friend Lavanya Kshyap and La he is …”

“ASR” Lavanya chirps shaking hands with me. “I have heard a lot about you..”


The moment she says this, Khushi pinches her hard and though that was supposed to be a hidden gesture, I still notice it. Khushi glares at a grinning Lavanya. What does she mean by heard a lot about me? From whom? Did Khushi speak to her about me? What exactly did they speak?


“Lets go inside?” Khushi asks politely and I agree. We take the best seat available at the VIP area which is where I am also expecting Akash to come here. I have been told he is going to be here with one of his friends. Akash and me are cousins but not that kind who spend all their time together. He stayed forever in India and I was in London with Mom which is why we never could share much time together apart from those yearly trips he made to London with his family. Yet, I know a lot about his likes and choices.


Once we order the drinks, I speak to Lavanya openly.

“Since when do you like him?” I ask her and she goes mute for a few seconds.

“Almost few years. He is really a hard Boss to miss..”

“How can you be so sure you love him? This is the first company you are working for and Akash is your first Boss. How can you be so sure?”


Lavanya is about to answer but Khushi stops her.

“Why do I feel you are interrogating my friend?”

“Because I am. You can’t expect me to do such a big favor without actually believing she is right for my cousin.”

“Favor? I only needed to know a bit more about Akash Malik. This clubbing tonight was your idea.” Khushi objects.

“This is the first time I am letting my cousins secrets out without his permission. Obviously, I have to be sure Lavanya’s feelings for him is genuine..”

“Oh really? You want her to prove her love to a man like you who doesn’t know anything about love?”

“Watch your words Khushi.” I snap. “I can say the same about you. Only getting engaged to someone doesn’t mean you know what love is..”


She grits her teeth.


“You always come back to my engagement with Shyam topic, no matter what..”

“You made me do that tonight. Otherwise I have least interest why you are engaged to that weirdo.”


Lavanya bursts out laughing and both me and Khushi stare at her in frustration.


“Sorry guys. But you two are so funny. Is this how you behave every time around each other? If yes, I am sure I have missed a lot..”

“Shut up, La.”

“Fine..” she stops laughing and turns to me. “ASR, I know what you mean. It’s true that you are doing a favor on me by supporting my feelings towards Akash but believe me, the way I feel for him, I haven’t felt for anyone before. And I am sure he too likes me a lot but he doesn’t want to voice it out.”


Both me and Khushi listen to her as she narrates a few incidents which prove Akash likes her too but is refraining from opening up to her. I finally accept that their feelings are mutual and my cousin just needs a push.


“Alright, there he is.” I say turning to the entry of the VIP area.

“Oh my god.. I am nervous..” Lavanya sips her drink and Khushi quickly gets up.

“I am going to hide and will make an entry when its necessary.”

“Okay”


I watch Khushi hurry to the other side with her mocktail. She’s wearing a tight black dress hugging her curves, making me feel terribly stiff in my lower body tonight. I didn’t know Khushi carried a spare dress at work and she wore it only when it was time for us to head for the club after the office hours. Throughout our drive, I had to keep my eyes and hands at check. My mind was clouded with thoughts of she wearing such dresses with Shyam and he touching her nastily only because he has a right to touch her. I swear if I ever see that man putting his hand over Khushi, I will break his arm. I don’t care even if he is her fiancée.


“Are you ready?” Lavanya asks me and I come out of my thoughts.

“Always ready..”


She grins and we both raise our glasses to clink.


“Cheers” she says loud enough to grab Akash’s attention. He’s here with another man who I suppose is his friend. I pretend to be oblivious to his presence and continue speaking to Lavanya who is seated opposite to me. For the onlookers, we are together and this definitely brings Akash’s entire attention on us. Now that he sees me with his model, he doesn’t waste time in getting to our seat.


“Arnav..” His voice is clearly jealous type. I see at his direction and show a surprise on my face.

“Akash? Hi, man. What are you doing here?”


I get up and shaking hands we give a quick hug and a pat to each other.

“What are you doing with her?” he asks, shifting his gaze on Lavanya who flaunts her dimple.

“You know her?” I try to show my surprise.

“Yes. Lavanya is a model in my company.”

“I see.” I hold my grin.


Lavanya smiles at Akash and says Hi. He acknowledges it with a Hello but he is clearly unhappy to see her with another man.. even if that man is his cousin..


“How do you know each other?” Akash turns to me again.

“Oh, we know her through a common friend.. Khushi Gupta. You know the CEO of our company?” I ask.


Akash gives a nod and his expressions are still the same.


“I know her though I haven’t met her personally.”

“You can meet her now.. Where is she? Oh there..” I wave at Khushi who is busy sipping her drink and faking to be on a phone call. Akash’s expressions lighten up as he realizes me and Lavanya are not alone. We have Khushi too with us. As far as I can read a man’s face, Akash is 100% jealous of me for being here with Lavanya and that only proves he likes her too, just not admitting it.”


Khushi joins us and I introduce her to Akash. She shakes hands with him. We urge Akash to join us with his friend at our table and he doesn’t deny. Soon the two men are with us and we share a few drinks and kebabs, talking about our companies, work and on general topics. Every time Akash speaks, I see him glancing at Lavanya quite often. Fine!! I get it he is in love with her. What’s stopping him then? I have to ask. Not here.. Not now but I will.!!


As we continue the talks, my knee brushes with Khushi’s who is sitting opposite to me with Lavanya beside her. Our eyes meet for a brief second and I see the spark which ignites in me, flaming her body too. What the hell was that? Just a knee brushing could get that reaction from us? I can’t believe this. She averts her gaze from me first and I take another moment to admire this woman who has suddenly become a mystery for me. I have that urge to know everything about her. Wish she was that open enough to share.


She keeps getting some text messages in between which clearly infuriates her and I can’t wait to know who is texting her and what? I keep my gaze steady on all of her reactions. She types something, hits send and again continues the talk. Messages keep buzzing and she ignores a few, then checks and types and again focuses on us. Something is happening and I can’t wait to know.


Akash’s friend leaves and Lavanya is a bit high. She wants to use the washroom and though Khushi insists on accompanying her, she denies and leaves alone. Akash gets a call so he too excuses us leaving me and Khushi alone at the table.


“Whose message?” I ask openly without bothering I was intruding her personal space.

“Excuse me? Why should I tell you that?”

“Because you don’t seem happy about these messages. They are bothering you and that bothers the hell out of me. So, stop fussing and tell me who is messaging you and what?”


Her jaw drops in shock. This is the first time I have made her that speechless. She stares at me for more than a few seconds before exhaling.


“I can handle my mess Arnav. I don’t need anyone to sort it out or even bother about it.. Get that in your head.”


I don’t like her attitude, especially on this matter so I grab her hand over the table making her lean over it so that no one else can hear what I am speaking to her next.


“You better handle it soon Khushi Gupta because if its related to that idiot fiancée of yours, I swear I am going to knock him out with my punches. You look clearly disappointed with that man and if that’s so, I suggest you come out of that farce relationship of yours before it does more harm to you.”


Khushi stiffens at my declaration, her hands turn cold but she doesn’t struggle to free herself. She keeps staring at me and me at her for no idea how long.


To be Continued.

NEXT PART 

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Standalone Enemies to Lovers Romance Novel

Jhanvi Sikand
I was supposed to marry my childhood friend, Mohit Raichand. Call it fate or destiny, I tied the knot with the Forbidden Heir of the Raichand family – Aarav Raichand, instead. I knew nothing about him except that he used me as a pawn to start a war to snatch from the Raichands what was legally his.

Aarav Raichand
Despite being the firstborn in the Raichand family, they forbade me from the rights and tags I should legally own. My father was secretly married to my mother, his middle-class lady love. Yet my egoistic grandmother got him re-married to another woman from her rich circle. She considers their offspring, Mohit Raichand, as the true heir of the family now. I would have ignored it all had her actions not taken my mother’s life. I pledged on my mother’s grave to crush the ego of my grandmother and snatch what is rightfully mine, including the woman she was getting Mohit married to.

A Fight for dominance altered to War for Love. One war, Three Lives, Only Two could survive.

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