Reality was dawning on her, making her aware there could be consequences of that kiss of his. Oh God, she’d never intended to go this far. But he’d taken her by surprise. ‘Has anyone seen us?’ She darted a look here and there. ‘I’ll have to apologize to Brijesh. Or you will.’ She stared at him accusingly.
Guy didn’t look like he felt any remorse. Far from it. ‘Has it occurred to you that this might well be what you may call the coup de grâce of your relationship? This is the perfect excuse for him to dump you.’
She stopped short. Was that why he’d kissed her? ‘Was the kiss a part of your plan to – to help me? If so, it was way overdone. Next time –’
He waited, amusement brimming in his eyes. ‘Yes? When will be the next time?’ he asked with perfect politeness.
She gave him a glare.
‘Thanks for nothing,’ she told him and stalked off.
She reached Brijesh and waited for him to stop nodding and smiling at the fat lady. ‘Take me home. I have a headache.’
‘Sure. I eh thought Guy was being annoying, but he’s your boss. I thought I shouldn’t interfere.’
‘He wasn’t being annoying.’
She said it with difficulty. Guilt smote her, leading heat to her cheeks. She couldn’t think of anything to excuse the kiss. All said and done, Brijesh was still her fiancé.
To her surprise, he did his silent shaking thing that passed for his laugh. ‘Of course. I might have been mistaken.’
Brijesh must have witnessed the fiasco on the dance floor. She frowned. Given their relationship, she didn’t understand why he wasn’t up in the arms. He should be scolding her for behaving out of order or even ranting at Guy.
‘You look more amused than angry that someone kissed your fiancée,’ she blurted out.
‘Oh no, I’m annoyed of course. But he’s your boss, as I said. At least till we get married. After that it will be another matter.’
‘You still want to marry me despite that – that scene?’ Her eyes rounded.
‘I’m sure it was just a mistake. But of course, you – he, I mean – won’t do anything like that after we’re married.’ They had arrived at the line of people saying goodbyes. They went over shook hands with their hosts, assuring them what a great time they had and showering congratulations again and again.
‘I must say, you seem really broad minded over it,’ she said as they drew away.
He laughed. ‘He works with you. Things happen between men and women working together. Not that I approve, but I can understand.’
An element of suspicion entered her mind. Was he pretending not to get offended? He was playing some deep game.
She said bluntly, ‘Are you being so understanding because you were in an affair yourself? Yes, don’t look so surprised. I know all about Meghna.’
The limo drew up in front of them. Brijesh said nothing, gesturing with a pudgy hand for her to get inside the limo as the chauffeur held the door open.
After he had instructed him and closed the partition, he leaned back.
‘Who told you about her? You don’t need to worry about her. It was all over before we made this pact between us.’
Her mind went to his proposal. She had said no to him right away. He had asked her why. She’d raised many objections to it. She couldn’t marry yet. She didn’t love him. She had her job. She didn’t want to be a wife yet. Anyone’s wife. They weren’t really attracted to each other. He’d taken each one and given her an alternative till finally she’d seen that single advantage she had been unable to say no to.
‘I’m not worrying in that sense,’ she told him now. ‘You know she’s pregnant, don’t you? What’re you doing about that?’
‘Why are you bringing this up? It’s not your business.’ His placid countenance was turning red.
‘It’s every woman’s business – and every self-respecting man’s if there’s maltreatment of –’ She took a deep breath. She was beginning to sound like a welfare society. ‘You know it’s your baby!’
There was a pause. ‘I – there will be tests. She – they will be taken care of. Of course, I would – You don’t understand. You must understand... Listen…’ The disjointed way of talking wasn’t like him, but Lyna couldn’t spare any sympathy for him right now. His tone turned cajoling. ‘Do forget the whole thing, Lyna. I will also forget today. You were jealous, wasn’t that it? Let’s have a nightcap and resolve our differences. I haven’t pressed you till now. Between us all the time, it has been business, business. But I can make sure you get the good time you deserve, honey. You must not think you have made a bad choice in husband.’ He attempted to get close to her. ‘You work so hard, babe. Let me –’
She drew back. ‘No, Brijesh. You can’t dismiss it like that. That woman deserves more than she got.’
‘Don’t you think – I’ll provide for the baby, I promise. She need never fear!’
‘You’d have to do more than that! You’d have to be a proper father to the child. Now, about us, I only intended to have a business marriage with you. A marriage of convenience, if you like. But it’s not possible now.’
‘Why it’s not possible? I’ll give you big office space. Ok, my ex-wife’s diamonds too. She tried everything, but couldn’t get her hands on them. You must have seen their picture in the papers. And also, a yacht to go down the Chapora river where it goes to sea. Beautiful place. We can have our pre-wedding shoot there.’
Her skin crawled a little hearing him offer bribes to her and she realized she’d brought this on. She was the one who’s made this deal with him. He had given her a ring which she hardly ever wore because it was so big. Thankfully, she had it with her. She fished it out of her purse. ‘I thought this was what I wanted, but it isn’t.’
He blinked at her as though lost for words. Then finally said, ‘Because you kissed Jashith Pratap Singh, is it? You’ve decided you want him. But I can make you a better lover, Lyna dear. You come with me tonight and see. You would like the pink handcuffs I bought just for –’
‘What? How... why, you... No.’ She drew in a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry. Do your best by Meghna. She’s a lovely girl.’
‘I would never marry her,’ he said unequivocally.
‘Surely your family will want you to support her. They are so traditional in thinking.’
‘My family? Support her? Far from it. The Board might chuck me out. My father is still Chairman, you know. He wouldn’t appreciate this business. Try to understand, Lyna –’
She shook her head. ‘You might or might not marry her but if I’m with you, you certainly won’t. It would affect the life of your child. I won’t have that on my conscience.’
Wishing to close the matter, she turned away from him and stared outside the car window. She thought of the sprawling cluster of buildings that made up Talwar Films. She might have had her offices there. Or maybe an independent concern all of her own...
‘Think of the boat. The diamonds!’
Brijesh looked at the unresponsive profile Lyna offered and wondered what else he could add to the list.
It would be good press, he reflected. New company. A smart woman at its helm. They could hold an interview on the yacht he gifted to her. It would be white. Not too expensive. But good to look at.
He cast another look at Lyna, then picked up the phone and called the chauffeur. He needed more time to resolve this matter.
He wanted to get a cricket team this year. His own banner. Meghna. He couldn’t afford to set eyes on her again. His mood which had steadily deteriorated for the last few months, hit rock bottom. He felt like tearing his hair out. He couldn’t afford to annoy his father at this time.
With his acuteness, he sensed Lyna was attracted to Guy but had enough faith in his wealth to decide that Guy will not be a problem. With typical vanity, he convinced himself she wouldn’t miss him while she was with him. All his life, people had praised him and it never occurred to him that his wealth earned that respect and nothing of his own
doing. So, he convinced himself that a few gifts and his promise of a company would be enough to keep Lyna with him.
The alternative wasn’t pretty. He needed brains to set up his flogging projects. And hers was a great find. Personable enough that he could have him as his wife hosting his numerous gatherings and acting her part in the society. Her background, he had checked, was good. Her father – half British half Indian, now settled in India, a known businessman of some caliber. Married twice, the second time to the glamorous daughter of an established business family. The Kapoors. Her mother wasn’t a known figure, but she need not mix with her much. Girls often had to give up contact with the less desirables of their family if they married to a higher level. He felt sure Lyna would do the same.
Brijesh Talwar had been bred in an environment where money was respected. His father had taught him all the tricks of the trade. Marrying someone who could add neither to his status nor wealth wouldn’t be a move he would appreciate in his son. He shuddered as he recalled that fateful meeting three months ago. ‘Here’s your performance record as CEO. Revenues of the company have dipped. Our turnover dropped from 80 billion in the previous financial year to 74 billion in the current year. Would you like that in writing? If you were not my son, I have no hesitation in telling you where to take a certain part of your anatomy which is certainly not fit to fit in this chair.’ He’d guffawed harshly at his own pun.
He’d trembled like a virgin in ménage because that was what he did when his father spoke in that tone. His survival as CEO and the subsequent position with all its benefits was on the line.
So, he’d invested in Lyna. He was willing to invest more. He couldn’t really comprehend why Lyna was refusing his offers, but he knew enough that when one tactic failed, another should be employed.
He wondered what he could use as a lever and finally hit on something.
CHAPTER EIGHT
About five minutes later, Lyna roused herself from her thoughts. ‘This isn’t... Where exactly are you taking me?’
‘Now don’t get alarmed. Let’s have a nightcap together.’ He let his hand rest on her thigh, stroking it slowly. ‘Relax, you should listen to me and not worry too much.’
She stared him down, letting her gaze focus on his hand so offensively that he removed it.
‘Turn the car around.’
‘No. Let’s talk. We shouldn’t leave things like this between us. Now listen to me. If you go back to Guy, your reputation will be spoilt. By now that kiss is probably viral...somebody will surely have the footage. Even I might get hold of it. The media will have a field day with it. You won’t be able to work under the Gayatri banner with a scandal hanging over your head.’
Lyna stared at him, her color rising as she took in his veiled threat. ‘Are you trying to scare me? You are out of your mind.’
The limo slowed and stopped. Lyna glanced out, annoyed to find they were outside the posh office block where Brijesh lived. The chauffeur was waiting for the electronic gates to open. She took advantage of the idling car and scrambled out. She heard the other door slam as Brijesh followed suit.
‘I’m not going inside.’ She fished into her purse for her phone. She didn’t relish calling a taxi at this hour and having to wait for it here. She would have to look up the address too on the navigation system.
‘Let’s go inside, Lyna.’ His pudgy hand closed on her arm and she shook it free.
Behind them, the traffic zipped. Another car crawled up and honked at the limo and the poor chauffeur thrust his head out of the window, calling for his employer to get in. The honker shouted something rude and unable to get his harassed boss to attend to him, he went in through the gate. The car followed. Lyna finally found her phone, shaking off Brijesh’s attempt to alternatively threaten and placate her. Neither of them noticed when a motorbike stopped a few feet away and its rider alighted and put the helmet on the saddle.
Brijesh continued in his efforts to paint the situation as gruesome. ‘You should take care how you appear…about your reputation... If that kiss goes viral, media will sling mud on you and you’ll be labelled as Guy’s bi –’
A hand tapped him on the shoulder and he whirled around, not able to move his neck and rotating his upper body to see who it was.
‘She doesn’t need your advice, bozo. Mind your language and step back a bit and let her breathe. By the way, you’re overthinking.’ Brijesh stood with his jaw slack as Guy said calmly, ‘Because if that kiss clip has to go viral, it had better be me who does it than you, Talwar. Let’s face it, it definitely has viewer value. Why shouldn’t we grab the hits when we are the starring characters?’
Brijesh opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Lyna nearly dropped her phone, managing to grip it as it slipped through her fingers.
‘What are you doing here?’
Guy tipped an imaginary hat. ‘At your service, ma’am. If you’d care to accompany me to the ride, it awaits.’
She glanced at Brijesh whose face was assuming a purplish hue. Her head whirled, but one thing was clear. She needed to get out of here. ‘I think I’ll take you up at the offer.’
Brijesh scowled and lunged at Guy, ‘Why, you –’ Unluckily for him, Guy neatly sidestepped and he found himself swinging at empty air. He lost his balance, his hands spread on the pavement as he tried to avoid being toppled and went to his knees.
‘Need any help?’ Guy asked, ice underlying the pleasant tone. Lyna suddenly felt scared and looked closely at his profile, but he looked as cool as he always did.
‘Unpleasant situation.’ Guy escorted her to the waiting motorbike. His tone was lightly mocking. ‘Was he forcing you to come into his parlor?’
‘Just to make matters clear, I didn’t need you to come to rescue. I can take care of myself. There was no need to follow me to earn your knighthood. God knows why you did. You must have left just after us.’ She planted her feet squarely and gave him a suspicious look.
He said, ‘Playing the hero is not my style, but I can’t kiss a girl and then expect another man to drop her home. It’s not policy, you know.’
‘You have a code?’ she scoffed.
He didn’t answer, merely slanting her a half smile as he handed her the helmet. ‘Sorry, I don’t have pink.’
He chuckled as she groaned. ‘It would be helpful for you to know I hate pink! But I would like a size that fits.’
His bike was a metal and chrome tiger disguised as machine. He pushed the self-start and it roared into life.
He paused, surveying her. ‘You’re wearing a dress.’
‘It doesn’t matter.’ There was no question of riding sideways on that high seat. She slung up, behind him, taming her hem as much as possible which wasn’t much. She had the option of putting her hands on his waist or clutching his shoulders. Gingerly, she let her hands rest on them, feeling the hard strength, which sent a sort of pleasure through her making her feel feminine in contrast.
He drove off with a surge of speed and an audible rush of wind.
‘You came to the party on your bike?’
‘There was a cool wind. AC wasn’t needed. Normally I don’t ride in the city. I put on my gear and take off to the suburbs. But it had been a long time since I took out the bike, so I succumbed to temptation.’
The weather had turned pleasant. The wind riffled through her hair, lifting it, but it didn’t matter. She was rather enjoying the ride.
He said above the sound of the bike and the wind factor. ‘I guess I have restored myself to your good books?’ His tone was again his usual lazy, indolent one.
He had paused at a traffic signal. ‘You have high hopes. But I’ll admit, I didn’t want to wait for a taxi this time of the night.’ She paused, then took the plunge asking what had been preying on her mind. ‘Back there, for a second, you sounded like you would like to treat him to your fist. You wouldn’t have, would you?’ She was reminded of the only time she’d seen anything close to annoyance on him. At that time, his mobile eyebr
ows had drawn together, sensuous full lips thinned, and she’d realized he could look ruthless when he was displeased. It happened just once, when she had not consulted him and allowed an actor to leave before completion of the serial schedule. However, he wasn’t vocal with his anger and besides the look of annoyance, he had let the matter go.
‘Nah.’ He shook his head. ‘Too messy!’ The light changed. He shifted the gear and gunned the engine, they drove off in a burst of speed.
Having dropped her outside her apartment that evening, he had no trouble locating it the next day at noon but he wouldn’t have thought he would find her the way he did.
The apartment building was the expected modern one with clean lines and a vertical repetitive stacked look, but as he parked in the modest lot and before he could start for the entrance, his attention was caught by raised voices and detecting Lyna, he walked immediately to the spot. She was in conversation with a uniformed man, being in conversation, a euphemism, if you went by the belligerent expression on their faces.
‘Ma’am, you can’t,’ the man was saying helplessly. ‘You don’t have permission. And I don’t either from the owners.’
‘You need laws and permissions to get oxygen?’ Lyna fired back. ‘Don’t you see they are our basic survival kit? For all of us! This is not just for me.’
‘Hi Lyna,’ Guy greeted her. She was too heated up to answer him, but the security guard actually seemed relieved to have the interruption.
Guy took in the scene. A spade lying half in and half out of soil. A large bag with a sapling in it. A…he glanced closely at the metal contraption…plant cage. His gaze shifted to Lyna – with her hair caught in a high pony tail, faded jeans and a t shirt which clung to her because of its softness after many washes betrayed by its faded color. Was that how she relaxed on Saturday? His eyebrows went up. An involuntary smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
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