Part-1
Riddhima tapped on the desk of the receptionist with a long red fingernail.
"Yes, how may…I….help….you?" The receptionist who was used to saying the sentence to everyone who approached her, faltered for the first time. She really was not expecting to see the famous Hollywood star first thing in the morning.
"Ri…ri….Riddhima gupta??" It wasn't a statement, it was a question that the receptionist asked to make sure that she was actually talking to Riddhima gupta.
"Ya that's me. Anyways, I have an appointment with Mr. Malik." The receptionist nodded and turned towards her computer to check.
"Yes ma'am. It starts in exactly five minutes, till than you can please wait here." Riddhima smiled at the receptionist and murmured a thank you and sat down on a couch in the waiting area. The receptionist exhaled. Unknowingly she had held her breath out of nervousness and it wasn't just because Riddhima gupta was a celebrity, there had been other celebrities who had come to see her boss who was a celebrity himself, but there was something very intimidating about Riddhima Gupta…her Hollywood stature or her unrivalled beauty whatever it maybe…she did make people nervous though she was a warm person. She saw Riddhima standing up as the door to Armaan's cabin opened and she signaled her to go ahead.
Riddhima entered Armaan's cabin after knocking on the door. She walked to his desk and they shook hands.
"Please have a seat Ms. Gupta. Its an absolute pleasure to have you here. I'll be with you in a minute." His eyes were glued to his laptop screen while Riddhima sat in front of him. She looked at him with avid interest. She had seen his photographs in the newspaper but seeing him in person was different. He was engrossed in his work and this gave Riddhima a chance to satisfy herself by observing him completely.
He had a broad forehead, a long and aristocratic nose and highly kissable lips. Riddhima smiled and continued the interesting observation. Everything about his posture, the confident movement of his expert fingers on the laptop keys, spelled arrogance….there was pride…loads of it…
Riddhima wiped off all the expressions from her face as Armaan suddenly turned towards her, "I apologize for the delay I am causing you but actually the papers aren't in order and some are missing. I'll take out a quick print out." Riddhima gave him an understanding smile. He smiled right back and Riddhima had a sharp intake of breath as she saw the gorgeous dimples deepening when he smiled and when he did that, Riddhima realized that there was something intensely glamorous about him, a certain enigmatic charm that could take anybody's breath away. He was sexy as hell and very confident.
She saw him get up and walk towards a shelf of files and she noticed that he must be nearly 5'11. He had broad shoulders and the way he moved made Riddhima reach the conclusion that Armaan Malik would indeed make a very interesting plaything but alas!! she realised that she would have to keep their relation strictly professional or else the situation would be too awkward to work together.
"Here, this file has all the details that you need to have. I know that you have no knowledge about hotel industry so I recommend you give this a quick reading and than I'll explain you all other needed details." Armaan sat down and passed the file to her. She smiled at him and opening it in front of her, started reading it.
Armaan joined his hands on the table and looked at Riddhima, who had her eyes lowered to the file.
The famous Hollywood heroine….the woman whose beauty and charm had been compared to that of Aphrodite…..a woman who had the world on her feet was sitting in front of him in a plane black formal dress trying to look all business like….her curves were hardly visible in that loose dress but still she had such an innocent sex appeal which was hard to resist. He had seen almost all her movies and had many a times wanted to meet her, to see how she was in person. And now that he had her sitting in his office, right in front of him it seemed as if he had never seen her before. The screen and the camera, he decided, failed to do justice to her beauty. Every feature of hers was perfect…the smooth nose, the slightly chubby cheeks and her lips were so beautifully shaped that Armaan had to grip the armrest of his chair to control himself from reaching out to her lips and caressing them. She was sitting in the chair with such lan that he knew she was well aware about the effect she had on people but still she successfully carried the candid innocence on her face. Even the movement of her fingers over the paper was exquisite and the way her lips moved as she silently mouthed the words she was reading made him wonder why had he not met her before and chased all those good for nothing women. Gosh!! Riddhima Gupta was one hell of a sexy woman whose face he knew would give him a hard time going to sleep that night.
She looked up and spoke "I am sorry but I am really having a hard time getting all these details. Never thought that building a hotel would be so complicated. I think you should just explain these to me yourself instead of making me read the file."
"Sure." He smiled at her and Riddhima closed the file and handed it back to him. He explained her everything that she needed to know and after the detailed discussion which lasted an hour he spoke "That's all there is to it. I guess we can discuss the rest next time we meet."
Riddhima nodded her head thoughtfully. "I guess we can fix an appointment on phone. I'll check my shooting schedule and let you know. Thank you so much Mr. Malik to let me work with you and let me warn you that I can be a pain since I have no knowledge and you will have to handle most of the work here."
"Actually there is a selfish reason behind it. My sister, Anjali is a major fan of yours and when she'll come to know that I am working with you she is going to be ecstatic." Armaan and Riddhima both chuckled and Riddhima shaking her head spoke "I was so wrong."
"About??" Armaan raised his eyebrow at her.
"Before coming here I had thought that you'll be like all other rich brats…snobby and difficult but you are an exact opposite. I think the project will be actually a good experience for me and it would be a great experience working with you. Thank you once again and now I'll take your leave."
Riddhima and Armaan both stood up, they shook hands and Riddhima left the cabin.
"Hmmm….a very good experience indeed." He muttered to himself as he leaned back in his chair and remembered her eyes. He knew she had an impeccable reputation and unlike other heroines, Riddhima had no starry airs and the women in her society adored her….she was the pure virgin for them who could do no wrong but as Armaan had looked into those eyes he had instantly realized that there was much more to Riddhima Gupta than what was visible. She was no innocent kid he realized coz her eyes had a different story to tell….they were so lively and held a certain fire which indicated anything but innocence…she was now a mystery for him which he swore he would solve.
***************
"Riddhima!! How come you are early today? I thought you had to shoot for your new film." Fatima walked into Riddhima's room and saw her sitting on her favorite window seat and gazing at the birds.
"Ya actually the shoot got cancelled because the director wasn't feeling well." Riddhima answered her dai jaan while still gazing out at the birds.
Fatima narrowed her eyes at her and wondered why Riddhima was so lost.
"How was your meeting with Armaan Malik?"
"It was really good. I'll have fun doing the project." Riddhima answered her nonchalantly.
"How is this Armaan guy? He has made all this empire on his own and he is just 28. Its really impressive."
"I know and I think I did a good thing by choosing him to work with."
"Do you like him?" Fatima asked Riddhima trying to make it sound casual while she was bursting with curiosity. She had always been desperate to get Riddhima hooked with a nice, decent and a single guy and get her away from those married men she spent her time with. She was afraid that someday the whole world would come to know about the truth and Riddhima will be destroyed and so she was trying to do her best to save her from it.
Riddhima looked at her dai jaan and burst out laughing.
"Oh god!! You are never going to change. I just met him and you are already matchmaking and anyways dai jaan let me tell you that this guy is an acknowledged playboy known for his famous conquests."
"Oh!! I didn't know about that but marriage can change him." She spoke hopefully.
Riddhima got up from her place and walking towards her dai jaan she gripped her shoulders and looking into her eyes she spoke "Dai jaan I am not going to marry anyone. It would ruin my life. I love the liberty and freedom that I have okay." She hugged her Dai jaan and continued, "I love you so much and I know you are only trying to do good for me but trust me Dai jaan I am happy the way I am and I want it to be like this forever."
Fatima bit her lower lip stopping herself from saying anything further. She knew that Riddhima had a vulnerable side to her which she, with great effort, had finally managed to hide from the world and was apprehensive about getting into any new relationship that would involve her emotionally and would allow somebody to hurt her again but than again she couldn't just let her continue with the kind of lifestyle she had. Fatima wanted her to be truly happy, a happiness that would last forever and would make her life secure but she wondered when that would happen and who that person would be.
Finally completed the part. i have been juggling between my packing and writing the part...i really wanted to leave atleast one more update before leaving..and i hope you like it. Do leave a comment please coz i have been slightly nervous about the part so do comment.
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
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