Chapter 4 Senses overcome by the lingering perfume which could only be Riddhima in description transported Armaan into a trance; hovering behind her he could take in nothing but Riddhima, from the way she walked, gliding soundlessly across the floor, not the normal clip clop most ladies shoes made to the way she claimed the space around her... making everything around her fade into the background; to the confidence in her stride and body language demanding attention and respect yet managing it in the most unobtrusive femininely gorgeous way' everything had blown him away.
Simply dressed in a red suit dress, her matching blazer sitting on her petite frame caused the most wondrous havoc of emotions he had ever known or felt, entwined with the whispers of hair that had come lose playing with the tender skin on the back of her neck, basking in the warmth the soft skin provided, Armaan was having a difficult time remembering the few rules Abhi had set out for this meeting to be successful.
Just walking behind her had caused his heart to flutter beyond control, having to actually sit through meetings with this woman was nearing to driving Armaan crazy. If it wasn't for the constant reassurance and gruelling preparation from Abhi, Armaan wasn't all together sure he could have managed this.
"So we finally meet Mr. AM, please take a seat. Would you care for tea, coffee?"
"Mr. AM, you make sound me like a radio station Ms. Gupta, please its Armaan' Armaan Malik"
laughing out a little loud to wipe away his nervousness as he watched her smooth out her dress before starting to take her seat opposite at the desk; extending his hand he caught her in mid air catching her off guard, making her realise in her haste she hadn't carried out the simple formalities as one would expect at a first meeting. Quickly responding to avoid further embarrassment she extended her hand with the most earnest smile she had managed all day "Riddhima, you can call me Riddhima" feeling him caressing her hand gently she realised they were still holding hands.Smiling as he caressed her hand one last time before letting go Armaan motioned for her to take a seat. She may have been comfortably seated now but Armaan found himself fidgeting in his seat, lying to this woman who had the most enigmatic eyes he had ever seen he knew concentrating was going to be little more taxing then they had comprehended.
.
"Riddhima Gupta, sole heir of the late Shashank Gupta, granddaughter of Anand Chopra. Your nanaji (maternal grandfather) would have been proud of what you have achieved sweet Riddhima. You've come a long way from your teen years, you can run sweetheart, but you can never hide from your past"
Flipping through the file he had so painstakingly complied over the years his eyes came to rest on a particular picture. A group of teenagers all sat around on a park bench, happily enjoying the sun shining on their faces, in the middle of the mess was one particular girl who just shone out, the wind blowing against the already flawlessly tanned skin, the sparkle of her soul shone through her eyes, the essence of the groups happiness shone through the lens and onto the onlooker, the whole picture seemed to paint times of a happier life... the whole thing bar one. In the far distance, almost invisible to anyone looking... unless you knew it was there was one kid sitting all alone, almost in the shadows just staring... staring at the group it seemed. He seemed so lost, so out of place in this picture... the dark rain clouds seemed to drown him.
Smiling sadly to himself Abhi put the picture away, reminding himself once more why what he was doing was necessary. "Right lets see' you have my shares now I want yours Ms Gupta" dialling a number Abhi quickly made arrangements with his broker "Sarah I don't care how senseless it is' I want those shares at any cost... hmm' I'll take the whole lot' ARE YOU QUESTIONING ME AGAIN WOMAN? For the last time, it's my money and I will do with it what I please. Keep me up to date by email. I don't want you calling me"
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The man sitting across from her had the most amazing aura she had ever come across, dressed in his company's signature AM branded suit, burgundy satin lined suit, burgundy shirt with the top few buttons undone allowing a naughty peek at the finely toned physique most men only dreamt of.
Dragging her eyes away from the muscles that peaked through the opening of his shirt she allowed her eyes to wonder around the outline of his jaw, the strong frame holding the smooth olive skin which bore the most amazingly deep and stomach fluttering dimples she had ever seen. The cutest of beauty spots marked his cheek just below his left eye, she smiled looking at it, he was indeed someone evil spirits would have to be warded thanking his unnaturally handsome features, if that spot wasn't there she possibly would have had to put one on him herself. The straight and sharp nose didn't seem overly angular and intrusive when put together with the rest of his features, they only added to the masculine beauty he emanated. Sweeping past his eyes quickly she couldn't help but smile wider at the boyish dishevelled sweep of hair, apparently t he flight back from china hadn't been overly kind to him, even though the rest of him didn't show his tiredness his hair certainly gave it away.
"I'm really sorry to have disturbed you so late Ms Gupta"
Jumping at the sound of her name Riddhima realised she had been sitting there almost silent for a while, while he continued to talk about what she had no idea. Meeting his eyes for the first time she immediately felt a pang somewhere deep within. The hazel come green eyes, she had seen those eyes before... the strange mixture of those shades were defiantly familiar...
"Really I insist its Riddhima, and it's no trouble at all. I was wondering when the infamous AM' I mean Armaan Malik would come out from behind the curtains"
Catching the sarcasm in her tone Armaan smiled at her confidence, here he was a sitting bag of nerves and there was the creature that held him captive under her spell for ever or so it seemed, still managing to keep the conversation on formal grounds while attacking his noticeably delayed meeting at the same time. She really was something else.
"I know' you must forgive my insolence, if it were in my hand I would have never kept such a beautiful lady waiting. But alas the world of fashion doesn't wait for anyone, neither those gifted with such beauty nor the crumbling beasts ' I was unduly kept busy in China preparing for our up coming fashion show when the news broke out. When I found out I tried to get the first flight back, but being the angel you are, you appeared out of nowhere as my guardian angel and saved me a wasted trip, my show and my life. I have no words enough to thank you for being' simply you"
Taking her hand in his, he kissed the top of hand to show his appreciation. Flustered by all the attention and the little speech Riddhima felt almost embarrassed at having been so crude in her use of words; Cheeks flushed slightly, tongue twisted she could do nothing but stammer a quiet "Your welcome"
"Victory is ours Abhi" Doing a little victory dance in his head Armaan smiled in the most seductive manner possible without looking sleazy, he was genuinely happy at the thought that he had the power to bring such a wonderful glow to the woman he was head over heels for, the woman who up till now knew nothing of his existence' but she will now.
"As a show of my appreciation and as the new partner in my baby I wonder if we could discuss this further' I can see you were on your way out so perhaps we can continue this over dinner?"
"Mr Mal... I mean Armaan, I really don't think that's necessary, we can always have a meeting in the'
"Please Riddhima don't refuse a dieing man' for I surely will die if you I don't eat something soon."
Chuckling a little Riddhima did as Armaan had wanted, raising an eyebrow she gave him the indication to continue "You see I've literally just come off my flight and came straight here. My luggage is still in the car' I know you must think I'm mad but I couldn't bare to keep a lady waiting, and that too such a beautiful one" Seeing her blush by his intended compliments his hopes only soared higher, "Will you please join me for dinner then? Our first business dinner as partners"Staring into his eyes once more she felt the warmth they emanated engulf her, they held so much depth, so much compassion, they told a story of man hardened by fate yet still warm and soft at heart' feeling a chill run down her spine all the haziness that was there a second disappeared as she looked up to see Armaan holding his hand out to guide her out of the office. Those eyes she realised, they reminded her of a memory lost somewhere in the midst of the thousand others her mind had accrued over the years. Wanting to know more and convincing herself that perhaps have a business dinner with this dangerously handsome man could actually work to her benefit she agreed.
.
Beep Beep
Taking out his cell Armaan checked the text message:
"Invite her to the Fashion show next week and don't kiss her tonight whatever you do. Abhi"
Looking around instantly Armaan quickly scanned the room, was Abhi spying on him?
He promised this would be Armaan's night.., he'd let him go out for the first time on his own since they had known each other and now he was spying on him?
"Are you okay Armaan? You seem a little tense all of a sudden, is everything okay"
Snapping out of his thoughts Armaan quickly plastered a smile on his face, not all together a fake one as her concern did make his heart flutter. Staring back at her he completely forget his trail of thoughts, the only thing he could think of now was how beautiful the years had made her.; long gone were the uncontrollable locks, now replaced with the most silky soft ebony hair."I'm fine, really thank you for your concern"
seeing the sincerity in his eyes the words could never express Riddhima found herself slowly drifting away from her senses. There was something so familiar about those eyes... The way they shone at every connection, the way they glistened with some deep understanding at every word spoken even it was just a conversation about the weather... Smiling at recalling how awkward the entire situation had been to start with but then how the evening unravelled... Strange she pondered, she hadn't felt content or was it happy? In a very long time... So long she had difficulty trying to recall itEND FLASHBACK
Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
Jumping at her ringtone Riddhima looked around trying to figure what was going on, rubbing her eyes she stared at the caller id on the phone that was still ringing away happily to the James Brown track, Dr Jones? Now? Thinking out loud she reached over to grab her wrist watch, realising she had dozed off again during the day thanks to her sleepless nights Riddhima removed the paper attached to her lip resulting from the awkward sleeping stance on her desk and answered the call
"Hello"
Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin
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