~One in a million~Pt3-pg27 NOTE-pg 31 17/07 - Page 20

updated my reserve on page 23

u write awsome.. love ur stories!

*yawn* 🤔 mujhe update chahiye....🥱

I knw Nij.....tom morning pucca. had to update desire as it had been over a month!! So tom morming for sure...ur morning ok so that um saved from facing ur wrath :)
[/QUOTE

Plop!Plop!Dhud! *jumping with excitement* goodie...tomm it is then...mera wait karnaaaa....gussa ni karungi :D
*muuahhhhhhhhhh* am sachi soo happy.....oooohhhhh!!!

🤗

RECAP:

"I'm sorry, sir. She was only on the line for a moment and was very polite, but--''

He waved his hand.

"Never mind.'' He took the messages and turned toward his office then stopped abruptly.

"On second thought, get Riddhima's cell number and find out what her schedule is for the next few days, day and night." No woman messed it with him and got off just like that. The sooner this Riddhima Gupta learned this…the better he thought grimly.

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

Riddhima had been certain Armaan would forget about her after she canceled their lunch meeting. After all there was always a line of ready and willing females begging for his attention. Riddhima knew better than to spend any more time with him. He was too seductive and she was too susceptible. He
might as well have been the most decadent chocolate she"d never tasted.



Truth told, he was the perfect man for an exciting fling, but it wouldn"t take much time with him for her to turn into a pining sap again. And she didn't do flings at all. Though sometimes she did feel she was living her life like a robot, no fun, no companions at all and no dates. Not that she dreamt of some night in shinning armour to become her prince charming. She wasn't against an affair. Heck you couldn't decide weather the guy was suitable for you unless you dated him or were involved with him. And not everyone found love at first sight. There were too many frog princes out here who would remain frogs even if kissed. It was her just her…..she didn't somewhere have the courage perhaps to be bold. Perhaps she wasn't ready for a relationship at all.



Sighing Riddhima smacked her forehead. What was she thinking??? Relationships?? Love??? And that because some snotty millionaire had asked her out?? He was just amused, probably enjoying the tease. And she was playing a fool with the boss of the company she worked for. She was too busy for Armaan, anyway. He was the kind of man who would take up a lot of space in a woman's life.



She'd agreed to fill in as head greeter for a charity event organized by one of her friends on Saturday night. Glancing back on her table she looked at the guest list she had been asked to read through. She was doing Jillian a favour. Jillian had been her high school mate and now that she had arrived here on this modeling assignment she had made it a point to meet up her school friend.....who was happily married to her oil merchant husband and now lived her life with luxury spending her days in parlours and malls and nights in at charity and social functions. Talk about lives…Riddhima thought with wry amusement. Anyways when Jillian had requested her to help her out with the upcoming charity event, it was a huge one and the whos-who were expected to grace the carpet, Riddhima had grabbed the opportunity with both the hands. What better way then to expose yourself to the elite fashion and social world. As a model it was great chance to build a good network.



Would Armaan be there as well?? Riddhima moaned inwardly as her secret man of fantasies entered her thoughts again. Let him be there then she thought crumbling the paper in her hands. It should make no difference to her she decided.



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







As guests entered the ballroom event with music flowing from a popular jazz band, Riddhima checked off reservations and directed staff to guide the guests to assigned tables......... the last of the guests arrived, she tidied up the greeter table and tossed out the trash, still undecided whether she would remain much longer.


She was tired already and her feet ached being stuch in 3-inch stilettos. Talk about being a model she snorted inwardly. She wondered how these so many women and men could pull of the whole evening with their plastic smiles and air kisses not to mention to tight clothes……



Glancing at the crowd of people and the beautiful display of flowers, she wavered in indecision.





"Room for one more?" a smooth male voice asked from behind her.



Fighting the havoc that his all too familiar voice wreaked on her nervous system, she whirled around.



"Armaan," she said in surprise.



Dressed in a dark suit that turned his eyes a shade of black, he pointed o the sheaf of paper on the table.





"Isn"t my name on the list?""



"Well, yes, but--"




She'd noticed his name, but she'd assumed he wouldn't attend perhaps. Or rather she had hoped he wouldn't.. Armaan's name would but obviously be there always on the guest lists for these events. He was a high-profile businessman and bachelor. Every hostess wanted him at her party. She swallowed over a nervous lump in her throat and glanced at the seating chart.



"There are two reserved seats on a front table just left of center. Will that work?" She waved toward the staff escort.



"As long as you join me," he said.



Surprised, she glanced behind him, searching for a woman. "You don't have a date?"



"I was hoping you would take pity on me," he said, but he reminded her of a sly wolf ready to raid the henhouse. She gave an involuntary shiver of response.





"I hadn't decided if I was going to stay for the entire event afterall. I have an early morning shoot." She fibbed praying he would take cue and go away.



"Then I'll decide for you,"" he said and took her hand in his.



Riddhima stuttered in response but was so caught off guard she couldn't produce an audible refusal. As Armaan led her to the front table, she felt hundreds of eyes trained on her and Armaan. Armaan may have been accustomed to this kind of attention, but she was not. She quickly took the seat he pulled out for her.



The combination of the rhythm and blues band playing romantic songs of want and longing, the warm flickering candlelight and the close proximity of Armaan's chair to hers created a sensual atmosphere. Two glasses of wine appeared for them in no time.



He lifted his glass and tilted it toward her. "To time together," he said.



"Finally."



He stretched out his legs and she felt the brush of his leg against hers underneath the table. He glanced at her again with those lady-killer grey eyes of his and her chest tightened. She instinctively rubbed her throat and saw his glance fell to her neck and then to her lips before he met her gaze again.





"You like this band?" he asked.



Forcing her gaze from his, she looked up at the stage and nodded. "The music is moody and the lyrics are……"She searched for the right description.



"Beautiful.""



The way he muttered the single word made her whip her head around to look at him. He was staring at her, studying her, considering her. She felt a rush of heat and took a quick sip of wine. "Yes,"" she said.



"Do you like them?""



"Yes. Looks like the dancing has started. Let"s go," he said and stood.



She blinked at him and remained seated. "Um.""



He bent down and whispered in her ear. "Come on, we can talk better on the dance floor."



Confused, she followed him and slid into his arms. Why did they need to talk? She wondered. For that matter, why did they need to be together at all?



"How is your assignment going?"



"Good, so far,"" she said, catching a whiff of his yummy cologne. "But I need to rest for tomorrow. That's why I was considering leaving early tonight." She muttered hoping he would let her go. Her mind demanded it, her body hummed a different tune and so did her heart.



"I'm glad I caught you,"he said with a hint of predatory gleam in his eyes.





"You're a difficult woman to catch. Do you treat all men like me? Blow off lunch dates, don't return calls…" Riddhima missed a step. She hadn't expected him to call. And seeing his two missed calls she had merely assumed he was trying again to fix up a date with her. But why would a man like him want to even consider a woman like her??



Embarrassed and then contrite that she'd been rude, she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be inconsiderate. I just didn't take your invitation seriou……." She broke off as his eyes narrowed and she realized her apology wasn't helping.



"You didn't take me seriously?"" he echoed, incredulous.


"Don't turn all polite on me now."



She sighed. "Well, you're such a flirt. I just didn't believe you.""



"No wonder no man can get close to you. Is that one of your requirements? That whoever you date can't flirt? Sounds boring as hell to me.""



"I didn't say that. It's that you flirt with every woman. I wouldn't want someone so important to me flirting with every other woman on the planet.""



"Does that mean you want someone with very little appeal?""



"I didn't say that, either. Of course, I want a man with a great appeal…..I just prefer that his attention and affection be focused on me," she managed to say, but felt her face flaming. "But that's not all. He also needs to be intelligent and liberated enough to encourage me to do what I want to do.""



He nodded. "You say you want someone you can walk over, but the truth is you want a challenge. I bet if a man played golf with you and took it easy on you that you'd be furious.""



Surprised he'd nailed her personality so easily, she felt another twist of confusion.





"This discussion is insane. I'm not looking for a long-term relationship right now, anyway. Just like you aren't," she added for good measure.



"That's where you're wrong. When the right woman comes along, I'll seal the deal immediately in every physical, legal and emotional way imaginable.""



A shiver passed through her at his possessive tone and she couldn't help wondering what it would be like to be the right woman for Armaan. Underneath all his charm, could he ever be truly devoted to one woman?



Riddhima caught herself. She was insane to even be thinking about his right woman. Heaven knew, it wasn't her. Her thought patterns just proved she needed to create some distance between her and Armaan.



She glanced at her watch.



"I should help the hostess with the extra collections. You don't mind, do you?""



"If I did?"" he said.



"Then because this is for charity, you would be a gracious gentleman and allow me to help the hostess,"" she said firmly.



"Damn, you're good,"" he said, admiration and something dangerous flickering in his gaze. Riddhima supposed she was imagining both.



She smiled. "Excuse me. Good night.""



He caught her before she left. "See me before you leave.""



His intensity put her off balance. "I'll try,"" she conceded because she suspected he wouldn't let her leave until she promised that much. She walked out of his arms in the direction of sanity. She'd manufactured an excuse to get away from him. The hostess probably didn't need help, but Riddhima sure did.



Riddhima did end up helping Jillian with an assortment of last minute mimicries. Just as she was walking down one of the long halls toward the ballroom from one of her errands, she saw Armaan approaching her.



"I had to track you down again,"he said. "Why are you so determined to avoid me?""



She swallowed over a nervous lump in her throat. "I'm not--avoid--"" She stopped when he lifted an eyebrow in disbelief.



"Oh, Riddhima,"a woman from the lobby called. "Is that you Riddhima? My nephew…"



"Oh, no, it"s Mrs. Trussel about her nephew. She's Jillian's aunt who's known to be keen to fix me with her nephew and has been calling me every other day.""



"Come with me," he said, taking her hand and urging her down the hallway.



"Oh, Riddhima."The voice grew fainter.



"I should at least respond,"" Riddhima said as Armaan tugged her around a corner.



"Did you avoid her, too?"" he asked, opening a door and pulling her inside a linen closet.



"No. I called and made my excuses. Besides………………"She bit her lip and looked around the small, nearly dark room.


"Why are we in this closet?""



"Because this appears to be the only way I can get your undivided attention,"" he said. "You didn't answer my question. Why are you avoiding me?"



She sighed. "I told you. You're a huge flirt.""



"Try again,"" he said.



She closed her eyes even though it was so dark it wasn"t necessary. "Because you have this effect on women. You make women make fools of themselves. I don't want to make a fool of myself ever......"she whispered.



A heartbeat of silence followed. "Why would you make a fool of yourself?""





"Stop teasing. You know I'm not your type, why are you hell bent on pursuing me I don't understand."



Suddenly she felt his hand on her waist. "I'm getting tired of your assumptions.""



Riddhima felt as if the room turned sideways.



"I can't tell if you're underestimating me or yourself. Damn, if you haven't made me curious,"" he said and lowered his mouth to hers.



If the room had been turning sideways before, for Riddhima, it was now spinning. Her heartbeat racing, she couldn't find it in herself to resist this one taste, this one time, this one kiss. With an abandonment she hadn't known she possessed, she stretched on tiptoe and slid her fingers through his wavy hair and kissed him back. but just as she kissed him…….her mind wandered of to all the crazy thoughts she had been thinking throughout the day. Getting involved with Armaan was crazy, dumb, stupid…..in a flash she broke the contact and closed her eyes trying to catch her breath.



"What is wrong Riddhima?"



"I would never want to have a public affair with you Armaan, I have a reputation to maintain. Please I request you to stop seducing me like this." She whispered as bravely as she could.



"This closet is hidden,"" he said, so seductively he tempted her to leave her objections behind.



"There will be people outside with questions and speculations. I should leave and then you can follow later.""



"Later,"he echoed.



"It was your idea to pull me in here.""



"You would have rather faced Mrs. Trussel?""



She shifted from one foot to the other. "It doesn't matter. I just know I would never want to get involved with you, especially publicly.""



"Why the hell not?"" he demanded, his voice and body emanating his raw power.



She fortified her defenses. "Because after it's over, I don't want anyone ......Saying……..Poor Riddhima. Armaan took advantage of her. Or rather media printing upcoming model….uses millionaire Armaan to reach to the top. Its disgracing to have people talk like that Armaan."



He gave a chuckle that raced through her blood like fire. "What about the poor guy who gets scorched by your kiss?""



She couldn't help feeling flattered, but she pushed it aside. "I should leave."



"I'll be right behind you,"" he said.



"I don't want to have to answer questions," she said.



"Then grab a towel and say you're cleaning up a mess."



"And you?"



"I'm making plans for the next time you and I get together."



"I don't think that's a good idea."



"I'll change your mind,"" he promised, and she shivered because she knew if anyone had the ability to change a woman's mind, even her mind, it was Armaan.





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



The following day, Armaan's mind kept turning to thoughts of Riddhima. She piqued his interest more than any other woman had in ages. Women had come easily to him. The trademark Hamilton features had served as both a blessing and a curse for Armaan.



With his older brother Rahul committed to medicine as his career and was still never forgiven by his father, to such an extent that he had been banished from the family and Armaan was the sole heir……that was because unlike Rahul…..Armaan had always been viewed as the lightweight because he was determined to pursue gaining back influence in the family-named.



Talking about his father, Armaan glanced at his cell to see three calls from him. He muttered a curse and switched it off. It must the same crap. You should meet this girl…that girl……shes of our class, of our society, it will be a great deal or maybe he must have called to find some more nooks in the way Armaan ran his business. He wasn't in any mood to listen to his father's rotten crap. Deep down Armaan knew his father was acting on a wounded ego. His son had saved a failing business…he Armaan had saved it all when his father couldn't…by his own techniques and that had wounded his control and dominant natured father's fragile ego. And to add to it Rahul had gone of doing natural medicine leaving them all in a lurch…..forget it…he wasn't going into the past. He would rather concentrate on the new object of fascination.... he had found….Riddhima….





Funny thing, though, the woman made him damned curious. He pushed the button for his assistant. "Emma, please come into my office.""



"Of course, sir."



Seconds later, she appeared, notebook in hand. "Yes, sir."



"I want you to send flowers to Riddhima Gupta for me. Shes our current model I guess you know……."



Her eyes widened. "Oh. She"s lovely," Emma said. "So polite on the phone."



"Not my usual type,"" he said.



She paused a half-beat. "Much better."



His lips twitched in amusement. Emma was extremely discreet and rarely expressed her opinion unless he asked for it. "How well do you know her?"





"Not well at all. But she's very personable and gracious."



"Send her a dozen red roses," he said.



Emma nodded slowly and made a note.



"What's wrong with a dozen red roses?"" he asked, reading her expression.



"It's terribly clichd,"" she said. "You're dealing with a different quality of woman with Riddhima. Something personal might make more of an impression," she said, then rushed to add, "not that you need to impress her."



Armaan thought for a moment as several ideas came to mind. "Okay send her a

dozen roses in different colors then.." he smiled devishly catching Emma's pained expression.



"Lillies would do better Sir." She muttered.



"Fine send her whatever you want…...and send her this note too.." he quickly grabbed a pen and jotted something down and handed her the paper.



Emma stared at the note and blinked at him.





"I have invited her to play golf with me." he grinned wickedly remembering their conversation at the charity function. "In the note, just add I'll pick her up for a round of golf tomorrow at 7:00 a.m."



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

Okies um here....call it a surprise update :D. I wasn't supposed to update this tonight, but you all are just so sweet that i cudnt bare to keep you all waiting for longer periods of time. So here I am...its monday tom :(, Univ in the morning, by the time i get back, um dead meat, so thought of posting it now......😳


Plss do let me knw ur views, as to how the current is going. Honestly, its ur comments that make me want to update faster. Thankuuuuu all of u folks!! Plsssss do comment, um rather addicted to all of ur views!! Love u all. Take care folks!!

reserved :) ...it surprises me but waiting for this and being first always makes me jump in excitement..just like a 4 yr old...:D

*edit*

JJ help me out here....i cant see a better alternative than the one you use :D ...i wish i could give away those awesome/fantabulous/terrific n blah adjecs more often....but maybe ill save for next time lol!
It was nice...the update..again armaan is super hottie...in words more than in looks here at least...but he doesnt beat the side of him whose in japan as of now :P ...i still like him tons!
ridz...i am darned curious about her as well (hee-haw)...impressive....your work...keep up JJ * hugs*

BTW...*news flash*...the closet scene was so clear in my mind i cud feel goose flesh on ma legs...😉

@curvy...too bad..better luck next time...you get to do it fair and square on desire...let me have tes two :D...honestly...it gives me an adrenaline rush to be 1st on JJs...and i know how much you must hate me for doing this....(ter hve been incids wit njs updates..hmph) and like a gud girl....next time i know ur around....ill let u hve the spot :) id be equally happy to secure the seconds place :D

reserved :)

only cause im here, unlike two mad woman sharpening their claws for a kat fight .... jia, if you're the one slashed, my sympathies :D

*edit*

the conversation that ensued between AR went just the right places and met just the right fate... in fact it was in the absolute slang way BANG ON!!... for all the points he had her conered, for each time she came clean by her brutal candid answers... i think i like most the fact that despite how one of them is in denial of a shot and the other in denial of anything more than a shot, they both speak their minds without going in circles... yes! i totally like that :)

and with that, some lil tit bits of things i wanted to point out... i told you last time for sensuous i think that the one think i can not credit is how much effort you throw into insignificant and easy to miss intricacies of situations and spots..

"...too seductive too susceptible.." i think i had an issue with the use of seductive here... dunno why it changed an image in my mind which i would have placed more like 'alluring' perhaps... specially after you compared it with the decadent choc she never had... which btw was a great metaphor :)

"...pining sap again..." i was certain if the again here was a typo kind of error or intentional to lead/mislead us... from my understanding of ridhima so far, she never had the chance to add the again to her pining...

... but leaving those two.. my big dilemma was with this passage...

"She was tired already and her feet ached being stuch in 3-inch stilettos. Talk about being a model she snorted inwardly. She wondered how these so many women and men could pull of the whole evening with their plastic smiles and air kisses not to mention to tight clothes……" this and the mention of her robotic life... wasnt certain why but to me her choice of profession had alot to to with her passion to be there do that so far... something about this here made me feel like she was more just obligated to be a performer in a field which had been a wrong choice on her part with no ways for her to change things about it... tell me so, which of those two standing contrast situations is actually the fit for this ridhima...

and other than that, as i said before... the whole AR interraction sealed the part for me very very well! ":)

looking forward to the next jia... with a clarification about my doubt :D

hugs,
nj