Pretend Wife (AK) (Part 5, Page 4)

The position: Hard-driving corporate powerhouse- and very confirmed bachelor ' Angad Khanna needs a "pretend" wife to help him convince an old fashioned business associate that he's a regular, reliable family man...

The unwilling candidate: Kripa Sharma, a beautiful, independat young woman who works in the accounting department and detests almost everything about her arrogant, insufferable- but drop dead gorgeous- employer...

The complication: The two of them are all wrong for each other- but the sparks are flying and are enough to make anybody want to turn a "temporary" partnership into a deal of a life time...

Promo....

"I need a simple woman, sweet, elegantly dressed, educated but not snobbish. No party girls."

"This is Mumbai. Where are you going to look?? The Library???"

"I can turn a sparrow into a swan.."

"Hell if you are looking for a sparrow, why not try your accounting department..."

It was a ridiculous piece of advice and Angad Khanna barely raised an eyebrow before responding, " You are fired."

"You can't fire me." Shabbir Ahuwalia grinned widely, " I'm too valuable...your CFO and ofcourse tumhara best friend." He slid a fax across Angad's massive desk. " And speaking as both, i see no other way. Two other corporations are chomping at the bit for this deal, and both CEO's have wives. Mujhe aisa lagta hai ki Shyam Kapoor wants an honest, good old-fashioned family man. So if you are hell-bent in acquiring the Kapoor business, you'd better consider producing a Mrs Angad Khanna ASAP.

Swivelling around in his chair, Angad turned to face the floor to ceiling windows. From his offices on the twenty-fifth floor, he stared across the city of Mumbai and beyond to the sea. It was crystal clear Wednesday in October- no smog, perfect sunshine, but he barely saw it. His mind raced to find aother solution to the problems plaguing what should have been an easy purchase. He wanted the Kapoor Industries. Hell, he wanted every company that posed a challenge to him. Kapoor Industries was one of the leading agricultural industries in India. Started about 40 years back the Kapoor's have controlled the agricultural sector since then.

And now Angad Khanna the young entrepreneur wanted all... Shabbir was right. Acquiring Kapoor Industries was going to take more than quick thinking, clever stratergies and Angad's trademark never-say-die negotiating style.

Friday morning he was flying to Amritsar. He was the last of the competitors to stay with the Kapoor's for the weekend. It was a chance for each man to see how the company was run, tour the plant, and get to know the family behind the success.

" I spoke with Kumar this morning," Shabbir said, breaking Angad's thoughts.

Angad inhaled sharply. Ravi Kumar was as ruthless a businessman as they came. He also wanted to own the Kapoor industries- and would be willing to pay as much money needed. Kumar's own company was a longtime rival to Kapoor Industries, and he was looking to eliminate competition. But the man was three times divorced and a notorious womanizer. Angad has heard through the acquisition grapevine- that Shyam Kapoor wouldn't even review a bid from Kumar's- no matter how high he went.

Shabbir cleared his throat," He is willing to pay a hefty premium to buy Kapoor Industires from you once you get it."

" I'm considering it," Angad answered tightly.

For forty-two years, Shyam Kapoor had poured everything he had into this industy, built it from the ground up, with his family by his side. He was ready to retire and had two married daughters who weren't interested in taking over. He was willing to sell, but his actions seemed to verify Shabbir's assumptions that Kapoor would only sell it to someone with values similar to his own.

Angad rubbed his jaw. Why any man would choose to settle down, get married and have children was beyond him. Perhaps if you could see into someone's heart, know their motivations, predict their actions, it might work. But family for Angad was trouble with a capital T. Not that he had a bad childhood or anything. Angad was raised in a loving family. His parents Dilip Khanna and Naina Khanna are happily married for more than 30 years. His older brother Kartik is also married two Mishti and has a cute son Aryan who is thoroughly spoilt by Angad. But still somewhere Angad always thought marriage and kids was all investment and no return.

He has little room for opinions in this matter. If a wife was what it was going to take to win, Angad would sure as hell do it.

He leaned back in his chair, "So the question now becomes who."

" How about Sania?" Shabbir prompted.

" I don't think so."

"What about the actress you were seeing?"

Angad chuckled. " And have every conversation reduced to liposuction and fat grams? This woman can't be anyone I see socially. I don't want my female friends thinking marriage is ever an option with me. I need a simple woman, sweet, elegantly dressed, educated, but not snobbish. No party girls."

Shabbir swore. " This is Mumbai. Where are you going to look? The library?"

Angad smirked, " Why not? I can turn a sparrow into a swan if I have to."

Shabbir laughed, " Hell if you are looking for a sparrow, why not try your accounting department? My secretary informs me that the hardworking ladies down there run a sort of a daily Angad Watch. Most of them have quiet a crush on you, well except one."

Anagad sat down on the edge of his desk fascinated, " Oh really? And who does your secretary say that except one is?"

" Kripa something-or-other." Shabbir added with a chuckle.

A pair of soft honey coloured eyes and a soft mouth snaked through Angad's mind. Polite and shy, the pretty lady brought him the daily accounts report but never tried to catch his eye like most of the women in the office. She wore frumpy, conservative clothes to hide whatever she felt she had to hide, but Angad had always had a sneaking suspicion that what she was hiding was worth a look.

But he'd never know. The woman had demeanour-a look he could spot with accuracy and he stayed million miles away from women like that.

" You know she would be perfect to play the role of your wife. I hear she's sweet and simple and smart. And she is definitely not someone you see socially." Shabbir began a light glowing in his eyes making Angad nervous. " I never thought I would see the day when a woman could resist the great Angad Khanna." Saying this Shabbir left the room grinning.

Angad leaned back in his chair. How about enlisting a woman who didn't like him? No strings attached. Strictly business. That would make things pretty neat and tidy when it was time for a "divorce".

With a satisfied, confident smile, Angad flipped though the file as he awaited the arrival of his daily accounts report with uncharacteristic anticipation.

Funky Punjabi music echoed off cold, white walls in the accounting department of Khanna Enterprises. Kripa Sharma picked up her daily report and moved towards the elevator, grazing the edges of the few desks on her way, mumbling a "sorry" to the chipped paint.

" Say hi to my boyfriend,", Shalini Desai called from one of the desks. " Let Mr Angad know that as he changes women every week tell him I'm available next Friday."

" Every week?" Shilpa Sethi laughed. " Try every hour on the hour." Waving at Kripa she added, " that certainly doesn't mean that I'm not free next hour or the hour after that."

Laughter filled the large windowless room. Several of the girls hooted and catcalled, while Mr Shah the head of accounts simply rolled his eyes.

Kripa danced into the elevator with a good-natured grin, calling back, "I'm here to save you girls from yourselves. He's just not good enough for you." But as the doors closed and she pressed the button for the twenty-fifth floor, her smile faded.

Admittedly Angad Khanna was one of the most gorgeous men she'd ever seen, but he was also one of the most arrogant. He barely acknowledged anyone who didn't have a title attached to their name, and probably hadn't spoken more than two words to Kripa in the year and a half she'd been bringing him his daily reports.

But her opinion of him came from more than just his lack of polite communication. Angad Khanna was one of those men who would go to limits to get a girl in the bed and once done would dump her flat. She sighed heavily. God she had bigger things to think about than the workaholic Khanna who hardly knew that life existed below the twenty fifth floor. Like how on earth she was going to open her music school on the shoestring budget would afford her. Granted, her job in the company paid her full benefits and allowed her flexible hours but the amount of savings she'd amassed wasn't even close to what she needed. Every day she was receiving more and more calls from parents who desperately wanted their children in a music class but couldn't afford the steep tuition at any music schools.

It was beginning to look as though her dream would just have to wait a little longer.

The elevator dinged and she pushed herself down the hall. No spirit lifting music played on the executive floor, only the low tones of deals being made came from behind the closed doors and throughout the busy hallways. She paused in front of Angad's corner office, plastered a smile on her face, smoothed her hair back and knocked lightly on his door.

" Enter," came the same husky command that she'd heard every morning for the past year and a half.

Briskly and with purpose Kripa opened the door and moved into the room. " Good morning Mr Khanna." He glanced up and smiled. " good morning."

She hesitated, her brows knitting together. She couldn't remember him ever looking at her before, let alone smiling. Swallowing the lump that had just come into her throat, she placed the report on the edge of the desk and tried to ignore the spicy scent of his cologne, which always seemed to throw her for a loop whenever she got too close. "Report's sir."

"Thank you Kripa..."

She froze.. Kripa?? She had no idea that Angad Khanna even knew her name. What was going on here? And why was he giving her that smile- that unnerving, sexy and hard to drool-like smile? Her gut feeling was asking her to throw the reports and run as fast as she could.

" Well have a good day, sir," she said, turning quickly to go. But the sleeve of her blouse had other plans, catching itself on the wire basket with all his unopened mails. Laughing nervously, she tugged on the stubborn fabric, trying to free herself. But it wouldn't budge. She gave it one last swift pull, but only managed to send the basket of mail flying. On a gasp, she lunged to catch it, hearing her shirt tear as she landed gracelessly.

With her heart slamming against her ribs and a shaky smile plastered on her face, she raised the basket up in a sad show of victory, only to catch Angad's more customary haw-like stare. Ah, that was more like it, she thought as she levelled her gaze with his own. Trying to pretend that she was calm and unruffled, she stood and set the basket down firmly.

Right onto the tip of his coffee cup.

Suffocating her gasp behind her hand, she watched the dark stain spread menacingly across the desk. " Ohmigod," she breathed, hearing him rush up beside her. " I will clean this up right away."

" Its not a problem." His strong hands were on her shoulders, pulling her close to his side away from the hot liquid, even as he rang for his secretary with a push button. "Mrs Daruwala, send housekeeping with some paper towels."

Forgetting who he was and who she was for a moment, Kripa glanced up at him ' all six feet, two inches of him. Thick black hair, just a little wavy, licked the edges of his stretched white collar. Olive skin, chiselled features, full lips and eyes the colour of dark chocolate. It was a stubborn, arrogant face, but drop dead gorgeous nonetheless. With that half smile and bedroom gaze, he was the cover of men's magazine and that star of every woman's fantasy. And he fitted his gray pinstripe suit like nobody's business, while displaying an imposing confidence that permeated the air around him.

She could see why every woman in this building had a crush on him. And why her best course of action was to get as far away from him as possible- as soon as possible.

But she didn't move.

He held her loosely against his side, those bedroom eyes now filled with concern. " Are you all right?"

The warmth of him, his strength, against her, sent currents of heat zipping, through her blood. " I'm sorry Mr. Khanna. I must've taken a clumsy pill with my vitamin this morning."

Finally he released her and she felt as though she could breathe again. " Don't worry," he said. "
It'll be cleaned up momentarily."

As he walked back behind his desk, a woman from housekeeping entered and silently mopped up the mess. She was gone in seconds, and Kripa turned to make her own hasty retreat. She wasn't about to hand around and give time for him to fire her.

" Please stay for a moment, Kripa." His words stopped her and she looked over her shoulder to see him smiling at her again ' his deep brown eyes roaming her face. I'll bet he's one great kisser.

Before she could scold herself for such an outrageous thought, he asked, " Can I get you a safety pin or..."

Kripa put her hand over the tear in her white blouse. " It's nothing. I can take care of it." And I should go.

" I insist. If you tell me the name of the boutique where you shop, I'll have a new one here in an hour."

Kripa tried not to laugh. Mostly because he'd just said " boutique." She'd gotten the blouse at a sale. " It's not necessary, I have another shirt in my locker, but thank you." Of course, she didn't have anything in her locker but she wasn't going to share that with him. All she wanted to do now was to get out of Angad Khanna's office before he gave her two weeks to clear out that locker and never come back.

" How long have you worked for me, Kripa?"

Oh here it comes. " A little over a year sir."

As he eased into his own brown leather chair, he motioned for her to take the seat opposite. " Why don't you sit down for a moment."

Kripa bit her lip. " Uh...yes, sir."

"I'd like to talk to you about something."

She perched at the very edge of the seat and blurted out. " Am I being fired? I'm very sorry about the coffee. And that small fire in the mail room last week really wasn't my fault."

She thought she saw a hint of laughter behind his eyes, but it passed as he said, " I'm going to Amritsar next week to spend some time with the head of a certain company. I'm interested in buying the company."

Kripa cocked her head to the side. Why in the world was Angad Khanna sharing this information with her? And, God what was the proper response? She opted for the short congratulatory speech. " How...nice for you sir. I'm sure it will be very good invest'"

He stopped her with just a lift of his brow. " The catch is, I'm fairly certain he wants the company to go to a family man. And as I'm not married or even in the market to be, I find myself in a disconcerting position." He leaned back in his char, " Kripa, I need you to pretend that you're my wife."

Kripa hesitated, blinking with bewilderment, not at all sure she heard him correctly.

"Don't misunderstand me. This is strictly a business trip. I need you to act the part of my wife just for the weekend."

Okay, she had heard him correctly, but that knowledge brought little comfort.

He crossed his arms over his rather broad chest. "I'm afraid I'm one of those abrupt, come -to-the-point, kind of businessmen."

She nodded and managed to choke out, " to say the least."

" You're not married--"

" No, I'm not but--"

He nodded. " Good. Then I would be honoured if you would accompany me to this function."

Kripa just stared at him. " Is this some kind of joke sir?"

He shook his head slowly, "No."

" You want me to pretend to be your wife for the weekend and its just business?"

" Of course"

"Of course," she repeated, laughter erupting in her throat. She couldn't help it. It was all so ridiculous. She came to her feet and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but i have to decline."

He studied her for a moment." Believe me when I say that you will be well compensated."

She stood there, blank, amazed. " You are asking me to go away with you for a week and lie about who I am."

He nodded casually, confidently, as though he'd asked this of a million different women'a million different times'and every one of them had said yes. Well, she wasn't like other women and she wouldn't help Angad Khanna with his deceitful little plot in a million years.

" My answer is no." She turned and walked towards the door, calling back in the most professional voice she could under the circumstances, " Good day, Mr Khanna."

Kripa Sharma sure had a spunk, Angad mused a few hours later as he opened the envelope on his desk, and he didn't know too many women like that. He was rarely surprised by people'even more rarely rejected by them and in less than ten minutes Kripa Sharma had accomplished both.

Angad looked at the papers which held a detailed report about Ms Sharma. Angad already knew that she had right qualifications'smart, quick and attractive'all musts for a good corporate wife. She needed some help with the wardrobe. But her most valuable asset was the fact that her personal'and inexplicable'dislike of him, and that's what he needed more than anything'no strings. Her name was Kripa Sharma and she was born in Nainital. She had lost her parents in a car accident when she was 8 and grew up in an orphanage. She holds a degree in music and teaches kids in her free time. She buys chocolate ice cream every Friday night after work and she turns twenty five October the seventh. Reading further ahead Angad felt the corners of his mouth lift into a smile.

Part 3-

The note that had been taped to the door of her apartment was permanently tattooed in Kripa's mind.

Unfortunately due to increase in the complaints from other owners regarding the noise level the management has decided to ask you to either discontinue the music lessons or to cancel your lease on the apartment. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Royal Heights Management Co-operation.

What else could go wrong today? Kripa wondered as she waited for her students to come for practice. First she'd spilled coffee all over her boss's desk, and then he'd proceeded to ask her to pretend to be his wife for a week. And, worst of all, for just a moment when she'd been hypnotized by his gaze, she'd actually been tempted to say yes. With the way her life had been going lately, a week of adventure with her gorgeous boss just didn't sound like a fate worse than death.

But that was her lonely heart talking. When her brain wrapped around the face that this guy was not only a cocky Casanova , he was also her boss, she'd straightened out.

It would just be business, he'd told her earlier that day. Well, of course it would be just business. The man went out with supermodels and actresses who wore Gucci and smelled like eight-hundred-dollar perfume, not a clumsy accounting nerd like her who wore clothes from a discount store and considered Ivory soap her signature scent.

But one question still lingered: Why her? With all the women who drool over him, why had he asked her?

Kripa sighed and shook her head. It would remain a mystery. By now Mr Khanna had probably forgotten her name'forgotten she even existed--and found someone else to play his wife for the week.

"Everyone here?" she asked the class when the room seemed quiet full.

They all nodded.

She exhaled heavily as she starred at the dejected expressions on their faces. "Don't worry guys I will figure something out, i will find a place for us where we can practice music anytime we want and there will be no one to ask us to quiet down. I promise, just give me a week."

"I can't afford lessons anywhere else," one student said.

Kripa nodded, " I understand, but--"

" What if they were free?"

The husky baritone came from the direction of the doorway. The entire room turned to stare, including Kripa. Her eyes widened and he heart slammed against her ribs.

Angad Khanna stood in the doorway, his eyes set on her.

" My name is Angad," he informed the class. "I'm a friend of Kripa's."

" Go Kripa," one female student hooted.

Everyone laughed. Kripa's cheek burned.

"He's not a--," she stuttered, then frowned at him, whispering, "I haven't changed my mind sir."

"Hear me out, Kripa," he whispered back. "There's an element to this proposal that might interest you." He plunked down beside her on the desk and addressed the class. " I'm here to offer all of you," he glanced over to Kripa, " and you, too, of course, a building where you can hold your music classes. As for the rent--"

" Here it comes," muttered one of the students.

"It will be Rs.10 every month," Angad finished.

Silence. All twenty students stared open-mouthed at Angad, then at Kripa, then back again.

Kripa's muscles felt like water, but her temper was piqued. The man had some nerve. How dare he come in here and raise her students' hopes like this. How dare he come in here and make their teacher's pulse race. She jumped off the desk and motioned for him to follow. "Come with me," she said, the sound of hoots and catcalls following them as she pulled him out of the room.

Once out in the hallway, Kripa whirled on him, ready to give him what for. But her heel caught on the doorsill and she pitched forward into his arms.

Her cheeks flamed. Why did her clumsy nature have to show itself every damn time. Angad Khanna was near? Was she cursed?

"I got you," he said in a husky whisper, tightening his hold on her.

Man, he felt good, she mused, steadying herself on her feet. All solid muscles and formidable strength.

Get a hold of yourself, Kripa. The guy's a corporate jerk.

"What are you doing here Mr.Khanna?" she asked, once she was free from his grasp and a few feet away.

He grinned. "Well it looks as though I'm saving your neck'and your class. Now they have space."

She glared at him. " How did you know we needed a space?"

He shrugged. "Does it really matter? The point is you need one."

Kripa couldn't refuse the inescapable logic. "I guess I don't need to ask why you're doing this. But right now my students are wondering why. And I'm sure some of them have some pretty...obscene guesses."

He raised a lazy brow. " Like what?"

"That's not funny."

" Why do you care so much about what people think. Kripa?"

"Why don't you care more?" She looked directly at him, choosing her words carefully. " Look Mr. Khanna, I don't understand this. Why me? You must have dozen women who would do this for you."

" I need a stranger," he said simply. "I have no wish for anyone to know about it, nor do I want my..." He hesitated a moment, as if searching for just the right word. "I don't want my female friends thinking the words Angad Khanna and marriage belong in the same sentence. Do you understand?"

She nodded. "I'm afraid I do."

"Here. Maybe this will help you decide." He pulled an envelope from his shirt pocket and handed it to her.

With great reluctance she took it and peeked inside with as much unease as if it held a snake.

"It's a contract and keys to a warehouse space." He rubbed his jaw. "You may pay me Rs. 120 in advance or at the end of the year. I don't care."

She pulled out small set of leys, shock slamming through her. A whole building for a year for Rs. 120. What on earth did he expect her to do for the week? There had to be more to this than--

As if reading her mind, he answered her silent question. " Seven days. That's it. I'll probably be down at the plant most of the time. You won't have to see me very much."

That should have reassured her, so why was every traitorous part of her balking at the notion?

"I'll sleep on the couch," he continued. " In the bathtub'whatever makes you comfortable."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever makes me comfortable?"

Trust me Kripa, you have nothing to worry about." His voice was determined, his eyes sincere.

She buttoned and unbuttoned the collar of her shirt nervously.

He glanced down at the keys in her hands. "I'm sure you could find many uses for that space."

Darn right she could. That warehouse would save her music class. And with her own space she could hold classes on weekends for kids, for anyone who wanted to learn music. But at what price? She'd be breaking a vow made to herself years ago that she'd never let another Richie Rich invade her life. They were bad news. There was also the added discomfort of having to lie and deceive people she hadn't even met.

But the students, the kids. That was almost worth it.

"You'll sleep in the bathtub?" she asked sceptically.

He held up three fingers. "Scout's honour."

Somehow she doubted he'd even been a Boy scout. "Seven days?"

He nodded. "Plus time for your makeover and your briefing."

"I have to get a makeover?" she stammered in bewilderment . " What briefing?"

"You need to know about me, Kripa. My habits, liked, dislikes.: he hesitated giving her an appraising look from the tips of her vintage shoes to the top of her untidy mop of hair. "You're beautiful woman, Kripa. God knows why you'd want to hide it. But I think I know someone who can help us with that." He retrieved his cell phone from his jacket pocket. " I'll pick you at you place tomorrow afternoon at one."

A knot formed in her stomach. "What about work?"

"You have the next two days off." He regarded her with serious eyes. " Courtesy of the boss. Oh, and Kripa, I'd like to keep this arrangement confidential."

"Wait just a minute. I haven't said I would'"

He grinned. " yes you have. I saw it in your eyes when you held the keys to your new warehouse space."

She grounded her teeth, knowing he was right and wishing with all her heart that she could just toss those keys right back at him. But the students, she thought, glancing through the window. They depended in her. And not only that, if she agreed to this farce her children's program could start immediately.

She looked back at Angad. His brown eyes practically bored straight through her. Her pulse sped up and she felt sixteen and breathless. The kind of man she'd always vowed to stay away from was going to be her "husband" for a week.

"There will have to be some conditions," she said firmly.

"Of course."

"I'll give you a list tomorrow."

"Can't wait." And there it was. The damn half smile again. " Night Kripa."

She watched him as he walked down the hallway, cell phone to his ear. Completely unruffled and utterly pleased with himself.

She shook her head, pretty sure she'd just made a deal with the devil. And if he took her soul, she prayed he'd leave her heart intact.

Preview-

Upstairs a door opened, and Angad heard several voices whisper and giggle. Then the sound of high heels on the wood stairs echoed throughout the foyer.

"Finally," he mumbled under his breath, then called out, "I don't know if you're a wine drinker, Kripa, but I opened two—"

His voice broke off midsentence as he stared openmouthed at the vision that was slowly descending the stairs.