FF: M&G - Protect The Boss 1 - Page 12

"I would like my last possession, this iPhone, to be kept in the top drawer of my office, regardless of who takes over the place once I've gone. It is of no use to any persons or charities if they don't have iTunes to sync it with."

Saving his will into his drafts section on his phone, Maan put his phone back into his pocket & took a deep breath as he stood outside his father's office. He knew it was most unlikely he would come out alive, seeing as he had ran out of an important meeting in the morning & spent the majority of the day in a coffee shop with his secretary.

Deciding to face the music, he knocked on the door & opened it a fraction, just enough to peer around & have a glance in. Manish's back was to the door; facing the window.

Maan was about to step in when Manish suddenly turned around & he straightened up, swiftly stepping inside. Manish stood up & walked over to his son, his face an abnormal composure of deathly seriousness.

"Maan-"

"Dad, wait. Before you fire me, disown me, remove me from the inheritance then kill me, let me just say something. I know what I did this morning was completely unacceptable. But I am committed to learning from my mistakes."

His father folded his arms, a skeptical look on his face. "I don't know how many more chances I can give you, Maan."

"One more chance, & I promise to make you & Mother proud."

__________________________________________

Maan stepped into his office, & Geet stood up from her chair, biting her lip.

"How did it go?"

"Final strike left."

"That's good, right? I mean, you can prove that you're worthy and capable of being here."

He sank into his chair and ran a hand through his hair. Geet sat opposite him.

"What did I tell you before? It's all about optimism & being positive. If you believe, you can succeed. There were so many times for me at uni where I wanted to give it all up, but I remained focused on my dream and it got me through the 3 years. Albeit, this isn't exactly where I imagined being after graduating, but it's better than nothing."

"Philosophy's great, & Aristotle & Plato were awesome, but I don't think studying a degree & training to become CEO at the hands of a regimist father is quite the same thing, Geet."

"I know it isn't. But change comes about from the mindset first." She stood up. "I'm going to grab a coffee, you want one?"

"No rest for the wicked," he stood up. "There's going to be a company briefing tomorrow, I have to get off & help my Dad with preparing for it. And to think I'd planned to go out tonight."

"No more partying, Mr Khurana. Your student days are over."

"I bet you had some late nights too."

"More than I can count. But those days are well & truly behind me." She grinned mischeviously.

__________________________________________

Most of the office staff had left by 6pm, but Geet was in the staff kitchen, washing up the coffee cup she had drank out of. She was singing Sadi Gali as she bobbed her head to her off key singing & scrubbed away.

Dev had been walking past, briefcase in hand & on his way home when he caught a glimpse of Geet's curly masses of hair. Stopping in his tracks, he smiled upon hearing her out of tune humming & had curiously stepped inside.

Geet closed the tap & began to wipe the cup with a dry cloth, when she heard a male voice behind her join in to her humming. She dropped the cup with surprise & turned around, one hand over her chest.

"You frightened me," she explained, managing a small smile before bending down to pick up the broken cup.

Dev threw his briefcase on the table & rushed forward. "Here, let me, you'll cut your hand."

Geet reached out for one of the ceramic pieces and Dev's hand grasped hers. She looked up to see him already looking at her, a twinkle in his eyes as his hand grazed hers. She smiled, feeling slightly uncomfortable & pulled her hand out of his grip softly, before standing up & smoothing down her shirt.

"What are you still doing here?" he asked, once he'd picked up the pieces & binned them.

"I had some paperwork to finish off for Maan & needed a caffeine boost before going home."

"Must be lively at home then?"

"Not much. I live with my best friend Pinky in an apartment. But it's nice to feel a little refreshed after the day is over. Plus, I have a long bus journey back & it helps if I'm awake so I don't miss my stop, rather than falling asleep. I speak from experience."

Geet grabbed her bag which she had placed on the table, & looked up at Dev. "I guess I'll see you at the briefing tomorrow."

She gave a small wave & walked out. Dev watched her go then picked up his briefcase & rushed after her.

"Geet, wait. I'll drop you off if you want."

"There's no need, I'm ok."

"It'll save you from the long bus journey. Please, I'd be offended if you declined."

He gave her a side smile, his dimples showing, & Geet somehow couldn't say no. She agreed, & they left the office together.

__________________________________________

It was 8pm, just after dusk, & dark enough so that she wouldn't be seen.

Crouching on all fours like a predatory cat, she crept behind the bushes, being careful to ensure she wouldn't get caught on the CCTV cameras placed around the house.

"Do you see anything?"

"Shh! I'm trying to camoflauge myself, I can't be seen at any cost."

"But you're already wearing a combat suit, Sasha."

Sasha narrowed her eyes at Tasha, who made a mental note to keep her mouth shut, before taking her binoculars out & positioning them just above the hedge.

Through her lens, she could see 4 lights on at the Khurana Mansion. 2 upstairs, & 2 downstairs.

Tasha was still in awe of the actual house.

"Oh my gosh Sasha, that's real gold plated on the gate! Real gold!"

"For the love of God, shut up! I need to see if that stupid Geet is sauntering around the house anywhere."

"Aim the binoculars at his bedroom, if she'd be in his house she'd be there, right?"

Sasha gave Tasha such a look that Tasha thought she'd integrate into pieces because of the sheer sharpness of her gaze. But Sasha paid heed to her advice & aimed the lens at the bedroom, but no movement could be seen.

"Sash, I'm confused. I thought you like Dev, so why all this spying on Maan? I don't get it..."

"T babes, you have a lot to learn my friend. Having one Khurana man is ideal, as you'll know from my relationship with Maan-"

"Relationship? I thought it was just a one night stand-"

"We exchange texts every now & then, on a purely platonic basis, of course. As I was saying, one Khurana is ideal, but two are perfect. How highly would I be regarded & ranked if I was known as the beautiful woman who had stolen both the hearts of Delhi's, & arguably, India's most desirable cousins?"

"I think there's a word for that, but never mind."

"It's not like I'm being cheap & sleeping with them both at the same time. My ploy is to simply have one of them fall in love with me, & the other one lust after me. I can pick & choose which one is more preferable, based on status, wealth & prosperity. It's like choosing between gold & silver, both are equally as good as the other."

Sasha's jaw clenched as she lowered her binoculars. "But I won't be able to do that if Geet gets in the way. She looked very cosy with Maan today, too comfortable for my liking. I need to find out if there's something going on between the two & act according to the situation."

"Jeez, you make relationships sound like a plan of attack for war." Tasha placed a hand on her shoulder. "There's no use in doing this. I highly doubt Geet would be here; she's just a mere secretary who hasn't even completed her full week at office."

"You're right, I need a more subtle & less risky plan of action. Besides, this war paint is starting to sting my cheeks & if I was seen by someone I know in this outfit..." She shivered at the thought. "Let's get out of here, before we get caught."

Chapter 8 - Old Habits Never Die - Page 24