MG FF: Winter's End Thread 2 link 1st post - 4.2.14 - Page 36

Mr DeMello looked at Maan.

"I must say you really are your father's son. These ideas are perfect for Villa Rose." Maan smiled contently. He had presented to his client every idea Geet had given him. He was nervous about the wall of pictures but this feature was the one that had won his clients heart.

"I am glad you liked the idea's so much but they are not mine. My..." he hesitated a bit. Geet was his secretary so where was the problem? But the position didn't suit her, she was worth far more.

"My friend came up with them."

"I appreciate your honesty. I will keep a small party for this project and I would like your friend to come, too, so I can thank her personally."

"I will tell her so."

Maan dialled Geet's number. Geet looked at her ringing phone. She didn't feel like picking up but then it might be important.

"Geet, the client loved your ideas. He is holding a small party and has invited you, too."

"I can't come" Geet said very fast. She bit her tongue as Maan had got quiet.

"I mean, I have a lot to do and don't know if I could fit it into my schedule." Maan knew she was not telling the truth. He remembered her at Mrs Batliwala's and how she had voiced her displeasure of being at parties.

"Geet, I know you don't like parties but this really is important. He wants to personally thank you and it wouldn't look good if you weren't there." Geet sighed inwardly. She wanted to avoid these kinds of situations but he was right.

"When and where is it?" Maan handed her the address.

"I'll be there." Geet hung up and thought for a minute. There was no way she was going alone there. As this was not a client from MC she couldn't take any staff member of hers but she could take a friend, couldn't she.

"No Geet, I am really really really sorry but I cannot oblige you." Vicky was trying with all his might to get out of this situation. Geet had asked him to come with her but after he saw the address he went pale. Every Khurana would be present and that was the last place he wanted to be seen with Geet. Not that he had a problem with that but they all, including Geet and especially him would get into loads of trouble. Geet on the other hand did not understand why her friend was not helping her. He was the one to claim they were friends and now he couldn't even accompany her to a little party.

"Fine, then don't come. And you call yourself a friend." Geet spun around and left Vicky's cabin in anger. He had never seen Geet angry but right now he thought that this was the best thing. She would eventually cool down.

It was a small party Mr DeMello had arranged. He didn't want to keep the good news away from his wife for too long and hence Maan had gotten his staff to make a big model for her to look at. The announcements were being made when Geet entered. She had waited outside for a good opportunity to slip in and walked along the wall as not to grab attention.

"You really don't like parties do you" Maan had seen her come in and she looked like a spy trying to hide. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"I am only here because of the client. I will meet him and leave."

"Then let me take you to him" Maan led Geet to Mr DeMello but was stopped half way by an elderly lady.

"Maan beta, it is so nice to see you. Why don't you come and meet my niece Sona?"

"Punam aunty, I would love to but I have to meet Mr DeMello. It is rather urgent." He wanted to pull Geet with him but she wasn't there anymore. He looked around.

"Great, now where did she go?" He walked towards Mr DeMello and saw Geet talking to him.

"Well Miss Geet I again thank you for your input into this project."

"It was my pleasure entirely." Maan was now standing next to Geet.

"Maan, why don't you tell Geet to join KC full time? I am sure she will prove to be an asset."

"Well I would wish to but it was difficult enough getting her to work part time, I don't know whether she will accept a full time job." Both looked at Geet. She smiled and said:

"I am afraid I won't be able to do that. I have a lot to do and KC work is taking up too much of my time in the first place. In fact I was actually thinking of quitting soon."

"This is sad. Well I wish you success in whatever you wish to do. It was nice meeting you Miss Geet." Mr DeMello left. Maan's smile was wiped off when Geet mentioned her resignation.

"You aren't serious about leaving KC, are you?" He asked her.

"Actually I am. At first it was ok but now I have other things in my life that I wish to give priority."

"Like?"

"Family"

"But you surely could work out a way. Tell you what, why don't you work as a creative at KC? Salary, as much as you want."

"Mr Khurana, I have previously told you that I am not interested in money. For me Family comes first and I do not want to compromise."

"Ok" Maan was desperate now.

"Stay a month longer, and then you can go." Geet raised a brow.

"Why a month?" Maan quickly thought of a good excuse.

"My younger brother is going to be father in a month and he is out of office most days. The work load is too much and apart from you my secretaries have never stayed longer than a day." Geet looked at him. She could never see some one helpless and simply walk off. It was in her very nature to extend a helping hand even in front of her biggest enemy if he was in need. Maan had done her a favour by telling his client she was a friend and not secretary. That could have got her into trouble in future.

"Ok, a month but not a day longer." Maan was relieved. Geet bid farewell and Maan told himself: One month will be enough Geet. I will make sure you will never leave KC. Everyone has a weakness, even you. I will find it and use it. I know it is mean but I am Maan Singh Khurana and I always get what I want. And I want you.'

Monday morning came and Geet was feeling low. For the past few days she had literally been working 18 to 20 hours a day and the lack of sleep was taking its toll. She slipped after her shower as even ten minutes under cold water couldn't help her open her eyes. She banged her head which got a small cut. Raj asked her about it. He had now become good friends with Geet. Both talked about various things during the drive. Raj felt more comfortable and Geet was happy to have some one else to talk to.

He, too, had noticed Geet's tiredness lately but didn't say a word.

"Geet, don't mind if I say so but, you really ought to sleep some longer. I mean even now your eyes are hardly opening." Geet rubbed her eyes and yawned.

"Thanks Raj but work is work. One more month and I will quit my current position at KC."

"Why do you work there anyways? I mean you are MD of MC. Doesn't Maan Khurana mind?"

"He doesn't know I am the MD of MC. He would probably shoot me the minute he finds out. That is why Adi, Vicky Yash and the others never call me Miss or ma'am. I don't want people to know who I am. For the world there is a MD of MC and then there is a simple girl called Geet Handa who works there. I prefer people not knowing that both are the same." Raj grinned.

"So why are you doing a job at KC? Spying on the enemy?"

"No not really." Geet told him the incident about his secretary and how she ended up taking the job." Raj couldn't believe his ears. He had heard about Maan from his friend and even met him once. He wondered about his reaction when he would find out about Geet.

Geet entered her cabin and took a mug. She pressed double shot espresso on the machine and gulped the liquid down. She knew it was a mistake as a minute later her heart started to beat unbelievably fast and she had to sit into her chair and rub her chest to calm down. But now her sleeplessness was gone and her mind was fresh. Coffee on an empty stomach had always been a problem for her but now she kind of lived off the stuff. A double shot espresso though was still a number too big some times.

"Mr Khurana, what shall I do for you?" Maan had seen Geet wiz past his cabin and grab the mug. He had also seen her rub her chest and he got worried.

"Are you alright Geet? I mean you..."

"Nothing to worry. Work please." Maan handed her ten files. He told her instructions about each of them in the quickest possible speed he could manage.

"Will be done by lunch." His mouth fell open as she left. He had expected her to make notes and definitely ask for him to repeat the instructions.

"How does this girl do so much work at once? I have to find out." He turned to look at Geet. She had taken the first file and quickly looked through it. She made notes, typed and printed. The way she worked, it looked for him as if he was fast forwarding a tape.

All ten files were on his desk by 11.30. He looked through each and couldn't hide his amazement.

"Tell me Geet, how do you manage to do so much work in such short time and then with this precision?" Geet gave him a weak smile. She had been working like mad. As long as she had work in front of her, her mind worked but now since she was done, the affect of the coffee was losing its effect and Geet's tiredness came back. Maan saw this.

"Geet, you look extremely tired, don't you sleep at night."

"I do. But it is obviously not enough."

"How long do you sleep?"

"Four hours" Maan's eyes widened. Only four hours and yet she worked like crazy. He was called a workaholic by staff and mostly family but Geet turned out to be his master.

"That is way too little. How about you go back home and sleep. I think this is enough for today." Geet nodded thankfully and left. She went back to her cabin to get her stuff but once she was on her chair she couldn't get back up. She felt like a completely drained battery. She dialled Raj's number.

"Raj, could you help me up here. I am too tired and afraid I might fall down again." Raj ran up concerned. Maan saw him pass his cabin and enter Geet's. He took her bag and put one arm protectively around her shoulder. Maan opened his cabin and asked what was going on.

"Don't worry sir, she is just tired. I am helping her otherwise she might fall down and hit her head again like today morning." Maan was concerned.

"No serious injury?"

"No. But the first time she slipped in the bathroom and nobody was around. I can't leave her alone again." Both left and Maan took up his position at the window again. He watched the car drive away.

He had to do something about Geet. She wasn't in a good state and then this guy. He felt a pinch of jealousy he had to admit but he wasn't the sort to take actions in haste. He called a number and asked the person to locate the whereabouts of Geet's car. He was furious when he found out that Geet was at MC. Why was she heading there? Did she still work there? How could she, she can't work at two rival companies at the same time. But she was there right now. The way he knew her she might have another coffee and continue work. He drove to MC and entered the building. It was the first time he was here. Strangely the place felt friendly. A place can't feel friendly' he thought. But every corner made him feel welcomed and said: I want to be your friend and do the best I can to make you happy.

Mona, the receptionist's jaw dropped open when she saw Maan. He had to wave in front of her eyes to get her back.

"Where is Geet?"

"Fifth floor" she muttered and watched Maan take the stairs. As he reached the office area everyone stopped doing their work and watched him. In a way they felt like a wolf had just burst into a horde of sheep.

"Where is Geet?" he asked into the crowd. They stared at him.

"Romeo, can you get this sketch done by..." Adi had left his cabin and saw Maan. He dropped his paper but quickly picked it up again.

"Mr Khurana, what are you doing here?" Adi asked him. Maan who wasn't in a good mood to start with was even more furious. Adi had never called him Mr Khurana. He had called him Maan or Maan sir in the office but this much formality was hurting him, after all Adi still was his friend even if they had a little difference right now.

"Adi, where is Geet?" Adi tried to pull Maan back to the corridor where he had come from.

"She is gone home. She was too tired to work so she called it a day." Maan didn't want to believe him. The car that had dropped her was still downstairs.

"So she works here, too?"

"Yes, but not full time. And not as the MD's secretary if that is what you are thinking. She is professional in all means and would never try to spy or damage your business in anyway." Adi said that hoping Maan would not further question him about Geet's work here.

"Adi, I am asking again, where is Geet?" Adi saw Maan's determined face but Geet was important to him, too. Maan had been an old friend but there were times where Maan had to get his priorities straight. Geet on the other hand did everything to her best and never let her emotions or stress affect others. He chose.

"I told you she went home. If you do not believe me you can call her. As I believe you still have her number but she is sleeping probably so if possible don't disturb her. She has gone through a lot, she deserves some peace." Adi left Maan alone.

Maan was at a loss. He went back to his car and considered what to do next. Adi had lied to him, he was sure of that. The last sentence he had said went through his mind again: She has gone through a lot, she deserves some peace.

He had to know what was going on. More over, he just remembered, who was Sohan Mishra?