Beauty & the Beast||Thread 2||Final note page 97||Chapt 59 page 92|| - Page 57

Chapter 56

"Sean, Sean" Tara called out, she struggled with Theresa fussing and crying, on the other hand Nick was driving her crazy asking numerous amount of questions.

"Be with you in a second" Sean called out from somewhere else.

"Nick, shut up" Tara turned her head towards her son, "I'm trying to get Theresa ready, I'll answer your questions later".

"You're mean, mommy!" Nick burst out crying.

"I hope you're not as problematic as these two" Tara looked down at her small bump, she looked at Theresa who continued to shake her head refusing to get her dressed.

"Theresa" Tara frowned which only made Theresa frustrated and she wiggled and struggled trying to get away whilst pushing with her tiny hands.

"Sean!" Tara snapped.

"I'm here, I'm here" he hurried into the room and looked at his wife then turned to his kids. "C'mere buddy, what are you crying for?" he asked lifting Nick into his arms.

"Mommy is mean!" Nick cried sniffing and wiping his wet nose with the back of his hand.

"Okay, okay, calm down" Sean pulled out a tissue wiping his nose.

"I'm getting a headache" Tara sat down huffing, "Theresa is just fussing too much. I should probably stay back with her" she looked at her husband.

"Has she eaten? She's probably just tired" Sean questioned as he paced the floor with Nick resting his head on his shoulder.

"I've fed her, I changed her nappy but she's just fussing to me changing her into her dress" Tara sighed heavily, "I'm not going to be able to manage her tantrums all throughout the night" she responded.

Whilst Sean and Tara contemplated over the current situation, on the other side of the mansion Marissa was fussing with her dress.

"Suneel, can you come and help me?" Marissa called out from the dressing room assuming her husband was now dressed and ready.

"Suneel" she called again when she didn’t hear a response.

Rhea happened to be in the room with her husband and Savitri, she had changed into cape anarkali which had complimented her body nicely.

"Marissa, he's not here. Can I help with anything?" Rhea knocked on the door calling out.

"Yes, please. The doors open" Marissa called out turning her head and looking at Rhea as she walked in, "You're a life saver, I can't reach my zip" she pointed.

"You look really nice" Rhea walked over complimenting her, "This colour suits your skin".

"Thank you" Marissa smiled moving her hair over her shoulder, once zipped up she turned around facing Rhea. "Oh this dress is stunning. I like these styles" she touched the cape.

"My husband's choice" Rhea replied, "I was confused as to what to wear".

"Glad your husband is useful in that department" Marissa laughed, "Ask Suneel anything about clothes – he turns into a mute" she rolled her eyes powdering her cheeks giving some colour to her flawless white skin.

Maan blinked when he felt slight flashes, he held a hand up as a shade and tilted his head back frowning then he stared up stunned and captivated by her beauty.

Geet stood on the balcony with a phone to her ear unaware of her silent admirer, she'd donned on a Zuhair Murad navy fall starry gown, a slit running to the top of her thighs. Her auburn hair curled into retro waves and falling over her shoulder smoothly. Her makeup light with smoky eyes, her lips painted red. He blinked as she made a gesture with her hand, her diamond bracelet sparkling underneath the sun and flashing.

How did a woman as stunningly beautiful as Geet Pearson kiss him?

He swallowed thickly as she paced the balcony for a while, she paused then headed inside still talking on the phone. Maan arched his head in the hopes of catching another glimpse, however it seemed like she had gone. He pondered back to their kiss, only a couple of feet from where he'd sat they had shared kiss.

"Bhai, come here" Kartik stepped outside waving him inside.

Maan nodded standing to his feet and walked inside.

"Dadaji is calling" Kartik informed as Maan entered. Following Kartik upstairs, Maan headed towards the room where Gaurav was. Entering inside, he noticed his grandfather dressed smartly in a suit with Savitri dressed elegantly in her cream saree and her treasured pearls.

"Dadima" he smiled pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You look nice".

Savitri caressed his cheek and asked "Aren’t you going to join us? It wouldn’t be the same without you".

"Dadima, you know I..." Maan paused and looked at Kartik, "I’m sorry Kartik, I know you’d like me there but I... I..."

"Bhai, don’t worry about it. I understand, I’m happy you joined us all here" Kartik assured hugging his brother briefly.

"You’re going to be okay?" Gaurav questioned stepping forward and placing a hand to his shoulder.

"I’ll be fine, you go on. I’m here" he reassured with a small smile.

"Okay, take care. Make sure you call any one of us" Gaurav replied.

Maan nodded bidding bye to them, he watched as they walked down joining some of the other families who were stood waiting for transport. He glanced around curiously wondering if he’d catch another sight of Geet Pearson.

Unable to notice her, he headed towards the room he was staying in.

Inside he found Tara pacing the floor with Theresa bundled up.

"Sorry" he apologised as the floor creaked and Theresa whimpered, Tara seemed like she winced.

"No, it’s okay" Tara smiled shaking her head sighing in relief noting Theresa murmur and dozing off again. "She’s being really difficult tonight".

"Everyone looked like they’re about to leave" Maan informed as he walked across towards the mattress he was sleeping on.

"Yeah, I can’t go. Not with Theresa so upset and crying" Tara responded shaking her head.

Maan thought over her response for a while, then spoke "I... I could look after her whilst you go to the show?"

Tara looked surprised, then shook her head "No, no I’ll be fine. Aren’t you supposed to be ready?" she questioned unaware that he wasn’t on planning to go.

"I’m not going" Maan replied softly, "I don’t go to such events, I could keep her for a couple of hours".

"You’re really missing the show? We’ve flown 35 hours for this day" she answered.

"You’re considering aren’t you?" Maan smiled softly. "There shouldn’t be two people missing out, I could keep her. You’ve fed her? Changed her?" he asked.

Tara pondered and slowly nodded.

" You’re absolutely sure about this?" she asked, she was uncertain but had given it some thought.

"Sure about what?" Sean asked entering the room.

"Maan here is offering to take care of Theresa so I could join everyone, I’m not so sure" Tara looked at her husband contemplated.

"Oh, aren’t you coming?" Sean questioned looking curiously.

"No, I don’t attend such gatherings" Maan shook his head, "Theres far too much people and loud noises, I don’t think your daughter will appreciate being disturbed".

Sean glanced down at his sleeping daughter cradled in his wife’s arms, he also perused her gown. "Geet did fork out money for the gown, shame if it went to waste" he stated.

"I’ll be gone about two hours only" Tara informed as she passed a sleeping Theresa to Maan, "I’ll give you my number" she reached into her purse grabbing her business card, "If anything goes wrong - please call me".

"Here’s my number too" Sean pulled out his business card and handed it to Maan.

Maan smiled and replied "Enjoy, I’ll call if I need to" he assured. "I’ll keep her safe" he promised.

Tara looked down at her daughter and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, she hadn’t gone leaving Theresa to an almost stranger. She had always been with a family member or someone she knew for a very long time - not someone whom she really didn’t still know.

"C’mon, let’s get you out of here before you change your mind again" Sean chuckled placing his arm around her waist and leading her downstairs.

Maan looked down at the small cute bundle cradled close to his chest as she slept peacefully. Had she not... There was a possibility he might have had wife and a child to return home to after his missions.

Geet climbed into one of the limousines sent to the mansion alongside her family whilst the other families climbed and mixed in with one another trying to get to the venue at the same time as most of them. A couple of families remained behind and were going to be picked up on the second round by the drivers considering the space in the driveway. There was around 80 or more people to move to the venue of the award show and Andrew had managed to snag only 7 limos for this team. Geet didn’t mind the second trip, as long as it wouldn’t make her late.

"You certainly scrub well" Sean stated with a smirk.

"Darling, don’t piss me off when I’m so close to facing dozens of reporters. I don’t want to give them a shot of my bloody hands" Geet smiled sweetly.

"Just ignore him" Tara rolled her eyes.

"You looking stunning" Marissa praised glancing at her daughter from across.

"Thanks, mum" she smiled brightly, "I just noticed" she turned to Tara, "Where’s Theresa?"

"She sleeping, I’m here" Nick answered before Tara could respond.

"I know my favourite angel is here" Geet chuckled and lifted him into her lap. "Where’s Tess? You didn’t eat her did you?" she joked tickling his sides.

"No, no... Daddy say she’s sleeping" Nick laughed loudly.

"Did you hire someone to babysit?" she asked, "I could’ve arranged something by speaking to Andrew".

"Maan offered to take care of her"

"Maan" Geet arched her brows curiously. "Isn’t he coming?"

"No, he doesn’t come to things like this. Gatherings and crowds isn’t something for him" Tara responded.

Geet nodded thinking over her sisters words, Maan hasn’t come and he doesn’t attend to something like this nor does he like crowds.

"Geet...Geet" her name was called out by various reporters and cameramen as they stood clicking pictures after pictures.

Geet walked alongside her family, pausing and offering a gentle smile. She then continued ahead giving a small wave.

"Ms Pearson"

Geet paused hearing a familiar voice, "Maxine Brennan, how are you?" she asked smiling and stepped forward.

"I’m good Ms Pearson, can you answer a few questions for me?" Maxine asked.

"For you, Yes" Geet nodded.

"Right, c’mon please" a lady called out ensuring the guests followed down the carpet in a respectable manner. "C’mon forward" she called out. Her eyes perusing the guests, nodding her head at certain people coming through.

"Stop, stop please" the lady stepped forward holding her hand up. "Sorry Ma’am, other entrance for you".

"What?" Savitri frowned, "My husband is right over there, I’ve strayed behind. I’m not alone".

"Ma’am you’re entering but through the other door" the lady pointed. "Hey Janie, please show this lady the way"

Savitri glanced over her shoulder and noticed various men and women were queuing and entering at a slow pace, "Why am I being asked to enter a different way?" she turned around facing the lady.

"Ma’am, there are hundreds of reports. It’s the international designing awards, your dress isn’t suitable - it’s lacking the wow factor that our reporters want. They don’t want something mediocre" she replied, Savitri frowned feeling insulted at the criticism of the young lady. "So please follow Janie" the lady pointed to her colleague.

"This way please" Janie gestured, Savitri looked ready to protest however more guests arrived behind her and were squeezing past and hurrying forward. Savitri looked around for her husband and family but couldn’t see them so she turned and followed Janie.

"Savitri, where have you been" Gaurav asked noting his wife walking from another side and joining his side as they were now waiting in a queue.

"How didn’t you notice I wasn’t besides you?" She questioned crossing her arms, "The young lady outside insulted my clothes calling me mediocre" she whispered firmly. "These ladies need to taught on to not discriminate against indians wearing traditional dresses! I wouldn’t be attending half naked as some" she glanced a distasteful glare where Geet stood chatting to her family and team.

"Savitri, don’t do this here" Gaurav responded firmly, "We’re here to support our grandson so don’t" he shook his head at her.

"Do you realise how insulted I felt?" Savitri questioned, "Imagine being insulted for wearing what you’re comfortable in and what you think makes you seem at your very best?"

"Isn’t that what you were doing for the last couple of days?" Gaurav questioned arching his brows, "You had a chance to defend your choices but when you’re insulting another person you’re going it behind them and not giving them a chance to defend their choices?"

Savitri sighed turning her head away from her husband, she couldn’t believe her husband had just sided with Geet Pearson knowing full well how she feels about her.

"Maan" Shirley stated his name surprised, she hadn’t been expecting a call from him. The last time they’d talked was a couple of days ago when she expressed her happiness hearing him going to LA and prescribing him sleeping tablets that’d assist with his nightmares.

"Hi... Shirley" Maan swallowed thickly, he settled near the window sitting cross-legged on the mattress with Theresa sat up on his lap gurgling and murmuring as she chewed on her fingers.

"Hey" Shirley smiled closing her door and returning to her chair, she had just bid her last client a bye. "It’s a surprise to see you calling, I hadn’t thought I’d ever get that" she added.

"I... I didn’t think I’d ever call out of our sessions" he admitted smiling at Theresa as she held out her fingers for him.

"How’s LA?"

"It’s LA" Maan responded, he’d been out to LA before with the FBI team, he didn’t find anything special about the place.

"Spoken like a true soldier" Shirley chuckled, "How are you?" she asked.

Maan considered her question thoughtfully, how was he? He was feeling confused and...

"I... kissed someone" Maan responded instead, he’d rather cut to the chase. This has been on his mind troubling him continuously and he wanted to figure something out.

"Oh" Shirley straightened in her chair, she knew how much of a big deal this must be for Maan. "Are you okay?" she questioned in concern.

"I am but I’m confused" he confessed, he offered a faint smile caressing Theresa’s cheek as she grabbed onto his shirt and tried standing. He placed a hand on her back encouragingly and supporting her in case her knees buckled. "She’s... she’s exceptionally stunning, out of my league and she... she hadn’t noticed me for the last few months and... suddenly yesterday she... kissed me" he sounded so confused. "How does this happen? The... the woman I..." he stopped clamping his mouth shut.

"Maan" Shirley approached gently, "Do you like her?"

Maan nodded leaning his head against the wall, he did. He liked her too much, she affected him immensely, she wasn’t even aware of how much of an effect she has on him.

"Maan..." Shirley prompted.

"Yes" he whispered. "I..." his chest heaved as he gathered courage to bring the words to his lips. He hadn’t said it in his words to his grandfather.

"I’m listening" Shirley responded softly.

"I like her..." he confessed closing his eyes tightly.

"Count to ten for me" Shirley asked, "Continue counting until I ask you to stop".

Maan opened his eyes and started counting, his eyes focused down at the little angel who with great effort stood on her tiny legs grinning widely up at him.

Geet greeted known designers that she’d come across over the years exchanging pleasantries as she was shown towards her table with her team. The families were placed on the tables surrounding them, Nick grabbed a chair besides his Gigi.

"You can’t sit here" Nick informed Aryan as he crawled onto the chair. "I’m sitting with Gigi".

"Okay" Aryan held his hands up mock surrender and settled on the chair besides Nick. Geet smiled taking a seat pinching her boo boo’s cheek.

"Cheeky" she muttered, "You’re supposed to be with your mommy" she pointed.

"No, I’m your favourite so I gots to be here" he responded shaking his head.

Geet chuckled, and glanced at Adhira confused when she was nudged.

"What is it?" Geet asked.

"Look over to your right" she pointed.

Geet looked over and looked amused as she noticed her once old bosses - Diane and John.

She lifted her hand giving an amused cursory wave in their direction and smiled.

"I’ll be back" Geet murmured standing up and walked over towards them.

"Geet" Diane arched her brows, "I’m surprised to find you here. I didn’t think they invite cheating trash here".

"Diane" Geet smirked, "I know you regret not giving me a chance, I’m sure you do too John" she looked at him. "I heard your company went bust" she glanced between them. "I was surprised to learn that Sienna Rose hired you" she added.

"Geet Pearson"

Geet straightened and turned around smiling, "Sienna" she gave her a hug.

"We should do a wager like last year" Sienna stated after they exchanged pleasantries.

"No thanks" Geet smiled, "I lost £2K to you and it wasn’t in dollars" she reminded.

Sienna smiled, and glanced at her colleagues, "How do you know Diane and John?" she asked.

"Haven’t they told you?" Geet responded looking amused.

Just then the host walked out asking everyone to take a seat, the show will be starting soon.

"I’ll catch you later on tonight" Geet told her and returned to her chair as the award show started.

Chapter 57

"Maan, are you okay?" Shirley questioned after a while.

"Yeah, yeah" Maan nodded and smiled down at Theresa. "I'm okay now".

"Will you tell me about it?" Shirley asked gently.

Maan thought over her question and recalled the kiss he shared.

"Maan" Shirley called his name as he didn’t speak.

"It… it just happened suddenly" he murmured, "I…It was unexpected…"

"How did it make you feel?" Shirley asked.

How did the kiss make him feel? "I felt… She… She's my first kiss" he confessed, "I… I have liked her for the last couple of months and… suddenly… she kissed me".

"Who initiated the kiss?" Shirley questioned.

"Geet" he responded. As if Theresa understood, she looked up grinning toothlessly at him.

"Geet?" Shirley frowned, the name sounded familiar. She wracked her brain trying to recall as to where she heard that name from. "Maan, is… is that the same Geet, Gaurav and your family rejected?" she asked.

"Yeah, she's the same girl" Maan answered honestly as he stood up with Theresa and paced the room, she cooed and giggled excitedly as he stepped out onto the balcony.

"Wow… okay, I hadn't known it was her. Has it been awkward?"

"When we'd first hired her" he recalled the awkwardness that had settled between the families however since she started working she'd been utmost professional until… "We… I watched her from afar, I was attracted to her beauty. Shirley… She's out of my league, she's beyond stunning… yet last night all of it disappeared for a slight moment when she kissed me".

Shirley listened to him thoughtfully.

"How was your first kiss?"

"Unbelievable" he whispered smiling faintly as Theresa planted her hands on his shoulder and mockingly smacked gurgling.

"Interior Design of the Year goes to…"

Everyone waited with bated breaths. It was the final category for the Designers of the year, the Emerging Designers were listed at the beginning. Pearson Designs was nominated for 3 categories, they hadn't won yet. The designing industry was a competitive industry filled with so many talented designers.

The hosts looked around smiling, "Who do you think it would be?" he asked.

"F*ck sakes" Aryan whispered, "They're taking forever".

"Its called suspense" Adhira chuckled.

Geet smiled and looked down at Nick who'd sat quietly waiting almost anxiously, she lowered head and asked, "Do you even know what they're saying boo boo?"

"Yeah who's going to win" Nick smiled nodding his head. "Gigi, can I go get it for you? I wanna hold the statue"

Geet smiled, "Only if we win, we might not though"

"Why?" he frowned curiously.

"Because there's so so many people here who designed…" she paused lifting her head hearing the announcement.

"The winner for Interior Design is… Pearson Designs!"

Geet stood up surprised, her heart pounding rapidly, applauds filled the hall along with her team standing up and cheering loudly. Geet looked down at Nick who stood up on his chair yelling excitedly and holding his arms out for her. Geet lifted him up into her arms hugging him tightly and gave a hug to her parents holding her mother's hand and walked up to the stage with her firm.

Geet placed Nick down holding his hand and leading him into the middle, the host congratulated her pressing a kiss to her cheek and crouched down handing the glass award carefully to Nick who held it up proudly for everyone to see.

Geet chuckled taking the microphone and looked around the hall, "Uh… I hadn't expected this, especially with some of the stunning designs we've come across this year" she smiled. "I'd like to thank everyone, the critics, my team who have kept me going and made me proud. Many thanks to Adhira my partner who had pushed me to start Pearson Designs. Most of all…" she turned to look at her mother "My mother, who's been the backbone of my company. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am. Thank you once again".

"You didn’t thank me, Gigi" Nick looked up at her as she went to pass the microphone back.

Geet laughed and crouched down, "Also many thanks to my nephew who has helped me".

"I'm Boo boo" Nick announced. "This is heavy now, take it" he turned to Geet whilst the crowd chuckled and clapped for the winners.

Geet handed the microphone back taking the award and holding his hand and returning to their chairs.

"Have you asked her out?" Shirley questioned in intrigue.

Maan thought over her question then answered, "No, I… I'm… not…"

"How would you know her answer without asking" Shirley responded realising the direction of his answer, his self-doubt held him back a lot. "You aren't a mind reader Maan" she chuckled lightening the tense question, "Didn't she step forward and kiss you?"

"Y…Yes" Maan replied.

"Wouldn’t that mean she's…maybe attracted to you?" Shirley asked.

Maan pondered over her answer, "I… It's getting late here Shirley, I'll speak to you later" he murmured, he sighed heavily shaking his head.

"Maan, I understand the confusion and you want answers. Those answers, Geet can provide" Shirley responded. She could help him through his feelings but she couldn’t answer as to why Geet had kissed him. "Take a deep breath and just… maybe speak to her. I'm here for you if you need to speak" she told him then cut the call after they'd said their byes.

After some time, everyone started standing and heading out the doors.

"I'm so proud of you " Suneel hugged Geet tightly pressing a kiss to her temple, he cradled both her cheeks grinning widely.

Geet smiled feeling elated seeing the pride in her father's eyes, she turned her head to her mother and pulled her into her arms.

After a moment, they pulled away and headed out the doors with the rest of the group. Geet gave a small wave to the photographers, she had interviews lined up tomorrow so she couldn't speak to the reporters as she'd already promised one of her friends an exclusive interview if she were to win.

"I'm going to head home to change for the after party" Adhira stated and noticed her children getting excited. "Its bed time for you three" she pointed which only disappointed them.

"Oh, I've got my dress out. I'm going to change as well" Zarina quipped.

"Well, we're heading straight there" Aryan spoke. "You guys would probably be there getting changed for another two hours" he rolled his eyes. "You guys joining me?" he looked at his male colleagues.

"Stop being sexist! I'm joining you" Shaina smacked Aryan's arm. "I'm ready to party".

"I'll catch you over there, I'm going to head back to change as well" Geet told them leaving them to decide how they were getting to the after party. She climbed into the car with her family and the driver drove home.

Tara headed straight upstairs as she returned to the mansion, she entered the room to see Maan lying on his side with Theresa curled up on the mattress sleeping soundlessly.

Maan smiled faintly as he slowly sat up, Tara walked over crouching down onto her knees staring at her daughter sleeping contently and looked at Maan, "She didn’t trouble you?".

"No, she's been good" Maan smiled gently, "we played for a while then she went to sleep".

"Thank you for looking after her, I appreciate it so much" Tara replied reaching forward and hugged him, Maan tensed and smiled uncomfortably when she pulled back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry" Tara looked at him apologetically noticing his face, "Have I hurt you?"

"No, no" Maan shook his head, "I… I…" he wondered what to say, other than Kirsten and his family members he didn’t have people hug him in gratitude. They preferred to keep a distant.

"I… I'm a hugger so… I… Sorry" Tara muttered.

"It's okay" he shrugged it off nonchalantly, however it didn’t escape his notice that she hadn't been distant with him and she'd been so grateful for taking care of her child despite her scepticism at the beginning which was understandable.

"I'm just going to change, then I'll take her to my bed. If that's okay?"

"Yeah, sure" Maan nodded, and Tara excused herself.

After Tara returned having changed out of her dress, she lifted Theresa and walked to their mattress and lied down with her daughter cuddled close to her chest. She had missed her daughter a lot, she was grateful that Maan had offered to take care of her daughter and she'd been grateful to him as she was able to see her sister get an award however Maan was yet a stranger and she'd been a little concerned.

The concern had disappeared when she had walked in and seen her daughter sleeping, she smiled and glanced over, Maan stood offering a small smile and walked out of the room.

Just as he'd left and walked the other way, Geet entered with Sean and Nick.

"Why can’t I go?" Nick scowled. "I want to go to the party, Gigi".

"It's for grown ups boo boo" Geet explained. "Daddy will keep you occupied".

"But… But I want to go"

"Sean" Geet looked at him for help.

"He wants his Gigi and last time I checked" he looked down at himself then looked back at her, "I ain't his Gigi".

"I hate you" Geet frowned.

"Gigi, I want to hear story and…"

Geet sighed heavily, "Fine, fine" she rolled her eyes. "Let me get changed" she glanced down at her phone screen, "It's quite late, I've got an interview in the morning anyways" she murmured then looked at her nephew. "Change and get into bed, I'm coming" Geet grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom.

"Want coffee or tea?" Sean asked now changed into his long shorts and vest.

"Can you grab a glass of juice?" Tara asked.

"I want tea" Nick sat up on his mattress excitedly.

"Sleep" Geet pulled him down to lie down besides her. "Can you get me a bottle of water, I'm feeling thirsty" she told him.

"I want drink" Nick frowned.

"I'll get you a glass of warm milk" Sean informed and walked out of the room.

Nick sat up grinning widely when Sean returned, he drank his glass of milk. After he finished, Geet made him lie down onto his side and close his eyes.

"He's sleeping, you can head off to the party" Tara lifted her head glancing at her son then at her sister. "He wouldn’t wake up now".

"It's late, I'm tired" Geet replied shrugging her shoulders.

"You did great, Geet" Sean stated sitting cross legged near Tara and looked down at her.

"Thanks" Geet smiled.

"Mum and dad couldn’t be more prouder" Tara smiled reaching over and squeezing her sister's hand. "I'm so happy for you".

Geet thanked them then looked down at Theresa, "How was she today?"

"Surprisingly, she'd been calm and didn’t give Maan any trouble at all" Tara looked between her sister and husband. "All evening, she was driving me up the damn wall".

Geet laughed, "She's definitely my niece".

"Glad you enjoy my misery" Tara rolled her eyes.

Geet winked, she looked down at her nephew and noticed he was in a deep sleep.

"I'm going to go and sit by the pool for some time" she crept up and slipped on her gown heading out the room with her phone.

Whilst in another room, Maan hugged Kartik feeling happy for his brother.

"I couldn’t believe it bhai" Kartik gushed. "It was like… red carpet event only with designers than stars. The companies are so so well known and famous".

"Did you happen to catch a few models?" Maan teased.

"Bhai! Have you seen Geet?" Kartik wiggled his brows. "She's hot".

Maan shook his head smiling faintly, he had seen Geet and she looked stunning. He recalled catching a glimpses of her before she'd walked out. The shapely dress hugged her curves perfectly, the slit in her dress made her all the more exotic, her red painted lips… He swallowed thickly brushing off the thoughts, his mind wandered to what Shirley had said to him. He wondered whether she could be… no she couldn’t. Geet wouldn’t be attracted to an ugly scar face, however that brought up the question as to why she kissed him.

He had not yet found the answer to that, he was still confused.

"Congratulations Marissa" Rhea walked into the kitchen now changed out of her dress.

"Thanks" Marissa grinned in response, "Coffee or tea?"

"I'll settle for tea" Rhea answered joining her side to help. "Where is everyone?"

"My husband, your husband and your father in law are sat in the hall. Most of the other elders have headed to bed, I think your mother in law went to change. She said something in indian"

"Hindi" Rhea chuckled.

"Same isn't it?" Marissa shrugged, "I never really bothered to click on".

"What brought you to India?" Rhea questioned.

"Suneel" she answered staring ahead smiling to herself, "my mother in law had fallen sick and Suneel wanted to be with her in her final moments. I followed him with our daughters".

"How were your first few months?" Rhea asked, "Such a transition would've been hard".

"It was, it caused a lot of arguments but I loved Suneel. He… he done everything in his power to make it easier and back in the days it was a different country" she replied. "And our daughters made me want to continue forward. Once they hit their teens, I sent them abroad for their studies".

"Wow, were you afraid?"

"A lot, I cried almost every day despite my family assuring me that my daughters are just fine" Marissa chuckled. "I made sure Suneel took me every two weeks to see my daughters, we spent the weekends together. Once they'd finished college, Tara decided to join us in India and continue studying part time and help out at my office. Do you work?"

"I volunteer at the library at weekends, I used to work before my sons were born. After they were born, my mother in law suggested I spend time bringing up my sons. After they grew up, I couldn’t go back to where I stopped so I ended up looking for volunteering jobs to spend time away from the household chores" Rhea smiled.

Marissa responded with a small smile, she pondered over Rhea's mother in law's suggestion, it wasn’t a wrong suggestion however Rhea could have done so much more than household chores for the last two decades.

"How did Geet get into flying?" Rhea changed the subject noting the questioning curious look in Marissa's eyes.

"I don’t even know, Geet had a lot of interests growing up" Marissa chuckled as she loaded up the cups of coffees and teas onto the tray and walked out with Rhea. "She wanted to become a policewoman one day, then doctor, then nurse, one day she wanted to become a builder. She used to love bob the builder, it was in university she figured she wanted to fly" she continued placing the tray down on the coffee table. The men thanked them taking their cups from Rhea and Marissa as they handed it out, Gaurav listened attentively as Marissa continued speaking to Rhea.

"Suneel was against it at first" Marissa pointed.

"I… I was sceptical" Suneel corrected, "I wasn’t sure what to think of it".

"He refused to speak to her for two days when she told him" Marissa sat down besides her husband rolling her eyes. "Geet was just as stubborn, she enrolled herself" she laughed.

"Yeah, when I went to read up on it, I was satisfied enough" Suneel cut in. "I supported and encouraged her more once I was a little less doubtful of the profession".

"He did extensive research, he read up on the process, the jobs, the career paths, the progression, he read every article out there" Marissa informed, "He done the same with Tara when she decided to open a bar with Sean".

"That's risky, you never know how successful bars are"

"It's got alcohol, it's bound to be successful" Marissa rolled her eyes.

"How is their business going?" Rajeev questioned. "With two young children, it must be hard?" he added.

"They're managing it well, Sean works full time whereas Tara is working lunch hour shifts for now, they've hired two more staff members atop of the 6 already working there" Marissa explained. "I'm just happy that they're both settled in their careers" she added.

Geet lounged on the pool chair, her eyes wandered into space as she recalled the kiss she had shared with her client. Throughout the day she had been focused on the show tonight, however right now all she pondered over was the kiss she shared.

"You look lost" Tara interrupted her train of thoughts joining her.

"What are you doing here? I would’ve thought you'd be sleeping" Geet frowned.

"I wasn’t feeling so tired" Tara answered settling on the pool chair besides Geet, "I wanted to ask you something, but we were both busy today so I couldn’t answer"

"Shoot away" Geet leaned back staring up at the sky.

"Is there something going on between you and Maan? You both came into the room together last night" Tara questioned.

Geet glanced at her sister sighing heavily as she pondered over the kiss last night.

"I kissed him yesterday" Geet revealed, Tara’s eyebrows rose up in surprise.

"You kissed him?" she questioned.

"Yes... we just happened to kiss" Geet muttered.

"He’s a client, G" Tara replied.

"I know" Geet smiled softly, "that’s the thing he’s a client and I’ve always stayed away from crossing the line when they were clients".

Geet eyes drew to a movement in the dark, Tara followed her and noticed Maan stood in the balcony, his back to them and it seemed as if he was on the phone.

"What are you thinking?" Tara asked noting Geet seemingly lost.

"I don’t know what to think" Geet answered.

"What do you mean?" Tara looked confused.

"I know he’s attracted to me, but he... it seemed like he barely responded to my kiss. He also pulled away looking shocked and avoided me" Geet responded, "I also tried to convince myself and him that he liked it".

"Have you ever really noticed Maan until now?" Tara asked. "You’re working on his outhouse, and only now you’ve taken a step forward and kissed him. G, if you notice he has barely interacted with anyone. He just about spent time with Theresa but other than that he doesn’t step outside of the room and if he does it’s always in his hoodie hiding his face" Tara explained, "You’ve seen him, and his marks. Don’t you think he’s probably still suffering from some sort of PTSD or something. That could be why he’s not responded".

Geet listened to her sister carefully and looked up at Maan, he had shifted to his side resting a hand on the railing and speaking to whoever on the phone. The moonlight illuminated his face in the darkness, she noted the sharpness of his nose and cheekbones, she recalled the slight brush of her fingers across his skin. He’d shuddered at her touch, was Tara right in pointing he could be suffering from some form of PTSD. She was curious, but also feeling a little guilty recalling how little he had responded to her and it seemed like he was trying to get away last night until she’d bumped into him and kissed him. What the heck was she thinking?

"You did what?" Kirsten yelled from other side.

"Kirst!" Maan hissed frowning at her loud voice. "Talk normally, my eardrums will be exploding with your voice".

"Okay, Sorry I’m just so f*cking shocked! Oh my baby boy has grown up. You’ve had your first kiss" she mockingly sniffed.

"Kirst, be serious or I’m cutting the call" Maan warned.

"Okay, okay sorry" she apologised, "Shoot it at me" she settled comfortably ready to listen.

Maan then revealed the incident in the plane, how he noticed Geet seemed curious and intrigued, she hadn’t looked disgusted at the close proximity. He then revealed how he had been feeling for the last couple of months, he explained his attraction for Geet had grown and he was fearing the feeling.

"Why?" Kirsten questioned. "Baby, the feeling is just natural".

"I’m worried I’m going to feel worse once this feeling passes" Maan responded.

"But you don’t know what would come out of this" Kirsten countered, "I’ve been rooting for you and breadstick since that proposal. You said so yourself, she didn’t seem disgusted. She was curious, it just goes to show breadstick isn’t a judgemental whore like some of the b*tches we’ve come across" she explained. "You don’t know what’s in her mind, you don’t know what she feels. Have you tried telling her once?"

"No" Maan answered shaking his head.

"My hot chocolate, let things take its course. You never know what’s on the other side of the road" Kirsten replied. "Give this... whatever it is a chance".

"I don’t...." Maan sighed turning around facing the garden, his eyes drew down to the two figures on the pool chairs. His eyes drawn to Geet as she stared at him.

"I don’t know" he murmured.

"Don’t give into these fears, you never know what life has planned for you, take the risk baby" Kirsten encouraged. "Take the first step - stop avoiding her".

Maan stared without blinking, Kirsten’s words echoing repeatedly, "Okay, I... I’ll try" he answered, he realised what he’d just said when Kirsten squealed. He turned around swallowing thickly as he thought of trying to stop avoiding Geet. He turned his head glancing over his shoulder, Geet was speaking to Tara. He sighed heavily returning inside as he thought over last night all over again.