Astha slowly got up and turned around. She saw the most spectacular of the human male race standing right before her eyes. She was face to face with The Shlok Agnihotri for the very first time. Her heart thundered and her pulse rocketed. She felt her mouth go dry at his sheer presence.
More than six foot in height, Shlok Agnihotri stood tall and handsome. His thick hair and intense eyes were black. His broad chest, narrowed hips and long legs were testimony to a fit body. Those huge eyelashes hid a fantastic pair of eyes that were now carefully blank. Astha thought it wasn't fair a man should have such beautiful eyes.
Shlok Agnihotri did his own share of staring at the tiny girl who had come into his office. Astha Kirloskar was a vision in her white suit and long, black hair. Her light brown eyes were huge and innocent. She looked at him as if she was in an enchanted fairyland. His eyes leisurely looked her stance, her petite frame and her lush lips.
Astha almost stumbled as she moved forward. Before he could reach out, she straightened herself. Her cheeks turned hot with embarrassment. She behaved as if she was a teenager meeting a celebrity crush. Grow up Astha! You're a twenty two year old woman who's independent. Behave your age for once, she chided herself mentally.
"Ms. Kirloskar?" His voice was smooth, faintly mocking.
Astha drew her up to her full five feet. She nodded at his question.
"Please." He directed her to the sofa once again and this time he too sat opposite to her seat. Astha swallowed hard and looked down in confusion. She was having a tough time concentrating. Finally Astha found her voice.
"Mr Agnihotri, I have come to interview you for the college magazine."
"I am aware of that. You have exactly fifteen minutes. I need to go to a meeting after that."
Astha bristled at his statement and went about with the interview. "Mr Agnihotri, so how did you become a billionaire at such a young age?" Her voice was wooden as if someone else had prepared the questions and she was just reciting them.
"Hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of lady luck." He looked at her as he spoke.
Astha turned even more nervous. She continued. "So apart from your software, gaming, and marketing trade ventures, what are you into?"
"Garments, Pharmaceuticals, Medical equipment, our own educational institutions as you are aware, among other things."
She made a quick note of all that. "And about your charity work? You never speak about that." As she asked that question, his eyes seemed to harden a little bit.
"I do not like to talk about my charity Ms Kirloskar. Next question." Suddenly his voice had turned brusque.
Astha was afraid she had overstepped an unknown boundary. She managed to collect herself and go on. "What are your hobbies Mr Agnihotri?"
"Games, indoor and outdoor." He stretched his legs in front of him and leaned back in the couch. His eyes became hooded and almost suggestive. Astha wasn't sure he was talking about sports anymore.
Astha mentally told herself not to imagine anything and continued. "And your family? Do you have any girl friends or a fiance?" She was almost hesitant to ask this. The questionnaire had been jointly prepared by a panel. She cursed them for having this question.
Shlok Agnihotri's eyes flared with fury for a moment before he carefully blanked his expression. "Why Ms Kirloskar? You seem to rejoice in knowing about my personal life." His voice was now openly mocking at her.
Astha was irritated at his assumption, yet at the same time curious. Nothing really was known about his family or his girl friends. He didn't seem to be engaged or married. She could think of only one thing in this scenario. Maybe he was...he couldn't be. But her mouth blurted out what her mind was thinking, even before she could control herself.
"Are you gay?"
Shlok got up in a single movement. His eyes were blazing with fury. Astha literally covered her mouth with her hand. Shit! What had she done? Now she had offended their trustee. Of all the things to ask! Won't you ever learn to control your tongue Astha? She lectured herself.
Shlok came towards her like a sleek cat. He stood close to her. She could feel the warmth emanating from him. His body was almost touching her. He looked even more huge on close contact. His husky voice reached her ears "What do you think Ms Kirloskar?"
Astha swallowed hard and tried to hide her nervousness. "I..I am sorry if I have offended you Mr Agnihotri. I didn't mean to. This is all for now Mr Agnihotri. I would like to take leave if you don't mind." She knew she was babbling but she didn't want to risk his company any longer. Astha hurriedly collected her stuff and almost ran to the door. She exited the room and jumped to the lift in no time.
Shlok saw all this from the same place where he was standing. Astha Kirloskar intrigued him and turned him on like no other woman. Her audacity to ask if he was gay. He had a good mind to show what he was, then and there.
He was torn into two, deciding whether he wanted to pursue her or let her be. Something told him she will be hard to get. And he was never the one to resist challenge. He was looking forward to the day he can have Astha beneath him, begging and shuddering.
Turned on at the mental imagery, he shook himself from the day dream and quickly went into his office. He called Suresh and asked him to get all the information possible on one Ms Astha Kirloskar. He ordered the information within twenty four hours, by hook or by crook.
CID
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