Shlok got up quietly after Astha slept. He was on the phone, wanting to find out who the mysterious girl was. When he knew who it was, Shlok paled and swore on the phone. He snapped the phone shut and immediately placed another call to his security head.
"Shlok; I want you to trace Aditi and follow her. I want 24 hours protection for Astha. No compromise. She shouldn't get into his shit. You better not let her; not if you want to live." After snapping the orders, he went back to his room. Astha was still sleeping like a baby. Something stabbed at his heart seeing her innocent face. He didn't want her drawn into this mess.
Shlok went for his morning jog. He went to the gym and punched the boxing bag to vent out all his frustration. Shlok went up for his shower and came out with a towel by his waist. Astha woke up slowly and saw Shlok coming out of the shower. Her heart beat accelerated at the delicious vision she was subjected to early in the morning.
"Like what you see Ms Kirloskar?" Shlok drawled with amusement at Astha. Shlok noticed Astha drooling over his body and was quite amused by her school girl reaction.
Astha flushed yet refused to back down. "But of course Mr Agnihotri." She drawled back. Astha stretched like a cat, deliberately giving him an eyeful. Shlok's eyes darkened immediately.
"I know what you're trying to do. Don't; I have a meeting in an hour's time." His voice turned husky with need. Astha noticed the time and got up.
"I too need to leave Shlok." She scrambled up hurriedly into her nightdress and got up. Shlok dressed by the time she came out of her shower. She was dressed smart in faded jeans and a shirt.
"Astha, I need to talk to you." Suddenly Shlok sounded so serious. Astha looked on, momentarily pausing with her hair.
"What is it? Is everything okay?" She was instantly by her side. Shlok pulled her to himself and kissed her nose.
"Hmm...regarding that girl you saw.." Astha stiffened at what was about to come. She knew immediately Shlok had something to do with that girl. As Astha had along suspected. She waited for him to continue. "Her name is Aditi."
"Is she one of your ex?" Astha whispered, looking at him with a scared expression.
"Yes. Suresh just called me. Looks like she is mentally unstable and she is out there roaming about. She may even be violent. Right now we aren't sure of anything. My men are already on the look out to trace her. But I want you to be careful. Don't go to work until everything is sorted."
Astha bristled immediately. "Why should I stay back at home? I don't want to stop my life because of your nutty girl friend." She was starting to get irritated. Shlok held her head and looked into her eyes. He spoke softly, brushing his nose with hers "Please Astha, I can't bear if something happens to you. I want you safe."
"But you can't expect me to live in a glass bowl Shlok. How can I stop living my life Shlok? I want to go. Please Shlok." Astha didn't give in. She was adamant to get on with her life, his nutty girl friends be damned.
"Okay." He very reluctantly acceded. "But security will be tight. I will drop you daily and either Suresh or I come to pick you up." His voice was quiet. Astha nodded and they went together downstairs.
They had their breakfast and tea after greeting Radha. And finally both of them left to work together. Astha lightly kissed Shlok on his cheek before starting to open the door. Shlok stalled for a minute. He was seated at the back seat with her. Shlok sent Suresh to look out for any trouble and then he let her out.
Astha went about her work. In a few hours her BlackBerry beeped. She smiled and opened her inbox.
What are you up to Ms Kirloskar? All is well with you?
Yes Mr Control Freak CEO. Everything is okay and I am perfectly fine. Busy with work. What about you?
Oh this and that Ms Perfectly Fine! Stuck in a bored meeting with five other dull people who are interested in mergers and dollars. I would rather be in the company of a tiny bombshell.
Now, am most interested to know what you'd do with the company of that respectable five foot lady.
I could think of quite a few interesting things Ms Bombshell. My sexy bombshell.
Mr Agnihotri; watch your language. My fiance would be mad if my boss calls me sexy.
Do you mean boss's boss's boos Ms sexy cute Kirloskar?
You are going to be in big trouble mister. My hot fiance is a very possessive man.
Is he now? What is he likely to do if your boss appears for a post lunch siesta in his newly acquired magazine office?
Astha gasped at his message. Her eyes widened and her heart beats tripled. Don't you dare Shlok! I am a respectable woman who's come to work here. Not here. No. She got back to her usual self. She didn't want to unnecessarily provoke the sleeping lion.
Shlok called her in a few minutes. Astha was surprised to see his call. She thought he was in an important meeting.
"Shlok, I thought you were in a meeting."
"Yes honey; wanted to speak to you. Right now five very curious people are staring at me from the other side of the glass door wondering who I am speaking to breaking the board meeting."
Astha was really worried. "Shlok am sorry. I didn't mean to distract you. You should get back." She mentally chastized herself for disturbing such an important man from his schedule. She realized so many people were waiting for him and she was wasting all their time. Astha genuinely felt bad.
Shlok however didn't seem to care at all. "No, never say that. Nothing can be more important than you. And you are always distracting even when you try not to be. Anywhere, anytime."
Astha blushed at his words and lowered her tone. "Okay you leave now. I'll catch you in the evening."
"Okay, hang up." He teased her.
"You first." She teased back.
"At least say love me."
"No."
"I will make you say it Astha. As soon as I get back home." His tone was faintly warning but full of sensual threat.
"I will look forward to it Mr Agnihotri." And with that she cut the phone with a smile on her face.
Shlok too cut the call with a smirk and went back to his meeting with some difficulty. His mind was already plotting various sexual revenge towards his delicious fiance. The five men in the business suit almost gaped at the sudden change in their boss's expression. That was most definitely a first for The Shlok Agnihotri.
Cricket
Anupamaa
