Beauty & the Beast||Thread 2||Final note page 97||Chapt 59 page 92|| - Page 25

Chapter 33

"Hi Marissa" Aryan greeted as he walked in.

"Hi, what are you getting for lunch?"

"You do remember that Geet is due back in today?" Aryan chuckled.

"She's my daughter Aryan, of course I remember" Marissa laughed, "That doesn't mean I can't cheat, I'm starving today".

"Okay, what would you like for lunch?"

"Shredded chicken stir fry with croutons" Marissa chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully, "garlic butter croutons actually" she added.

"Alright, I'll have that ordered and placed on your desk at lunch" Aryan nodded. "The new intern would be starting this week, he's just got the last stage to go".

Marissa hummed pulling out her phone having received a text from her husband.

Lunch at Rio's?

Marissa smiled and tapped out a quick response, looking forward to it

She turned to Aryan and told him not to order her lunch as she is now going to eat with her husband then walked towards her office.

Aryan smiled as he reached the waiting area, Kartik was already here.

"Punctual I see" Aryan commented as he walked over.

"I'm meeting Geet Pearson and I have to impress her" Kartik replied. "She's going to be my boss" he added.

"If you're like this, you may just be liked by her" Aryan chuckled.

"What's going to happen if she doesn't like me and I don't impress her enough?"

"You know the doors you walked through?"

"Yeah?"

"You'll be walking out those doors and never seeing the inside of this office" Aryan replied.

Kartik nodded thoughtfully.

"You've got one shot with Geet Pearson, I suggest you use this opportunity wisely" Aryan explained. "Not everyone lasts their full internship" he added.

"Thank you for making me shiver" Kartik chuckled nervously.

"C'mon I'll show you the floor you're going to be working on and your team". Aryan pointed.

Geet picked out her outfit for the day which happened to be a lace bodice red jumpsuit. She slipped into her louboutin heels, snagging her car keys, slipping on her sunglasses and walked out of her apartment.

She paused outside arching her brows seeing her dad leaning against the side of her car.

"What are you doing here, dad?" she pressed the button of her car keys and unlocked the doors.

"Thought I'll catch a ride with you, that way you can update me and I can tell you what you missed out on whilst you've been flying".

"I know I didn't miss anything important because Mom face-timed me all throughout".

"Damn Marissa, I was hoping to have some fun with you" Suneel shook his head.

"Suneel Shergill" Geet placed hand on his headrest turning her head to him, "You're talking to Geet Pearson, Marissa's daughter - you can try all you want to fool me" she winked. "You're going to fail".

Suneel shook his head at his daughter, Geet laughed straightening up and started the car.

"Not now Aryan" Geet told him as he started walking towards her, she turned her head and narrowed her eyes. "In my office now" she grated pointedly striding past to her office. Suneel had gone straight towards his wife's office to see her.

Rishi shared a look with Zarina and frowned.

"Get up and go" Zarina nudged when Rishi looked too worried to move.

"Oh shit" Rishi sighed, "What if she fires me?"

"Just go and see what it is - don't make her wait" Shibani told him.

Rishi stood walking over and entered Geet's office, she had her back to him staring out the large windows. As Geet heard the door close, she turned around facing Rishi.

"What excuse was it this time?" Geet questioned sharply.

"I really wasn't feeling well" Rishi dipped his head averting his eyes.

"I really do want to believe you, Rishi but you've been messing around with all these absences and I've had it up to here with you" she gestured angrily.

"Please, don't let this affect my contract" Rishi requested pleadingly.

"As stated in term 16B - effective as of now you're now without pay for a month".

"Oh please Geet, don't, that's like 4 lakhs" Rishi responded.

"You should've thought of that, you've had 8 absences, 23 days altogether in the last couple of months. One month without pay, Rishi. Work and earn your pay back" she told him firmly.

Rishi sighed heavily and knew Geet wasn't going to change her mind, so he had no choice but to walk out and return to his desk.

"What happened?" Shaira asked concerned.

"What do you think happened, Shaira? Geet Pearson happened" he huffed holding his head in defeat. "One months pay" he moaned.

Shaira rolled her eyes, "What were you expecting for missing so much work? A pat on the back"

"Shut up, leave me alone" he murmured.

"Don't cry, Rishi" Shibhani patted his shoulder.

"Leave me alone" he shrugged off her hand.

Shibhani mocked him behind his back making Shaira laugh. Rishi looked between them and scowled as they looked away and focused on something else.

"Oi, come here you two" Zarina called from her desk pulling them away from around an annoyed Rishi.

Geet called Adhira into her office and asked for her an update on her clients.

Adhira rattled off updates on each client explaining what stages they were all at.

"Alright, book me in with the Khuranas and Misha Kapoor - one for this afternoon and one for tomorrow morning" Geet responded.

"Consider it done" Adhira nodded jotting it down, "Sonya Patel has called twice".

"Tell her once again that I am not going to agree to an interview" Geet replied, "Include also, if she doesn't stop requesting it that I am going to give an interview to rivals and slam her reputation".

"That's a bit mean" Adhira commented.

Geet arched her brows crossing her arms in front of her.

"I said it as a friend - I didn't say that to my boss" Adhira chuckled nervously.

"I'll take your word for it" Geet smirked, "Any updates on this place?" she asked as she pulled open the new sample book and flicked through.

"Aryan's hired a new intern, last stage is required for him" she informed.

"Hmm... Okay, tell the new intern he's going to be accompany me to the appointment this afternoon".

"Will do, anything else?" Adhira stood understanding their brief meeting was finished.

"No, thanks" Geet shook her head and switched on her MacBook. She was engrossed to the dozens of email she has received from potential and current clients and spent the morning replying to them individually.

"Aryan" Adhira walked into his office and eyed the new intern, "Geet doing last stage by the intern accompanying her to this afternoon's appointment" she informed.

"Oh okay, what time is the appointment?"

"2pm and she's not in a good mood today as you've seen" she added and looked at Kartik.

"Do a question and answer round this morning, Geet isn't too happy today and one step out of place - she gets a bad impression she's going to make you wish that you didn't apply for this post" she explained. "Be creative with your answers" she added.

"Creative and wise" Kartik murmured, "Got it" he nodded though was now worrying. What if Geet didn't give him a chance and hated him from the off set. He could only hope that she gives him a chance.

Adhira informed Geet that Misha could see her tomorrow so her appointment was with the Khurana's this afternoon. Geet grabbed her files and walked out of the office, she glanced around looking for the new face that was going to join her.

"Aryan, where's my new intern?" she questioned having not seen him.

"He's just gone to grab the work IPad" Aryan responded and smiled seeing Kartik hurrying back having grabbed the IPad to take notes on.

Geet glanced over her shoulder and frowned noting it was the young Khurana.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned.

"He's the new intern" Aryan answered walking over. Geet clenched her jaw and scowled at Aryan, she didn't say anything because she had handed over that role to Aryan.

"Let's go, or we're going to be late" she walked past Aryan with Kartik following her.

Geet turned around halting outside of her office building and looked at Kartik, "What made you apply here?"

"Is that a question from my boss?" Kartik asked.

"Your final stages have started now" Geet replied.

"I'm on a year's break now that college is finished, whilst I try to figure out what I would like to do - there was a internship here so I applied" he answered honestly.

Geet nodded silently and walked towards her car and climbed inside, she frowned noticing Kartik stood outside looking confused.

"You're to join me, that means get in my car" Geet informed.

"Uh sorry" he murmured and climbed into the car. Geet started the engine and drove off in the direction of his home.

Chapter 34

"Give yourself a voice, Maan. It doesn't have to be loud, but give yourself a voice. That small step would make a difference" Shirley informed.

"That's my..." Kartik seemed confused as Geet parked up outside.

"I didn't think you were the new intern, this is our first appointment together, so I hope that you remain professional, even if it is your home" Geet stated as she climbed out of the car. She turned her head, mask in place, fake smile adoring her lips as practised for many years and noticed Maan approaching them.

Maan had started walking out to greet Geet, pausing in confusion noticing Kartik besides her. His attention didn't last so long on his brother, as he'd gotten closer he perused Geet without any notice. She'd donned a red lace jumpsuit which fitted her perfectly accentuating her in all the right places. He cursed inwardly shaking off his thoughts and offered a small smile, "Nice to see you again" he said softly gathering himself together, Gaurav had told him to take this appointment himself. He had wanted Maan to handle this himself, he had received the call from Shirley requesting assistance in helping Maan to take a step forward towards his freedom from the cage he had built around himself. Stepping out of his comfort zone and handling something by himself was another step forward.

"You too" Geet smiled shaking his offered hand making conversation, "It turns out your brother is my intern today" she pointed to Kartik.

Maan looked over at his brother and smiled feeling proud inwardly, he then turned to Geet inviting her to the outhouse.

"Have they broken all the walls?" Geet asked as she looked around.

"Yes, they finished breaking them all last week. This week, they have started on remodelling the walls" Maan gestured.

As she took in the work the contractors had done, she was impressed with the quick services they provided and noted down to use these new contractors.

"Ms Pearson" Jonathan noticed the owner who'd hired him and approached her.

"Mr Hunter" Geet nodded and shook his hand, "Mind if I come in to see the work?" she questioned gesturing inside. She could see from where she stood that the men were working on plastering over the bricks they'd put in place.

"Yes, sure. But first, please make sure you're all wearing helmets safety precautions" he added and pointed to the box at the side with standard helmets in.

Great, my hair is going to get messed Geet thought as she agreed and followed him inside.

Jonathan showed them around explaining what work he had finished, and what was left. Once he'd finished giving both Maan and Geet a tour, he asked "Do you have any questions?"

"Anything you'd like to ask?" Geet looked at Maan.

"I've no questions, I'm sure it would come out great" Maan replied.

"Thank you for your time, I'll take it from here" Geet thanked Jonathan and he excused himself. After he had left, Geet turned to look at Maan.

"Seeing as the upper floor is completed, mind if I go through some ideas?" she asked.

"Please continue" he responded.

Geet nodded and led him over to the first bedroom which was completely plastered and finished, all she had to do was get the decorators in and start making her vision come alive.

"For this guest bedroom, I was thinking more of a minimalistic dcor, reason being this bedroom is floor to ceiling window all the way around and with the pool view outside its quite spectacular" Geet then continued to explain what she had in mind for the bedroom...

"Kartik, why don't you give me some ideas for this room?" Geet questioned as she glanced over at him, he'd been making notes on the iPad as she'd talked her way through 2 bedrooms.

Kartik looked taken aback at first then recalled that this was his last stage and this opportunity only comes once.

He looked around the room then turned to Geet, "How about a small den?"

Geet arched her brows curiously, "Go on" she prompted when he looked unsure of his own idea.

"Well..." he looked around the room recalling Adhira's words to be creative and Aryan telling him to be wise. "There could be a reading corner here to relax by the window" he pointed knowing Maan enjoyed a fictional thriller now and then, "A sofa bed along this wall with the tv on the opposite wall" he continued getting into the rhythm. "Which will allow turning this room into a movie night if there are friends over, on this corner maybe have a small coffee table which has storage? Possibly keep a few board games or some cards? This room would be a den suitable for any occasion, movie night, poker, relaxing, catching up with friends..." he finished thought seemed hesitant of his suggestions.

Geet stared at him momentarily then turned to Maan, "What do you think of these suggestions?"

Maan spent a moment pondering making Kartik nervous, however he offered a gentle smile. "I think the suggestions for this room is good".

"I agree, well done" Geet offered a pleasing smile at Kartik.

As they continued with the rest of the rooms, Maan had watched silently as Geet spoke about the ideas she had for the rooms and how the outhouse would look spectacular with a few minimal changes to certain things. The way she'd spoken with such enthusiasm showcased her love and passion for her hobby.

"The outhouse is in great shape, and it would even better if bear in mind that there are costs to it but if the kitchen was surrounded by windows all the way around" she gestured. "The entire ground floor will be radiating with the sunshine just from the kitchen area, with these 3 walls replaced with clear double glazed windows, it would make a lot of difference" she suggested. "Its only a suggestion, of course" she reiterated not wanting to push on her ideas.

"I'll keep the suggestions in mind, thank you" Maan responded, "Due to the nature of my work, I would require that no one is able to look in" he explained.

"Oh, I apologise, I completely had forgotten" Geet recalled he was an FBI analyst and for the work he does he'd need all the privacy he can access.

"If you're able to make it possible for the kitchen to have the 3 walls of glass and my privacy seems intact with no one able to look into the outhouse, it would be great" he answered.

"Kartik, what would you suggest for this?" Geet questioned.

Kartik fumbled as he noticed two sets of eyes were now focused on him, "Mirrored glass?"

Geet mulled over his suggestion, "Wouldn't that block the sun as well?"

"What about lightly frosted glass?" he suggested, "That would allow the sun to come streaming in but keep the inside of the house hidden from prying eyes".

"That's an idea we can explore" Geet nodded her head then looked at Maan questioningly.

Before he could answer, his phone rang.

"Excuse me" Maan excused himself stepping out of the kitchen noticing it was Aaron.

Kartik chewed on his lower lip looking around unaware that Geet was staring at him curiously. He looked around trying to imagine the outhouse changed to match Geet's view and noted Geet was looking at him.

"Uh... did I say something wrong?" he asked.

"Be confident when you answer" Geet told him, "You're doubting yourself when you suggest ideas, how would you expect a client to trust you with their home when you doubt your own suggestions. Own it".

Kartik thought over her words and nodded, "Thank you".

"You're welcome" she replied.

"Did I pass the final stage?" he asked sheepishly.

"You're still working on the final stage" Geet stated. "Don't mess up" she added.

Kartik frowned swallowing hard, he wondered how much longer would he shadowing her, what if after these suggestions she doesn't keep him on.

"I'm sorry but I'm going to have to cut this short" Maan returned to the room.

"Its okay, we're finished anyway" Geet responded adding "Kartik will email you the drafted designs this week sometime"

Kartik looked at her astonished realising what her words meant, he grinned widely nodding his head, he jotted it down on the word iPad and followed Geet out the door as she bid his brother bye.

"Did I hear correctly?" he asked climbing into the car.

"If I have to repeat it, then no you didn't hear correctly" Geet answered as she buckled in and started the car. Kartik didn't ask again, he grinned widely unable to hold his happiness back.

Looks isn't always everything.

Geet closed the door behind her shaking her head at another disaster of a date. She cursed walking into the kitchen pulling open the cupboard and grabbed the bottle of wine.

She poured herself a glass of red wine and sipped pondering over her date tonight, it had been filled with her date spilling clich lines all throughout. She kicked off her heels sliding open the balcony doors and stepped outside taking in the cool evening air.

She smiled as she looked over her balcony enjoying the view of the night sky, shining bright stars shone from high above the dark sky. She reached over for the remote and switched on her iPhone dock.

"You made me do this"

"Blaming me as always. We done this, Pearson. Together"

She took another sip as the memory repeated itself inwardly. He was right, they'd done that together because they'd both been selfish. They saw nothing beyond themselves.

Memories continue to haunt

Until they are set free

Maan jerked upright breathing heavily, sweat misted his skin all over. He brushed his hand through his damp hair recalling the memory, or should he say nightmare.

"Don't you dare die on me" Maan yelled shaking his friend fiercely, "You've got to make it".

"I...I..."

"Yash, you can't do this! Ansh is waiting for you, man" he yelled as he looked around the disaster surrounding him. "You've got to survive for Ansh, he's waiting for his daddy" he continued to shout unaware of the extent of his own injuries. Nothing else mattered but helping his friends, he couldn't lose them like this.

Maan rubbed a hand over his face as he recalled how he'd stared at the dead eyes of his friend, he covered his ears trying to block the noises that played over and over.

"Where's my husband, Maan?"

He stared blankly into the eyes of Kiara holding Ansh in her arms.

"Maan, answer me" Kiara stepped forward, tears spilled down her eyes. "Where is Yash?"

Maan turned his head away, he had no answer for he was too ashamed. He closed his eyes wincing as the tear that slipped down burned his skin.

"I'm sorry" he whispered as he rocked back and forth wishing the memories were snatched away. He wanted to bury them so far back so they stopped reminding him of what losses they'd all faced. He hadn't just lost the function of half his body, he didn't lose his appearance, he lost his friends, he lost the fathers of those sons, he'd lost the husbands of those women that were waiting for their return.