OKAY YELO. BOHAT HI RANDOM HAI. Also This Bajaj is kind of different from my Bajaj. I wrote it post my first OS so I was still mulling over stuff and since the scene isn't complete and I hate it but parhlo.š¤£
Prerna sank to her knees in the steaming hot water. The heat loosened her stiff muscles and the scent of fresh roses and lilies drifting off the candles sheād placed at the end of the tub lulled the lethargy out of her bones. She smothered the sponge with soap and began a trail up her skin. Only to halt when a commotion sounded the air.
Her eyes shot open and the lazy languor that had spread through her body dissipated, leaving in its place a wanton, sizzling electric buzz that began at the tip of her fingers and rushed to the end of her toes.
He was home. Finally, he was home. And heād seen what sheād done.
Prerna shook with mirth, a giggle bubbling up inside her chest and swallowing the silence.
She had wanted to be there when he finally experienced her artwork. But the risk had outweighed the reward. She tried imagining his reaction, now. His luminous, black eyes enlarging with rage, his fists clenched, his jaw tapering to a tick. Another giggle burst forth.
It was his fault, she reasoned. All she wanted to do was talk. Negotiate. But he wouldnāt listen. So, sheād to stoop to doing something that would gain his attention.
She hadnāt done much. Except, paint his bedroom and office. The color she was told he specifically detested. A dark, shocking pink. And of course, while she was at it, and he was gone for a six-days conference, she messed his wardrobe. That is poke a hole in few of his favorite shirts. Or all of his favorite shirts. Sheād lost count.
Prerna cast her legs out, and rested her head against the rim, letting her fingertips draw a trail across her bare arms. He must be livid. Fuming with anger. But heād wait for her. And sheād take her time.
Except that wasnāt what happened.
A bang rent the air and the door rocked back on its hinges, slamming against the wall.
A sputtering cry escaped her throat, and she jerked up, splashing water across the lacquered walls, drenching the parquet and the crimson rug. Panic festooned and her hands crimped, folding across her glistening, naked body. She fumbled and opened her mouth to scream, but his eyes were elsewhere.
In three purposeful strides, he reached for the glass slider on the other side of the restroom, wrenched her terry robe off the hook, and threw it at her.
Turning his back to her, he went for the door, and clinched the lock, forcing her inside with him, āten seconds,ā rage brewed in his words, āput that on.ā
Prerna jumped to her feet, clamping the robe around her, pushing her hands through the folds in a frenzy, āyou insensitive, barbaricāā
āFour seconds. Threeāā
āStop it!ā
āOne.ā
āGet out!ā
He turned, and branded her with a frost-stare, āyou wanted my attention? You have it. Letās negotiate.ā
Prerna tightened the robe around her, tying the belt with quick, nimble fingers, and made a move to get out of the tub, āget out. Right now.ā
āStep out and youāll regret what happens next,ā the words were dark and promising.
Prerna stilled, shaking with panic and something more. Sheād played with fire and now she was singed. He wasnāt just livid. He was emanating a dangerous, animal energy that terrified her.
āIf you donāt go away, Iāll scream.ā
He was pitiless, āthis is my house. No one will come.ā
āYou canāt be here!ā
āI can go anywhere I bloody well please.ā
He was turning colder by the second. Back to the aloof, ruthless man she knew so well. And she didnāt know whether that shouldāve scared her or thrown her into the arms of relief.
Her chin rose, āthis may be your house, but this is my room! You canāt invade someoneāsāā
āPrivacy?ā He advanced on her and she backed off, āsay it. I dare you.ā
Prernaās foot slipped and she lurched but he was close and quick. He raised her out of the tub and carried her to the marble countertop, forcing her on the perch and standing between her legs.
Prerna was red, scampering for refuge. But he only pressed closer.
āWhat are you doing?ā She breathed.
His face drew close and his bottomless eyes held her captive, āwhatās wrong? Am I making you uncomfortable?ā
She pressed her damp palms against his shirt but he didnāt budge.
āMr. Bajaj. We can talk outside.ā
āRight here is just fine. Come on Prerna. What is it that you want?ā
She watched the wet blot her hands had pressed against his shirt and cast a nervous glance around them. He was too close. His spicy, sandalwood scent permeated her senses. His pants pressed against her bare legs. His hands were around her. And his mouth sat too close for comfort. Prerna wanted to escape, but he was everywhere, smothering her with his presence, scaring herā¦exciting her, wreaking a havoc somehow only he could.
His fingers found light purchase beneath her chin, and she felt the hot, satin scrape of his thumb and forefinger against her jaw. He tilted her head toward him and she was lost in his brilliant, black stare, āboundaries Miss Sharma, are a two-way street. I respected yours and you should have respected mine. The next time you pull a stunt as childish as the one Iāve just met below, youāll find no sanctuary to hide. Do I make myself clear?ā
Prernaās anger flared, āIād like to call that civil disobedience. You left me with no choice. Iām tired of you and your curfews. Besides, you donāt have the right to lecture me on ethics. Not after what youāve done.ā
He was remorseless, dry, āyes. The rot festers my mind. I havenāt slept in days. I think Iām a changed man now.ā
āI canāt believe you.ā
āOh, then start now Miss Sharma. Because if you take me in on a war, itās going to get dirty.ā
She bared her teeth, āif someone had told me Iād be battling it out with the big, bad Rishab Bajaj, I wonāt have wasted my time on economics and accounting. I wouldāve headed straight for the war strategy section. Alas, poor Prerna.ā
He raised a brow, ākeep acting like a child Miss Sharma and youāll be treated like one.ā
Prerna smiled, ālet me complete the picture by sticking out my tongue.ā
He caught her head in a firm hold and brought her closer, ādo that and Iāll put you over my knee.ā
She felt his whisper. She felt it everywhere. Melting on her skin. Coiling inside her stomach. Brushing against her legs. Heating her blood. Her face was hot and she looked away, frenetic for a safe ground.
āAll of this is your fault,ā she found her distraction and held onto it with desperate words, āyouāve caged me and Sneha inside this museum you call house and weāre dying of boredom.ā
āCaged?ā
āYou donāt let me take her anywhere! The kid deserves some fun in life.ā
āWhat rubbish Miss Sharma. Sneha can go anywhere she wants.ā
āExcept the carnivals.ā
Rishab rolled his eyes, āexcept your bloody carnivals.ā
āMr Bajajāā
āThe rides are unsafe. The crowd is definitely not safe. And I have far too many enemies. Iām sure Sneha can do without a plastic horse giving her a tardy piggyback.ā
Prernaās frustration climbed, āyouāre robbing her of her childhood!ā
āYes. Iām afraid stopping her from visiting a pollen-infested dust camp is the end of the world.ā
āWhy donāt you get it? Your daughter wants to visit that pollen infested dust camp as you so respectfully put it. Iāve taken her everywhere. The mall arcades, the in-house skating rinks, the five-star amusement parks. But she wants to go see the road side circus. And she should. Thereās nothing wrong with curiosity. Itās an innocent wish. A wish youāre capable of fulfilling!ā
āMy daughterās safety is paramount Miss Sharma.ā
āNothing is going to happen to her. I promise.ā
He scoffed, āyou promise? What are you going to do? Throw a fish at someone who has a glock to your head?ā
āWell, your security guards can handle that. How many things can go wrong between now and then? Just one ride. Just one visit. She wonāt eat anything. Iāll make sure of that. You take care of the security. Iāll take care of your daughter. Why do we need to fight when we can give this to her? Together?ā
An imperceptible softness breached his stare, āPrernaāā
āI know your childhood sucked. But, hers doesnāt have to. If you protect her from the world but feed her to your own demons, whatās the point?ā
āYouāre good at lectures, Miss Sharma. Iāll give you that.ā
Prerna blew her fuse, āyou know what? Weāre done. Thank you for coming to my illuminating session. Now, you can get out. I need to shave my legs.ā
He slid a glance to her bare legs, flimsily covered by her robe, āin a minute. I have a proposal for you.ā
She perked up, āyouāre agreeing?ā
āWe can discuss the possibility, yes. I want a favor of you.ā
āA favor?ā
āIāll put 3% of Basu Publicationsā shares on the market. Same price I bought them for. In return, youāll quit your theatrics immediately and do as I want.ā
Prerna frowned, ājust 3%?ā
Rishabās mouth curled, āIām a businessman, Miss Sharma. 3% is quite a lot. At least for starters. You can always negotiate for more. Given Iām in the mood.ā
āWhat will I do? Nothing shady?ā
āDepends on the definition. Youāll go play golf with Madhvi Joshi and her clique on Wednesday, at five.ā
āMadhvi Joshi? The R&J Fashion Madhvi?ā
āHer, yes.ā
āI donāt know the first thing about golf. Wednesday is four days away.ā
āEnough time to marinate you in the basics. Mehra will start training you tomorrow. Besides, golf isnāt the point. Iām planning to takeover the company. I need you to find out whether their marriage is on the rocks or not.ā
āWhy? Are you interested Mr. Bajaj? Does that mean youāll release me and offer another heinous deal to Mrs. Madhvi?ā
āDonāt call her Mrs. Madhvi when you meet her. Sheāll take affront. And yes, Iām interested. Half of his assets will go to her in case of a divorce. I donāt want a white elephant at my hands.ā
āHow will I know whether she hates his guts or not? I hate yours. But the world has yet to call my bluff.ā
Bajaj pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear, āyouāre doing a splendid job, my love. Iām sure youāll figure it out. You have four days.ā