FF: Temptations- Chapter 7: Page 17: Mar 11

He smiled to himself recalling her sweet scent which was still lingering in the room, wreaking absolute havoc on his senses as well as his body. As he watched her retreating figure it took him all the energy he could muster to not go after her, yet he knew that acting irrational was not going to get him anywhere. Her rejection spurred him on further, as he balled his fists, even more determined to get what he wanted. He was not used to hearing the word 'No' and neither was he planning to get used to it, but maybe this was a good thing, he thought. He liked challenges, this would make things much more enjoyable and he was always up for a bit of excitement. It may be difficult, but it would not be impossible. If there was one thing he was good at, it was making women go weak in the knees. She would not be able to hold on to her stand for much longer, she would be powerless to resist him, he would make sure of that. After all, he was Dutta Shreeram Patil. And if Dutta Shreeram Patil wanted something, that something would be his no matter what.

Chapter One will be posted below shortly 😳

~:* PM List *:~

It was a warm sunny morning, the gently melody of birds singing filled the air and the rays of brightness shined in from the windows, disturbing his sleep. Groaning, he turned flat on to his stomach and sunk into the softness of his pillow. Willing himself, he got up, pressing his temples as a tang of pain shot through his head. He didn't remember much of last night, but one thing he knew for sure is that he had got a bit carried away. He had not refused the drinks that were being offered by the countless beautiful women that clung on to him throughout the night. There were two things he loved in life: money and women, and he couldn't live without either.

Disregarding his hangover, he unemotionally stared at the woman lying on his bed for a moment, smirking at how much of a success last night had been. He knew she would be gone by the time he got home, and he wouldn't even remember her, just like the others. After choosing his favorite black suit from the cupboard he made his way to the bathroom and ran himself a cold shower, he pushed his hair back and let his head fall back, closing his eyes and letting the cold water soothe the aching in his body. Wrapping a towel around himself he strolled out of the bathroom. He got dressed effortlessly, polishing his shoes, and putting on his tie, and then made his way downstairs.

Walking down the stairs in his usual charming way he took a seat next to his father on the dining table and engrossed himself in the newspaper. Shreeram Patil stared at his son incredulously and shook his head, he should have been used to it by now but it still managed to surprise him seeing his eldest son indulge in such frivolous acts. He wanted to see his son settle down and start a family, he wished to see his son fulfill his duties, and most of all he wanted to hold his first grandchild. But he knew this was a long-shot, and his son was not going to change so soon.

'You came home rather late last night didn't you?' asked Shreeram, whilst sipping on his tea, unsuccessfully trying to plaster over the annoyance that showed on his face.

'So you think it was early do you? And was there someone with you? I thought I heard giggling,' prodded Shreeram. This was a regular occurrence, made daily since Sheeram's wife and Dutta's mother Shakuntala had gone to visit her sister in Delhi. Dutta saw it as a liberating experience, and this experience would always be questioned by Shreeram the following morning.

'Baba- why don't you just say what you want to say and get it over with,' said Dutta, finally putting down the newspaper, and pouring himself a cup of coffee from the pot.

'Beta, I don't like seeing you like this. I understand that you are a grown man, and you have...needs...but I think it is time you stop all this partying shartying and settle down!' announced Shreeram.

Dutta coughed through the middle of drinking his coffee and looked up to see a determined Shreeram. 'Settle down?'

'Yes- settle down' Shreeram responded calmly 'It would make me and your mother so happy to have a bahu in the house...she would take care of the house so well- and most of all she would take care of you.'

'I do not need taking care of Baba,' said Dutta. Him having to spend his whole life with just one woman was next to impossible.

'Well I think you do- you are getting older Dutta...it is about time you think of finding that special girl and get married,' started Shreeram, already dreaming of his house being brightened up with the entrance of their daughter-in-law.

'I am getting late for work, we will talk about this another time...,' said Dutta '...or never' he muttered to himself, picking up his briefcase and fixing his suit.

'You can't keep running away from this Dutta- once Shakuntala comes back we will start searching for a girl for you,' called Shreeram's voice from behind as Dutta neared the front door.

Pretending not to hear it, Dutta turned to face Shreeram. 'I might be late tonight, I have an important...meeting...with someone,' he said and walked out of the door.

'Course you do,' mumbled Shreeram, letting out a big sigh. He knew once Shakuntala returned they would together be able to bring their son to his senses.

~

As he entered the office, Dutta paused for a moment to flash a smile to the receptionist, before taking his route to his cabin. Out of the corner of his eye he noted his female employees straightening up their shirts and re-applying their lipstick as they saw him enter the office. This gave him an enormous sense of satisfaction but simultaneously frustrated him, as this was his office, not a club. Entering the comfort of his cabin, the first he did was admire the portrait of his parents that hung rightfully on the adjacent wall of his cabin. He may like to tease his parents, but they were the most important people in his life, who he not only idolized but respected beyond all bounds. Taking off his jacket and placing it on the coat hook he sat down on his large leather chair. Immersing himself in his work, it was not long before a knock on his cabin door had him sitting up.

'Come in,' he called out and his personal assistant leisurely walked in.

'Morning Tanisha,' he said casually, not bothering to look up from his laptop.

'Your tea sir,' she said, leaning forward seductively, hoping to take advantage of her low cut shirt.

He frowned, wondering why Tanisha was bringing him his tea when it was clearly not her job to do so. Looking up he found himself at eye line with her cleavage and his jaw involuntarily fell.

'Nice...,' he cleared his throat, '...shirt you have there,' he said. Tanisha beamed at his comment. He chose to take no notice to the look of contentment that suddenly shined on her face.

'You know what would be nicer? That file I asked for twenty minutes ago. So...,' he pointed towards the door firmly. Tanisha's face fell, and getting the hint she left the cabin, moping for the rest of the day.

If there were two things Dutta Shreeram Patil loved, it was money and women. Yet women were far from his mind when he was at the office, where he preferred keeping things professional and orderly. It was this astute, imaginative and daring approach to business that had made him the successful businessman that he was today.

~

As he finished putting the last touches to the contract that he had been working on for seven weeks, he loosened his tie and grabbed his suit jacket from the coat hook. Meeting Sonia outside the office he sought to kiss her, just to be interrupted by the continuous buzzing of his cell phone.

'Hello,' he greeted. It was so typical of his father to ruin his night of fun, he thought, shaking his head. 'I told you I had an important meeting tonight- what do you want?' he said impatiently. Shreeram however, was far too excited to detect the annoyance in his son's voice.

'Dutta, forget the meeting, guess who is back home? It's your mother!' he exclaimed, unable to hold his excitement.

'What?!' responded Dutta. 'Aayi's home?'

'Yes, she came home early and surprised me. Anyway, you come home right now, she is desperate to see you,' he said, and hung up the phone before Dutta could get a word in edgeways.

Dutta turned to Sonia and apologized. 'Something's come up...maybe another time?' he said and bent to kiss her cheek, leaving for home. Sonia watched him leave and cursed her bad luck.

~

Dutta returned home to find his mother waiting restlessly for him. It warmed him to see her after so many days, despite it meaning that his partying would have to be cut down. Shakuntala rose at the sight of her son and gave him her blessings as he reached down to touch her feet. Dutta embraced his mother affectionately and pressed a small kiss on her head.

'How are you beta? You know I missed you so much!' said Shakuntala, her smile getting wider.

Dutta grinned, 'I am very well Aayi...and I missed you too,' he said.

'You know, Kavita Taayi and I would talk about you all the time! And we also had so much fun looking at your baby pictures!' she said excitedly.

'Baby pictures?' groaned Dutta, rolling his eyes.

'You were such a gorgeous baby!' said Shakuntala, pinching his cheeks out of instinct.

'I am not denying that fact Aayi', Dutta said boldly.

This time it was Shreeram's turn to roll his eyes. 'Please Shakuntala...don't inflate his ego even more than it already is,' he joked, causing her to chuckle in response. They both knew their son very well- they knew all too well that he was a tad self-centered.

'Dutta...you look like you haven't eaten in days!' she started, her motherly instincts taking over. 'Where is Roshni?' asked Shakuntala referring to their servant. 'I will get her to make something- Roshni...Roshni,' she called, yet there was no answer.

'Shakuntala...,' interrupted Shreeram, 'Roshni doesn't work here anymore,' he announced, surprising both Shakuntala and Dutta.

'But why? What happened?' she asked.

'I caught her stealing from our bedroom. When she saw me she ran away with the money. I checked the cupboard and saw that she had taken five lakh rupees,' he said, shaking his head in dismay.

'I cannot believe it...Roshni of all people,' said Shakuntala, tears stinging the back of her eyes. Roshni had been like a family member for five years, Shakuntala herself had bought Roshni into their home when she found her in a dreadful zombie like state near her maternal village seven years back. 'She could have just asked us, we wouldn't have said no!'

'Baba...you should have told me this before!' said Dutta, seething with anger, unable to see his mother upset. He warmly put his arm around Shakuntala in an attempt to compose her.

'What is done is done. There is no point in lamenting over it,' said Shreeram. 'I will search for someone else to take her job tomorrow,' he said. Regretting the fact that he had ruined the happy atmosphere, Shreeram nudged Shakuntala, and began singing her favorite song, and soon the mood mellowed. It amazed Dutta, to say the least, to see his parents so much in love even after so many years of being together. Oddly, he could never imagine himself being in the same position.

Love Zahra 😳 x