Affordability
Lots of food and various types of beverages were brought in from cocnut water to fresh squeeze lemonade.
"Did you think about the date?" he asked
He watched her expression change right in front of his eyes
From occasional nervousness to terror.
"Umm.. not to my father... not yet" she said quietly
"I meant the date" he pressed
She realized she was answering the wrong question
"I have no lawyer. I want to know how to make sure my father can be helped" she insisted
"I can have the money transfered to your account the hour we get married" he said calmly
"Can I still get Ready Noodle franchise?" she asked
"Ofcourse you can, you can pay cash for it now" he said with a slight twitch of those delectable lips
His lower lips fuller than the upper, making it appear like he was pouting.
Instead of giving the money can I just get a confirmation for Ready Noodle franchise?" she asked logically
He looked a bit startled...
"You sure can... but I thought if your family changed your mind you would want to do something else with the money?"
She nodded sadly.
He pushed a glossy blue binder towards her
"background check information" he said
She looked surprised
"You have to live here. I dont want you to think I have" he stopped ("criminal intent"?)
she nodded
"I dont have" she said
"Thats fine" he said quietly
"My attorney will get us a prenup" he said
"What is that?"
"Its a legal document describing each of our assets and liabilities and how they are off limits to both of us" he said
She nodded in a daze
"You have list?" she asked wondering if he knew how much wealth he had
He lowered his gaze and nodded
"I dont have list" she said and then said "I dont... I only have bank account" she said
He wanted to say "Its not for you. Its to protect me"
But didnt
But the message sunk in slowly.
"Makes sense" she said softly
Brunch was wheeled in
"I never asked you if you are a vegatarian or have any allergies?" he said politely
"I eat fish.. and eggs.. I dont like meat" she said as if those were vegetables
"Good then you should be fine today" he said
There were pressed sandwiches, soups and sliced up paranthas
She ate sparingly
"Can my father come?" she said trying to fight back tears after tasting the most delicious cheese stuffed paranthas
He wanted to say "Absolutely not. I dont want that man anywhere near me. I want him to stew in agony"
He looked at her as he formulated a suitable response
"I know this is not usual marriage" she put him out of misery
"I will go see him" she offered
"As many times as you like" he finished
Fear overtook him that second
He didnt know how Mr Shanbag was going to react
He was too busy relishing his grandpa's reaction in his mind
"If its going to be annulled. So be it" "I can still hit the drum roll" he reassured himself
"Or maybe I should take her up on the offer of beginning the Redy Noodle transition instead of handing her a check?
If things get torn down and happen to be in work in progress they have to come up with the 5 or 6 lakhs?
But what about if the franchise agreement gets torn down and thrown away and his daughter gets to go back to Ullal? On the day of the wedding?
How adamant will Trisha be to follow through on giving her father his dream restaurant no matter what.
That is the key
she ate quietly
Her fingers were long and slender. Her lashes curled all the way up her eye lids. She tended to finger her pendant every few minutes.
He noticed more burn spots on her arm, bigger ones...
He had to get up and walk away...compassion was clashing with cruelty... he couldnt afford that.
Edited by Nisha0604 - 6 years ago