Sneha remained stunned since the moment she entered the room where she was to have lunch with one of the most influential men in Mumbai. Her eyes remained wide as she saw the exquisite architectural work on the ceilings, paintings on the walls, pleasing carpets on the floor and the lightings all around her. Everything was beautiful and she could stay all day and night seeing them.

Even now, as she sat at a table meant for two, she kept her gaze on the different culinary items placed in front of her in a disciplined manner. She heard the sound of the closing of the door and immediately realized that Viraj had come back. He had excused himself for a short while after he made her sit comfortably on the chair.

She knew he had gone to wash his hands since she had touched him in the basement with dirty hands.

"I hope I didn't make you wait much." Viraj said as he walked in her direction making her more nervous. She noticed her bag in his right hand as she shook her head in a polite gesture.

"Thank you for bringing my bag." She said with a short smile when he placed it on the nearby table. He only nodded in response and took his own seat...too elegantly for her liking.

There was a momentary silence between them and she wondered what was she supposed to say. To be on the safer side, she just remained quiet and hoped for this meeting to get over soon.

"I didn't know what you prefer for lunch, so I asked the chef to prepare what my friend suggested." He initiated the conversation finally.

She looked at him as she nodded.

"About the...chip...Who kept it in my bag?" She slowly asked when she felt that his mood was good enough.

In response, he only stared at her with a hard look on his face. She wondered if she had asked the wrong question.

He won't shoot me, right! She thought.

"Someone I know. You don't need to know the details. I will deal with it." He partially lied, knowing very well how she will freak out if she gets to know that it was him who had done it. And, somehow, he didn't want her to scold him!

Sneha nodded as she looked at the table again. She really wanted to know who was behind it and why would she be targeted!

Exactly at that moment, the door opened again and two waitresses entered with their food properly placed in a trolley. They had a wide gentle smile on their faces which made Sneha smile as well. Viraj, however, didn't even spare a glance to the women.

"Good afternoon, Mr Khatri. Good afternoon ma'am." They greeted and placed the food in front of them elegantly.

Sneha looked at the plate kept in front of her along with a bowl of soup. A small cup of sauce was then placed near the plate. Lastly, the waitress poured a glass of water for her. The other woman did the same for Viraj. Except for the fact he was additionally provided with a glass of red wine while she was not.

"Would you like to have some wine?" He asked when he caught her looking at his wine glass.

She looked at him and then shook her head negatively.

"Answer in words, Sneha." He ordered sternly which stunned her.

"Uhh...No." She managed to squeak out.

So, he's back to his arrogant self. She concluded.

"We hope you enjoy the lunch! Please call us if you need anything by pressing the button under the table. Thank you." One of them said with a huge smile and then they left them alone.

"Please." Viraj motioned her to begin.

Sneha looked at her plate with a shocked expression.

On one side of the plate, there was a collection of mixed fruits. On the left were some veggies and on a small partition, there were some exotic nuts.

He ordered a salad for lunch! She thought with distaste because she was an anti-fan of salad. She never even had them at her home even when her parents would literally force her to eat. Priya would have liked it, but not her!

"Is it not to your liking?" Viraj asked as he assessed her expression.

She looked at him bewildered but then quickly covered it with a small smile.

"No, it's great! I have never seen so many types of fruits and vegetables together." She lied openly as she took the fork to begin.

Just eat it, Sneha! Don't be so picky. She scolded herself and started searching for the fruit that she must attack first.

"It will taste better if you have them with the sauce." He interrupted her when he noticed her eat the salad plainly.

She looked at him again with confusion. He then showed her what he meant by dipping the carrot in the sauce and then eating.

"Oh, okay." She said and imitated him.

"Have the soup once in a while." He guided her again and she only nodded.

They ate in silence for a while when he broke the silence first.

"About your self-defence classes...where do you go for the training?" He asked.

Sneha thought he was asking her out of his doubts again, so, she sighed.

Will he ever trust me! She wondered.

"There is an academy near our locality." She answered as she picked on the papaya.

"For how long have you been training?" He asked further.

"It's been almost...8 years." She answered after a quick calculation.

"And you are still blue belt?" He asked with a chuckle.

She looked at him with an annoyed look.

Is he mocking me? She thought bitterly.

"Well, unlike someone who learns fighting to earn a living, I have other important tasks to do." She retorted with a fake smile.

His smirk only grew wider.

"Are you referring to me?" He asked playfully.

"No. I am just giving my reasons." She lied as she focused on the soup.

"Well, focus more then. You never know when you'd have to face a black-belt holder." He said, trying to incite her.

Is he referring to himself? She wondered as she faced him.

"I only use my skills for self-defence." She replied cautiously because she had no interest in angering a mafia person.

Viraj just smiled when she brought the conversation to a peaceful halt. They ate for a while in silence again when he initiated again.

"Ananya told me about the project that you two have to do together." He started another conversation.

"Uhh...Yes. EVS project. But, I have no hand in it. Initially, my friend and I were going to do it together. But, then suddenly the professor gave us the list of pairs who had to work together. If you do not want us to work together, I will request the professor..." She continued her babbling when he finally interrupted her.

"Calm down, Sneha. I am not objecting to you both working together." He chuckled.

"Oh!" She looked down sheepishly.

"She told me how you both should work together in it." He added.

"Yes. We had a discussion over it." She said.

Why is he talking about our stuff? She wondered.

"You must come to my house for the project." He spoke finally.

She stopped chewing and looked at him blankly. Gulping slowly, she answered.

"Uhh...We were thinking of doing the project at our respective homes. I mean, we will split the project..."

"I know. She told me about it all. But, don't you think it is against the ethics of teamwork?"

"I...I don't understand. Ethics of teamwork?"

"Since it is a team project, the team members must work on it together. Otherwise, what is the purpose of the project?" He explained.

For a moment, she thought over it. But, one thing was sure. She wasn't going to step into that house again.

"Then, we will work on the project in the college itself." She suggested.

"I can't allow my sister in the college after academic hours." He added quickly.

"Then we will work at my home?" She said, which almost came as a question.

"No. I need to be assured of my sister's safety."

"My home is safe and so is my locality." She pointed out.

If there is somewhere that is not safe, then that is your house. She thought.

"I don't take risks with my sister's safety." It was his only answer.

She looked at him with a defeated expression. And, he knew that he had won the deal.

"What about my safety, then?" She asked slowly.

"I assure you no one will harm you at my house." He promised as he resumed his eating.

"The last time, I was there, you almost..."

"It won't happen again." He interrupted sternly which made her shut her mouth.

"There is another reason... for why I can't... come to your home." She slowly added, fearing his anger to resurface.

He took a deep breath and looked at her again.

This girl is so persistent. He thought but didn't interrupt her. She still didn't understand that if he wants something, others must make sure they make it happen for him.

She began when he remained silent.

"I can't take leave from the library where I work." She raised her concern.

"I will pay you the compensation." He said instantly.

She only shook her head.

"I don't want your compensation. What I am trying to say is that we only get one day leave in a month. If we remain absent for more than five days, our part-time contract will be cancelled." She explained.

"That's it? Are there any other concerns of yours?" He asked in a straight tone which made her scared indeed.

"N.No."

"I will talk to the head of the library. They won't cancel your contract." He assured.

Sneha only sighed.

She lost...again.

"So, from tomorrow onwards, I expect you to work efficiently with my sister on this project, at my house." He concluded.

Sneha stared at her plate while thinking of ways to contradict.

"Okay?" He asked for her confirmation.

She hesitantly looked at him and even more hesitantly nodded.

"Answer in words, Sneha." He reminded her again, hating her speechless answers.

"Yes." She answer with a sigh and focused on her plate.

Papa will never let me go to his home! She thought over it.

"Eat." He reminded her and she looked at the plate with even more distaste.

She had lost all appetite, despite being so hungry a while ago.

"Uhh...Can I get it all packed?" She asked.

"Pack what?" He asked as he drank his wine.

"The food. I am full actually." She lied.

He only stared at her, not believing her words. She only had completed a quarter of her plate.

"...and, it would be wrong to waste so much food." She added.

He thought over it a while before calling for the waitress.

"Pack her food and take away these." He told the waitress while motioning towards the used items.

"Yes, Mr Khatri. Would you like to fill the feedback form?" The waitress asked both of them.

"No." Viraj answered immediately.

Sneha felt bad when she saw the embarrassed expression on the waitress' face. She felt as if she was at her place because Viraj did talk to her rudely as well.

"I'd like to fill the form." Sneha spoke quickly attracting his attention.

The waitress nodded with a smile and removed the used plates and other items from the table.

"I'll bring it right away, ma'am." The waitress added and left.

"You like to defy me, right." He asked out of nowhere when he assessed her recent behaviour.

She looked at him with a confused face.

"What? No, Viraj. Why would I like that?" She defended.

"Then, are you planning to visit here again?"

"Uhh...no."

"Then why fill a form when you are not going to enjoy the benefit of it?" He asked curiously.

She thought over the question. Why did she do it?

"Because the waitress asked for it. And, it would make her happy if we'd write good things about their service." She answered honestly.

He didn't understand her point of view. why would she try to make someone happy at the expense of her valuable time? He wondered.

"Anyway, I wanted to give you something." He added while they waited for the package to arrive.

She looked at him confused again. What would he give her? She wondered.

He retrieved a navy-blue coloured slim device from his blazer's inner pocket and slid it towards her.

A smartphone? She thought as she saw it.

She looked from the smartphone to him and then to the phone again.

"Uhh...why are you giving me this?" She asked.

"My men broke your phone that day, right? Consider it as a replacement." He added, feeling proud of his action. It was the latest model device, after all, and she would have never thought of possessing one ever in her life. He knew it.

Not even an apology! She thought and framed her reply.

"My phone was not like this." She merely said.

"What?"

"If you want to give me a new phone, then give me the same model that your men broke. I can not expect anything more or less than that." She tried to answer politely, in order to not hurt his ego.

"This is the latest model available in the market. Instead of this, you want that cheap old-fashioned one?" He asked, not understanding her point.

"Yes." She answered after a short awkward pause.

Viraj sighed but still nodded and kept the phone back in his pocket.

The waitress entered again with the package and the form in her hand.

"Here is your parcel, ma'am."

Sneha accepted it with gratitude and kept it inside her bag.

She then filled the form quickly and gave five stars to every point to make it quick.

Viraj then guided her towards the door when a loud thunder roared. She looked out of the window in bewilderment. It wasn't supposed to rain today! And, she wasn't carrying an umbrella.

Nonetheless, she maintained her composure and walked behind him towards the exit of the restaurant.

"Uhh...I will go, then." She spoke when they reached near the reception and the exit was visible.

He slightly turned around to look at her.

"Go where?" He asked.

She raised her brows.

"Home." She answered nonetheless.

"I will drop you home." He said firmly.

"But..." She interrupted when he glared at her for going against him again.

She still contradicted him.

"I am sure you must have important work to do. So, I will go home by myself. It's completely fine." She said while faking a smile.

"Let me make it up to you for how my men treated you today." He simply stated as he resumed his walking towards the parking area.

"But, Viraj..."

"Don't make me repeat myself, Sneha." He clearly ordered in his usual tone.

Sneha huffed at his audacity to order her around when he didn't hold any right over her. But, remembering what he did last time and what he could do to her, she reluctantly walked behind him.

Opening the door of his car for her to enter, he took the driver's seat.

"Whom should I return this dress to?" She asked when they came out in the traffic.

He gave her a side glance to see what she was referring to.

"You can throw it. No need to return it to the restaurant." He answered.

"Throw?" She asked as if he was kidding.

"Yes. These clothes are meant for the VIPs who mistakenly spoil their dress and need an urgent replacement." He explained.

"Do...do I need to pay for it?" She asked hesitantly.

He only chuckled.

"Don't worry about it." He answered.

When their home was near, Sneha called Priya through her mother's phone.

"Priya." She spoke.

"Yup, di. Is everything okay?" Priya asked instantly.

"Yes. I am coming back. Make sure papa and mummy remain in their room. Don't let them see me." She told her sister.

"What? Why?" Priya asked. Even Viraj looked at her in confusion.

"Just do what I am telling you to. I will explain later. I will reach in ten minutes." Sneha firmly said.

"But, di, that won't be possible! Bua (Father's sister) and her entire family are here. They are scattered all over the house!" Priya explained.

"Why are they here today?" Sneha whined in frustration.

"What's the problem?" Priya asked again.

Sneha sighed before explaining her situation.

"Something happened and my clothes got ruined. I had to borrow a dress from the restaurant. And, I can't come in this dress because then papa will ask hundreds of questions. I can't tell him I was out with..." She hung the sentence when she realized Viraj was in the car as well.

"But then...what can we do now?" Priya asked lowly...in concern for her sister.

"I don't know what to do now. Papa will kill me!" Sneha sighed on phone.

"Ask her to bring a set of your clothes. And, you can change them in my car." Viraj suggested out of nowhere when he saw her panic.

Sneha looked at him in confusion. But, he had a point.

"Priya. Bring a grey coloured top and black jeans. Meet me near the colony gate. I will change it here and then I will come home." Sneha told her sister.

"But, where will you change there?" Priya asked again.

"Just do as I say!" Sneha stated strictly.

"Okay! Okay! I am coming there." Priya sighed and went back into her room to get a grey coloured top with matching black jeans.

"You will wait outside, right?" Sneha asked him to which he only chuckled.

I guess, I asked the wrong question. She scolded herself.

When the gate arrived, he halted exactly near a tree and honked for Priya to know that they were here.

"Pull these shields and you will have complete privacy." He stated and opened the car's door to exit. Priya halted for a second when she saw Viraj but then hesitantly gave the bag to her sister. Sneha came out to go to the backseat to change.

"I will be back in 2 minutes." She told her sister and started shielding the windows and the partition between the front and back.

As soon as she removed her clothes from her bag, she wanted to really hit her head somewhere. Priya had decided to select the most childish grey-coloured top for her. It had a girl-cartoon with a pout-look which appeared as if she was throwing a kiss.

Priya! She sighed.

Nonetheless, she wore it because she had no other alternative.

However, as soon as she started to unzip her dress, it got stuck and it started raining altogether.

"Oh shit!" She whispered because Viraj might be getting wet. Priya had brought an umbrella but she doubted that her sister would give shelter to the one who broke her cycle.

Why isn't it opening! She almost shouted and in the haste tore the zip in order to come out quickly. It took her exact five minutes to complete her task and when she opened the door to come out, she was shocked to see a very wet form of Viraj.

She was right.

Priya didn't give him shelter under her umbrella!