Ranveer walked down the stairs hiding his amazement. Before he was the most beautiful limousine he had seen in his life. He couldn't believe an Indian limo service could afford such vehicles. And it was here to receive him. I think I am finally a star, he told himself.

The door was opened for him and his chin rose with pride. His chest swelled and the back straightened. He gave the attendant a passing look along with a smile to which attendant politely smiled back. Ranveer hopped in.

The insides of the limo reminded Ranveer of the hotel suite. But it was not as weird as in the suite. He felt treasured here as opposed to used back in the hotel. Probably because it was a new experience. But it wasn't the time to think about that. Ranveer wished to enjoy every moment of now.

He sat on the comfortable seat what was beside Deepika but still, she was a good arms distance away at the other window. Everything in the car looked inward, like inside an airtight cockpit. A space shuttle might feel the same. The world seemed too distant, which was probably the best part for Ranveer. And the worst for Deepika.

Ranveer checked out Deepika for the first time since they were together in the suite. She looked stunning in the white skirt that showed her slender legs in ample amount. Something brewed in his chest and he was amused that Deepika's shiny legs made his mouth water. He laughed and said, "You look great."

"Yeah, you too," she turned to say and went back to staring the starless sky.

"Tired?"

She sat back on the seat and sighed.

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"You know, commitments, press, and the fucking fans," she said grimly.

"What?!" Ranveer said, amused.

"Yeah, yeah I love them, some more than others," she said. "Except those jizzers," she winked. "But..."

"What?" said Ranveer genuinely interested now.

"I can't... you know.." she paused to think. "I can't love them all the time," Deepika said as if she had a revelation. "It's just not possible to love them all the time."

Ranveer admired how far ahead of him in the evolution of stardom Deepika was. She can give him classes on handling stardom and understanding fans.

"It's just not possible to love anyone all the time," Deepika stated.

Ranveer frowned. "Is there a hidden message in there somewhere?" he chuckled.

Deepika hesitated. Did she say too much?

But, why shouldn't she? A different part of her brain reasoned. Weren't they a couple?

"Oh damn!" said Ranveer. He was fiddling with some controls on his armrest.

"What!" Deepika said glad that the topic changed.

Suddenly, the lights inside changed to those of a nightclub. Beady patterns of lights filled the car with EDM music.

Deepika's face lit up and gave a sly smile to Ranveer. The next moment a cabinet moved beside her and a screen slide to reveal a sealed bottle of wine and two upturned glasses. She grabbed the bottle and turned to Ranveer excitedly. "Want a drink?"

He leaned forward to grab the bottle from her and perused the label. "A cheap one," he said.

"Don't drink then," she picked up one glass and went for the bottle.

Ranveer pulled away from his hand and said, "Let me do the honors, ma'am."

After two drinks which Deepika thoroughly enjoyed and Ranveer did not, Deepika's nerves calmed.

Ranveer felt Deepika might get sloshed so he kept the bottle away. "Let's not waste too many taste buds on cheap stuff," he said.

"You think you know too much about wines, Mr. Connoisseur!"

"I don't claim that but certainly more than you do."

"I knew someone who knew a lot more than those snooty good-for-nothing wine experts."

"Mmhmm?"

"And the guy wasn't even rich."

"Really? Let's hear that story, then," Ranveer turned the music down.

"Oh, there is nothing much. I met him when I played badminton at the state level."

"Who was he?"

"Hotel staff. I was staying in his hotel in Kolkata."

"Hmm. Go on."

"I had to attend a function, one of those traditional government ones. So I needed to wear a saree. But anyone in my family who had ever known to wear a saree was long dead," she said.

"You were alone?" Ranveer's interest in the story grew as he listened intently.

"Yes. Probably the reason why I even have this story is that I was alone," she smiled now. "I asked him if he knew anyone who could tie my saree on such short notice. And you know what, he said he would do it if I didn't mind."

Ranveer's eyebrows rose. "Very peculiar."

"Indeed. And I didn't mind because he said he had a daughter my age and," she paused. "And because I was different back then."

Ranveer frowned but did not interrupt.

Deepika continued. "So he tied my saree and there were times his hands went to places that caused embarrassment to both of us. But in the end, he did a fine job and I attended the function representing Karnataka wearing Bangla style saree."

"Cool," Ranveer said and after an afterthought, interjected. "Wait! Where is the wine bit?"

"Later I asked him what I could do to thank him."

"You did?" Ranveer was amazed.

"Yeah," said Deepika understanding where Ranveer meant to take the discussion. "And he was an absolute gentleman. He asked me if I could buy him a bottle of wine, a certain special kind. I don't even remember which. I could so I did. He talked at length about various wines he had tasted during his time in the hotel. He was immensely grateful."

"That's it?"

"Yeah," Deepika eyed him.

"So you didn't have sex?"

"What!" Deepika blurted.

"I always had sex with girls who helped me," he boasted.

"Not everyone is as perverted as you are."

"Hard to believe, but if you say so..."

Deepika rolled her eyes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you like this chapter,

Vote,

and Share it with your friends and other fans Ranveer and Deepika.

Tell me what you liked or disliked about the chapter in comments to help the story grow.

Peace.