Chapter 1

Malhotra's Group Industries

"Sara did you get the reports on the Mehta's project?",A man in his mid twenties wearing a formal outfit asked walking close to Sara's desk.

" Yes I did and I have it on Manik's desk.",Sara said working on her computer without looking up.

" What about the Patel Interiors?",he asked leaning towards the desk to get her attention.

"He is going through them.",Sara said finishing the email she is working on.

" And what about... ",He opened his mouth to ask but Sara cuts him off and turns to face him moving her chair in his direction.

"I will send the details to your secretary Tanya by the end of the day. So Mike if you are done with your excuses to talk with me. I need to remind Manik about the takeover meeting. ",Sara said winking at him as he gets a surprise look on his face and walked back to his office looking down and cursing himself for being so obvious.

Sara gets up taking her ipad and walked inside Manik's office.

"Do you ever knock?",Manik asked her looking up from the file he was reviewing.

" Not my thing. ",Sara said walking closer to his desk.

He raised his eyebrow at her amused and leaned back on his chair.

"So what are you here for?",Manik asked her with a serious look.

"You have a meeting regarding the takeover and it starts in 5 minutes. ",Sara reminds him and he nods closing the file he was working on.

"Are they here?",he asked her getting up from his chair.

"They are in the conference room 2.",She answered and he picks his blazer from the chair.

"Let's go then.",Manik said putting on his blazer and walking towards the door.

Sara picks a file from her desk on the way and follows him.

"Mike came asking for the files on Patel Interiors. ",Sara informs him.

" The files aren't due for a week now.",Manik tells her and she smiles.

"Don't I know that.",Sara said with a smirk and Manik smirks back.

"Here we go.",Manik muttered to himself as they walked inside the conference room.

Sara passed him the file and the meeting starts.

After a long discussion, the meeting was ended.

Manik shakes hands with them and walks out of the room.

Sara picks the files and her ipad and follows him.

"This calls for a celebration.",Sara said falling in steps with him and he smiled at her.

"I will treat you for lunch.",Manik tells her and she grins at him.

"Okay great. You will have the meeting report in your desk in some time.",Sara said him as they reach near her desk.

" Can you get me a coffee?",he asked her standing infront of his office busy on his phone.

" I will ask someone to get coffee for you. ",Sara said and he looks at her.

"Where are you going?",he asked and she smirked.

"Give Mike the reports.",She replied and walked away.

" I need my coffee.",he said loudly a little amused and she yelled yes without turning back.

Manik gets busy with the files when there was a knock on his office and he looks up to find a boy holding his cup of coffee.

"Sir..rr",He stammered and manik frowns.

"Keep it here.",he said without looking up.

He was shaking with fear and the tray was trembling.

Manik looks at him irritated with the disturbance.

He immediately puts it down and the coffee splattered a little on the desk making manik groan in anger.

"I am sor..ry sorry..",he whispered as he took some tissues from the desk and starts wiping it.

"What's your name?",Manik asked with a soft voice and the boy gulped in fear.

" Ro..Roh..Rohit",he stammered and manik leans a little on the desk.

"You are from which department?",manik asked again.

" IT sir.",Rohit whispered pushing his spectacles up a little.

"Rohit you are fired. I will inform your department head Vikram. You can leave and take that coffee with you.",Manik said him with a sarcastic smile and Rohit looked at him wide eyed.

"Leave now.",Manik raised his voice a little and Rohit left the office taking the tray in haste.

The phone on Sara's desk rings and manik frowns.

"Sara",Manik said irritated looking at her empty desk and manik turned to his phone on the desk waiting for the call to be directed here.

The phone on his desk rings and he picked it up.

"Manik Malhotra",he said sitting comfortably on his chair.

There was a pause on the other side and manik frowns.

"Who is this?",he asked and felt rushed sounds.

"Hello",there was a sweet voice and the lines on Manik's forehead relaxed.

"I am from Couch Fashions. Our company is organising a fashion event to launch our latest collections on formals and business outfits. We were wondering if you would walk for us on the ramp. It would be our privilege to have the most eligible businessman wearing our collection. ",The girl on the other side spoke and Manik felt the confidence and hope in her voice.

"Which Company?",Manik asked opening his laptop.

"Couch Fashions.",she replied and he smirked as he felt her hopes increased.

"I will think about it. You can call my secretary later and know the answer.",Manik said her and hanged up as he searched the company name on google a little curious of never hearing the name of the company before who had the guts to ask him personally to attend a fashion event for a ramp walk when everyone knows he doesn't like getting involved with the fashion industry personally.

"Your reports.",Sara said walking inside his office.

He gave her a glare and she narrows her eyes at him.

"What did I miss?",she asked taking a seat on the chair infront of his desk and put the reports neatly on the side.

"I fired your that guy... Rohit.",Manik informs her focused on the laptop.

" Why did you do that? ",Sara asked making a surprise look.

" He spilt coffee. Couldn't speak without shuttering.",Manik murmured and Sara shake his head.

" You can't fire him for that. I will inform Vikram you changed your decision. ",Sara said and Manik rolled his eyes.

" What are you doing? ",Sara asked and he turns his laptop towards her.

"You got a phone call. Apparently that call was very important so it was directed to me. ",Manik said her and she looked at him.

" Who was it?",She asked as she looked at the laptop screen.

"Couch Fashions.",he replied and realisation gets drawn to her.

"They have been calling for a week now trying me to talk to you about it. I told them that you aren't interested but they keep calling. I will talk to them. You don't have to worry. ",Sara said seriously and he shakes his head in no.

" Did you check out the company? ",He asked her and she frowns but nods in no.

" I rejected it after knowing it's a fashion company.",She replied and he gestured towards the screen.

" I checked it out. They are good. ",Manik said her and Sara looked at him surprised and read the results on the screen.

" They are actually good. They just started two years back as a startup and have got quite a name for themselves. What are you thinking? ",Sara said appreciating and asked seeing the look on his face.

" We were looking for an expansion in the fashion field and I think this is it. I am thinking of taking over the company. ",Manik said and she looked at him.

" That's a good idea but I don't think they are gonna agree.",Sara said and manik smirks.

" They will. I have a plan. ",Manik said and she looked at him.

" What do you plan to do?",She asked curious.

"I will walk on the ramp for them.",Manik said as he got up from his seat and looked at the view from his glass wall.

" What? Manik are you sure? You don't have to do that just for the takeover. We can look for other good companies. ",She said walking near him and turned to look at him.

"I am and I think its time I let things go. Aren't you the one who always ask me to move on? ",He asked looking at her.

" I will be very happy if you move on but I just want to know if you are okay with it. ",Sara asked and he nods.

" I will get a meeting fixed and talk with them and get you the details of the event. ",She informed and walked closer to him.

" I am proud of you. ",She said and he smiled as she walked to her desk.

He kept looking at the view thinking about his life and how far he had come.

His mobile rings and he picks it up.

"Manik Malhotra",he answered without looking at the caller ID.

"I know its manik malhotra. I called your number. You don't have to repeat your name like a prayer every time you pick your phone. ",He heard rants over the phone and rolled his eyes.

" What do you want Cabir? ",He asked shutting him up.

"Let's go for a movie. ",Cabir said and manik frowned.

" You want me to watch a movie with you. Have you lost it?",Manik asked him.

" No I haven't. I had been waiting for this movie for a long time and I want to watch it the first day. Mukti ditched me for a date and I don't want to go alone. ",Cabir whined and manik rolled his eyes again.

" Stop rolling your eyes. I can feel it over the phone. ",Cabir said and Manik rolled his eyes for the third time.

" Why can't you take some girl with you? What happened to that girl... What was her name... Priya yes..what happened to her?",Manik asked him sitting on his chair now.

"She was being a headache and I want to watch it with my friend. Manik can't you do this one thing for me.",Cabir emotionally blackmailed and Manik felt like banging his head.

"Okay fine I will come with you.",Manik replied rubbing his forehead feeling a headache coming.

"Great. I will see you at 8 then. ",Cabir said excited and hanged up.

Manik asked for a strong coffee and got back with his work.

Couch Fashions.....

"Sonia this are the designs and I was thinking why not...",She stops in the middle seeing her looking at her phone.

" Are you busy? I will come back later.",She said and Sonia nods in no and gestured her to sit.

"I was thinking to call Malhotra Industries again.",Sonia said and She frowns.

" You have been calling them for a week now. You should give up I don't think they are gonna agree.",she said keeping her designs on desk.

" Nandini just think about how much it would be beneficial for us if he agrees. He is the most eligible businessman and our magazine would be a huge hit.",Sonia said standing beside her leaning on the desk.

" I understand but there are news that he doesn't like to get involved with fashion industries.",Nandini said her and Sonia frowns.

" One last time.",She said and picked the phone dialling the number.

The receptionist forwards it to Sara's desk but not getting a reply she forwards it to manik's office.

"Manik Malhotra",Manik replied over the phone and Sonia pulls the phone away from her ears.

"Its him. Talk to him.",Sonia said pushing the phone in nandini's direction.

" You do.",Nandini said trying to back away.

" Who is this?",Manik asked getting irritated.

"Please we need it.",Sonia makes a helpless face and Nandini takes the phone from her.

"Hello",She said and went on to explain the reason for the call.

"Which company?",Manik asked and Nandini looked at Sonia hopeful.

"I think he may accept.",Nandini said after agreeing and hanged up.

"This is a great news. I will treat you for dinner. My treat.",Sonia said and Nandini frowns.

" I have plans already for the night. Let him confirm and we will go celebrate.",Nandini said and Sonia nods.

" Lets get to work now.",Sonia said sitting on the head chair and Nandini nods showing the designs and having some discussion about the issues.

"I don't know what we will do without you. I am glad to have you with me. ",Sonia praised and Nandini gave her a smile appreciating it and went out to work with the rest of the designs.

She reached home at 5 after a tiring day and lay down on bed immediately.

"Nandu"

She heard the door open with a thud and her name being yelled and sat on the bed a little scared.

"You scared me Navya.",Nandini said rolling her eyes and lying down on the bed again.

"What are you doing. Its already past 5. The movie starts at 9. There will be traffic on the way. Go and get ready now or I will drag you in these.",Navya said pulling her hands to make her sit.

" Navu yaar please. I am really tired. Can we go on weekend please?",Nandini said making a puppy face at her.

" No no no. We had a deal that we will be watching it together and you promised me that you won't make excuses. You can't break it now.",Navya said finally making her sit.

" Fine but I hate you.",Nandini said going inside the bathroom to freshen up.

Nandini comes out from the bathroom and Navya gave her an outfit.

"Fast",Navya said and Nandini rolled her eyes and took her sweet time to get ready.

"If I missed the beginning because you were too busy doing makeup then I won't spare you.",Navya warned and Nandini puts her lipstick down.

" Okay I am ready. Let's go.",Nandini said taking her purse and phone.

"Are we taking your car?",Nandini asked and Navya nodded.

"Can we first go to cafeteria? I am hungry.",Nandini said once they reached the mall.

"Nandu its already 8:30. You can get something from the cafeteria in the theatre.",Navya said and pulls her with her hands to the lift.

" But I haven't ate anything after lunch and that was at 12.",Nandini complains and Navya rolled her eyes.

"I promise I will treat you at your favourite restaurant. Just let me watch this movie in time ".Navya promised and Nandini nods walking up to the food cafetaria as she placed hers and navya order.

They gave their seat number and asked to bring the order inside as they walked near the hall.

Nadini felt a bump in her shoulders and glares at him as she turned back and watched the men walk away without apologising or acknowledging.

Navya pulls her distracting her. They find the door still closed and nandini gave her a look to which she smiled sheepishly.

"Let's take a selfie. I dressed up for these.",Nandini said and took her phone out. They clicked few photos and nandini looks at the photos and zooms in at the two boys in the picture.

She turns around and frowns at the man in the formal suit.

"I will just go and give this man a lesson. He bumped with me before and didn't even apologize.",Nandini said Navya about to walk to them, but Navya holds her back.

"Leave it. He is a jerk.",Navya said and kept staring at the door to open.

Nandini on the other hand was trying to get a glimpse of his face to recognise him.

Navya lets out a small scream and people stare at her including nandini who looks at her worried.

"Its open. Let's go .",she said excited and Nandini rolled her eyes and tried to see the man but couldn't.

" Its okay I will find him after the movie, with the ridiculous business outfit he was wearing I can recognise him anywhere. I mean who wears a suit to come watch movie. Weirdo.",Nandini thought and murmured out at last rolling her eyes as her inner fashion designer comes out, letting Navya drag her to their seats.

"I am never coming to any movie with you again especially the one with your favourites.",Nandini stated as she sat on the chair and scrolled her phone.

"No no no this is the last time I am coming with you for movies. Why don't you go with your girlfriends?"

Nandini and Navya shared a look before looking infront of them to see who was it.

" C'mon Manik its not that bad. You enjoy my company."

They heard again and got curious as both Navya and Nandini leaned in their direction.

"Cabir you just screamed outside because you were excited and you want me to believe that it's not that bad.",Manik asked sarcastic and Nandini gives an accusing look to Navya.

" I think we found your mate.", Nandini whispered and Navya rolled her eyes.

Nandini lets out a laugh gaining attention from people around her.

"Now.. sshhshh let me watch in peace.",Navya said and Nandini made a face before getting comfortable in her seat.

The movie starts and Nandini prepares herself for the embarassment as the hero makes an entry and Navya whistles.

"What the hell?",Manik turned annoyed to an amused Cabir.

"This is so embarrassing and literally annoying. I thought we came to a high class theatre where civilised people come.",Manik accused Cabir as he gives a side way glance at his back to see who it was.

"I can't believe it. She's a girl. Don't she have any manners. Why isn't anyone saying anything to her?",Manik complains getting more annoyed than he already is.

" Manik it's called having fun something that you don't know. Now stop complaining and making me regret asking you to come with me. I need to watch the movie.",Cabir said half paying attention to him.

"But..",Manik was about to say again but Cabir moves his fingers near to his mouth.

"Complain about it again and I am going to do the same as hers.",Cabir threatened and Manik glares at him before taking out his phone and going back to his work trying to ignore the distractions.

Nandini makes an embarrassed face at Navya before stuffing her mouth with popcorns to stop her from whistling.

Navya kept whispering in excitement about the movie and Nandini nods as she looked at her screen trying to entertain herself.

It's not like she doesn't enjoy watching movies. She was just too tired to pay attention and to keep up with Navya's energy.

Once interval rolls in Nandini jumps out of the chair.

"Need to use the washroom.",Nandini said excusing herself and got out of the theatre.

Manik got a phone call and excused himself too.

Navya was busy munching the leftover popcorn when Cabir turned back and she raised her eyebrow at him.

"I noticed your excitement throughout the movie. Actually it was hard to miss. You were like a live commentary.",Cabir started and Navya gave him a small glare.

"Got a problem with that? Well if you do I don't care. I paid for the movie same as you. So suck it up.",She said a little annoyed.

Cabir laughs out and she gets confused and narrows her eyes at him.

"You misunderstood me. I actually loved it. I like having someone to talk to while I am in movies with the same level of excitement as mine. ",Cabir said with a smile on his face and Navya relaxed.

"I actually overheard your friend complaining at the start of the movie about not coming with you again.",Navya said with a laugh and Cabir makes a sad face.

" I forced him.",Cabir said with a wink and Navya laughs.

"Me too.",She replied as they both laugh and then there was a comfortable silence as they stare each other in the eye.

"So what do you think is gonna happen next?",Cabir asked her facing her completely to talk to her with a teasing in his voice.

"I think we will find out soon.",Navya replied as she leaned in a little and smiles.

Nandini comes out of the bathroom and searches inside Navya's purse for her wallet when she bumps into someone and her purse falls down.

"Fuck",she heard a curse and a thud and watches a phone fall down near her purse.

She looks up annoyed at people for bumping with her again and finds an irritated pair of eyes glaring at her already.

"Miss Can't you see where you are going?",Manik said annoyed as he lean down to pick his phone.

His eyes falls on her purse and he picks it up before realising it was the same purse he saw with the girl behind the seats.

He gets more annoyed as he recognised her to be the same girl.

He passed it to her and she was about to apologise and thank him but he interrupt her.

"You just cost me a loss of 5 crores.",Manik said irritated trying to switch his phone on.

"Excuse me. I mean I know the phone is costly but aren't you exaggerating a bit with the price. I will pay you the phone repair cost.",She said as she looked at him for the first time properly.

She felt as she knew him from before and a frown comes on her forehead.

Manik lets out a small chuckle.

"You think this phone is costly and you will pay me for the repair cost.",he said with a smirk.

" This is nothing and I am not exaggerating a bit. I was making a deal which you spoilt by bumping with me. Don't you have any manners on how to walk and behave in public?",Manik said annoyed and took a step closer to her towering over her small figure.

She glances down at his outfit to avoid his face, a bit embarrassed for not paying attention and as if it clicked to her she looks at him immediately annoyed.

"Such a hypocrite.",Nandini mutters and he frowns hearing her.

"Excuse me.",Manik asked.

"I felt that I have seen you somewhere before and now it clicked me.",Nandini said and manik stood tall proud with a smirk.

"You are the same weirdo who bumped with me at the start of the movie and didn't even bother to look back and apologize.",Nandini accused and he glares at her.

" What did you just say to me?",Manik challenges her to repeat it again.

"I said you are a weirdo. I mean who in his right mind wears a business suit for movies. Movies are for fun not for business and making deals.",Nandini said making faces and manik frowns at her getting angry by each passing second.

" Listen Miss, behave yourself and apologize for your actions instead of badmouthing me and blaming me.",Manik said as he straightened his coat and buttoned them.

He looks at the phone in his hand which is still off and brings it infront of her face.

"Take this in return for 'bumping with you'.",Manik said as he quoted not believing her a bit.

She glares at him feeling insulted.

He smirked satisfied at her expression and shoved the phone in her hands before walking away.

Nandini tried to say something but he was gone before she could.

She looks at the phone in her hands and felt insulted again.

She turns it to see if she can find anything on who he was and sees a small scribble at the bottom.

'MM'

She looks in the direction he walked confused and walked back to the movie hall.

She finds Navya talking to a man and walked closer to them.

"Hey",she said announcing her presence hiding her sour mood with a smile.

"Hey, Nandu this is Cabir and Cabir this is Nandini.",Navya introduces them and Nandini smiles at him and nods in gesture.

Nandini raises an eyebrow at Navya who winks at her pointing the front seat making Nandini smirk.

She gets a call and excused herself.

"Navu I am sorry. I will need to leave early.",Nandini said coming back after the call.

" Is everything fine?",Navya asked and Cabir looks a little curious too.

"We are working with some big names tomorrow so need to prepare a little. I am really sorry. Will you be okay?",Nandini apologized feeling bad for dumping her friend but a little glad to be home and distract herself from her sour mood.

"Its fine. I will be okay. Take the car.",Navya said her and Nandini looked at her.

"What about you then?",Nandini asked worried.

"I can drop her if she doesn't have a problem with it.",Cabir interrupt in middle and Navya lets out a smile while Nandini frowns at him.

"Problem solved. Cabir will drop me. You take care and don't overwork yourself. I will be home as soon as the movie finishes.",Navya assured her.

Nandini gives Navya her purse and takes out her wallet and keys before walking close to cabir.

"I am sorry I didn't catch your full name?",Nandini asked him.

" Cabir Dhawan",he said and she still looks at him suspicious.

" I am the CEO of the Accor Group. We have one of the largest hotel chains in India.",Cabir introduced himself properly with a smirk.

" Are you kidding me?",Navya said recognising the name of the hotel and gasps surprised.

Cabir gave a smile to Nandini who rolled her eyes at her dramatic friend.

"And that should make me trust you. Why?",Nandini questions.

"No not to trust me but you will know where to find me if I harm your friend in any way. You don't have to worry though. I like her. She is interesting.",Cabir said and Nandini nods as she sees him staring at Navya who is blushing at his words.

" Fine. I will take your word for it.",Nandini said and turns to Navya.

"Thank you. I will see you at home.",Nandini said her hugging her.

"Don't get into any trouble. Even if he's cute and totally your type.",Nandini warns in her ears and Navya smirks and nods.

She waves them off and walks away.

The movie starts and Navya looked at the empty seat besides cabir.

"Your friend didn't come back?",she asked and Cabir gave her a smile.

" I am actually surprised he sat till the interval. He must have left for home.",Cabir said chuckling.

" You don't feel bad he left without informing.",Navya asked surprised.

" I am used to it now.",Cabir said and then get up from his seat and walks near her to sit on Nandini's place.

" My neck was starting to ache. I hope you don't mind.",he said and she nods in no with a small blush on her face.

They got back to watching the movie talking about it in between and Cabir admired her as she talked so passionately about the movie and the lead actor and him being the CEO didn't change a thing for her.