Chapter 2

Nandini wakes up prepared for the day. Yesterday Soniya called her informing her about Malhotra Industries reply to their proposal.

She was surprised they replied so soon and want to meet today.

Sonia wants her to have all her designs ready and present it to them.

They can't afford any mistakes.

Nandini collects her designs and put it safely in her bag before getting ready for the office. She dressed up in a black semi formal top and pants with her black heels and left her hair open.

She grabbed her bag and walked out of her room to the kitchen. She finds Navya half asleep making coffee and greets her before taking her own cup of coffee and picks an Apple from the counter.

"So? What did you do after the movie? I heard you come in a little after 2.",Nandini asked her and Navya blushed a little and Nandini grew more curious.

"I had a nice time.",Navya said as she recalled the night.

"Oh I can see that. I want to know everything.",Nandini said and Navya nods.

"You know he is actually very down to earth for a person who is the CEO of such a large chain of hotels.",Navya said and Nandini nods sipping her coffee.

"Are you meeting him again?",Nandini asked her.

"He asked me for lunch today but I am not sure.",Navya said and Nandini frowns.

"You just said you had a nice time and it looks like you like him. So why not?",Nandini asked her.

" Nandu I don't fit in his world. He is the CEO of one of the largest hotel chain and I am just a RJ in a small FM company.",Navya said and Nandini frowns at her.

" You just said he is very down to earth why do you think he will be judging you for your job. And if he does than he is a jerk and he doesn't deserve you. He maybe leading chain of hotels but you are in so many people's heart. Do I need to remind you that you are one of the best RJ and people wait for you to come on radio and hear you.",Nandini boosts her self confidence and Navya smiled and hugged her.

" Thank you.",Navya said and Nandini smiled.

"Okay I need to leave now. You take care of yourself and tell me everything about yesterday and the lunch when I come back and if you get in trouble call me. Bye.",Nandini said hurriedly as she finishes her coffee and picked hed bag and Apple and walked waving her.

Navya waved her back and went to get freshen up.

Nandini drove to the office taking bites of her Apple in middle.

She parks the car and take the lift to her floor greeting people as she passed by. She has been working in the company from the start when it was just a small room with only 10 people. She smiled as she walked in her floor and saw Soniya pacing in her office waiting for her.

"Good morning",Nandini said as she put her purse in place and sat on her chair.

"How's everything going? I want it to go well with the Malhotra Industries. We can't afford any mistakes. It's a very big thing for us. Manik Malhotra doesn't like to work with Fashion industries personally. Someone takes care of it for him and he had agreed to work for us and be on our magazine. It is really a great opportunity for us and would help us grow a lot. So no mistakes.", Soniya said Nandini and she nods.

" Don't worry Soniya Everything is taken care of. When will they be here?",Nandini asked and Soniya glanced at the time.

"They said 9. One more hour to go.", Soniya said and Nandini nods.

"I will take care of everything. You don't worry about it.",Nandini assured her and Soniya nods.

" Thanks a lot. I am really lucky to have you in my team. By the way you look nice. Is it for Manik? ", Soniya teased and Nandini laughs.

" No I dress up nice every day. I don't even recognise him that well why would I dress up for him? ",Nandini said her.

" You don't recognise him? ", Soniya asked confused.

" I have heard his name a lot of times but never saw him properly. I may have seen him in magazine covers but you know I hate business and skip them all the time. ",Nandini said sheepishly and Soniya glares at her.

" Google him and get to know him. I don't want to give the picture that we don't recognise our clients. ", Soniya instructs her and she nods.

" Its not like I don't recognise him. I just don't remember his face properly. We will be fine don't worry. Now go and let me work.",Nandini said and Soniya nods.

" I can't believe you forgot a face like his. He is a beauty, Most eligible bachelor. You don't forget faces of people like him.", Soniya said and smiled at her as she walked out and Nandini shakes her head a little curious to see him now.

She takes out her mobile from her bag to google him and finds the broken phone in her hand and recalled what happened yesterday.

She had managed to switch on the phone but the screen had broken.

She was determined to return it back and put it back inside her bag and got back to her work forgetting about googling Manik Malhotra.

She picked the USB and the designs and walked to the conference room and lay them out properly.

There was still 15 minutes left so she walked to Soniya to inform her and then left to get coffee for everyone.

Usually she would ask an intern or her P.A but he was on leave and she actually needed some air to prepare herself.

She paid for the coffee and walked back as she checks the time and realised she was 5 minutes late.

Manik arrived at their office at sharp 9 with Sara and Soniya greets them and walks them to the conference room.

Manik studies the office and was impressed a little. It was small in comparison to his but well kept.

They took the seat and Sonia thanked him for agreeing.

He nods and looks at Sara.

"We can start.",Sara said to Soniya and Soniya nods and looks at the door with a frown.

"Is there a problem?",Manik asked her and she nods in no.

"No there's not a problem. We can start in two minutes.", Soniya said praying for Nandini to come soon.

Manik nods and gets in conversation with Soniya about the company before looking at the time.

"Should we start?",He asked and before Soniya could reply Nandini enters the room with the coffee in her hand looking down.

"I am sorry. The cafe was a little busy. Here's the coffee.",Nandini said as she comes forward.

Soniya takes a sigh of breath and Nandini gave her a smile before walking forward to come see their guests.

"Hello I am Nandini Murthy.",Nandini introduced herself with a professional smile on her face before panic flashed through her eyes as she recognised the man infront of her.

Manik smirks as he raised his eyes to see the person who came in.

His smirk grew wider seeing the panic in her eyes.

Nandini calms herself down and puts on the professional smile back on her face surprising Manik at how good she was at masking her expression.

"Should we start?",she asked and they nodded.

"Before that, here I got us some coffee.",Nandini said and gave Soniya hers and forwards Sara a cup and another towards Manik.

"Thank you",he muttered and her eyes widen in surprise at his politeness before she nodded.

She thought if he didn't recognised her for a second before she saw the smirk on his face and shivered a little.

"Thanks Nandini. I actually like my coffee this way. ",Sara said surprised.

"It's my pleasure. ",She said as she connected her USB with her laptop.

Manik was playing with the cup and Nandini looked at him.

"Mr. Malhotra its black, the way you like it. No milk ",Nandini informed assuring him and he nods surprised a little.

She starts the presentation after passing them the designs and the agenda list.

Manik sipped his coffee while watching her and was impressed with the presentation.

"This is the latest collection that we would like you to model for us.",Nandini said as she showed him different suits and formal wears.

" Miss Murthy what do you think about my suit?",Manik asked and everyone looked at him.

"I am serious. Give me an answer.",he asked and she looked at Soniya and then turned to him.

" Its great.",She said a little unsure what he wants from her.

Sara looked at him a little confused herself.

"I expected a little more detail from a fashion designer wanting me to wear her designed suits. I mean if this is great why should I promote yours.",Manik asked leaning into the chair and crossing his legs.

Soniya frowns a little and Nandini gained her confidence and prepared herself.

"Sure if you want a detail review I can do that for you.",Nandini said as she walked closer to him.

He looked up at her.

" Can you stand up for me?",She asked him and he puts the cup down and stood up straightening his suit.

Nandini take a small step back feeling a little intimidated at his height and closeness.

She eyes his outfit properly before raising her hand.

"Can I?",she asked and he smirks.

"Feel free.",he replied and Sara looks at him surprised. Nandini gets a little uncomfortable at his smirk and checks the fabric in her hands and smiled impressed.

She looked at the length and fitting and was impressed again.

"As I said before it's great but then again I didn't expected you to wear any less. The fabric is good and the fittings and length are at point. I can see it has been designed by one of the best designers and if I am not wrong it's the best one from the designers collection.",Nandini said and Manik smirked again.

" One of the best suits designed by one of the best man himself.",Manik said proudly and Nandini gives a small smile.

"So why should I wear something less than this. No offense but wouldn't I look a weirdo? ",Manik asked as he takes his seat back challenging her with his eyes and Sara watched him quietly.

Nandini's panics as she tried to calm herself.

"C'mon Mr. Malhotra it has to be a fool who think you would look like a weirdo. You look like a model in anything you wear and suits enhance your personality more. Makes you look more powerful.", Soniya said in reply and Nandini hits her forehead mentally.

"That's sweet of you Miss Roy.",Manik said her with a small smile.

Nandini takes back her chair and passes him the designs she drew.

"Mr. Malhotra if I wanted you to wear my designed suits. I would have contacted as your stylist. We want you to help us promote them to the youth that are influenced by you. You are the most eligible bachelor and a lot of people look up to you. Not every one of them can afford a 10,000 dollar suit. We are designing suits with the same quality and fitness with affordable rates for the businessmen and we would like your help. Also we would be grateful to interview you for our magazine cover.",Nandini said calmly and Sara was impressed with her.

She looked at Manik and finds a half smile on his face.

"Okay",Manik said after a thought.

"Okay?", Soniya asked and he nods.

"But I would like to finish it soon. So how soon can we start?",Manik asked her.

Soniya looked at Nandini.

" I will need his measurements and we will be ready in a week. The fashion show is in a month.",Nandini informed and Manik nods at Sara who noted it down.

"We can discuss the rest of formalities in my office.", Soniya said and Manik nods.

" Thank you. It's great to have you here with us.",Nandini said and Manik nodded with a smirk.

She packs her things and walks back to her office.

She goes inside the washroom and washed her face with the cold water before letting out a small scream.

She composes herself and then walks out. She eyes the purse and thinks about his mobile phone.

"I will return it to him. ",She muttered and gets busy in designing some dresses when she hears a knock and answers without looking up.

"Hello",she hears Manik's voice and dropped her pen startled.

Manik picks it for her and passes it to her.

She mutters a small thank you and puts on the same professional smile.

"Here it is again.",he speaks as he takes a seat on the sofa and she looks at him confused.

" That fake smile trying to hide all those frustration. You know I am actually enjoying it.",He spoke and she was surprised he noticed.

" Did you actually didn't recognise me? It's surprising the company you wanted to pursue and you don't recognise the CEO of the company. ",Manik asked and she grew a bit nervous.

" I didn't know it was necessary to know how the CEO looks when we are pursuing a company. I know everything that I need to know about Manik Malhotra.",Nandini said back and Manik smiles and walked close to her and she takes a step back unconsciously.

"Now that you know. Think twice before speaking to me the way you did before.",He warned and she gulps and nods as he stared at her in the eye.

She tried to look away but found herself staring back at him in the eye.

"Why did you agree?",She couldn't stop herself from asking.

He gets a little confused before smirking.

"You could have easily said No. You had a good reason .",Nandini said confused and Manik smirks.

"I did but then again I thought how much fun it would be working with you.",Manik said with a smile and Nandini gulped as she couldn't read his eyes.

" I will be looking forward to work with you.",Manik whispered as he leaned down to her ears and she felt her stomach flip at the closeness as a shiver ran down her spine.

"See you soon.",he said looking at her for one last time before walking out.

Nandini takes a deep breath and realised she was holding her breath for long.

She taps her heart to calm it and runs a hand through her hairs before drinking water.

"What did I do to get in this situation?",she questioned herself and realised she bumped with him,broke his phone, lost him a deal, called him weirdo and mannerless.

"What mess have I got myself into.", She said frustrated and sat back on her chair.

Sara studied Manik as he walked to the car.

"Manik",she called and he looked at her.

"What's going on?",she asked and he smirks.

"Something interesting.",he answered and she grew curious.

" Something related to Nandini. Do you know her from before?",She asked and he smiled.

" Met her yesterday while I was in the movies with cabir. ",Manik said and Sara nod.

" I was surprised you actually let her touch you and were so interested in all of this. I thought you were doing this only to get the company.",She said and he turns to her sitting in the back inside the car.

"I am but I am also having a little fun with her till then and about that, She just wanted to know the fabric.",he said with a little frown.

Sara nodded and he got busy in his phone as she studied him for a while.

"Did you tell Cabir about this?", Sara asked Manik and he looked up from his phone.

" Not yet.",Manik said and imagined his reaction.

"You should. You know how he gets when you don't share things with him.",Sara advised and Manik nods.

" I will tell him when we meet in the evening.",Manik said and Sara nods.

" So how was the movie?",Sara asked with a tease and Manik glared at her.

"Reminds me, get a new phone for me.",Manik said and she looks at him surprised.

" You just bought it last month. What happened?",Sara asked and he recalled the incident.

" Lost it somewhere.",he said and she frowns.

"Okay I will put it on your desk by evening.",Sara said and he nods as they reached office.

" Nandini we got it. Let's go out. I need to treat you big time.", Soniya said and Nandini smiled at her excitement.

" Okay let's go out for lunch. We will be busy after that.",Nandini said wrapping her work.

" I was like really worried but you managed to do so well. Thank you. I talked with Manik its going to be very beneficial for us and we will grow 10 times than now. I can't believe we got so lucky.", Soniya said excited and Nandini smiles at her as they walked to the parking and got in Soniya's car.

"We need to do so good that he gets impressed from us and invests in our company. ", Soniya said a bit seriously and Nandini nods.

" No mistakes Nandini. I want everything to go smoothly and perfect. No mess up.",Soniya said and Nandini nods thinking if she should tell her about what happened with Manik yesterday.

"Okay now tell me what's going on in your life?",Soniya asked her as they drove to the hotel for lunch.

" The same old thing. Tell me about you?",Nandini asked her in return.

"Oh C'mon don't be like this. There must be something. Any guy? Boyfriend?",She asked her again.

Soniya knew Nandini from a long time now. She first met Nandini when Nandini was 17 and now 8 years later they are here working together.

"You know I don't do relationship.",Nandini said with a smile and Soniya frowns at her.

" But you can go out with boys on dates and have fun.",Soniya tried to convince her.

" I am not interested. Tell me about you.",Nandini changed the subject again and Soniya nod knowing its of no use.

"I can say one thing being on my late 30s I still am having more fun than you. I met a guy. He wants to take me out this weekend.",Soniya said and Nandini smiled and they got in conversation about the date and the guy.

"Okay listen", Soniya said and Nandini gave her attention sensing seriousness.

"Set up a meeting with Sara for the measurements and get it made soon. I have arranged the photo shoot later this week. We need to make announcement in the media too. Also so much preparation for the fashion show, we just have one month.",Soniya said and Nandini nods.

" I will handle everything. Don't worry.",she assured Soniya and they got back to having their lunch.

Manik returned home after a long day of meetings and found Cabir and Mukti already there.

"Hello",he said with a small smile on his face seeing Mukti.

They looked at him and Mukti came closer and hugs him.

"How are you?",she asked him to which he smiles and nods.

" Perfect. Are you doing good?",he asked kissing her forehead.

" Yes I am. Take out some time from your work and come meet me.",Mukti complained and he nodded.

" Oh hello I am here too.",Cabir complained walking near them.

Manik rolled his eyes and Mukti smiled and wrapped her hand around him.

"Yes you too duffer.", she said smiling.

Cabir gave a hug to Manik and he hugged back.

"How are you?",Cabir asked holding his face in his hands.

Manik makes a face at him and tried to remove his hands.

"Are you doing good?",Cabir mimics Manik earlier and Manik rolled his eyes punching his stomach and Mukti laughs.

"I will get changed and come back.",Manik said them and walked to his room.

" Awww.",Mukti teased cabir and pulls him to the sofa.

"So what's going on?",Manik asked them after coming out changed in a tank top and night pants with three beer cans he picked from the kitchen.

"You ditched me yesterday.",Cabir said annoyed taking the can from him.

"You know I hate watching such movies and that girl was irritating me.",Manik said and Mukti looked st them confused.

Cabir explained her the scenario.

"You should thank that girl. After you left me alone. She was the one who gave me company. She is actually quite interesting.",Cabir said with a soft smile on his face remembering Navya.

Manik looked at him surprised.

"Seriously Cabir?",Manik asked him.

"Yes Manik. I mean we spent some time after movie yesterday and went out for lunch today. She is fun to be with.",Cabir said and Mukti looked at him surprised.

" I have seen you talk about so many girls but this is the first time I am seeing this look on your face.",Mukti said as she leaned in a little to look at his face properly.

"It was different than always. I actually had fun after a long time.",Cabir said and Manik frowns.

" Does she know who you are?",Manik asked and Cabir nods.

"Yes but her behaviour was still the same as before. No flattering me or something.",Cabir justified and Manik rolled her eyes.

" Its all an act. These girls know pretty well how to mask their expressions.",Manik said as he recalled how quickly Nandini masked her expression seeing him today.

"You haven't even met her. Stop judging her.",Cabir said him.

Manik stops for a while not wanting to tell he met her.

" But I know them very well. You just met her yesterday. Be careful I would suggest. They are always after your money.",Manik warned as he saw the spark on Cabir's eyes for the first time in a while and remembered how easily Nandini took his phone, he gave her without any resistance.

"Okay I will but she is different.",Cabir said and Mukti signs Manik to calm down and he keeps quiet not arguing more.

"Manik tell me what's going on with you?",Mukti asked laying down on his lap.

" Ummm",Manik hesitates thinking how to reveal it to them.

They look at him curious.

"I will be featuring in a fashion magazine and doing a fashion show for them.",Manik said taking a deep breath and Mukti gets up from his lap to look at him properly and Cabir stares at him too.

"Are you serious?",Cabir asked him and he nods.

"I thought it's time to move on.",Manik said them and a soft smile comes on Cabir's face as Mukti eyes watered a little with happiness.

They jumped on him and the trio falls down laughing loudly cursing each other.

"We are so proud of you.",Mukti said kissing his cheeks and he smiled down at her.

"Manik you are okay right?",Cabir asked as they sat properly.

Mank nods and Cabir stares at him for a while confirming and nods too in agreement.

"Which company is it?",Cabir asked him.

"Couch Fashions",Manik replied.

" Never heard of it before. It would be good if you agreed.",Cabir said and Mukti agreed with him.

"Never?",Manik asked surprised to Cabir expecting Nandini to tell him she works there.

He nods in no.

"What does your movie girl do btw?",Manik asked after a while and Cabir smiles.

" She is an RJ. So cool right? ",Cabir said and Manik frowns.

" Trying to sound like an innocent middle class girl. Nice trick Miss Murthy. You are a liar too. ",Manik thought to himself and nods a little absent-minded at Cabir.

Mukti pulls Manik aside and asked him what's going on as he never got involved in Cabir's love affairs before.

Manik sighed before telling her everything and Mukti frowns.

"Why didn't you tell him that you have met her and she is working in Couch Fashions.",Mukti asked him.

" I don't know. I just want to know how low she can fall. Also Cabir said he will be careful.",Manik said her and Mukti nods.

" Okay fine. I will take care of Cabir but you make sure to tell him if it gets too far. I don't want his heart to break over a fraud girl.",Mukti said and Manik nods.

" Oh hello what are you two gossiping about. Come let's play something.",Cabir calls them and they walk back to him.