Buisness Gala

________________________

“Love wasn’t part of the plan.
But neither was losing you.”

~Dominic Davenport,
king of greed.
_

__________________________________________

~A A R O H I~

It was already 7 in the evening, the day of Advik's business meet here in malaysia. I was not really anticipating this actually. Meeting with his business partners as his wife. It made me sick in the gut. The things that happened this week like my tiny sneak out, the entire monologue of Advik choosing me and then yesterday's city tour. It was quite anew , still fresh in my mind.

I haven't seen him since last night, after we parted our ways after the entire day of travelling. He had some early morning meetings. Which did stretch out for longer. But it helped me to have some alone time. As i went on a little shopping spree by myself. It was mostly buying stuff for the family.

Maa, Papa, badi maa, bade papa, dadu, dadi, Adesh and Adheera. I got something for everyone. But for Advik..? Like he was here only. So i did not think i should buy something for him, mostly because I did not know what he truly liked.

It made me realise how little I know my now husband.which was a bad thing. A bad wife's behaviour.

But since I am here with him, i haven't really thought about Aditya. A part of me has grown out of him. I don't Fully forgive him , like how could I. Am not a goddess anyway. But if he ever makes an appearance again, i think i won't sulk all along.

For what it's worth Advik, he has been good to me at the time I was alone and mistaken. He stood with me. And I have rather started enjoying his company. Even though i will never admit that truly in front of him. Because I am still mad at him for dumping me here all day.

Just then my phone buzzes. A notification of a text from him.

7:02 pm

Advik Oberoi:
"Are you ready yet..?"
"The driver will pick you up in an hour"

After a beat

Advik Oberoi
"I hope you are willing to come"
"It's fine if you are uncomfortable"

Seen at 7:03 pm

Aarohi Oberoi 
"I will be ready in an hour"

Aarohi Oberoi
"Don't worry. I won't chicken out last minute"

Seen at 7:04 pm

Advik Oberoi
"Good, wife"

Seen at 7:05
Aarohi Oberoi
"Ahh don't you dare tease me!!!"
message not sent

Advik Oberoi is offline

I briefly surfed through my clothing options. I knew it was a big event and i couldn't mess it up. First impression last impression kinda thingy

I held out a deep scarlet shade saree. Perfect for the night. Normally a dress would have been better but somewhere i preferred sticking to my roots.
I wrapped the saree around me. It looked pretty on me.

It was not very heavy, just red and classy. Something which screamed power and passion together. I slipped into a pair of YSL heels along with that. Mentally proud of myself. Did a nice makeup. Not really heavy but classy.

I was ready in half an hour. And then waited patiently for the driver .

The car pulled in front of me, the driver gave me a brief smile as we drove through the city. The roads weren't really crowded which was a good sign.

After sometime the car pulls in front of another luxurious hotel. Luxurious, crowded and over the top decorations.
Just as i stepped in the venue, my heels clicking on the marble floor. A confident smile that never left my lips even though I was shitting myself internally. My knuckles had turned white because of how tight my hold was on the clutch in my hand.

I saw few faces, smiling with others, laughing at something i did not know, in their own business world . But my eyes only searched for him through the crowd. My husband

And I was just surfing through the crowd when I saw him . His back was facing me but i knew by the way he stood in that charcoal black suit, fixing his cufflinks and that deep highly musculine smell which was like woods and mint and something i could not name .

He was talking to some middle aged man. Polite nods, sweet smiles and gestures.
Everything a business man does.

Before i could even approach him, he turned to face me. As if he had sensed my presence. And when our eyes locked, it felt like the entire chaos stopped at that moment. The background noise blurred into zero as his eyes landed upon me. And did he actually smile..? His lips twitched.
As his gaze lingered upon me.

~A U T H O R~

The moment his eyes fell on her, for a moment his breath hitched. His heart did that flip again. He examined her like she was some rare insect weathering under the microscope.

From the way the saree wrapped around her figure, hugging her curves , to the way her hair fell down upon her one shoulder. The small smile on her face. The way she held herself, not only looking at her face but at her demeanor.

The way her hands were joined . Holding on the black clutch in it. Her wedding ring. Her mangalsutra, the vermillion in her hairline.

Everything that screamed that now she was his .

Lawfully,
spiritually,
practically.

For a moment he froze. For someone who held business conferences, presented ideas and ruled the boardrooms, she was his weakness. And he wasn't fully aware if he wanted this or not.

He really tried to maintain his composure but seeing her all good in that red saree , all his attempts to be suave were thrown out of the window.
He found himself fumbling clenching- unclenching  his fists on his sides .

Slowly, he stepped closer to her, his hands dropped to his sides, clenching in a fist . As he somehow managed to get a smile.

"You came" the words left his mouth finally.

~A D V I K~

The moment I saw her, i did not even knew how. But my heart. My stupid heart did this somersault thingy.

Like a switch flipped inside me.
One minute i was in a conversation with my buisness associate, next I was staring at my wife. My Aarohi.

If looks could kill, they had be hers.

I managed to take a step forward. Holding my hand infront of her. Hoping she takes it. An invitation. And when her soft palm touched mine.
The warmth surged through my system. I can't feel this aroused and undone by her mere touch.

She looked at me, her dark gaze falling onto me. But All i could think was of her scent. I was sniffing her like a dog .
Am i a dog now....? She smells like Vanilla and Sugar and ohh my god. I swear , i could never get enough of that. She does not have to be this good.

What did i do to deserve her.

"Aarohi" i call her name, my fingers gripping onto her palm slowly. The way my stomach was flipping and my mind was busting.
Am i feeling butterflies..?

I am not getting Hard from touching her hand. I Am NOT hard from touching her hand. I am supposed to be a gentleman, and that would have been OBSCENE.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

She looked at me , raising her eyebrows.
Please just kill me. Please kill me with those eyes. What the hell is wrong with me.

Advik. Breath in . Breath out .
You are a gentleman. Don't look at her form. Ignore the waist chain around her waist. Stop looking at her waist you perverted idiot.

Don't stare at her lips. You are not a creep dude.
Snap back.

Gala.
Business.
Partners.

Speak something! Don't keep hawking at her. You are making her feel wierd.

"You look Dangerous" The words left before I knew and i mentally cursed myself. Idiot Advik. Stupid. Buffalo!!
She raised her eyebrow.

"What....?" She asked confused. What the fuck Advik.
I bite my cheek . My mouth opens and then closes back. Trying to come up with something very logical.
"I Mean. Not Dangerous. That was a slip of tongue. You look beautiful"

"Ahh Thank you i guess" she says after a long stretched 'Ahhh',
. WOW .Advik. you made this very awkward. Dummy.

"You look ethereal. Out of the world . You suddenly walk in and all eyes are on you. Don't even get me started about that saree. And wearing all your marital jewellery. You are going to be the ....uhhh!!! I know I am blabbering but bare with that. No ignore that. Ignore me"

Is it wrong if i want to strangle myself now.......?

Her lips twitched. She was trying not to laugh. Great Advik. Now she is laughing at you for being an idiot.

I take a deep breath in . 1. 2.3.

"I will introduce you to my business partners" Yes . That's it. That is how you change the subject.

Smooth like butter.

"Thanks for the compliments" she mutters under her breath but I did heard that and  feel a strange heat in my chest.

I just want to,
tell her how much of an effect she is having on me.
Why am I being like this.

"AAROHI, you know one thing" I say almost hesitantly.
She simply nods , followed by a Yes.

"Maula Mere maula song must have been written for your eyes" yes I said that.
I did and their was no taking back. I could feel my cheeks burn in mortification.

But her eyes..? They glinted.
"THANK YOU " , she says this time genuinely touched. Her voice ever so sweet.

We moved through the crowds. Me coming back to my usual demeanor. Introducing her to some important figures.
We both engaged with others in small talks. Smiling. Nodding. Praising in.

"You make a good pair"
"Your wife is beautiful"
"You are lucky to have such a pretty wife"
The compliments came in. And I don't know why but I felt prideful in that.

The women here were mostly in a dress . Bodycon. Gowns. And then she is .

Aarohi , my wife in her dark scarlet saree. The Same shade as her cheeks become when I tease her and call her 'wife'.

And I swear it made her just more intriguing. she looked so different from everyone here. So beautiful.

Looking all so lethal in her red saree.

A sin draped in red.

...

We were in a polite conversation with one of the other clients when the light dims , the spotlight falls onto a certain man. The new business associate of Oberoi Industries. For the Malaysian Branch.
He clinks his champagne glass , drawing the attention as she stands beside me. Looking attentive.

*"Ladies and Gentlemen, what a splendid evening it is. We are all here together gathered on this lovely night for announcing the new merger between the Lee & Co. And Oberoi Industries.
I would like to request a big round of applause for The Man of the Evening, The COO of Oberoi Industries, Mr.Advik Oberoi. Who completed the project in just a few weeks , without any complications and technical issues. His work was very thorough and efficient " The Man announced as the entire crowd started clapping and cheering.
The man pointed at me, as I raised my champagne glass with a polite smile. In acceptance.
God I hate stage.

All eyes were on me and even though I was smiling, I felt a little nervous since it was my first time being publicly acknowledged this way.
It was always Aditya, the former COO . Not me.
It had taken me countless sleepless nights. And a constant headache. And now that it was done, acknowledged , It felt all worth it.

And in the midst , my gaze searched her face. What was she feeling about this...?

Did she hear the speech...?
Was she a little, just the slightest bit amused.?.

And her expression gave in.
She was smiling politely.
A type of smile which reached her eyes and that dimple flashed upon her rosy cheek.

I slowly step forward, slightly leaning towards her, not much that I would intrude her personal space. But enough that she could hear me.

"Can I place my hand on your back..?" I ask lowly.
She looks almost hesitant at start but then slowly her chin deeps in a slight nod.

The mic is handed to me as I face the dignitaries, my one hand on the small of her back..not quite touching, just near. Enough that someone looking from infront will think it is touching.

"Thank You very much Mr.Lee for your kind words. This Merger would not have taken place if not for the support of Lee & Co. , all the staff members who pulled all nighters for the deal and my family. And mostly because of my Wife . Mrs. Aarohi Advik Oberoi.

I stand here, with a special person who always inspires me to push myself harder. This woman is the reason I wake up every day trying to be better than who I was yesterday.
My wife.

I am here because of her, She is My Laxmi.

I am not a man of many words but I am really very grateful for everyone who believed in me. Thank you"

I end my words setting the mic aside as the room fills with another round of applause. But my gaze searched her as always.

God even I didn't knew I could suddenly be so poetic. When I said she inspired me, I meant that truly. Because since marrying her, I had taken the position of COO and made this deal. So apparently she was the reason I stood here.

She looked moved but her expression stayed unreadable like always. Just the tiny flicker of her eyelashes, small smile on her lips .
Face calm, as if I hadn't just given a speech infront of 100 people, taking her name. Even though my social anxiety had kicked in.

......

As we moved through the crowd the slow dances started. One by one the melody of violins and pianoforte filled the room.
The couples were already slow dancing.

When someone said to me,
"Mr.Oberoi, join in"
I couldn't deny, not because it was obliged but because i did wanted to.

Just didn't know how to ask her .

"Shall we..?" I asked lowly to her who nodded in return.

I slightly stretched my hand up, infront of her. As her palm , walm against my skin held it.
"Can I..?" I ask as my other hand stayed in the air , near to her waist.

"Yes" her words were firm as  I placed my palm against the curve of her waist. My finger mingling with her waist chain unconsciously.
I took a deep inhale , stepping one step closer.

As the music played in the background

My hand slightly flexed onto her waist as her soft palm rested on my chest, right where my heart beated so fast, only for her...

What was she doing to me...?

Aankhe Meri Har Jagah
Dhundhe Tujhe Bewajah
Yeh Main Hoon Ya
Koi Aur Hai Meri Tarah

I had to lean in a little closer, which resulted in my breath fanning over her face and did I curse internally.
I could feel her heat sipping through me. Sending the sparks across my body.

The nervous flicker of her eyelashes, the parting of her lips . It undid me further.

Kaise Hua Kaise Hua
Tu Itna Zaruri Kaise Hua
Kaise Hua Kaise Hua
Tu Itna Zaruri Kaise Hua

How long can I fight the pull—the damn undeniable attraction I feel for my own 'wife', practically a stranger?

I wanted to get out of here before I do something stupid.
Her dark orbs searched mine, her lips trembled, God , I just wanted a taste of her.
Fuck .
I should not be feeling this way. And the damn song did nothing to this.

It was like rubbing salt to injury.

Main Barish Ki Boli
Samjhta Nahi Tha
Hawaon Se Main Yun
Ulajhta Nahi Tha

Hai Seene Mein Dil Bhi
Kahan Thi Mujhe Ye Khabar

She twirls , just like others. I try not to step on her feet or touch her . My patience is wearing thin. I was walking on thin ice.

It felt like I was a man parched and she was my only redemption.

Why ...?

Am I seriously falling for her....?

It's not how it must be.

Fuck.

No .
We just stay together.
It's just my mid age hormones. Advik.
You don't do love. Feelings are for weak.
She is better than you.
Deserves better than you.

Kya Hal Ho Gaya Hai
Ye Mera
Aankhe Meri Har Jagah
Dhundhe Tujhe Bewajah
Yeh Main Hoon Ya
Koi Aur Hai Meri Tarah Aaa…

The melody plays in the air, as her back pressed against my chest. My heart doing the weird flips. Her heat. Her body against mine. This was torture. It wasn't just hormonal, it was my heart and brain being actively involved in those sensations. I inhaled her scent. Trying to memorize every thing of it.

This was a bad idea. Very bad idea.
Dancing with her.

I feel the heat pool in my abdomen.
And my core. My breath shallow. I was dancing on bare restrain.
One wrong move and I don't know which animal I will become.

.
.
.
.
.