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I lift my eyes and look back at the building. The sole reason I am here is to talk about the terms of marriage and not daydream about the moron who wants nothing more than to get rid of me. All my focus is to keep the roof over my parents’ heads. Mr Seth did say he would help regardless if I marry his grandson or not. But my conscience doesn’t allow me to take the free ride. I know I am the last person Ranveer wishes to marry, yet I need to make this deal with the devil. I know it won’t be easy to stay with him in this relationship. Nonetheless, hopefully, he will begin to see how this temporary marriage will benefit us both.
Squaring my shoulders and holding my head up, I enter the building of Seth Enterprises. As I step into the busy office, my eyes scan the elegant place that looks like the ones you get to see in a Vogue magazine. The strip lights on the walls and ceilings give it a floaty effect while the spotlights offer ambient lighting to the artworks on the display. Even the white marble floor shines. My eyes move to the huge subtly toned reception area in the centre. Damn! This is way out of my league. I have to fight every instinct in me that tells me to turn around and run away. No, I won’t be a coward. I am stronger than that and won’t back down.
I approach the reception with as much as confidence I can muster. The young lady behind the desk gives me a warm smile.
“Do you have an appointment, Ma’am?” she asks.
“Yes, I’m here to see Mr Ranveer Seth.” My croaky voice sounds weak even to my own ears.
“Can I have your name, Ma’am?”
“Alisha Kapadia.” She looks down at her computer screen for a moment. After what seems like hours, though it is only seconds, she nods her head.
“Take the elevator to the twenty-fifth floor. When you step off, walk up straight and you’ll find Mrs Joey at the reception desk, who will take you to Mr Seth.”
“Okay.” Saying that, I make my way to the elevators. My hands are quivering slightly as I press the button, allowing the elevator to take me to my destination. As the number lights up, signalling my imminent arrival, I can feel the butterflies go wild in my stomach. I am seconds away from seeing my affianced and can’t shake away the feeling that the meeting would be quite challenging and chilling.
When the elevator dings and the doors open, I step out and make my way to the huge reception area.
“Yes, how may I help you?” the middle-aged woman asks when I stand in front of her desk.
“I am Alisha Kapadia. I am here for Mr Ranveer Seth,” I reply in a voice that is a touch more confident than the one I used earlier.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I am Joey, Mr Ranveer Seth’s personal assistant.” She holds out her hand to me, which I shake with a smile.
“The pleasure is all mine.”
“Mr Ranveer did inform me about your arrival but currently he is busy in a meeting. He also asked me to tell you to have a seat. As soon as he is done, he’ll meet you.”
Nodding my head, I walk over to the couch. I tap my feet, as I glance at my watch every few minutes. Time continues to tick by, but I don’t hear my name being called out. I keep gazing around, mulling what the meeting is all about and generally feeling restless. Once an hour passes, I steam up. It’s so damn rude to make someone wait this long! Does that jerk assume he is the only one who has a work life?
Giving him the benefit of the doubt that he must have forgotten about our meeting, I walk up to the reception desk.
“Does Mr Seth know that I am still waiting for him?”
Joey looks up apologetically. “I am sorry, Dear, he is still held up with the meeting. You’ll have to wait for him. Meanwhile, may I get you some refreshments?” This is the second time she has offered me, but I refuse.
I nod and take my seat back. Another hour passes; still no word from Ranveer. Closing my eyes for a few precious moments, I breathe deeply and exhale a long sigh. That’s it. I can’t wait any longer. It looks like he is fooling around with me. I am sure he is in his office, having a good laugh to himself. Without waiting for a moment more, I rise to my feet and head off towards the elevator, not bothering to approach the reception desk again. What’s the point? Though I hear Joey call out behind my back, I am too pissed off to stop or reply.
I take the elevator back downstairs. Without glancing back, I exit the building.
???
The moment my boutique comes into view, I pull over to my parking spot. I drop my head onto the steering wheel and let out a groan of dismay. Now, the doubts are creeping back in my mind and I have no freaking idea what to expect out of this marriage.Will he continue to torture me like this even after marriage? Will I really be happy? Is this what I am signing up for?I take a deep breath. I need to put a stop to the ongoing conflict in my head, and remember why I am agreeing to this. Just as I compose myself, a light knock on my window makes me shriek and bounce in my seat.
I turn and see Rewa standing there and shooting me a concerned look. I suck in my breath and then let it escape as I unbuckle, open the car door, and step out.
“Alisha, are you okay?” she says softly as she looks at my ashen face. I try hard to not let myself break. Before I can gain control over my feelings, she pulls me into her arms and hugs me tightly.
I struggle like hell not to cry. “Yeah, all good. I think I am a little gloomy and absentminded, that’s all.”
She pulls back from the hug and frowns. “Gloomy? Why?”
“Too many reasons.”
“Alisha….” She begins but I cut her off.
“How is the boutique doing today?”
