Ain't Meant For LOVE..!

Dinner Plan

Zac’s P.O.V

Right now I am super pissed off. I am waiting for a man who seemed to be Tasha’s professor but he hasn’t made it from past 2 hours. The only good thing is the lady that is sitting across me in the cafe reading out a magazine. I stared at her face which is so calm and it relaxes me a little. Me and Manasvi are kinda hanging out.

If you skip the part where she is actually helping me out with the investigation; yes we hang out a lot. It’s been a week in Delhi and the investigation requires travelling so she travels with me. It’s been a hard time to be a gentleman around her. I mean there are these constant things going on in my body when I see her pout, smile, raising her eyebrow or biting that lower lip.

She is damn sexy and I know she knows it. She is confident unlike Tasha who doesn’t know about herself. The sexy creation here knows how to push my buttons on and that keeps me on edge. I feel like attacking those luscious lips of her and kiss her till she loose her sense and well—rest you can follow the drift, right?  ;-)

There was a movement beside me as I saw a lean and thin man who was very young smiled towards me apologetically. I guess he is the one!

“Hey, is this Mr. Nelson? I am Sunil Kumar.” He said confidently and looked professional but I am amazed to see such a young man as professor.

***

Well, that man was really professional and cool. He told me everything from her POV and her in-laws POV and guess what? He could be really useful. He asked about her well being and was so proud to hear her doing well. I showed him how she looks now and he sighed deeply saying she deserved so much more and he blesses her always.

“Shall we go now? I think I can only help you with this.” Manasvi gave me cheeky smile as she took my arm and started walking out.

I like when she just shows her right on me. I smiled and walked. We halted outside near a souvenir shop when someone tapped my shoulder.

Turning around I saw a young man of my age or about Tasha’s age standing in front of me. He looked good and had a Mexican look. “Yes?” I raised an eyebrow in question.

“Why are you looking for that girl?” He asked coldly.

-‘Woah! How does he know? And what’s his problem’-

“Which girl are you talking about?” I tried to play safe. I don’t want her in laws to know about this investigation.

“How many girls are you inspecting at this time? Definitely Saana.” he said in an obvious tone.

(Yups, Saana was her previous name. The name she is well known with in India.)

“It’s just that I am—“

“Whatever; I just want you to stay away from her. She had already suffered much and I don’t want any of her in-laws to know where she is at present.” He glared at me and started walking back.

-So, he isn’t among them.-

“Hey man! Wait!!!” I ran after him as he stopped mid-way, turning to look at me. “How do you know her? Can you tell me something about her?” I asked him seriously.

He stared at me for few minutes before nodding. “I would like to know first, why are you looking for her?”

I explained him everything. Of course skipping Damien’s part and their relationship. He doesn’t need to know that. Right?

“Ummm... Got it. Well, I am her ex. You can best friend or boyfriend but it was just emotional attachment and not physical. She had been nothing but a sweetheart. I haven’t seen such a mature and brave woman at her age. She is way too understanding and naive though. She was broken when she escaped her marriage. I made her what she is now. She forgot to smile, I made her love herself and except the world the way it is.

She doesn’t know pretence and couldn’t deceive a soul. She is as pure and innocent as a kid. I made her look past people, their motives and I am happy she is doing well. But, I am hurt that she left me without saying a word.” He said with sadness in his eyes.

“Are you still... in love with her?” I asked him as he just stared at my face.

“I am in no position to answer that as I was married when I still loved her. I too broke her when I promised to always be with her and make her stronger.” He said staring down.

-Uhh... it’s getting awkward now.-

“Thanks man! for your cooperation. Don’t worry she is safe and I will keep her safe.” I smiled at him shaking hands.

He left after we exchanged our no.s and I headed back to the shop.

Maybe, now I should go back to NY and take Manasvi along with me.

Ben’s P.O.V

I hate Rachel as I could clearly sense her hatred towards Tasha. I am afraid she might hurt her but we had to work together if I want Tasha beside me and not Damien.

So, here I am sitting at my home going through the files we stole from Damien’s office that day.

Flashback

Rachel and I went to the topmost floor as I headed to Tasha’s office and invited her for the lunch. I was moved by her smile and mischief in her eyes. When she left her office I was pulled out from my dreamland with a message.

Rachel: Get the keys.

I sighed as nervousness crept up. I don’t want to do anything against Tasha but it was kinda necessary as it says- Everything is fair in love and war.

I frantically searched in the drawers but then my eyes landed on the card placed inside the fancy pot on the table. The card seemed different so I picked it up and saw a magnet at the other side. Guessing it to be the key, I texted Rachel and headed outside. I saw her approaching my direction from the other end so giving her signal, I threw the card outside Damien’s office.

I was just in time to meet Tasha or she would have seen Rachel. I guess I looked like a freak as she suspiciously looked at me

“Hey! I went to use the washroom. Can’t I?” I tried to stick to the most obvious thing as an excuse.

The whole time when we were talking in the cafe; I was worried about Rachel being caught because that would result in blowing of the plan and I don’t want that. I was even terrified when Tasha started insisting on leaving. To make sure Rachel was out, I placed a call to her to inform of our returning and she said she is leaving now and about to reach my floor. She would be keeping those files in my bag.

Flashback Ended

For quite a few days I didn’t get why we were doing this! I mean, why do we need to look at the confidential files when clearly anything to do with the business isn’t my business? But then that’s what we call a team work. If that lady and Rachel were helping me then I had to return the favor.

After another four hours I felt tired and decided to call it a day when suddenly something caught my attention. My eyes almost bulged out as I read the document not believing it.

-‘What the f**k! How can that be possible? Am I dreaming?’-

I rubbed my face and ran a hand over it but the letters remained the same. That’s when I realized why we were searching through these damned files.

I exhaled loudly as I sent the lady and Rachel message letting them know that I’ve found it.

-‘It’s f*****g unbelievable. I never knew this could happen.’-

Damien’s P.O.V

I asked Tasha to get ready as today I would take her to my mother’s house. My mom had been driving me crazy reminding me about the dinner I promised her with Tasha.

I waited as she came down looking stunning as always in her Black silk dress that reached below her knees and wore golden converse pairing it with golden jacket. Her hair flowing as she hopped down the stairs. I chuckled at her.

“What? Am I looking that bad?” she asked alarmed.

I held her shoulders trying to suppress a laugh. “Relax! You are looking stunning love. As always to be added.” I kissed her forehead.

“Then why did you laugh?” She asked with a frown look as she put a hand on her hip.

“Well, the way you wore a converse and hopped down the stairs without combing your hair—you looked like a teenager running for school trying to make it on time. You even had that look.” I laughed out loud.

She shook her head as she still looked at me confusingly. “I am nervous okay! And out of all days, it was today that I am having a bad hair day so I left it unattended.” She said pouting a little.

“Hey! Like I said, you look stunning sweetheart so don’t worry. This is just having dinner with mom so don’t freak okay? Act yourself and she’s definitely gonna love you.” I embraced her rubbing her arm.

“I know, I know but it’s still with your mom and that’s not helping me out. You know how I am at socializing. Anyways, let’s get going. If we delay more, I might chicken out.” She rushed towards the door as I still laughed hard at her behaviour.

I briefed her about my mom on the way to make her a bit familiar with the one she was about to meet. When we reached mom’s place; trust me now there were two people freaking out. Yups! The other was me. I suddenly grew nervous and I don’t even know why. My palms sweated as I turned the engine off. I turned to look at her and saw her practicing deep breaths. I nudged her and gestured her to be ready. I took a deep breathe myself and ran towards her side opening the door. I offered her my hand as she took and stepped out of the car.

-‘Okay! It’s now or never.’-

Locking the car, I placed a hand on her lower back and passed her an encouraging smile which she returned.

I knocked and waited as my mom opened the door with a wide grin on her face. She embraced me and turned to see Tasha. I keenly observed her expression to see what she thinks of her and for a second my heart sank down.

I saw my mom’s grin disappear and maybe there was envy on her face? Then I turned to see Tasha who looked shocked?

-‘What’s going on here?’-

Before I could have asked anything, my mom smiled. She gave an approving nod to me and smiled back at her. She pulled her into a bear hug and welcomed her inside.

-Gosh! That was intense.-

***

Dinner went smoothly, as we talked and laughed. Well mostly, it was my mom embarrassing me in front of her but I liked it because Tasha was laughing heartily which is very rare. I can make a fool of myself every f*****g second if I can get her laugh this way. I smiled sheepishly as I saw my little family.

Tasha’s P.O.V

I was nervous ever since Damien asked me to be presentable for his mother. I know that he hasn’t proposed or even confessed his love but I can feel it so, meeting his mother was wrecking me down. I was afraid thinking what will happen if his mother won’t like me? What if she behaves like my ex- in laws? What if she ask me to stay away from her son?

I get it, it was probably too cliché but we can’t rule it out! Remember I am nervous and thus, all these possibilities were apparently occupying my mind. I don’t even hell know what to wear!

I am doomed. I just pulled out the first dress I could grab with my closed eyes and slipped it over. I then took the jacket that caught my attention and decided to match my converse with it.

I know you would be tsking as why to wear converse when it will rock with the sandals or wedges. But trust me when I say this—tripping in front of his mom is the last thing I want to do.

I will become clumsy, accident-prone and what not all of a sudden in front of me; I am damn sure about it. That is why I have decided to keep it to comfort and simple. When I reached Damien, I could see he was enjoying my discomfort but after reaching his mom’s place; it was my turn to laugh. The only difference was, I couldn’t let it out.

Reaching at the door, he pressed the bell and that’s when the ‘fast and furious 9’ happened inside me. I wanted to scream and run back and guess? I actually did turn back but Damien held me tightly by the waist now and fixed me with his gaze. I gulped and stood in Attention position when the door opened to reveal a very familiar figure but I am unable to remember where I have seen her. She hugged Damien and turned to face me.

Blue eyes, beautiful, black hair, woman in her late thirties to early forties; I gasped as I remembered it was the same lady who bumped into me when I went to Edward’s house. She told me we would meet often and invited me to have dinner. No doubt why her eyes looked familiar! They are the same as Damien’s. I could see realization coming to her as well as she embraced me.

The dinner went smooth and we had a fun together. We were laughing crazily but then my laughter died when I saw her looking at me with malicious?

I might be wrong because why would she look at me that way? Wasn’t she smiling sweetly till now? Maybe Damien would have noticed too. I turned to look him but there was no one.

Okay! I was now uncomfortable. I tried to avert my gaze when she suddenly said, “I am glad we could made it together. Hope you be there for the second time.” The last part was a bit drowned as she sipped on her wine.

My head snapped in her direction. She did mutter the last part but she doesn’t know I have sharp hearing sense. Okay fine! I have sharp senses. I heard clearly and I am confused as what does it mean ‘Hope you be there for the second time’? It sounded more like a warning or I dunno, it didn’t sound good.

-‘This was creepy. I have this constant feeling as if she is upto something. (Huhhh...) Looks like I am mother-in-law repellent.’-

-Hope this time, you can handle it!- I smiled meekly at her.