Love Contract

Chapter 2

Chris’s POV—

It has been one month since I returned from the ball and my days have been so busy and packed up with meetings and travels that I didn’t get time to schedule a date with Raina! In fact, I didn’t even call or text her! Not that I forgot about her, but whenever I thought of texting her or calling her I was at loss of words. I have no idea when I will be free to go out on a date because my schedules keep changing especially recently because we are acquiring an entire chain of showrooms of a Diamond Brand which we have purchased and a lot is happening. My father has not been keeping quite well and it has been recently found that he is suffering from serious diabetes and since then I am also handling his works and traveling to places to attend meetings and conferences where he was supposed to handle.

I didn’t know how to write to Raina that I will meet her after two months and hence I didn’t text. A few times recently, though I decided to text her finally, but every time either it was too late at night or something or the other came up!

But today I will call her in the evening once I finish my work. I have just returned from Hongkong and I will be here in London for two days attending the board meetings about the re-launch of the automobile brand we are acquiring.

“Hey boss! Mr Hector is here with the plan about the new building project.” Daniel who is my assistant enters my office and informs me.

“Ok. Send him in and also send Laila at once.” I order without taking my eyes off the computer. Laila is my secretary and she accompanies me in most of my meetings.

“Sure. Do I need to be present for the meeting?” Dan asks and it irritates me a bit.

“Why are you asking? Who is my assistant?” I ask him instead of answering his question.

“It will be me but I am asking because I have to meet Mr Francis and check all the documents are properly processed for the brand we have acquired! But if you need me here I will cancel the appointment with Mr Francis.” Dan explains.

I think about it and decide that Laila’s presence will be enough and anyways if I need anything I can just call him. So I say, ‘Ok. You carry on with Mr Francis and before giving him a clearance please run the checklist with me.”

“Sure boss.” He replies and leaves.

Within a minute or two, I hear a knock on the door and Laila’s voice comes from outside, “Sir? May I come in?”

“Yes Laila, come in and have a seat. Mr Hector is here to explain about the new project. We are developing some big housing complexes in Italy and it will be premium. Take detailed notes and also jot down if you feel anything is needed to be clarified. Understood?” I sit with my fingers crossed on the table and instruct her in details.

“Sure sir.” Laila replies and takes her seat. He is a pretty girl and is surely attractive. I also know that she likes me, though I never let her know that I understand that clearly from the way she blushes and gets nervous in my presence.

Laila just takes her seat when the door knocks again.

“S-sir! I think it is Mr Hector.” Laila says a bit nervously. I look at her with the cold stare which I usually give to my employees and say, “So? Shall I go and open the door?”

“N-No! No! Of course not Sir!” She stutters and stands up but still stands put nervously staring at me.

“Ms Laila?”

“Yes Sir?”

“Do you think Mr Hector has supernatural powers and walk through the door?” I ask narrowing my eyes and she immediately walks stumbling again and again while apologising, “No sir! I will open the door!”

Laila can be very clumsy and nervous around me, but still I have her as secretary because she has this strange quality of becoming highly professional in front of others and she is good in her job as a secretary.

“Good afternoon Mr Hamilton!” Mr Hector walks in and greets me.

“Please sit.” I say pointing at the chair.

Mr Hector is the CEO of the construction company who has tied up with us to do the constructions of this particular project.

“What do you have Mr Hector?” I ask playing with a pen while leaning back on my recliner.

“Ms Laila, the projector please.” He says to Laila who immediately adjusts and switches on the projector and Mr Hector explains the looks of the buildings and every facilities which will be available to the apartment owners.

It takes us almost two hours to conclude since there were changes I wanted and I explained. He noted them down and assured that a fresh proposal will be ready by the next day.

“Ok Mr Hamilton! I will be back tomorrow then.” Mr Hector says and gets up.

“Please fix the meeting timing with Laila.” I tell him and dismiss them both. I look at the watch and see that it is already four. I have now a meeting with Daniel about the paper works which I asked him to keep me updated about and then I have a meeting with the marketing team. I think about Raina! I miss her and I really want to talk to her and see her!

I sigh thinking that it will take another three hours to finish my work here. I decide to call her on the way back home.

---

I wrap up my work at exactly seven thirty in the evening since I had to take half an hour break for tea. I had been working nonstop and needed a break.

As I walked down, my driver Michael got my car and opened the door for me. I love driving and most of the days I drive, but once in a while I let Michael drive. I get in the car and Arnold takes the passenger seat beside Michael.

“Shall I drive you home boss?” Michael asks and I just nod while busy checking my messages which were pending to be checked.

Once done I send a text to Raina…

‘Hi ! Chris here!’

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Raina’s POV—

I was sitting with my friend in my living room, enjoying some choco-pies which I thought will help to change my mood but it doesn’t! Isha is my Indian friend who lives in London and we are friends since last fifteen years!

“So what do you think? Are the pies up to your expectation?” Isha asks looking at me with anticipation and waiting for my verdict, but my mind is not here at all though I am physically present.

“Are you still thinking about him?”

“Hmmm?” I hum now looking at her and when I realise that I was so lost in his thoughts, I blush hard and deny. “What? No! Not at all! I am not thinking about Chris at all!”

“Oh really? How did you know that I am asking about Chris then?” she asks giggling and I bite my lips embarrassed of getting caught.

“I..I just.”

“Ok. Ok.” She shows me her palm and says, “Don’t have to put in so much of efforts on lying!” She shifts close to me and holding my hand she sighs and says, “I know you are much affected my his charm but I just want to warn you Raina, he is handsome and rich! He is a bloody billionaire bachelor! So many women would die to spend sometime with him! I don’t know why do you expect him to remember you even? Just because he danced with you and spoke nicely?”

Tears well up in my eyes and I say sadly, “I thought he liked me Isha! He almost begged me for a date!”

She now leans back on the sofa and says, “Do you really think you are the only one he has ever danced with or asked on a date?”

I frowned as realisation dawned on me! It cannot be that easy! Isha maybe right about this!

“Look Raina, I don’t want to discourage you but I am just saying, don’t expect so much!” Isha cups my face and smiles.

“Yeah..maybe you are right! Such a rich man like him cannot just so easily be interested about me! I should not assume that he will remember me and …” before I could finish, my mobile pinged and as I casually checked, I saw a text from an unknown number.

‘Hi ! Chris here!’

My eyes opened wide and my jaws dropped as I looked at the text.

“What is it?”

Isha bent over my mobile curiously and I showed her the text as a sweet smile made its way on my face!

I bit my lips nervously and looked at Isha who rolled her eyes and whispered as if Chris would hear her!

“Reply the text!”

“Umm..no! I don’t want to show that I have been waiting for him! He didn’t write to me or call me for a month after he pleaded for a date! Let him wait for me now!” I said and kept the mobile on the table. I tried to ignore it, though, my mind was completely wondering whether he would text again or just leave at this!

“So, now will you tell me?” Isha asked again.

“What?”

“About the pies!” she rolls her eyes again seeing that I am kind of lost again.

“Oh yes! Yes, it is really good and I think this can be taught to the women and it will help a lot. The women can make pies, pack them nicely and we can export them as per the orders!” I replied when my mobile pinged again.

I hesitantly took the mobile and checked it. It was again a text from him.

‘Hey! You have every right to be angry Raina! But I was really too busy with my travels and meetings. But I am really looking forward to our date!’

This time I reply to him.

‘I thought you have forgotten about a normal person like me! After all I am just a nobody! But I am happy that you texted me! I was also thinking about our….date.’

Almost immediately another reply came.

‘You are not ‘nobody’ ! You are the most beautiful and kind woman I have ever known! You are special to me! I am sorry that I cannot meet you soon but I promise that next month I will take out for a date and you will love it!’

Before I could reply another message came.

‘I have been thinking about you and I wish to talk to you! If it is not a problem, I would like to call you tonight after nine! I miss you and your voice!’

Reading the message I couldn’t help but smile and blush!

“Wow! You are already moved quite far! I was wrong about this! So, what are you going to do?” Isha asks.

I think for a while and reply, “I will talk to him! I too want to hear his voice and tell him how much I missed him!”

“But what about?” she asks.

I sigh and reply, “I will manage Isha! I have to and I will find a way to manage!”

Saying that I quickly reply, ‘ I will be eagerly waiting for your call. I hope you don’t take a month to call me!’

‘Don’t be angry please. I promise I won’t take a month to call. I will call you tonight!’

I read his message and look at the clock; it is eight o’clock! Only another one hour, I think

and blush!