Learning to Love

Chapter 4

~In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities ~

János Arany

***

"Rayn! Rayn! hop downstairs quickly!" Sanyana shouted as she was busy packing for his breakfast. She was getting late for the office today as she had to go and arrange few items for welcome of the people arriving from other country.

"Yes mumma" he yelled back and quickly shut his room door. Running downstairs with a fast speed he laughed. He saw that she was sitting on the chair waiting for him to arrive so that they can have a quick breakfast. After they had their breakfast in a hurry, she dropped him to school and went her way to the office.

***

"Hey San" Kate greeted her as she entered the office. Sanyana smiled at her waving while kate was looking at her in awe to see her dressed so beautifully.

Sanyana was elegantly dressed for the occasion. With her white sleeves top with line cut and black tight business skirt reaching up to her knees, pairing with the brown velvet jacket. Her hair was tied in a French bun and she had put a light makeup. Her black stiletto were the perfect compliment to her business outfit. She had worn a chain that James had gifted her last year on her birthday.

"Hiya kate" Sanyana said after walking to her while fixing running her palms through the velvety material of jacket.

"You look great babe" Kate complimented eyeing her dress and smiling at her.

"Thanks. So do you." She complimented back genuinely.

Before she could hear Kate reply she got a call from the company secretary. Smiling apologetically at kate she rushed towards the elevator.

****

"May I come in?" Adam knocked at the door asking her as she saw that she was busy arranging the files for the board meeting.

Sensing his voice she shot her head up and stood up for him to come in. He smiled at her and entered inside her cabin. His smile widened looking at the cabin. She kept everything same as back three years the first time she arranged it and yet it was same. All the files were neatly arranged and her laptop was placed on desk and beside that was the coffee table and the large sofa complimenting it. He saw the photo frame stand on her desk and he knew it was of her son. He comes to her cabin rarely so she looked surprised.

"Please sir" Sanyukta cleared her throat to gain his attention as he was busy looking at her cabin.

"Yeah I just wanted to inform you that the CEO from India along with his secretary will arrive soon. His assistant will call you about their allotment and stuff. Don't worry Riley handled their accommodation. Just answer his queries. Also inform them that they should be here by 10 am. We have a board meeting with them."

"Definitely sir. Is that all?" She asked him taking down mentally his given instructions.

He nodded and exited her cabin with a smile lingering on his face. He knew that she wouldn't disappoint him at any cost.

****

"Signore .." Charlie halted at his sentence as he glanced at the man standing in front of him.

"It's Ronald" He finished it up for him in full authority and command as they stood in front of the Park Avenue pent house.

"Signore, Signora this is your house" Charlie opened the lock of the door for them using the keys Sanyana had handed him when he met her in the office.

"Thank you" Aisha smiled politely at him before entering the pent house with Dhrisha, Mark and Ron trailing behind her.

As they stepped inside series of gasp followed gushing how beautiful the house is. It was like a mini mansion for them. It royally suited their standard. Charlie thought upon seeing their faces. They looked at the house in awe. It was splendid just like some condominium or a mansion but it was a penthouse with beautiful look. They entered more inside and Charlie showed up their rooms and carried their luggages to their rooms.

While Mark, Aisha along with Dhrisha had made their way to the new rooms, Ron stood in the gallery of the living room. The very thing he noticed as he stepped inside was the balcony attached to the living room. It was the breathtaking view from here and also he could see the gallery of other pent houses from his. The busy street of New York looked breathtaking.

"Everything good Signore?" Charlie asked as he stepped downstairs in the living room only to find Ron standing there so he quickly has snuck there to talk to this Indian that held so much of aura within himself.

"Si" he answered him in response speaking the language he used to love, after so many years. Five years exact. Ron had not even bothered to look at his face as he knew that it must be filled with shock.

"You know to speak Italian?" Charlie asked quite shocked to listen his accent that changed so quickly.

"Yes." Ron answered quickly then asked , "You are Italian, Charlie?"

"Yeah actually its Charlotte Donati. But I prefer Charlie." Ron smiled at him and nodded.

"Cool"

****

After taking their good time in getting ready and eating their breakfast, Mark and Ron made their way to the office. Charlie was going to give them ride to the office as they were new here.

Ron was getting the sinking feeling from the time he steeped here and mostly at Park Avenue. It was like he was feeling some kind of excitement but also nervousness along with it. He did not knew that it was due to the first day of going to new office or else. He was sure that it was the later.

His mind unknowingly wandered to her. He hoped that he will meet her soon. One can only dream.

"Sir?" Mark's voice brought him back to the reality.

"Yes"

"Mr Adam McKay, the CEO of the McKay Automobile invited us for a meeting so he can introduce us to their Board members sir."

"Okay. Is that it?" Ron asked checking his watch.

"Yes sir" Mark replied after crossing his reminder alarm on the phone. His anxiety will be death of him.

****

Sanyana stood up from her seat after glancing at the clock on the wall. It was the time that they were going to arrive. She did not know anything about the company that were going to arrive because her boss himself was unaware. It was because while Adam was out for his meetings all alone, his father had signed one too many deals so it was that only his father knew about that company. The only information she knew was they were going to handle the projects and look into their matter for six long months and then they'll be off to India.

She headed towards the conference room to arrange all the files and check the drive in the laptop. As there was going to be a meeting here it was her responsibility to arrange everything.

"Sir everything's ready. I'll just go and check on that guys from India." Sanyana mumbled as she entered Adam's office after completing her work in board room.

"Sure. By the way you look beautiful. And thank you for looking into everything. It was such a short notice." Adam smiled at her while she blushed and mouthed a thank you before exiting his office.

She return back to her cabin and from her cabin she could see that the board members were approaching the room. She dialed the secretary of the company she named as Mark. She did not had much conversation rather than today in the morning for telling him about their arrival.

"Hello this is Sanyana from McKay's speaking. As informed earlier the meeting is about to start... Hmm...okay...The board room...Yeah...You're welcome....Sure." She grinned after completing the call and exited her cabin.

The secretary of that company, Mark told them that they have just arrived and they'll be there back soon. So satisfied she quickly took her notepad and pen and followed her steps till the Board room.

She saw already that there were board members present along with her boss at the centre and to his side was her chair. Trying to avoid the loud sound of her black stilettos she made her way to the seat tiptoeing.

****

"Sir this is the way to the board room." Ron nodded as one of the female led him the way.

He along with Mark beside him entered the large board room. As he pushed the glass door and allowed mark to close it he paddled inside the room. As he looked up at the people sitting here he felt a bit nervous. As he glanced towards one of the seat he almost gasped. Shock would be an understatement. He saw her sitting beside some man dressed formally. How did this happen? From past five years he had been searching for her and nothing.

"Ladies and Gentleman this is the CEO and his assistant from Sun Group of Companies in India. He will be working with us on one of our project. If it goes successful we'll tie up with his company in India...."

Sanyana snapped her head away from her paperwork and froze in her seat after looking at him.

She had never in her dream expected him to be here. She observed that he looked different. He was dressed in a black business suit. She also noticed that she was looking at her with the same intensity. It was as if they were the only two in the room.

She averted his gaze from her and looked at the people that were staring at her. Smiling awkwardly she stood up and went to stand beside Adam.

"Hello I am Adam McKay, CEO of this firm. Pleasure to meet you Mr Ron" Adam

Ron shook his hand while managing to smile at him.

His eyes were still on her. He had no idea that she will be here. She had changed so much. Her face changed so much and her eyes no longer held those warm looks for him.

"Hello I am Sanyana..." *cough* "I'm Mr McKay's personal assistant"

She gave a smile to Mark and then forwarded her hand and held it to him.

He instantly gripped her palm not harsh but steady. He felt her warmth of palms and almost wanted to sigh. He couldn't understand how managed to live all these years without her touch.

She craved for his touch so long time and now she finally had it. She could feel his intense gaze on her but soon she realised their surrounding so quickly freed her palm and cleared her throat.

"So Mr. Smith. Shall we begin?" Adam asked looking at Ron.

****

Sanyana sighed in relief. It was her lunch time.

After the meeting she avoided him like a plague. Though it was hard to avoid him as she had to be their coordinator in showing the company but the entire time she talked with Mark only.

"Hey San" Kate knocked at her door hard. Twice.

"Umm....yeah sorry. Hi."

"Let's go for lunch"

"No. I'm not feeling it. So why don't you carry on." Sanyana said wiping the sweat off her palms on her blouse.

"Cut the crap san. I don't know why you are tensed and I will not ask you. But please don't starve yourself."

"Fine" Sanyana said thankfully.

****

It had been a very long day for her so she was tired and her break was cut short. She called and informed James about it and asked him to pick Rayn.

After a long tiring day she was glad it was over. She sped her car on the car trying to reach as soon as possible because she needed to see her baby. She did not talk to him from morning and that fact was killing her. She parked her car and locked it before entering the Barrister. Hastily she walked inside the cafe.

"Hey!" She enthusiastically spoke. As much as she could muster after a long day. Not to mention that included seeing her ex husband. She saw that the cafe was somewhat empty so she took the stairs and climbed upstairs. Pushing open the door she smiled looking at Rayn playing video game.

"Sanyana? Is that you?" James asked as he heard rustling noise from the living room.

James and Julie combined their with the cafe. It was upstairs. The stairs at the corner led to their beautiful three flat apartment.

"Yeah. Where's Julie?" She asked roaming her eyes around the empty living room.

"Ah...she's at her sister Alice's birthday party." He replied emerging out of the kitchen with a smile and sat beside Rayn.

"Oh. I'm sorry James if I knew it was Alice's party I would have never let Rayn stay." She apologetically smiled at him and loosened her tight bun.

"Psst no problem hun it was just boring oldies party beside it is always fun playing with Rayn." He kissed Rayn's cheek who just frowned in response and wiped his cheek making them both chuckle at him.

"Okay...Its getting late old man. I'll need to go home now."

"Rayn let's get up" He gave her a odd look and grudgingly stood up and gave the Xbox back to James.

"Bye nan" He kissed his cheek and picked his books and kit.

"Hun atleast have something. I prepared cheese grilled sandwiches." James offered.

"As tempting as that sounds I can't. I need to go home. But thanks anyways."

"Okay I'll see you tomorrow then"

"Bye James. Goodnight and tell Julie I asked for her." She waved.

****

As soon as she stepped inside her living room she slumped down the sofa. She wanted to sleep her tiredness off but she had to cook dinner. It was sweet of James to offer her dinner but she couldn't always take favours from him. She noticed that Rayn was silent throughout the drive. He did not even answer her questions.

"Sweetie what would you like to eat?" She asked him.

"What? Are you not going to talk to me now?" She frowned but her heart pained to see him like this.

"Fine. Be that way." She said annoyed at lack of his response.

"You promised!" He screamed aggressively throwing the remote.

"Rayn...hun... Calm down. you want to walk me through that again? Hmm... What are you talking about baby?" She asked shocked at his behaviour. She calmly pulled him closer by placing one of hand on his waist.

"You promised to take me to Central Park" he said still angry but his tone was not loud.

"I'm so sorry. I had to work late today. I just forgot honey I'm so sorry" She explained hoping he would forgive her but he stayed mum.

"Please forgive me" She insisted pulling him closer and ruffling his hair affectionately

"Hmm how about we order dinner of your choice? We'll order your favourite triple cheese pizza and choco lava cake. We can watch Home Alone 4 while eating." She bribed. Usually she doesn't allow him to watch anything while eating but it was a bribe so yeah.

"I'll take you to Central Park this weekend I promise." She added.

"Okay I forgive you." He said giving her a side hug.

"Thank you baby." She said with a relieved sigh. After that she closed her eyes and rested her head on the sofa.

He could sense that she was tensed as she closed her eyes and was taking deep breaths.

"Mumma are you okay?" He asked her and tapped her right cheek.

She was not at all okay. His arrival affected her too much than thought. She was more scared of the fact that what if Rayn found out that his father is here and the worst part staying downstairs. She had to keep her baby away from him she cannot let Rayn get hurt in all this fiasco. She was too much hurt by Ron's actions but she cannot let it affect Rayn.

"Yes. I'm excellent." She smiled seeing him so much concerned for her.

"Let's order pizza!" he yelled excitedly.

And that was that. Pizza solved the problem.

***