Warrior - Chapter Fourteen

As the next couple of days go by, nothing much happens. Amma, Babuji, and I slowly inch back closer, and I finally ask for forgiveness. Amma ends up crying and apologizes as well, telling me that all she wants is for her big girl to be happy and that's it.

With all of that out of the way, the house returns to normal, and Gomez no longer has to worry about making special breakfasts to get everyone together. Instead, I can solely focus on work, though now and then I think of Arnav Singh Raizada - the CEO whose mother was only interested in me and none of the chicks that threw themselves at her son.

I guess his past girlfriends are that bad.

Finally, Friday night rolls around and I decide to get serious and choose a dress. So I'm in my closet, looking through all of the dresses that I have.

"What are you doing?"

"Geez-us-! Payal," I scold, glaring at her.

Payal simply shrugs with a toothy grin.

"I liked it better when you were drowning in your notes."

"Remember that when finals roll around and I act crazy."

I roll my eyes and look back at my dresses.

"What are you doing, Di," she asks as she sits down at my vanity.

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

"It looks like you're looking for a dress."

"There you go."

"Okay. Why?"

I pause and look at her. "I've got a dinner meeting tomorrow night."

"On a Saturday," she asks, arching her brow at me.

I miss the days when she was younger and it was easier to lie to her and she wouldn't ask any questions. But it's not like I struggle with my lies.

"Yes, on a Saturday," I mimic. "It's for the new fashion division, for the blog and stuff."

"Oh wow, really?"

Payal's also quite excited about the blog; she's planning on being a part of it once she's done with college and officially working full-time.

"Yes, really, so I gotta dress to impress."

"Well why didn't you say so!"

She comes rushing over and looks through my dresses, going through all five sections of them. She picked out a few, then went through those, and when she didn't like it, her nose would scrunch up lightly, and Payal would put it back. After going on with this method for several minutes, she finally narrows down on a ruby red satin dress.

"This baby is the one!"

I look the dress up and down. It was a halter top dress, which accentuated my mounds - especially since I can't wear a bra, and revealed a lot of my left leg.

I love dresses with slits, sue me.

"This?"

"Hell yeah, why not," she frowned.

"For a business meeting?"

Payal rolled her eyes with a scoff. "Di, you're representing for something that revolves around fashion, okay? Fashion. So show em that you know what you're doing!"

I take hold of the dress and look at Payal, who's smiling at me. I do feel bad that I'm lying to her....

But then again... who knows.

"Alright squirt, I'll wear this."

"Perfect! And I think you should totally keep your hair down, with long, dangly diamonds."

"You got it baby cakes."

She clapped with joy and left. "Go make that coin sis," she hollered, making me laugh.

When she finally left, I sighed and looked at the gown.

"What the fuck have I gotten myself into?"

*~*

It's Saturday night, and I'm adding the last touches to my look, as well as some long, dangly diamond earrings. I take one final look in the mirror, take a deep breath, then grab my shawl and clutch. As I come down the stairs, I pull my phone out of my clutch, and just as I'm about to text Arnav Singh Raizada, I hear Payal wolf-whistle.

"Daaaayyyyuuummmmm Di!"

I reach the bottom steps and do a twirl for her. "Thanks for choosing my outfit."

"Anytime! Now knock whoever these people or person is, dead!"

I give her a hug as I chuckle. "Uh, wait, where's Amma and Babuji?"

"They've been cooped up in the theater room, watching black & white classics."

"Ugh, not again."

"I know," she rolls her eyes. "At least you'll be out and won't have to endure their sappy romance! What a way to start spring break!"

"Oh, there, there," I chuckle.

"Yeah, yeah, go on businesswoman."

I blow her a kiss goodbye and go outside. I see Harry not so far away and tell him to bring around my Aston Martin. He goes off to get it, and I shoot Arnav Singh Raizada a quick text.

K: Hey, heading out now and I should be there in about... 10 minutes

Seconds later, Arnav responds.

A: Hey, sure! I'm almost there as well, about 5 minutes. I'll wait for you inside

Harry pulls up with the car and steps out, and I go around and get in. I take my heels off and put them on the passenger seat, then make my way over to Lilia's. As I told Arnav, about 10 minutes later, I reach the restaurant. I quickly put my heels back on as valet comes around to park my car.

I step out and look at the fancy restaurant before me. Not much could be seen from outside, the windows veiled by thick curtains.

Huh... I wonder how it is inside-?

An elderly couple comes walking in, the man looking irritated.

"Stupid, lousy paparazzi," he grumbles.

Oh?

I look back towards the gates I had drove through, and notice someone on the phone with a camera around his neck. 

Without another thought, I make my way inside where I see several people talking to the maître d', and off on the side stood Arnav Singh Raizada himself. As I make my way towards him, he turns around with his phone in his hand.

"Oh, hey! I was just about to text you where I was," he smiled softly.

"Well, found you," I smiled sheepishly.

Arnav chuckles as he looks me up and down. Had I not been looking closely, I wouldn't have noticed the small flicker in his eyes.

"You look amazing," he finally says, sincerely.

I look him up and down as well. "You look handsome as well," I said, noting the way his black suit fit him perfectly.

I bet it's been tailored to perfection.

Arnav smiles at me then gestures me to follow him in. Very quickly, the maître d' leads us in and takes us to a comfy, private corner, where a sign is placed on the table reading VIP: RESERVED.

Wait a minute, VIP?

The maître d' removes the sign and we settle ourselves into the round booth. A waiter comes to us immediately, handing us our menus, then leaves us to decide.

"Have you ever been here before," Arnav asked.

"No, first time. Have you?"

"Once. Their pastas are pretty good."

"Sounds like a good idea," I say as I look at all of the pasta dishes, and Arnav chuckles softly. "Do you know what you're getting?"

"I do... but I have to ask you something."

Oh word? "Sure."

"How religious are you?"

"Barely," I frown, confused by the question. "Uh, you?"

"Nope."

I opened my mouth to question him further, but our waiter returns, asking us if we're ready. Since both of us were, I decided to go with a pasta dish, going with seafood instead of chicken since I would usually do that. Then the waiter turned to Arnav.

"I'll have the steak..."

My eyes slightly widen but I control himself, listening to him finish his order.

"Splendid," the waiter says. "Any drinks?"

Arnav turned to me. "Any choices?"

"Mm, how about wine?"

"White or red?"

"Red."

Arnav turned to the waiter. "Surprise us."

The waiter smiles and leaves us be once more.

"So that's why you asked the question," I said, looking straight at him.

"Some people get offended."

"To each their own."

"To each their own," he nods.

The waiter quickly returns with a bottle of red wine and glasses, and starts pouring as he describes it. With his task complete, he sets the bottle down, and goes away once more. Arnav picks up his glass first, and I watch him as he swirls it a little, before taking a sip and placing the glass down.

Okay Khushi, this is it. This is the moment you've been waiting for, why you agreed to this - bitch up!

"Look I'm going to be blunt."

His eyes instantly meet mine, no expression on his face.

I took in a quick breath and let out a sigh. "I've never done this. This is all completely new to me and I don't know how to do this."

Back when it was with him, our families had never thought to have the two of us properly sit down alone, and talk. It was just the bits when he came my house with his family, and when I went to his place with my family.

Who knows, maybe if we had, a lot could have been avoided... maybe even not.

A small smile appeared on his face, the corner of his lips crooking up. "To be quite honest, I don't know how to do this either."

I couldn't help but to arch my eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes, really," he chuckled lightly. "Does that seem so hard to believe? Your look of shock makes it seem so."

I didn't even realize I was that shocked. "Oh, um... well I just assumed that given you are Arnav Singh Raizada, I'm sure people have approached you and your family, trying to sell their daughters to you guys."

His eyebrows shot up as he looked at me in shock while grinning. "Sell their daughters?"

I shrugged and took hold of my wine glass. "What else would it be," and I took a sip.

The small smile remained on his face as he looked me up and down, before taking a hold of his wine glass. "It's true, people have approached my family on this particular topic."

"You can say it like it is - they were trying to sell their daughters."

He only smiled, letting out another chuckle. "Okay, sure."

I took another sip of my wine, waiting for him to continue. I watched him as he looked me over once more, his smile returning to his face.

Well I wasn't going to fucking ask why they didn't work out cause duh!

"Unfortunately for them, their offers never mattered to us. My mother wasn't interested."

"So you mean to tell me that she had zero interest on the girls who were fawning over you, but got interested by an insolent girl like me."

It wasn't a question and he knew it, but he shrugged in return and took a sip of his wine, a hint of humor spreading across his lips.

"And asides from insolence, there is the fact that I am a divorcee who sent her ex-husband to jail after he attempted to rape me."

I had kept my eyes on him as I spoke and not once was he even fazed by my blunt words.

"It's quite interesting," and I took another sip of my wine.

For a moment he looked down at the table, that small, polite smile displayed on his face. He placed his glass down and then his eyes met mine, and as hard as I tried not to, I felt a tingle shoot up my spine.

What the fuck was that?

"I know that my mother has spoken to you. I know that she's told you about her past. So I'm sure that also explains her interest towards you."

I looked away from him. Shalini had said her reasons, but still. One thing that's been circling my mind this whole week is why would a man who is the CEO of a company, need to marry a person that's been chosen by his mother?

"When she first saw you, she saw herself- or at least, what she had wanted for herself. Society had really drilled down on my mother, simply because she got pregnant with me before marriage and so young. It's not uncommon in the world, but for the small world we live in.... I guess when she saw you, it reminded her of herself. But seeing the way you fought and defended yourself... she wished she had done the same for herself in her time." His eyes met mine. "She admires you."

My eyes slightly widened as I looked at him. A gentle smile graced his face as he looked at me, and I quickly took another sip of my wine, recalling when Shalini Singh Raizada had said that to me. For a moment, I said nothing, and thankfully at that moment was when the waiter appeared with our food. He set it down, refilled our glasses, then left us. I quickly turned my attention to my food and Arnav followed suit, diving into his meal as well.

As I stabbed at my pasta, I peeked up at him through my lashes. I watched him as he quietly and properly cut into his steak and took a bite. Clearly I'm not the most religious of people and clearly neither is he. I'm sure some of our ancestors are shaking their heads at us and cursing us from somewhere, but oh well.

To each their own beliefs... or no beliefs in this case.

I placed a forkful of pasta in my mouth and glanced at him as I quietly chewed. For a moment, neither of us said anything, until finally I broke the silence.

"You're the CEO of your family company."

His eyes met mine. "Yes, I am."

"That obviously makes you stand out, which clearly is the reason why people have tried offering their daughters to you, or even girls offering themselves to you. So why haven't you found anyone yourself? Why does your family need to find someone for you?"

Arnav glanced down at his food. He then set his knife and fork down, then dabbed his lips with his linen napkin.

Must be serious.

He pinched his lips together. "...Because of what happened with my parents, there was a lot of scrutiny against me. My grandfather had been quite strict on me, his hate for me obvious, but I was the heir despite everything. He never fully accepted my mother, either, actually. As you know, in the beginning, my parents and I lived separately from the rest of the family due to my grandfather not accepting my mother. We lived a simpler life in those days but people... people always had something rude to say. In fact, there were many nights where I've seen my mother break down from peoples' rude words and slander."

He paused for a moment, and it looked as if harsh memories were flashing before his eyes.

I know that feeling too well. I know the feelings of a breakdown all too well.

Arnav reached out and picked up his glass, taking another sip of his wine before setting it back down. "I can never forget that," he said softly. "I can never forget the pain and embarrassment my mother dealt with. I can never forget her tear-stained face, the numerous times I even had to see it. I'll never forget the way my father fought for us - for respect, for what is his. And when you grow up like that, knowing that people are just watching you all the time - your every move - waiting for you to do something scandalous like your elders... you live life a different way," he said, toying with his fork a little, before looking up at me.

I reached out to pick up my wine and went to take a sip.

"That's why I've never dated anyone."

What?!

Thank goodness I hadn't taken that sip because oh my gosh! I would have showered him with it!

Arnav scoffed lightly, smiling. "I can see shock on your face."

Hard as I tried to make it go away, I couldn't. But I did set my wine down before I ended up dropping it.

I mean look, I'm not going to deny it, the man is attractive as hell with fucking tattoos and fucking suits and fucking everything! But what the fuck?! "What the fuck?"

His smile grew larger. "Yeah," and he slightly blushed.

I could only look at him in confusion. "I don't... I... what the fuck?"

Arnav chuckled once more. "Yes, it's true. I've never dated anyone before simply because I never wanted to give anyone the chance to say anything. I knew I had all eyes on me, and adding in the events of the past, I knew there was absolutely zero space for fuck ups."

Well, look at that - Arnav Singh Raizada does cuss.

"I had decided in my early teens that I wouldn't take any chances. I hadn't even done anything, yet I could already hear people starting to say stuff, all of them just waiting to see me screw up the same way my father had. But I didn't give them the chance, I never wanted to. I never wanted my parents to bow their heads in shame ever again, so I decided to never get myself involved with a woman."

I looked him up and down for a moment. "How do you know you prefer women?"

The man burst into laughter, though it was clear he was trying to contain himself. "I can assure you, Khushi, that I am straight. I may have never dated nor even gotten into any type of relationship with a female, but I did check them out. Also, the internet does provide so many things."

Ah, yes... the wonderful world of porn!

He chuckled once more and took a sip of his wine. "I never thought this night would go as eventful as it has been."

Word, I didn't think the night would go like this either-

But wait a minute! "So wait... you're a virgin?"

"Yeah," he replied, looking a little embarrassed.

I don't know why, but I flinched for some reason. Then again, he's a hotshot billionaire that's a fucking CEO of a huge ass company and he's fucking gorgeous with fucking tattoos! Am I wrong for being so shocked that I ended up flinching?

"I know, that's not really expected when it comes to a person of my standards," he shrugged lightly, looking a little embarrassed.

I looked him up and down once more. "How do I know you're not lying?"

"You don't."

Arnav looked at me as I looked at him. A small smirk graced his face as he went to sip his wine, while I simply looked at him.

Well in that case.... "I'm not."

He arched his brow at me.

"A virgin that is."

His smirk immediately dropped as he looked away, clearing his throat. "Um-"

"My ex-husband attempted, he didn't succeed."

"I-"

"I was sixteen; my boyfriend at the time and I lost it together. It's been years since I've last been intimate with someone."

"I understand," he said softly.

He looked down at his food for a moment, before looking up at me. "I know that I'll never understand what you've been through..."

My eyes slightly widened.

"...and I'll never understand how anyone could even think of doing what that fucking prick tried to do to you..."

Again, I was shocked.

"...but I want you to know that... if things were to work out between us, I... um... what I'm trying to say is that...." He cleared his throat. "I never want to force anything on you. In fact, I was hoping we could start out as friends and get to know each other better."

I didn't say anything, simply looking at him.

"I'm sure that... after what you've been through, it wouldn't be so easy if we... if we were to... it wouldn't be easy for us to become intimate... and that's fine with me."

My brows shot up on their own.

"All my life, I've seen my parents not only just being lovers, but best friends. They started out as friends before they got together. So I would hope, Khushi, that if things between us were to happen, that we could first and foremost be friends."

All I could do was stare at him. Arnav looked at me in return, not saying anything, just like me. Moments passed by, when Arnav cleared his throat, bringing me back to reality.

"Oh, um," and I cleared my throat, taking a quick sip of my wine before placing it back down. "Um... this definitely wasn't how I was expecting this night to go."

"Me too," he admitted, pursing his lips.

"No, it's not even that," I said, shaking my head.

"What do you mean?"

I looked up at him and let out a sigh. "Well, I said I was going to be blunt so.... The reason why I actually agreed to meet you is because I had a proposition."

Arnav tilted his head, his eyebrows scrunched.

"It's become obvious to me that... that my parents won't ever stop trying to find another guy for me. Their guilty conscience has taken over them for the past two years and all they can think about is making it right, especially Amma. That's why they're so obsessed with finding someone for me. But of course, given my insolence, there's not a chance in hell any people in this town would ever be interested- well, except for your mother. I know my parents are never going to stop, no matter what, and since your mother expressed interest, they won't easily let this go."

I watched him for a moment, but Arnav gave nothing away, his face expressionless.

"So to get them off of my back I'm willing to agree... to this."

Arnav's eyes slightly widened.

"But, I'll only agree to this if you're willing to help me with my new business venture. I've been wanting to get involved with the fashion world, start up a blog and online subscription, etc, and if we could get the early scoops or first hands of everything each season of your fashion line, that would help greatly."

Arnav folded his hands together and set his chin on top of it. For a moment, he just looked at me, and then he sighed.

"What would I have to gain," he asked waving his hand before folding it together again with the other.

Now we're talking business.

"More exposure," I say as I pick up my wine.

"True... however I'm sorry to say Khushi, it won't be much more exposure."

Before I can open my mouth, Arnav continues.

"Arani has definitely been quite successful over the years," he says, referring to their fashion line. "We're quite fortunate for that to be the case, and many fashion magazines and blogs always try their hardest to get the first look at the launch of a new seasons. That being said, while I do admire your ambition, the way I see it, and from what I've just heard, you don't even have a name for this blog yet."

"It's a work in progress," I almost scowl.

Arnav pinches his lips together with a small smile. "I see.... Well, regardless, it takes time before sufficient traffic is gained."

"True; but as soon as people hear that we have the exclusive details on Arani's newest season, people will click in a matter of seconds!"

"And other companies will be interested to advertise with you guys."

"Hopefully so."

Arnav pulls away, leaning back into the booth. "Which is good for you - but again, what would I have to gain?"

I knew he would've asked this question - otherwise, if he hadn't, then I would've officially claimed Arnav Singh Raizada to be a dumbfuck. But no, the CEO is clearly wise, and I unfortunately had not yet thought of a good deal to entice him into mine.

"Any suggestions," I finally ask.

The corner of his lips crook up. He brings his left hand up and rubs his chin lightly with the back of his fingers, bringing my attention to his hand. I recognize the figure on his tattoo immediately.

"Anubis, the god of death."

Arnav glances down at his hand before looking at me. "That's right."

"It's very nice, very realistic."

"Thank you."

Anubis, huh... I wonder why?

"I think I may have an idea," he finally says. "I'd like a ten percent claim."

I arch my brow at him.

"Just ten percent - nothing more, nothing less."

"It's meant to be a division of Gupta Enterprises."

"Well AR would like to be a part as well."

I should've known he'd try to take a stake at it, I mean why wouldn't he? ...then again, ten percent isn't so bad, at least he's not trying to get too much.

"...Fine, it's a deal."

Arnav nods his head with a smile.

"One more thing," I add.

"Yes?"

"There's one more thing you need to know if you're serious about this rishta."

He sits quietly, waiting for me to continue.

"This will have to stay between you and me. I'd take it farther by making you sign a NDA, but I hope I won't have to."

"Whatever you say will stay between us only - you have my word."

His expression is very serious, and yet, so sincere.

I sip some wine for a little liquid encouragement, then place it back down. "If we do end up getting married... then you should know that now and then, I have episodes."

It's somewhat alarming to me how the only person to ever know about this has been Gomez, no one of my own family. And yet, I'm telling a stranger, not one of my own. But then again, I also don't have a choice. Up until now, I've slept alone in my own room for no one to see any of my episodes. But if I marry Arnav, the chance of him encountering one....

"I don't know what exactly triggers them," I continue, my voice soft as I keep my gaze on my wine. "But they've happened on a couple of occasions. Sometimes they're weeks apart, sometimes months. Prior to the one I had just earlier this week, it would be about three months ago when I last had one. No one in my family knows - not Amma, not Babuji, not even Payal - and I'd like to keep it that way."

I give him a pointed look and he nods.

"No one has ever seen it, given that I stay in my room alone, and they always happen at night. But obviously, if we do end up getting married, there's a very high chance that you'll encounter a few. So you have a right to know what you're getting into."

Arnav nodded, looking to the corner as he wondered.

"Think you can you handle that," I ask, lifting my wine glass to my lips.

He looks up at me, his eyes sincere as he gives a small smile. "Should it happen, anytime, I'll be there for you."

My eyes widened. I wasn't expecting this for an answer. Secretly, I had hoped he'd think of me as a psycho and call it all off which would leave me be. And yet....

"I'll always be there to support you."

"But when it comes to my son, Khushi, you'll never find another like him. And I can tell you this Khushi - if by some miracle you do agree to marry Arnav, he will do nothing but try to bring light and happiness to your life."

Shalini's words echo in my mind and a strange tingle goes up my spine, causing me to take in a sharp breath.

Maybe she wasn't kidding.