Warrior - Chapter Forty Eight

"So, Khushi, how was your meeting?"

Oh right!

I turned my attention to papa in-law. "It was a success as well."

"Happy to hear," the man smiled. "Were you heading home?"

"Uh, actually I was on my way to grab lunch when I spotted you guys."

"Oh! Well good thing you did; I think you intimidated Jhaveri a little," he winked.

I couldn't help my smug smirk. "The man had some brains."

"Some is right," Aryan chuckled. "Well, since we're done here, I'm heading home to surprise the missus."

"Oh really," Arnav replied. "Are you going to surprise her with the new case of golf balls you're going to purchase?"

Aryan scowled at him but Arnav only chuckled as papa in-law headed to leave, taking his golf bag over his shoulder.

Hmm... if that's the case.... "Might I suggest buying some cannolis to pacify her," I called out.

Aryan looked back around, smirking at me. "Smart girl," he hollered, and he turned back to leave.

That I am.

One member of security left with papa in-law, leaving the other behind with me and Arnav Singh Raizada. 

"So, you hungry," Arnav asked.

"Yup. Wanna join me?"

Arnav looked slightly shocked by my offer, and I must admit, I'm a little surprised by my own words as well. I mean sure, Amma did raise me with manners so I know these common decencies, but still.... After all, this would be the second time where Arnav and I would be sitting down alone at a restaurant to eat.

Clearly not as fancily as last time, but it's still more or less the same.

"Uh, sure," Arnav finally said.

Arnav held his hand out, gesturing for me to go first, so I did, Arnav following behind me. Security followed behind us and we all got on the golf cart I came in, and I drove us down to the main center. 

As I do, I can't help but to glance at Arnav now and then. 

"What is it," Arnav asked, smiling lightly.

Caught me, did you? "Nothing really."

Arnav looks at me, arching his brow with a small smirk, and I can't help but to reflect one of my own. 

"Oh alright," I smirked. "It's just... it's very interesting to see you in your element."

"My element?"

"You know, being the badass, tattooed CEO that you are."

Arnav starts to chuckle besides me. "Um, I guess that's a compliment?"

"Fuck yeah that's a compliment! I mean you got all stern and glarey with that guy, making him sweat."

"I don't think glarey is a word."

"The fuck I care," I snorted and Arnav chuckled once more.

I glanced over at him before looking back at the road ahead of me. "But it's true; you're not like how you usually are when you get into your CEO mode."

"And how am I usually?"

"Well you're... you're...."

Well damn, why isn't this easy?

Eventually, I get some words together. "Well you definitely don't give that smile that you usually do."

"Smile?"

"Yeah! You know, that small, polite smile that you usually give?"

I glanced over at Arnav and see that he's confused.

Seriously? "Seriously? You have no clue?"

"Uh... no, I'm at a loss here."

What-? How does he not know? "I guess it comes to you so naturally that you don't even realize."

"Um... sure, if you say so," he chuckled lightly.

I pulled up to the lot and parked the cart. The security guard got off and just as Arnav was about to get off, I spoke up.

"Which one is the real you?"

Arnav looked back at me, looking surprised and confused by the question. I have to admit, I'm a little surprised by the question as well. I don't even know how the words ended up coming out of my mouth. But now that it has, I'm actually quite curious myself - which one is the real Arnav Singh Raizada? Is it the one who gives that small, polite smile of his? Or is it the one who is stern, taking no bullshit?

"I don't understand," Arnav eventually said.

"It's quite simple, really - which one is the real you? Is it the guy who asks me to sleep on the floor of his own room? Or is it the guy who threatens someone to take his deal and not face bankruptcy?"

Arnav glanced down for a moment, and then looked back at me. "Both."

I tilted my head with a frown. "Huh?"

"Both; I'm both of those descriptions."

My eyes slightly widened as my lips slightly parted.

"They're all a part of me," and he gave that small, polite smile of his.

He definitely doesn't realize that smile of his. "Good to know."

*~*

Making our way through the main center, Arnav and I made our way to the restaurant, the security guard following behind. While he stayed a safe distance away from us, a waiter guided Arnav and I to a table by the window, giving us a view of the luscious green grass on the golf course. The waiter handed us our menus, then left us be.

I have to admit, I'm getting some major flashbacks from our night at Lilia's.

"You know, for some reason, I can't help but to think of our dinner at Lilia's," Arnav said.

Oh! "Really?"

"Yeah," and he smiled that small, polite smile of his.

Honestly, how does he not even know about his own smile?

"Me too," I admitted.

Why bother lying of something so minute?

He smiled once more, then looked back at his menu. "So, what are you thinking of getting?"

I looked down at the menu in my hands. "Mm, not sure. I usually get either the flank panini or the chicken club. You?"

"I like the pastrami stack, but I also sometimes get the lamb burger."

"Ooh, those sound good- oh wait, they have a chicken parmesan pizza now!"

"That sounds good, wanna share it?"

"I'm down."

"Okay, so we'll get that, and... do you want to get another pizza to share or do you want to get a sandwich?"

"Uh... you know what, I always get their sandwiches, so why not do all pizzas? If you're down for it, of course."

"Yeah, sure. Which one do you want to get?"

"I already chose one, so you pick one this time. I insist," I quickly threw in when Arnav went to open his mouth.

"Fine," he smiled softly, and he looked over the menu once more. "Uh... margherita okay with you?"

"Perfect."

"Okay then," he smiled once more.

The waiter soon returned and we placed our orders, and unlike last time where we got wine, we decided to gets sodas this time. The waiter left with our order, briefly returning with our drinks, then headed off again.

Wow, I'm really getting Lilia-flashbacks now.

"So-"

"Uh-"

Both Arnav and I stopped when we heard the other speak, but then neither of us said anything.

"Ladies first," Arnav said.

"Uh... well, uh... I was just going to say how this really feels like that night at Lilia's... again."

Why was I going to repeat that? Why did I repeat that?

Arnav smiled that small, polite smile of his. "Yeah, it does. That night sure was interesting."

"It really was."

Oh boy, was it.

"Yeah... and it felt very easy to talk to you."

I can't help but to widen my eyes a little. "Really?"

"Yeah; not to mention it was eventful."

"You did say that, that night. But I must admit... thinking about it now, I didn't expect it to flow as easily as it did. I mean there weren't any awkward pauses or awkward silences."

"I didn't expect it either. Actually, I didn't know what to expect," he smiled softly.

For a moment, I looked at Arnav. "I can't believe you've never been on a date before.

Arnav shrugged slightly. "It's the truth."

"I know, but-"

Wait, did I just-? I mean I just said- I didn't even hesitate! I actually basically just said that I believe him?

What the fuck-?

"But what," Arnav asked.

"Uh... um... I don't know, it's just... I never would've thought a guy like you... you know."

Arnav glanced down at his hands.

Shit! Um.... "Sorry, I didn't-"

"It's okay, Khushi, really," he smiled softly.

"I, uh... well... I can't help but to wonder... uh...."

What the fuck?! Why the fuck am I stammering and fumbling like an idiot? It's not like this is the first time I'm talking to the guy! For fucks sake, even the first time talking to him went way fucking easier than the way this shit is fucking going, so what the fuck?

Stop being a little bitch, Khushi!

Taking in a deep breath, I let it out. "I can't help but to wonder if you've ever felt like you missed out for not dating."

There! Was that so fucking hard?! Geez-us!

"No, not really," Arnav replied. "Since I wasn't interested in dating, I never had the feeling that I was missing out on anything."

"But what about when you got married? I mean before getting married to me and what not, did you ever think that when you finally did have a wife, having experience would've helped?"

"No, I didn't," he said, shaking his head.

"Really? What if you were to go on a date with your wife?"

"Then I'd go on a date with my wife."

"And what would you do?"

"Whatever it is that's done."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I'd just go with the flow. We'd be hanging out like friends do, and that's kind of like what a date is."

"I guess.... But what if you had to kiss her?"

Arnav's eyes slightly widened and he looked away as a small hint of blush spread on his cheeks.

Oh, this just got a little more interesting! "Well?"

Fortunately for Arnav, as soon as the question left my mouth, the waiter returned, wheeling in a cart with both of our pizzas. He placed the two pizza platters down on the table, as well as plates for us, then pulled out a pitcher to refill our waters, then headed off.

Arnav held his hand out. "Ladies first."

I happily obliged, getting a slice of the chicken parmesan. As soon as I took a bite, a groan of satisfaction left my lips.

"Ugh, this is so fucking good," I moaned.

Arnav smiled at me as he took a bite of his slice of the chicken parm. "Agreed!"

We both ate away, the pizzas being absolutely fantastic! The waiter stopped by once to refill our sodas, but for the most part, we just happily enjoyed the pizzas with some small talk, until finally, we were done.

"Holy fuck, I'm full," I sighed, placing my hand over my stomach.

"Same. Do you want to get another pie to eat later."

"Oh no, I've already had too much pizza grease to begin with. I'll pop if I even see another slice!"

Arnav chuckled as he leaned into his seat. "So I guess just the check then."

"Yeah."

Arnav called for the waiter, requesting the check, and when he gave it, I offered to pay. However, Arnav straight up rejected me and placed his black Amex, which the waiter took away to charge. Moments later, he returned with it, and then we headed off.

It turned out that Dev had been here this entire time, chilling out in the Black Badge. The car wasn't so far away from mine, actually.

"Your car sure is great."

Looking away from the Badge, I turned to Arnav, who was checking out my car. "Why thank you."

"The Vantage, right?"

"Mm hmm, and this car is definitely my baby."

Arnav cracks a smile, still checking the car out.

I can't help but to watch him for a moment, glanced back at the Black Badge, and then back at him.

"Wanna test it out," I hear myself asking.

Wait, what?

Arnav looked at me, looking a little surprised. "You sure?"

...Oh, what the hey!

Reaching into my pocket, I tossed over my keys to Arnav. He grabs them with ease, and then a big smile takes over his face.

Boys and cars, I swear!

Arnav has the security guard go with Dev, and then he went into my car. I placed my clubs in the trunk, then sat down in the passenger seat and couldn't help but to laugh seeing Arnav awkwardly positioned given the way I had my seat set up.

I mean hey, I may be 5'5" but Arnav isn't.

Wait a minute, how tall is he? Babuji is 5'8" and he still surpasses him so...?

Arnav adjusted the seat, as well as the mirrors. "Sorry for messing up your setting."

"It's totally fine. Comfy?"

Arnav finished fixing the mirrors. "Comfy."

He started up the car, it roaring up with life, and a huge grin took over Arnav's face. He slowly pulled out of the parking lot, then sped forward, Dev and the Black Badge following behind.

As Arnav drove along, his joy was very obvious, not that I could blame him. I mean come on, my car is fucking amazing! And given the look on Arnav's face, it's obvious that he agrees as well.

Heck, I wouldn't be so surprised if I were to see another Vantage sitting next to mine in the garage.

After zipping and zooming along the streets, we finally arrived at Raizada mansion. Arnav went all the way around to the garage, where numerous cars were parked - from Rolls Royces, to Lamborghinis, Bentley's, Maseratis, and so on! Arnav parked my car between my i8 and the shiny, jet black Lamborghini Urus.

"Your car is fucking amazing," Arnav beamed.

"Aww, you cussed which means you really mean it! Thank you!"

Arnav smiled at me once more, and we made our way to the house. There was a back entrance nearby, so we entered from there. Walking down the hall, we passed the conservatory and went to the den, finding mama in-law and papa in-law making out.

Holy shit!

"Really," Arnav scowled.

While Aryan and Shalini Singh Raizada split apart and Arnav fussed with them, I just realized something.

Arnav never answered my question.

Well, fuck.