The evening rolled in, harshly for Arshiya, where she had wanted to forget about the rude man! So, when Srishti suggested a night out, she immediately jumped at the chance and agreed readily.

So, here she stood in front of her mirror, dressed up in the peach Midi dress, she had thrown in the back of her cupboard and had never imagined wearing ever, because of it's flirty and femme ruffles made to attract attention. But today, it was necessary, because she wanted to prevent herself from thinking about a particular handsome rude man in his own hotel!

Aright! Arshiya! So, this dress....to say, it was beautiful would be an understatement. It was absolutely gorgeous. The beautiful Midi was sweetly sheer and textured woven Georgette, with orange, blue and white flora print, gave her a femme ruffled trimmed bodice as the matching ruffled straps carried into an opened back with cute closure button.

It was one of the gifts from Vani on her last birthday along the other many as she had crossed her teens and stepped into the phase of adult life. She was only twenty right now and will turn twenty-one in November this year because she had skipped her pre-nursery and was one year early in completing her graduation and now, she would be completing her post-graduation too.

Honk honk.

The familiar horn of Vani's car resonated downstairs and snapped her out of her daydreams. They are here. Arshiya giggled excitedly as she hurriedly put on her blue strapped heeled sandals, careful not to mess up her hairs and picked up her strappy blue handbag, she had stashed with her phone, money and other necessities. She checked and rechecked if she had taken everything, before skipping out of her room like a newly born fluttery bird.

"Ma(mom), I am going," Arshiya said as she walked, as in ran down the stairs, with the hope of avoiding her mother. "Bye..... love ya-ah!"

Her words jumbled in her throat as she spotted her mother standing in front of the main door, her arms crossed over her chest as she kept her gaze on her.

Arshiya smiled sheepishly as she walked closer to her mother, who still stood in front of the main door like a barrier.

"Not so fast, Arshu!"

Honk. Honk.

Anita glanced back at the door behind her briefly as the horn of the car resonated outside again, before returning her gaze back on Arshiya, who now stood in front of her waiting for approval.

"Now, you have to promise me that you'll not eat food, which affects your teeth and clearly no pani puri (a spicy Indian treat), not even one, do you hear me?"

Arshiya nodded obediently and Anita smiled at her daughter as she patted her cheeks.

"Good girl."

Then, a thought broke past and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

"You look so beautiful! I can't believe my baby had grown up this big! My baby! She was going to marry and leave this house."

"Mom! I don't wanna marry. I don't wanna leave you." Arshiya leaned over to hug her mother, her eyes too half-misty.

"My silly baby! It's like you never grow up." Anita leaned back to wipe away the tears that had fallen from her eyes and smiled at her daughter. "But, one day, you'll understand how much marriage means to us, women! How it was a blessing to have a man who cares for you, supports you and who loves you from the core of his heart."

"But mom-"

"No! You'll understand on your own, Arshiya! Now off you go, your friends are waiting!" Her mother hushed her before she could speak further and shooed her away.

Arshiya stared at her mother's back as she walked towards the kitchen, with a pout.

"Be back before 11, Ok bye. Enjoy!"

Arshiya's pout dissolved into a smile at her mother's words and she threw open the door with an excited squeal, running over towards the gate, meeting Vani mid-stride.

Vani took in her attire and clucked her tongue in approval.

"Hot."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After passing the heavy traffic on the main highway road, Vani paused her Audi behind another car paused in front of the restaurant and Arshiya glanced up at the beautiful restaurant.

The Royallè; A VM Towers Estb.

This place had become her favorite night out spot since she had stepped inside, not just due to its food, but because of the location overseeing the beautiful sight of the ocean, twinkling with lights.

Valets immediately rushed over to open their doors as their car stopped in front of the restaurant's entryway.

Anu and Srishti took the gloved hands offered to them rather regally as they stepped out. Arshiya who was still not used to all this hospitality took the hand, offered to her rather shyly while Vani took the gloved hand with ease and left the keys in the car.

As the four girls stepped up the polished steps, the guards opened the beautiful doors for them, and Arshiya's eyes widened in awe. She couldn't just get enough of this place.

But.. but that's not all!

These glamorous beautiful golden chandeliers, sparkling on polished wooden craft, filled with flowers, placed in the middle of the room was a reality check for her. This was his world!! The golden embellished sparkling chandelier and that seemed to have positioned his gaze on her, the flower bound in her world, yet maintaining it's the distance from her.

But what she couldn't seem to decipher was that it was not the chandelier that represented him. It was the wooden craft, that had the flowers in its clutches, which represented him.

He was not just a cold and cruel businessman as depicted by the world. He was something even more hardcore.

And he could go to any lengths to claim what's his!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The table, Vani had booked for them was on the first floor of the Restaurant and the moment, the four girls had stepped out of the elevator, they were spotted by the main manager of the restaurant.

"And they are back!!"

"Hello, uncle!! How are you?!" Vani smiled at the man, that resembled her father in his nature so much and Ajay Chopra returned her smile.

"I am fine, my dear! How are you all?" He asked the four beautiful girls and received happy responses in return.

"We are good, uncle!!"

Arshiya fiddled with her fingers behind her bag, the unveiled imaginary jitters of being watched, turning sharply on her back.

"Yes!! All good, sir!!" Srishti did an awkward salute, gaining attention and Anu nudged her in her ribs, causing her to jump in surprise, and nearly tripping over her heels.

"Ow! Careful!" Srishti brushed the imaginary lint from the shoulder of her blue dress and Anu glared at her. Behave!!

Vani rolled her eyes at the two and smiled apologetically at the manager, who smiled reassuringly, obviously used to the twin trouble.

"Please. If you'd follow me, I'll show you to your table." He motioned them to follow him and Srishti and Anu immediately followed him leading upfront as they passed the filled up tables and Arshiya trailing behind at the last, keeping her gaze on the beautiful scenery.

"Arshiya."

She hummed.

"What's wrong?"

Arshiya's back straightened up in surprise before she loosened herself and shrugged innocently.

"Nothing."

"Arshiya. You had been so quiet the whole time. You can tell me if something is bothering you."

"Oh? Err... it's nothing! I had my checkup day this Friday!! I am just a bit... worried, that's all."

It was a half-truth, but indeed she was worried about this checkup.
Vani's brows furrowed and her lips formed an 'O' shape before she smiled encouragingly.

"It's alright. You'll be fine. Don't worry about it too much."

Arshiya smiled. "Ok."

He finally stopped in front of a table, with the leather cushioned sofas facing each other, designated for four people and motioned them to sit down.

Arshiya chose the seat near the window glass, with Vani beside her and Srishti facing her and Anu facing Vani. The manager motioned a waiter to fill their intrinsic transparent glasses with water as he handed the girls the menu.

"You girls decide what you'd like to eat and order, whatever you'd like." Mr. Chopra said as he glanced at his wristwatch and glanced over to the young waiter.

"And you, young man... You'd better take care of them. I would not like to hear any complaints."

He nodded obediently and Mr. Chopra patted his shoulder, before turning to face the girls, who had their drinks(water) for the day half-empty in their hand, to be refilled soon.

"If you'll excuse me, my dear! I had to go check if everything is going well or else...." Mr. Chopra shuddered as if reminiscing something and the girls stared at him amused.

"You look scared, uncle." Srishti pointed out bluntly, as she took a sip of water from her glass and he nodded his head.

"I am scared, my dear. If you had Vihaan Malhotra as your boss, you should be scared, especially when he was coming for a dine out." Arshiya's water went down the wrong pipe and her nose bubbled up as she coughed repeatedly. No! No! No!

"My god!! Arshiya"
Arshiya just coughed in response to Srishti's worried gaze.

Vani sighed as she patted her back, in an attempt to help her calm down while the manager was sweating profusely as he watched the young girl cough her guts out and addressed the waiter. "Go bring the sweetener candy."

"No! No candy for her. Just bring her some curd." Vani interjected immediately, and Mr. Chopra motioned the waiter to follow what she said.

The macro-cells under her cheeks were developed weaker than normal people and therefore, she couldn't intake candies carelessly. The only time she could intake such foods was when her mama(mother's brother) would give her a go-ahead or unless it's a cheat day in her diet plan.

"Try to hold it in." Srishti placed her hand over Arshiya's and squeezed it gently, while Arshiya tried to hold in the air.

"Mr. Chopra!!" A voice cut in amidst the tension in the air and the manager turned his head to see the tall man hurriedly pass a few tables before stopping in front of him. Ajay Chopra immediately recognized Arnav Varsi, the cold, brooding and one of the most trusted handymen of Vihaan Malhotra. He is deemed as Vihaan Malhotra's Third Eye because nothing escapes him.

Ever.

"I have been looking for you everywhere."

The cold man didn't bother to catch his breath, before continuing in the same rigid professional tone. "Mr. Malhotra had called to inform that an important partner just called in, so he'd be delayed. But he'd be stopping by for a late dinner and would like his 1989' Chateau Wine on the table along with his usual meal."

Arshiya immediately wheezed in discomfort, unable to hold it in at his name and Vani patted her back reassuringly. "Just a few more minutes, Arshiya, just hang in for a few more minutes."

Arshiya?! Why did that name sound so familiar?! Is she-? His eyes trailed over her past her friend and widened in surprise.

It's her!!

It's really her.

He needs to call The Boss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Don't forget to vote and comment*