Chapter Seven

Yesterday I didn't feel so bad, but today?

Help!

It's Friday and I'm not feeling so great. My stomach is fluttering like hell and I don't know how to control it! Throughout the day, I tried not to think about our date, but it kept coming back to me.

I went to track and tried to work my mind off of it, but I couldn't. It stuck onto my brain like a tattoo.

Got you stuck on my body, on my body
Like a tattoo! (Like a tattoo, yeah!)

Sorry! Got distracted again. But hey it helped! At least, for the moment.

The sun was shining bright and there was a slight breeze blowing now and then. It felt just right and since I was sweating from my 12 laps, I needed this.

"Alright girls," the coach yelled, "off the track!"

We went to the benches and I picked up my water bottle and poured it on me. It felt amazing.

But it was a bad idea.

"Khushi?"

Uh oh. It's him.

I slowly turned and saw Arnav. He was wearing a light purple shirt with black jeans, his purple Gucci belt on display.

"U-um hi," I stuttered.

He looked me up and down and I felt shy all of a sudden. I was wearing a black tank top with red shorts, most of it sticking onto my body. I have too much skin on display and I'm not sure how I feel about this.

"Hey," he finally said. "What's up?"

"Not much. ... Um... how'd you find me?"

"I was passing by yesterday when I saw you," he admitted. "So that's how I knew where you were."

"Oh."

He ran his hand through his hair and I suddenly feel like touching it. It looks so soft, I want to run my hand through it.

"So about tonight," he began.

Is he gonna cancel? No!

"My driver will pick you up," he said.

Phew! ... wait what? Why am I so relieved?

"Um, that's cool," I said.

"Great," he smiled lightly. "He'll pick you up at seven. Black BMW."

"Okay," I smiled timidly, and then gave him my address.

His lips curved and I wondered what humored him. Was it me all soaking wet? I hope not! And if I'm smelling of sweat... oh that's just embarrassing.

He nodded and then turned away to leave. I watched as his figure got tiny and then turned to see the rest of my team swooning for him.

Geez, he affects every girl. So it's not just me, I guess. But you can't blame him. I mean he's just so hot!

I think I'm PMSing. It must be that.

*~*

When I got home, I thought of what Lavanya said. What if I did end up doing it tonight? What if I did lose my virginity to him? Do I want to lose it to him? I mean, he's sexy, smoking hot, everything in the book.

But would he make a move? I mean he's rich, and I'm middle class. He might not want to, since I might use it against him, which I would NEVER do because that's ridiculous. But would he think that? I hope not.

But the main question is do I? I mean I want to lose it to someone who seems worthy of me. But in this case, now I feel like if it's whether I'm worthy of him, inserting his position and him in mine.

Opening my laptop, I went through all the bookmarked pages I had of him. Looking through all the interviews, articles, and pictures of him, I had my Eureka! moment. I am into this guy, considering the fact that I have research on him and that he makes me swoon time to time, and makes my body feel hyper sensitive time to time.

Getting up to take a shower, I went to the bathroom, disposed of my clothes, and looked at myself in the mirror. I needed some work to be done, so I grabbed my razor and Veet, and got to work.

*~*

After a nice, warm shower, I felt amazing. I got the energy I needed and was prepared for this date. Now let's just see what Arnav has in store. I bet his place is huge, but I'm sure I'll be able to take it in.

At the strike of seven, I heard a car honking. I looked out the window and gaped at the sleek, shiny, black BMW.

Oh, boys and their toys. They treat them like their life depends on it.

Grabbing my keys and putting on my jacket, I headed out into the slightly breezy night. The driver came out and held my door open for me.

Well that was really nice.

Looking in, I saw him. There he was, in a light gray button down, one-button blazer, and jeans, along with his Louis belt, looking stunning as ever. it made me gulp and feel guilty for being next to a man like him.

"Hi," Arnav said as I sat.

"Hi. ... you came?"

He nodded.

"I thought I was going to see you there, so...."

He looked down and smiled, then looked back up at me. "I felt like coming. To see you immediately."

And I felt my heart race. That was just really sweet of him, and I felt myself blush.

"That's kind of you," I said shyly.

He smiled and leaned in, and pecked my cheek. That took me by surprise and I gazed at him.

"I've been waiting to do that for a while," he whispered.

I felt myself blush even more and I just wanted to melt. He's been waiting? To kiss me? Whoa!

Now that's a first.

We pulled away and headed into Manhattan. I was really curious where he lived. Could it be Soho?

"I hope I don't end up boring you tonight," he said.

I smiled softly. "I don't think you will."

"So much faith?"

I nodded. "Mm hmm."

Thanks to traffic being swift and clear, we made it into Manhattan fast. After driving a bit more, we stopped and I wondered if we were here.

Arnav smiled lightly. "We're here."

He stepped out and I looked up and gaped. We were outside the CitySpire Building. No way!

The driver opened the door for me and Arnav held his hand out for me. Taking his hand, I got out, gazing at him. He is such a gentleman, unlike past men I've met.

He led me inside the building and the doorman tilted his hat at us. I felt so royal at that point. Getting into an elevator, he typed in a pass code and the elevator moved up.

"I can't believe you live in the CitySpire," I said. "I've read articles about this place."

"Really?"

I nodded. "The penthouse of this building is about 100 million dollars or so. And I've seen pictures and it's beautiful," I gushed. "But I don't think anyone has bought it."

"You'd be surprised."

"Really?"

He nodded. "You'll see. Surprise."

Surprise? Huh?

The elevator went higher up and I wondered how high up he lived. We kept going and going until it finally stopped. The doors opened and he gestured me out and I did. Coming onto the landing, I saw the floor plate reading "73rd Floor."

No. Way.

I looked up at Arnav and he smiled, moving towards the door.

"73rd floor," I managed to speak.

He nodded.

"Meaning...."

Arnav opened the door, leading into the beautiful foyer. "The Penthouse."

I gaped. HE owns the PENTHOUSE?! Holy- damn, this guy is filthy rich then! And he invited me over? Oh I'm so not in his league.

He held his hand out and I went towards him and slowly held it. He tightened his grip, holding me securely, and I thank him for doing so. Otherwise I probably would've fainted.

Going through the foyer, we entered the gallery and then turned right, going into the living room. I had seen the floor plans to this place online. Throughout the whole penthouse, outside, it wrapped the penthouse with the terrace. The place was shaped into an octagon and this place is just plain pure amazing.

The only thing is that the whole place got a makeover. Instead of it looking all antique/vintage style, which is how I described it, it was redesigned to whites, grays, blacks and reds as well.

"Let me take your jacket," Arnav offered.

I nodded and took my jacket off, feeling slightly nervous. As I handed him my jacket, he just gazed at me. My shoulder was on full display, and instead, I felt butt naked.

He placed the jackets against the sofa and then gestured me to sit down.

"You redid the place," I asked as I sat on the white soft sofa.

"Yeah. Before, the theme just didn't suit me."

"So you redid some of the rooms?"

"Some? No, all of it," he said, looking proud.

Oh, men! But damn! The whole place? Let's see... 100 million dollars about, plus... oh that's just a lot of money.

"Would you like a tour," he asked kindly.

I've only seen pictures and floor plans, but should I?

"I'm sure you want to," he smiled, wiggling his eyebrows.

That made me giggle. "Yes please."

He stood up and held his hand out and I took it as I stood up.

"That's a very lovely sound," he said.

And I felt myself blush again. That's one too many than the last guy I was with, or any guy, or that matter.

He took me around the penthouse and I still couldn't believe I was actually here, inside this 100 million dollar penthouse!

OMG!!!!

We went from room to room and ended at the top floor, the 75th floor. The last room we went into was the master bedroom, his bedroom. It was gray, white and silver, the room looking pure. His larger-than king sized bed was made, side tables on both sides with gray metallic looking lamps.

"Wow... you're place is stunningly beautiful," I said.

"Thanks."

There was a knock at the door and we turned to see and a woman stood there.

"Khushi, meet Margaretta, my housekeeper," Arnav said. "And Margaretta, this is Miss Gupta."

"Hello Miss Gupta," Margaretta said.

"Please, call me Khushi," I said.

She nodded. "Mr. Raizada, dinner is ready."

Arnav nodded. "We'll be there in a moment."

She nodded and left.

"She seems nice," I said.

"Yeah, she is. Come, I'll bring you back up here later."

"Okay," I said shyly, and we went downstairs from the private elevator.

Hmm... do I want to come back upstairs? To his room?

I do.