But Arnav was thinking about it. Only for a slight bit though, feeling off about Khushi's words. He felt confused and didn't like Khushi's words at all. It was odd to him since he had heard other women tell him this, but to hear it from Khushi's mouth could only bother him. He would've thought forward on it, but his phone began to ring, so the topic ended there.
Khushi stood there for a few seconds and watched Arnav. He had a file in his hands and he was going through it, looking like the businessman he is. She looked him up and down, taking in the light blue button down and his black dress pants. Khushi lightly smiled to herself as she remembered how she used to keep detail of what he wore, since everything he wore flashed price tags. Now, she was used to it, and it made her wonder on all the change.
Things definitely have changed, she said in her head.
"Khushi?"
Khushi snapped out of though and looked up to see Etta.
Khushi understood why she was here and nodded. "I'll be down in a few."
Etta nodded and left. Khushi looked up to see Arnav looking at her, but he was still holding the phone, so she assumed the other person was talking. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Khushi headed out to leave, when he spoke.
"Khushi," Arnav called out.
Khushi stopped and turned. Arnav cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder as he approached her. He reached behind her and unclipped the hairclip Khushi had put to hold her hair back. Khushi's hair came tumbling down and Arnav fixed it.
"There's my beautiful girl," he softly said as he smiled.
Khushi curved her lips a bit to make a faint smile, but she was confused.
Arnav pecked her cheek and went back to his work. Khushi stood there for a few and then left. She left silently and went downstairs and took the elevator down to the lobby. The entire trip down, Khushi kept replaying what had just happened in her head. She arrived to the lobby and exited the building. Nigel was waiting at the Bentley, holding the door open. Khushi headed right in and Nigel went around and sat in the driver's seat. He pulled into the busy streets of Manhattan, everyone bustling around for their own needs.
Khushi took her heels off and put her feet on the seat. She pulled her legs in and rested her chin on her knees. Memories played in her head and she sighed.
"Why are you so confusing," Khushi whispered aloud.
Nigel scoffed slightly and Khushi looked at him.
He looked at her through the rear-view mirror. "Because he's been thrown around with no one to care," he lightly smiled, and looked back forward.
*~*
Khushi looked at all the sari's the clerk had laid out. She was trying to decide on which one to buy, but she was too distracted. She kept thinking of what Nigel had said in the car.
*Flashback*
"Because he's been thrown around with no one to care," he lightly smiled, and looked back forward."
*End of Flashback*
Khushi wondered on those words. Was there something Nigel knew that she didn't?
She smacked her forehead. Of course he does, she said in her head.
The clerk looked at Khushi like she was crazy. Khushi shrugged and gave an apologetic smile and walked out. There was nothing there that satisfied her whatsoever. Khushi walked down the block and went into the next store. If anything, she knew she would find a sari somewhere in Jackson Heights. Khushi browsed around, looking for something special, when a sari caught her eyes. She asked the sales woman to show it to her. The sales woman laid it out and Khushi ran her fingers on it. She knew instantly that this one was the one, so she bought it. The blouse was to be made, so Khushi left her measurements and expected it ready in two days.
Khushi found Nigel on 73rd Street, just like he had said. He got out of the car and opened the door for Khushi as she slid in, placing the bag beside her. Nigel shut the door and went back around and started up the car. He pulled into traffic and Khushi sat back and wondered.
Has Nigel been working for Arnav for long, she wondered.
Taking her chances, Khushi asked.
"Nigel?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"How long have you been working for Arnav?"
"Sixth year almost to an end, Ms. Gupta."
Khushi's eyebrows shot up. "Wow... that's a really long time."
"Yes it is, but it doesn't feel that way."
Khushi nodded as she leaned back.
Take your chances, she said in her head. "So that means you've known him for quite a long time."
"Yes I do."
Khushi pursed her lips. The way he said it, Khushi knew there was no way to carry on the conversation without being obvious.
"Ma'am?"
Khushi looked up. "Yes?"
"If you're wondering about Sir's past, I'll tell you this - he's dealt with enough pain. If you really want to know, I suggest you figure him out because he'll never share his feelings."
Khushi blinked and nodded once. She knew there was something that bothered Arnav very much. Yes there was his mother's death, but it seemed like there was more than that. And then she remembered his steps.
It most definitely is more than his mother's death, she said in her head.
*~*
Khushi headed on up, holding the bag that held her sari. As she entered the penthouse, she had a feeling that something was wrong. She didn't know what, but she knew she was going to find out. Entering the living room, she saw Arnav laying down on the sofa, his leg hanging off the armrest. His eyes were shut and he was breathing lightly, one arm resting on his chest, the other hanging to the floor. Khushi crept towards him, not wanting to make any noise to wake him up. She assumed he must be tired since he hadn't gotten enough sleep, coming to her room last night.
Khushi bent down to her knees and looked at Arnav. He looked young in his sleep, unlike his business, tyrannical self. Looking at him reminded her of the sweet and caring Arnav, the man that loved her oh so very much. Unable to help herself, she ran her fingers through his soft hair. Within a second, Arnav's eyes opened, causing Khushi to still, her eyes widening. She didn't want him to think that she had forgiven him so easily, so she went to withdraw her hand. But when she tried, Arnav caught her hand. Khushi looked at their hands and then at him. Arnav brought her hand down to his lips and softly kissed her palm. Khushi never understood why, but whenever he would do that, she would feel tingles run through her. Arnav himself knew very well of the affects of the things he would do to her, and he knew this as well. He didn't need to know from her because he could see the affect himself.
Arnav slowly sat up as he kissed his way up Khushi's arm softly. Khushi mentally cursed at herself. On the car ride back, she had removed her blazer and was only in her top, which had no sleeves, leaving her arms totally exposed and giving Arnav total access to her flesh. Khushi tried to fight it, but she couldn't - she was melting with desire. Arnav slowly trailed his way up, reaching her shoulders and moving to her neck. Khushi couldn't help but to expose her neck to him, giving him complete access. Arnav continued on with his expedition, travelling up till he was hovering over her lips. Khushi stayed there waiting, wanting nothing more but his lips on hers. She craved him so much, she felt silly. But she wanted him, and she wanted him to satisfy the desire that bloomed in her belly.
"Khushi," Arnav whispered.
Khushi opened her eyes and looked at him. He was looking deep into her eyes and Khushi felt herself melt even more. It was crystal clear that he wanted her and Khushi only wanted to give herself to him. The way he was looking at her made her blush, that she had to turn away. It was then that she noticed that moments ago, when Arnav was laying down with his arm hanging off, there was a glass sitting there, filled with alcohol. Khushi realized then that he was drunk, ridding her off all the desires she just had.
Khushi shot up to her feet, causing Arnav to recoil. He looked up at Khushi and saw that her crave for him was gone, causing his temper to rise.
Arnav stood. "What the hell Khushi?!"
Khushi looked at him angrily. "Are you drunk Arnav?"
"What?"
Khushi's eyes traveled to his drink and Arnav's eyes followed.
Arnav fumed. "So what if I drank?"
"I will not let you touch me in a drunken state, especially after what you did!"
Khushi turned away and walked out of the room to head to her room. Arnav stood there, but he wasn't fooled. He may have drank, but he was still sober. He was confused of course, wondering what to do with Khushi since she was still clearly upset about what he had done.
I have to make it up to her, one way or the other, he said in his head, and finished his drink, clanking the glass down to the table.
