Chapter Five

When Khushi awoke the next morning, it took her a moment to remember where she was and what had led her to the hotel. She remembered meeting Arnav Singh Raizada and she instantly picked up her phone. She looked through their exchanged emails and stared at his phone number.

Should I call him? Text him? Maybe I should wait and text him later.

Liking that idea, Khushi got up and washed up. Moments later, when she got out, there was a knock on the door. A hotel employee arrived and pushed in a trolley of food. Once he set everything on the table and Khushi gave him his tip, he gave a curt nod and left. Khushi looked at the table full of food and noticed a card. Picking it up, she read it.

New day, new beginning

Have a wonderful day

~Arnav

Oh, so this wasn't for free. Khushi's eyes widened. Then that means-! Oh he's beat me to he bill again and he's stuffing me up!

Khushi looked at the food on the table and her stomach grumbled. She didn't realize she was that hungry, and unable to fight her stomach, she dug right in. The food was delicious and she knew better than to just pig out.

Getting her phone, Khushi called Arnav. It rang for a moment before it went through.

"Arnav Singh Raizada."

Khushi gulped down the eggs in her mouth and felt her body hum. Hearing his deep voice did things to her, and it was a very nice feeling.

"H-hi, it's Khushi," she said softly.

"Ah, good morning Khushi. Sleep well?"

Khushi nodded even though he couldn't see her. "Yes. Thank you for the breakfast, it was lovely."

"You're most welcome Khushi; it's my duty to take care of you. After all...."

Khushi's eyebrow scrunched.

"...you are my guest over there."

"Oh! I g-guess."

Khushi thought of the contract and all of the eating rules and taking-care rules.

"What are you doing today?"

"Um... nothing really."

"Would you like to meet up today and go over the contract?"

Khushi gulped. Should I?

"We can do lunch at my place and go over the contract and negotiate. Deal?"

"Um-" What the hell do I say? Yes? No? I don't know? No hablo ingles? "Deal."

Why the hell did I say that?

"Great. I'll pick you up at 1."

`

With that, the two hung up and Khushi put her phone down on the table.

Why the heck did I agree? This is all crazy! I mean a date to go over flogging? Wait a minute, is it even a date? Am I about to go on a date with THE Arnav Singh Raizada? Noooo! Khushi gasped. Is it really? No, no I'm going over my head, no, no way. I mean then I'd have to wear something special- oh my gosh, what the hell do I even wear?!

Khushi went dashing to her bag and rummaged through it. 

Crap, I have nothing good for lunch! Most of my good clothes are still back home with.... Khushi cringed. I don't even want to think about that cheating jackhammer. Though I'm curious if I really broke his balls.

The memory of Dhruv on the floor made her giggle. It also made her think of their relationship.

In the beginning it was beautiful. I thought that I was in love with 'the one'. But now... now it's time to look at things a bit more seriously. 

Dhruv and I are over. There's no way I'm ever going back to that. Besides the cheating thing, I wasn't... satisfied. I mean I call him the fucking jackhammer for a reason. I can't have that again, ever. But with Arnav....

Khushi thought of their first meeting yesterday. She remembered how he had looked at her and how she had immediately reacted. Not once had she ever felt that with Dhruv, not even when they had first met. 

What is it about Arnav that's so... so... different? If Dhruv had ever mentioned something like this, I'd call him crazy. But then again, it would be Dhruv. He's nothing near Arnav, not even in the same universe.

Khushi's phone rang, playing the specific ring tone she had for Payal. She let it ring continuously and when it stopped, she blocked her number. There were texts from Payal, waiting for Khushi to see them. There were texts from Dhruv as well, and from the glimpse she caught, she saw that he was apologizing. But Khushi didn't care - she didn't want to go back to that orgasm-ruining jackhammer. 

Khushi looked at the contract, which sat on the desk by the window. 

Maybe it's time for something new. A new life, new everything. Maybe it's time to leave the hated 'normal', and become a part of something else.

*~*

It was one o'clock on the dot and when Khushi got down to the lobby, she saw Arnav waiting for her. He wore a charcoal coat over a navy suit, the top two buttons of his white shirt undone. Khushi stopped herself from biting her lip and resisted the urge to clench her thighs. 

She walked over to him and watched him as he looked at her from head to toe. Khushi glanced down at her outfit, hoping that her casual black skater dress and coat were okay, as well as her combat boots. For some reason, Khushi just couldn't figure out what to wear for this. It was always easy when she was with Dhruv, wearing whatever. But when it came to the Adonis known as Arnav Singh Raizada, it was so much more than just putting clothes on her body.

"You look lovely," he smiled softly.

Khushi blushed. "Thank you. You look very handsome."

"Thank you. I just came from work, so I apologize if I seem slightly tired."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. "You look perfect," she said without thinking.

"Thank you, Khushi. That's very kind of you."

Khushi blushed even harder. What is wrong with me?!

"Shall we?"

Pushing aside her embarrassment, Khushi nodded.

Arnav led her out, Khushi walking beside him. When the valet caught sight of him, he scurried off to get Arnav's car. When he arrived with the Bentley, Arnav held the door open for Khushi and then went around and sat in the driver's seat. He pulled off into traffic and Khushi looked at the city around them. The good hotels were in only in the city, not to mention all of the businesses and tall buildings. 

Driving back into town, Arnav drove to the richer parts, where only those of high class lived. Khushi had always wondered what it would be like to live there. In fact, she had always dreamt of coming here one day, just to see it once with her own eyes.

Looks like some dreams do come true.

It wasn't long until Arnav pulled up to large iron gates. It automatically opened and Arnav drove forward. The path was surrounded by trees and when it finally cleared up ahead, Khushi was mesmerized by Arnav's home. It was grand, it was modern, the floor to ceiling windows taking in the sunlight and filling up the house. 

Stopping the car in front of the grand house, Arnav stepped out and opened the door for Khushi. She stepped out and gazed at the home. One of Arnav's security came forward and Arnav handed him the keys to the car. The man drove it away, taking it to the garage.

Following Arnav inside, Khushi gazed at the lovely home. The living room was to the left, where Arnav had them leave their coats; the stairway leading upstairs just ahead of them. The study was to the right and Khushi could see the walls full of books on their shelves. Behind the stairs led to the kitchen, the dining room to the left.

Like the rest of the home, the kitchen too had a modern theme, with metallic kitchenware, the cabinets and island of dark wood with slate counters. Arnav had her sit down in one of the stools which surrounded the island, and Khushi gladly did, overwhelmed by the large home.

I don't belong here.

"What would you like to drink," he asked.

"Just water would be fine." By the gallon she wanted to add.

It was bad enough that she had no idea what to call this shing-ding, nor had a clue on how to dress up for this, and now she had plummeted down the rabbit hole and into Arnav's home.

What am I getting myself into?

Arnav poured her a glass of water and poured himself some red wine. "Shall we discuss the contract?"

Khushi took a gulp of her water. "Here?"

"We can take this to my study."

He held his hand out to her and Khushi looked at it. For a moment she hesitated, before taking it. At the contact of his warm hand, his warmth spread through her body, it coming alive with a hum. Khushi gasped and her eyes met his. 

"You feel it too," he murmured. 

Confusion spread in her expression, but instead of clearing it, Arnav led her to the study. 

Through large windows, sunlight poured in, reflecting off of the snow that remained on the ground. When Khushi got closer, she noted that they were tinted, no one from outside able to look in. A desk sat centered in the room, right in front of the doors, surrounded by bookshelves. To the left were more bookshelves, surrounding a billiard table. Some distance away from it was a fireplace, a TV on top, set to the wall. Between was a small table with two leather chairs. Everything about the room just seemed so cozy. 

Arnav gestured her to sit down in one of the empty chairs across his desk. Khushi did so as he took his seat on the other side. 

"So, shall we," and he pulled out two copies of the contract from his desk. 

He handed handed a copy to Khushi and she held it, leaning it against her chest. "I don't have too many issues with it," she said softly. 

"Is that so?"

"The food thing, I personally think, isn't necessary. I mean having to eat enough and all of that," she quickly added when he frowned. 

"And why is that?"

Khushi scoffed lightly. "I'm a girl, I love to eat. There's no need to remind me to eat," she said softly. 

The corner of Arnav's lips tugged up. His humor was very much evident. "Is that so?"

Blush spread on her cheeks as she nodded. "I guess I'm somewhat of a piggy," she nearly whispered, slightly hiding her face behind the contract. 

Oh my gosh, I'm way over my head, he shouldn't be with a pig like me!

"Hardly," he smiled, running his finger over his lower lip. 

Khushi found herself eyeing his wandering finger, and it wasn't missed by Arnav. When she realized she had been caught, she hid her face even more with the contract. 

"Don't hide from me."

Khushi looked up at him through her eyelashes, though she made no attempt to unveil herself from the contract. She preferred that than showing her tomato-red face. 

"I'm glad to know that eating won't be a problem. In the past, it has been."

That caught Khushi's interest. "It has?"

Arnav nodded. "Punishment was in order, of course."

Khushi gulped remembering that part in the contract. The thought of whips and flogger being used on her, scared her.

"Don't."

Khushi looked up at him. How did he-?

"Most of it is all in your head. When you actually experience it, you'll realize that there's more pleasure than pain."

Khushi remembered reading lines similar to what Arnav had said in her novels. She also remembered how her sister made fun of her, not to mention humiliate her, for reading such raunchy novels. 

Arnav's eyebrows met in the middle. "What's wrong?"

Khushi shook her head. "Nothing. Just a memory," she said softly. 

Arnav stood up from his chair, placing his copy of the contract on the desk. He went around and moved in front of her, leaning against the desk. Cupping her face into his hand, he tilted it up to him.

"I understand that what you've dealt with yesterday - the pain and emotion - has had some effect on you. You left it all behind and now, I'm giving you a new beginning."

Khushi simply looked at him. What he had said was true. 

"It's up to you on whether or not you want to begin anew."

Arnav was right. After everything she had dealt with the day before, she had no other choice but to leave it all behind. She didn't want to ever see that jackhammer nor hear from him ever again. She didn't want to speak, see, nor hear her sister ever again, who did nothing but judge her because her life was perfect and Khushi's wasn't, and because she was normal, and Khushi wasn't. 

This was Khushi's chance to escape that dreaded normal and to try something new. It was somewhat nerving on many levels, but it was something new. And if it was a way to escape the dreaded normal, then damn it, nerving as it was, it was still an escape. 

Khushi took a deep breath and sighed. "Let's negotiate."