Serenity Meets Chaos (Rewritten)

Ch 2

~Mess~

•|Author|•

   Adhiraj rose to his full height and forwarded his hand taking Siddharth and Daniel by surprise at his uncharacteristically behavior. 

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Anvika Dixit." His words were velvety smooth and his voice had an undertone tinged with a sense of longing and something mysterious. Her head tilted slightly before she forwarded her hand and they shook hands sending a warm sensation throughout her body. She knew this man had a magnetic aura which pulled people in and he had the capacity make people powerful and then shred them down to pieces at the snap of his fingers. She could sense it and she knew about the business world as well, Adhiraj Agnihotri was a force to be reckoned.

"Likewise, Mr. Agnihotri." She replied holding her head high. Anvika hated one thing and that was being helpless, she was not habitual of letting people trample her especially men. He hadn't done anything wrong yet but Anvika was aware that she must be cautious around him. His eyes held her captive, bluish green and fierce like a lion. Siddharth told her about his two best friends, Daniel seemed quite friendly and welcoming but Adhiraj she was not able to figure him out except the power he exuded. Six of them were seated on their seats and the dishes began to be served by the waiters. One of the waiters popped open the bottle of wine and began pouring it in their glasses.

Anvika covered the mouth of her wine glass and shook her head with a polite smile," I am good, thank you." The waiter smiled back politely and nodded his head heading towards Jenny.

"Not even a bit?" Dia queried keeping her phone back which she used to click pictures of their food. She just pressed her lips in a small smile and denied.

"You don't drink?" Daniel asked.

"Tried it. Doesn't fancy me." She said.

"Adhiraj doesn't fancy it either." Siddharth smirked sipping his wine after lightly swirling it in the glass.

She looked at Adhiraj who was having water and made it appear like the most exquisite drink ever. How can someone appear so elegant while doing such a simple thing?

Clinking of cutlery and the lively conversation of the two couples kept the silence and awkwardness from reaching Anvika to some extent it would have been easier for her if not for a certain man staring at her like she is the first woman he has ever seen. He barely talked with others replying in a monotonous tone and single words but whenever Anvika spoke or she became the topic of discussion his eyes would gleam with attentiveness and curiosity. 

"So these are your friends?" Anvika asked leaning towards Dia who just shrugged nervously chewing on her mushroom risotto. 

"It appears more like an elite circle consisting of people who are constantly tailed by the media." She hissed before stabbing the smoked cherry tomato on her plate and popping it in her mouth. Her canines meshed it with its tantalizing and sweet flavor savoring her taste buds.

"Don't worry. You needed a break and as for the media I took care of it so just relax and enjoy." Dia forwarded a piece of garlic bread. She snatched it from her hands with a sickly sweet smile and threatened," You better!"

She could still feel his eyes wandering on her but didn't make her uncomfortable, his eyes weren't undressing her or lingered here and there unnecessarily. He focused more on her face staring in her eyes, what she spoke, what she was doing but it was unsettling because she was the only one who was getting blessed with his attentive and intense eyes. 

"Anvi, you are an archaeologist at the Royal Jade right? Dia told us. Well, we didn't really got to know about you so tell us in which Wing you are currently working ?" Her hands froze momentarily before she regained her composure and smiled at Daniel who asked the question making everyone look at her and waiting for her answer.

"I wouldn't say a particular Wing because I work closely with the historical collections and research team in curating artifacts, proof reading research papers, writing them at times, organizing exhibitions and overseeing fieldwork." She replied her eyes gleaming making Adhiraj realize the passion she has for her work. He knew where to start now as a subtle smirk graced his lips.

"So you aren't really on the public facing side, addressing the media, international meetings, things like that." He replied back thoughtfully.

"Not really. I like the research side more, less chaos more clarity." Her words ignited something in Adhiraj. A challenge or a battle and he has the habit of winning.

Less Chaos huh! His smirk widened.

Well, he was all about chaos and looks like she was in for a surprise.

"Still wouldn't it be boring?" Siddharth's brows furrowed at Adhiraj's question with a disapproving gaze followed by others. Anvika scoffed lightly at his words.

"Old dusty stuff and quiet places. Right Anvika?" He looked at her smugly ignoring others look of disapproval. 

"Better than spending my days in boardroom mechanically counting numbers of profit and loss trying to maintain my  entire self worth on quarterly reports." Her witty reply left him craving for more. 

"Still my boardroom isn't filled with and smells like old books and stones." He leaned forward splaying his arms on corner of the table just a few inches away from her fingers.

"I think we should order dessert." Jenny tried to stir the conversation in different direction but Dia beat her to it.

"Oh please this is better than dessert." Dia held her glass of wine and sipped watching them intently.

"No, but it does smell like money and self inflated ego." Anvika smirked at him and his heart thudded in his chest, thrill coursed in his veins. He tilted his head in satisfaction and leaned back in his chair. Dia cleared her throat and stared smugly at Adhiraj before bursting with happiness, Anvika rarely lost her calm because she knew how to put people in her places with her sharp words and intellect, Dia never missed the opportunity to witness it.

"Okay time for dessert! They have Lemon Thyme cheesecake and Mango Coconut Panna cotta as their specials today, so which one? or is there anything else you guys want?" Dia chimed in clasping her hands together before turning her eyes to Adhiraj," And would you like some ice as well it would help in soothing the burn." He just chuckled lightly shaking his head.

If for someone else, Dia would have been extremely fierce for talking to Anvika in that way but she knew Adhiraj. She met him enough to know that he respected people and their profession but what intrigued him more was assessing their abilities in his own way and this was it. Provoking them and pushing them till they break under the pressure or prove their strength by standing firm and Anvika withstands bravely in the face of storm so such questions were not enough to waver her.