High Street Pheonix, Mumbia, Maharashtra
Tuesday, May 5th 2015
Life is a convergence of singular, linear occurrences that as standalones, have minimal impact. However, the convergence of two strong-willed, powerful individuals on the battlefield of life will challenge fate and change the course of time. Bound to intrigue, confound and generate a lot of scrutiny, time will tell whether they be friends or foe.
The air is fragrant with a sweet, tangy, musky scent, a unique mixture that invokes the feeling of having been transported into a fragrant garden of blooming wild roses, jasmines, and orchids, ripe sweet apples and oranges. A heady sensation to her nose, Madhu inhales deeply as she awaits to be escorted to Rishabh Kundra's office. She observes keenly the aesthetic, architectural details of the building; a pleasant and tasteful combination of light, airy, classical Palladian style with the ornate, traditional Mughal designs.
She turns her head as a raven haired, pretty young woman in her early 20s of petite stature approach her with a friendly smile on her pleasant visage. Madhu's lips automatically stretches into a smile response as she clasps the hand the young woman extended to her. They briefly exchange introduction afterwards Madhu follows her to her main destination, Rishabh Kundra's office.
As they walk towards the elevator, Madhu looks wistfully at the backdoor entry of the exclusive French restaurant, Goût des Français. Her mouth waters and her stomach grumbles with hunger as the faint smell of crepes and other delicacies assault her senses. With herculean effort, she averts her gaze from the beautifully scripted sign board above the black, ornate, iron grill back entrance that is only accessible to employees of the Kundra Industries. Bringing her attention back to the light, one-sided conversation Rishabh's secretary, Nuvera, was conducting, Madhu focuses on the marbled floor. She is briefly fascinated by the unique, intricate designs of the stones in white, silver and blue and surmises that they were imported from Italy.
They step into glass elevator, held open by the office peon. Madhu nods her and murmurs a few yes and of course to show Rishabh's very talkative secretary that she is paying attention. She agitatedly twirls her visitor's badge around her neck, her stomach tied up in knots, as she suddenly feels nervous. Her first big interview and that too of Rishabh Kundra, fate has finally shown her some kindness.
Reaching the top floor, Madhu follows Nuvera out of the elevator to a richly furnished office space of blue, cream and gold. Though the furniture are classical with a modern twist, the artworks and the arches on the ceiling are reminiscent of the Mughal designs, much like the first floor. They walk past the anteroom and Madhu takes a deep breath as Rishabh's secretary smilingly holds open the door to his office, ready to introduce Madhu to him. Taking a deep breath to fortify herself, she composes her face to form a professional, polished smile. She strides in and her knees almost buckle and she momentarily loses her composure, staring at the sinfully sensuous smile on a face that should have belonged to Archangel Michael.
Her eyes drift down from his sensuous lips to the prominent cleft on his strong, chiseled jaw. Madhu feels an irrational urge to caress his high cheekbones, to feel the faint stubble rub roughly against her soft skin. She sighs, Rishabh Kundra, is one fine specimen. She has seen countless picture of the gorgeous hunk but none has prepared her to face him in person. Against her volition, she notes the perfect cut of his charcoal suit, which she is willing to bet a month's salary is Armani. It fits Rishabh's 6 foot frame perfectly; highlighting the contours of his wide, muscled chest and strong shoulders; the strength and power he exudes begs for her to rest her head on his shoulders and let him carry the burden of her worries. If Madhu had a paint brush, she would be attempting to capture the essence of his male beauty on a canvas. Her eyes drift up again at his chiseled face, her fingers itching to brush back Rishabh's jet black lock of hair off his forehead. Madhu sighs dreamily; he looks like a hero, straight from the cover of romance novels she reads secretly. Hearing a discreet cough, she looks straight up at the deep, enthralling pair of hazel eyes, twinkling back at her in amusement, as if he can read her thoughts. She turns scarlet, the last thing she needs is for Rishabh Kundra to read her thoughts and decipher that she, against her will, is undeniably attracted to him.
YOU ARE READING
Games of Deception
RomanceA relationship borne out of necessity, Rishabh and Madhubala come to mutual understanding and enter into a marriage of convenience. They come up with a set of rules for their marriage and all seems well. But is it really? Read to find out!
