Leap of Faith

The Royal Disaster

On the eve of the wedding, we decided to hit the famous Polo Bar. Shweta who was wearing her own creation looked beautiful in her orange body hugging dress. I, on the other hand, wore a classic black dress that came to my knees. Aayan was excited to introduce us to one of his best friends who was supposed to meet us there.

After half an hour of chitchat and drinking, Aayan looked over to the door of the bar and signalled a tall, ruggedly handsome man towards our table.

Aayan bounced up in his seat to give a hard hug to his friend. "Ladies, meet my best buddy Nikhil Shah, CEO of Shah Pharma. We studied together at MIT. And Nikhil," he turned to his friend and said, "This is my girlfriend, Trisha Ray." I blushed and meekly shook hands with his friend. "And her friend, Shweta Singh, who works as an assistant to Vinita Mehra, the designer."

"Hi, Shweta," he said taking her hand, kissing her knuckles while holding her gaze. To both of our amazement, she blushed red and looked even more conscious. When we both looked back at each other, we smiled at the same time.

"If I would have known, you had the company of two beautiful women, I would have come here a lot early," he charmed and sat beside Shweta, maybe too closely. I could not help but giggle.

Shweta and Nikhil were conversing closely, as Aayan and I. Even after being in such an important position, Nikhil looked rather down to earth, but a lot flirtatious and humorous. There was an obvious pull between then, the way they exchanged glances and looked awkward in a good way. Aayan's hands protectively wrapped around me, it felt so natural, and I wondered how I have lived until now, not knowing this man. A sudden tap on our table interrupted our chatter.

"Hello cousin, did you forget you are here for a family thing?" A man in a brown blazer with hair pulled back and devilishly handsome features smiled coldly at us.

"How could I forget when you are here in front of me reminding of it," Aayan replied coolly.

"Vikram Kar, CEO of Stagmac Inc Holding and brother of the bride," he introduced himself with the rest of us. He looked at me and stared for half a moment, then said, "Well isn't she pretty? Nice to meet you, the girlfriend of the famous Aayan Kar!"

Not knowing how to respond, I only nodded. He seemed ten times more arrogant and full of himself.

"Well, Vikram we could catch up later. As you see we are in a middle of a double date."

"Sure brother! By the way, Alina was looking for you," he said smirking at me. Then, went off to the bar counter where some European girls in skimpy clothes battered their eyelashes at him.

I immediately saw Aayan's reaction, who was unmoved and calm as always. What was Alina doing here? Of course, she was a family friend. Why wouldn't she be here? I could feel the insecurity gnawing me and maybe he felt it too. Because he intelligently diverted my attention by grazing, his feet up and down my legs teasing me. I gave him a sharp look, but he continued teasing me giving me that dark look through his eyes.

Sometime later, I excused myself and went to the washroom. As soon as I came out from one of the stalls, I saw Alina adjusting her eyeliner in front of the mirror. She spotted me and turned around, regarding me from top to bottom, with absolute no subtly. I felt the pit in my stomach as I noticed her undeniable beauty behind the emerald tube dress and her bronze hair wavy and loose.

"Well hello, fancy meeting you in here," she said with her overly calculating voice.

"I am just leaving," I turned to the door, not wanting to get in any conversation with her.

"You know he has not changed, as he claims to be," she called out. I stopped in my tracks, still did not turn to face her. "He has to have you, not in a romantic way. But in his bed, my dear."