Leap of Faith

The Decent Proposal

"What did you just say?" I gasped. "And who do you think you are?"

"Like I said, I am your boss, no, maybe your top boss." He smirked amusing himself.

"I am starting to think that it has nothing to do with my qualifications," I mumbled disliking him for the first time since we met. He was doing all this to play stupid games with me. As Shweta suggested, I had to know about his intentions. The way he was treating me right now, was giving me a hint of it. That could never be I, even if he was in an important position and have a ton of money.

"Yes, it has everything to do with your resume. You have such capabilities and talents which I fully intend to utilize." He teased. "Not for me. I mean for my company."

"What to do you mean your company?" I gulped finally realizing what I had stepped into. My legs started to quiver. I needed to sit down any time now. First, I held my breath, waiting for the words to come out of his mouth.

"Didn't you google me when I told you my name?" He laughed. "I am the CEO of SpeedEx."

And yes, I was not ready to hear. Why could not he be some middle-level executive instead? On the other hand, maybe in a starting level! I finally moved from the fixed spot and sat on the chair. The mysterious man, with whom I had a crush since some days now, was a CEO. How big of a stupid could I be? I should even think about this. I rubbed my temples.

Somebody like him had time to play games with me. Not in a million years, I would have imagined someone like him taking an interest in me, even remotely! I had always been a timid girl. I have kept it that way to pursue my ambitions. I had very few friends; I did not go out, never partied. That was I. Now unexpectedly, this man of God was showing interest in me. Why?

"Mr. Kar, Let me make this clear to you. I am not somebody who would get involved with her boss. I am very simple and not to mention, penny-less. And I like it to keep it that way." I spoke, lowering my eyes, talking to my hands. "I am extremely sorry if I misled you."

I knew he was watching my profile closely. I did not have a single clue about what he was thinking. A sudden knock on the door startled both of us. He answered the door. A man in his twenties came with our lunch. He set it on the table in front of the sofa and left.

"Come, Ms. Ray, Have lunch before it gets cold." He called. I walked to the couch reluctantly. He took my hand and sat beside me. Damn his touch!

"Trisha, I need to tell you something," he began.

I looked into his golden green depths.

"First, I do not have any intention of... you know... that." He paused, getting a tad uncomfortable. He took a deep breath and continued, "I am attracted to you. Since the day we met, I am practical...well... not myself. However I tried to forget you, you were there hovering inside my head and not to mention my dreams. Frankly, I am just tired of ignoring you, ignoring whatever that we have. You call it attraction or something else. However, yeah. I want to date you and see how it goes."

I gulped the lump in my throat.

"I know you are very ambitious. You have family loans to pay. I am not here to stand in your way, but to make way for you." When he finished, his eyes gleamed with an absolute passion.

"How do you know about my loans?" I exclaimed. "I never mentioned it to anybody."

"I am a man of many resources, Trish. And that's not the point." He said.

"Okay. Now you listen to me. Perhaps you missed my point. We are a world apart, as you can see. And it's just impossible for whatever you are proposing." I told aggressively. "Besides, I am not at all interested in you. I may have behaved in a certain way because of your intimidation. And not because I am attracted to you or like you."

"Don't give me that. You are into me. I am, after all, me!" He chuckled with plain arrogance mixed with playfulness. He was apparently not taking me seriously.

"Please, Sir. Do not flatter yourself. I am not into you or anybody for that matter. I don't have any place for a relationship in my life right now." I responded adamantly taking a small chicken chunk in my mouth. God, I was famished. I started to relish the food chewing slowly. "Let's just eat, okay?" I gulped. The flavors of the delicacies were exploding one by one.

The whole time he was watching. It was intimidating. I ate with a forced grace to hide my ill table manners as much as I can. The food was exquisite. Prominent people and their extraordinary chefs. Ah, such a life of convenience!

As we ate in silence, my mind clouded with chaos. Inwardly I was grinning like a fool to hear his confession, utterly smitten by him. Nevertheless, my other mind was reminding me of the gossip stories of wealthy bachelors. They have a new girlfriend every other day! Some of the loyal men engage with somebody who was their equal in the society. Cricket players going out with actors or Business heirs going out with high-class socialites. That made sense! Not this. Never this!

Something was not right, why would he like me when he could have anybody? The more I was thinking, the more it seemed plausible that he would some hidden agenda behind it. Before I could stop myself, I blurted, "Are you gay?"

He almost choked with the immediate question. "Why do you think I am gay? Do I look like one?"

"I mean you may be interested in using me to cover it up?" I pondered.

A few seconds later, he put his finished plate down, took a sip of water, and turned towards me. "Why is that so hard to believe?" He questioned and took my hand in his. He looked into my eyes. "I-like-you-Trisha." He spoke each word with stress. "I want to see if we are meant to be together. I want to date you. Will you at least think about me?"

It was the second time that I was speechless. The ability to speak or even think deserted me. I did not know how to respond. Few awkward minutes past. His eyes were searching me to find any answer." I blinked my eyes several times. How stupid I must be looking right now! I cleared my throat. "I will think about it, Mr. Kar."

"Thank you. And please call me Aayan," he spoke quietly. "You must be getting late already. I will show you to the elevator."

I automatically stood up. Searched for my purse, paused, "Please don't only reassign me in your company. It was a team effort. You should consider my teammates too. Or this might raise unnecessary suspicion."

"I don't like the idea of you teaming with that guy. He is drooling all over you; everybody can see that." He said taking my hand to lead me to the lift. There was the spark again. I could feel butterflies in my stomach. It was altogether new feeling for me. He pressed my hand gently just to tease me further. He intertwined finger through mine. It was as if he wants to possess me, own me. How could I not fall for this god!

"Until tomorrow baby!" He winked as I got in. Thank God, nobody was there to witness such over affection. I smiled like a kitten and waved my hand in an awkward way. As soon as the doors closed, I sunk down on the floor. Pulling my knees together, I hugged myself. What just happened? Are you thinking about doing this! Hell yeah. I smiled like a fool.

**Vote if you like!**