Dear You, We're Just Friends.

12- Adoration & Abhorrence.

"You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Singhania."
"Of course I do. Especially for the things I feel passionately about." He added with forced nonchalance. Although when his hot gaze fixed on Samaira, revealing it wasn't just this project that he'd implied, she squirmed in response.
Kiran Arora looked behind her shoulder at her other two partners for confirmation; who merely shrugged in approval. The logic was simple, you want the deal, you pay the price. No matter how high it was, the stakes were always higher.
Seeing he'd scored the project, Samar got up hooking the top button of his suit, fully aware that it wasn't presumptuousness on his part but confidence in the quality of what he was offering.
"I guess we have a deal, then." His voice came out smooth, without an air of smugness or arrogance, just his usual sangfroid.

Pleasantries were exchanged and goodbyes done and over with. Samar led them out with Samaira in tow.
As they waited for the valet to bring their car, Kabir turned around to face the beauty that had him blown away. He wasn't one of those who tried to suppress his attraction and wallow in sexual frustration. Afterall why should he, when his skills didn't just restrict to IT? He could deftly promise an exhilarating time to both himself and her, and that is exactly what he intended to do. Though he wondered whether a single night would be enough to revel in her enchanting demureness.
He deliberately dropped the file he held, scattering the sheets of paper on the granite ramp. She crouched down next to him, in an attempt to help him gather the sheets before they flew further away.
Slyly when she wasn't looking, he picked up her phone, laden next to him and discreetly gave himself a call, so that he could save her number later. Having succeeded, he decided to wait before he made his next move.
He thanked her when she handed the folder back to him. Holding her hand in his, he caressed it with his thumb before bringing it to his lips for a breathy kiss. "Thank you so much. I'll be looking forward to our next meeting."
"Likewise." Uncomfortable like never before, she subtly removed her hand from his hold and replied with a tight lipped smile.
There was something about Kabir, that made her heart palpitate with anxiety. Was it the blatant show of interest in his smouldering eyes or the malevolent crack of his lips which promised to do unspeakably contemptible things?
She turned around and went and stood next to Samar yearning for the security only he could offer.
As their car left, Samaira let out an audible sigh of relief, her eyes squeezed shut.
Samar knew her like the back of his hand, able to sense her unease from afar. Especially after witnessing the exchange between Kabir and his former bestfriend, he knew she needed him the moment she walked up to him.
Cupping her cheeks with his hands, he tenderly cradled her face under his chin, trying to soothe away her discomfort. Burying his face in her hair, he let her scent overpower his nostrils, breaking free every suppressed memory.
Planting a chaste kiss on her forehead, he held up her face, meeting her eyes with his.
"It's okay." He whispered as he subconsciously rubbed his fingers over her hand, erasing the feel of Kabir's lips.
Samaira basked in the gentleness of his embrace, which for once in the past one month, was driven by neither their lust nor disdain.
She had always been his number one priority, never batting an eyelash before choosing her happiness over that of his. He treasured her with all his heart, cherished her till it consumed his soul.
He was the most passionate man Samaira had ever known. Everything he did, screamed of unmatchable amour fou, whether it meant his adoration or his abhorrence, which explained the multiple shades of his character he unveiled to her.
Once he was sure, she'd regained her composure, he disentangled himself from her.
No matter how much his heart loathed her for her deception, he couldn't bring himself to resent his actions from a moment ago. Rather, he'd do it again if it meant dissolving her misery. He'd spent every second of the past five years steeling his heart, only to have this vixen melt it within a span of 30 days?
The realization antagonized him.
Inching near her ear, he murmured with derision. "Do you see this, darling?" He said, while pointing towards each other. " This is what sets me apart from someone as selfish as you. I'd do anything for you, give up my next breath if you need. Yet, you had to leave me."
With that he stormed off, leaving Samaira behind to succumb to his affection as well as loathing.