AVNEIL

Chapter 4 - The debtor games

  Avni knew it was her hell today the minute she got a message from Neil, like Mitali mentioned she had to be strong and firm and as long she kept reminding herself that she wasn't the same girl he pushed around in high school. She would be fine.

"I can do this, it won't be easy, but I can do this." She muttered.This was her first day of being Neil's slave.

Why did she agree to do this? She could have come up with a better idea, a better plan to pay him his money but now she was caught in his web and have to work for him for a week.

She arrived at the Khanna mansion, walking up the stairs through the hallway. Was it just her or was the hollow hallway seem to be endless. Classical music danced along the halls and shot shivers down her spine, her feet seemed to be planted at the entrance of his study when she caught sight of Neil.

He had his foot over his knees, his eyes closed and his fingers danced in the air clearly enjoying the moment. 

"Ah days like this all I need a hot meal, what do you think?"

"What do you want?

"Finally made eye contact to her. He asserted, "Since this is your forte, surprise me. Prepare me something to eat."

It been almost 30 minutes since Avni left for the kitchen, Neil eyed the grandfather clock and drummed his fingers against the couch. He might not win the bet this way but he couldn't think of any other way to keep her by his side. He pulled himself up, proceeded to the kitchen, and stood by the door where he found Avni.

His eyes followed her, moving from side to side dropping all the sliced vegetables into the frying pan, she picked up the skillet tossing the vegetables up and down. She moved across the kitchen with such grace and command at the same time. It was like she knew where everything were and how to handle them.

He had never seen a woman in the kitchen before. His mother.... Mrs Khanna never cooked and the maids always looked unease when he was around the kitchen and never performed well.

Avni whirled around to see Neil by the door and waited for him to speak but when he didn't. "It's almost ready," She said.It took a minute for Neil to find his voice like he was taken aback. "Bring it to my study." He nervously left the kitchen.

Avni came into the study, with a tray balanced within her grip and set it in front of him. "I hope you like it." And she meant it.

She was a cook and loved to show off her skill whenever she got the chance. Working at such a small restaurant didn't offer her chance that because of her strict and yet traditional boss.

"What is this?" he scrunched up his face

"It is a steak with sautéed mushroom and caramelized onions on top."

"I hate onions," Neil blurted.

"You haven't even tried it."

He picked up the spoon and took in a small bite. It was crunchy and melted right in his tongues. It was quite a combination he had never experienced.

Her lips curved upwards when he went in for another bite. "You like it right?"

"You call yourself a cook? This is terrible."

Her brows furrowed. "Are you sure your taste bud are working?"

The ringing of a phone erupted in the air which grabbed all eyes to the desk behind them.

Neil went over to it, picked up the phone and the ringing stopped.

"Quick I need help." DD's voice echoed from the other end followed by harsh breath. "Codered! Code red!"