Crossing The Devils Path

chap 46-A visitor from the Past

Just a quick note please check the media before reading the chapter. Above is a picture of the person I imagine as Ray Ahuja.
Have a lovely time reading...

Richa's Pov:
I almost tripped if it weren't for Ray holding my waist securely. I stood as still as a statue while me and the other man where having a stare down. But a thought crossed my mind and I furrowed my eyebrows acting as if I didn't understand what was going on.
"This is Miss Reena Chadda, my personal assistant and a lovely lady to be around" Ray introduced  me while giving my waist a light squeeze.
I smiled the best smile I could muster even though my insides were churning with so many emotions.
Richard stood there silently looking in my eyes as if searching for answers. I kept my expression blank so as not to give him  any ideas. I was now Reena, I chose this life so now I had to play my part.
A furrow marred his handsome features when he extended his hand for a handshake. He still hadn't spoken a word. Looking down at his hand I lifted my own to say "Namaste". I had to avoid physical contact with him . My body would react and I did not want to lose it in front of everyone especially Ray. I had worked day and night to drown myself in work and to put my past behind .
He just smirked.
Yes! Can you believe it? That idiot-son-of-a-Carlson had the audacity to smirk at me. Oh! you just wait .

"Ah! traditional I see." he commented ;about my namaste.
"You remind me of someone Miss Ri.."Richard continued.
"Reena" I cut him off before he could say Richa.
"Of course" he grinned.
"I am sory but I don't think we have met before. " I said politely.
Before Richard could answer Ray offered him a seat at our table and the speaker started the auction for the charity gala.
I was sitting in between the two gorgeously handsome men. Out of which one happens to be my husband and the other my boss.
I felt so perplexed thinking a few minutes ago I and Ray had some chemistry building between us but now that Richard was here I felt guilty.
For a fact I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up my facade of being Reena in front of him. Not for long atleast. Richard knew me; I could already feel the wheels turning in his mind. I also knew that if he was here he would try to win me over.
But I wouldn't let him in so easily. In the past, it might not have entirely been his fault. But what took him so long to get to me? Who knows he might have moved on already.
As if God decided to answer my question; at that moment an elegantly dressed women entered the ballroom . She kept looking around searching for someone.
When she looked towards my table she smiled and walked towards us. I kept looking at her as an uneasy feeling settled in my gut. Something felt wrong about her.
She came and tapped Richard's shoulder causing him to turn his gaze away from me and look at her.
Uhh yes! he kept staring at me from.the time he sat down. Luckily Ray hadn't noticed as he was busy listening to the speaker.
Richard stood up and hugged the lady in the red gown, while kissing her cheek .
I so wanted to wring his neck in  that moment but all I could do was fist my hands under the table.
"This is Maya , a very close friend of mine. She is the Ceo of a company here. Furl Enterprises, you both might have  heard of it." Richard said.
"Ohh yes, Of course. Furl Enterprises have been our suppliers for long. I didn't know Mr. Sharma had such a gorgeous Ceo." Ray said.
Oh now she is gorgeous ha?! And here I was feeling guilty that you might have an attraction for me Ray. Stupid Richa ! Don't trust men they are all sailing in the same boat!
I huffed listening to myself.

Maya smiled and held Richard's arm moving closer towards him. I almost glared at her but she didn't seem to notice. Counting till 10 in my mind I tried my best to calm myself. I couldn't lose my temper not here atleast. So, with the sweetest smile that I could give,  I stood silently.
"Thankyou Mr Ahuja. It's been a pleasure doing business with you. Actually Mr Sharma is my father. I will be taking over the company soon" Maya replied with a wide smile.
Ugh! I don't like this woman at all. She is still clutching Richard's arm like a leech and trying to flirt with my boss at the same time. Bravo!

As the minutes ticked by, my blood was starting to boil. I realised Ray was still holding onto my waist securely. I pulled away before we all sat down on the table ; Maya included.
"Are you okay?" Ray whispered in my ear almost seductively. At that moment I glanced at Richard he was glaring daggers at Ray.
Ah ha ! Now you wait Carlson its my turn to even the score.
With a wide grin I turned to Ray and kissed his cheek while replying, "Couldn't have been better."
Ray looked taken aback almost as if he got an unexpected suprise.
But recovered instantly and held my hand which was placed above the table.
Richard's eyes followed the movement and his jaw clenched. I was doing my happy dance inwardly when Richard loudly asked Maya. "Want to get out of here sweetheart? We have a lot of catching up to do."
Maya instantly agreed and they got up to leave. Ray being a gentleman stood up to bid them farewell so naturally even I had to. I did so with a sour mood while desperately trying to control my expression.
"Hope to carry on with the merger we discussed. Working with your company would do good to both companies." Ray said.
Wait ! did I hear it right? Merger ? What the freaking hell! I can't have Richard around all the time .
I was still thinking things through when Richard's manly and sexy voice fell on my ears.
"And I am looking forward to working with you too." he said while lifting my hand from Ray's hand on the table. Bringing it up to his lips parting with a gentle kiss on my knuckles.
My entire body felt the jolt of warmth and sparks that made me come alive from such a small gesture. I wanted to hug him, kiss him..do anything to just be in his arms. But sadly, it might be too late now.

Richard's Pov:
I was all set to get Richa back no matter what I would have to do.
But when my eyes fell on her suprise was an understatement. She looked so different from the Richa I had seen even after her makeover back in London. For a moment I thougth that I was mistaken and she might actually be Reena. Then I felt my heart pick up pace and suddenly I felt alive. I knew then and there that was my Richa, the moment our eyes connected. She was the only woman who had so much power over my heart. I wanted to hug her tightly in my arms and never let go even if it mean placing handcuffs on our hands.
But the way Ray possesively tugged on her waist I knew he understood that I was interested in her. He was trying to mark his terrority. Maybe Richa hadn't told him about us or her past either.
Still my nostrils flared although she didn't notice it. I fisted my hands in my trousers trying to calm myself and not break that shitheads face.
I had it all planned but Ray made me upset and Richa not pulling away from him made me even angrier. So I decided to introduce Maya as my close friend; with special emphasis on that word only to infuriate Richa.
What she did next by placing her lips on Ray's cheeks made me snap . So I pretended to take Maya out as if wooing her. The look on Richa's face was so satisfying.
Good! now she will realise who she belongs to. If she wants a  game I would give her one. She owed me anyway for all that I went through when she ran away.  Though she did it for me and I would forever be thankful to her..But she could have told me . We would have found out a way.
"What was that in there?" Maya's voice brought me back to the present.
"Let's just not talk about it right now." I huffed walking towards the elevator.
"Oh my God ! You are nuts for her ." She squealed excitedly when we got in.