7

I got home and realised I needed a bath after such a long and strange day. After showering and changing into a tee and shorts. I was about to go to bed when I heard noises coming from Bhaiya's room. I went looking for him and found him dressed in a suit. Is he going somewhere?

"Are you going somewhere, Bhaiya?" I asked as I entered his room and stood behind him, watching him knot his tie.

"Yes, I have to attend this fundraising gala that our company hosts every two years," he replied, turning around.

"Let's do one thing; you can come with me to the gala. You are going to be alone, so why not come along? We should be having fun tonight," he said.

"No, bhaiya I'm tired; you go and enjoy."

I was walking out of his room. "I would be glad if you came with me, Chandini," Bhaiya said, and I could not say no this time. So I just nodded my head and told him to wait for me.

I dressed up in a red thin-strap dress with a slit, wore my long hair in a bun, with dangling earrings, and light eye makeup with red lips.

When I entered the hall and saw Bhaiya looking at me, he told me I was as beautiful as our mother. Hearing this, my eyes teared up at the thought of Mummy being here with us. But she was no longer with us, and all I could do was remember her.

I thanked him, and we both got into the car, with Bhaiya taking the wheel. "What is the reason for hosting this gala?" I questioned.

"Our boss does it to raise money, which he then donates. He likes to donate and believes that he must give back to the community. Same as his mother." Bhaiya explained.

His boss seems to be a decent man who cares about the public. But, Bhaiya once told me that he is a cold man who fires anyone who makes a minor mistake. The same thing I heard from Barkha and Rohit, who both work in the same industry.

Bhaiya's boss is a billionaire who owns our country's largest corporation, and I have just found out that he does something well by donating. So why is it that everyone portrays him as a rude, conceited, and cruel man?

We arrived at the gala venue, which appeared to be a mansion, and there was a red carpet with reporters everywhere. I look at Bhaiya, who understands the situation. I get nervous in crowded places, and I still have no idea how I work in a cafe.

He suggested we enter through the back door. Bhaiya then led me into a room with several large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The walls were white with gold accents, and the room was dimly lit. I was in awe of the place. But my anxiety grew as I looked around at the crowd of well-dressed rich people.

"Chandini, please wait here. I will be right back with our drinks, so don't go anywhere." Bhaiya spoke to me as if I were a child, and I nodded as if I were.

He laughed at my behaviour, which made me smile, and then went to get our drinks.

I looked around the room and felt as if someone was watching me, but I could not figure out who or from where. Bhaiya returned with our drinks, and I took a sip from mine. Bhaiya's coworkers came to greet us, and everyone was friendly and easy to talk to. 

Couples suddenly began to gather in the centre of the room.

"It is time to dance, and everyone will bet on the couple they believe will dance the best. The entire amount will be donated. There will be five rounds of this dancing, with the goal of raising money." Bhaiya explained what was going on, and I nodded, understanding.

I was looking at the buffet, waiting for it to open so that I could eat. I was famished.

Then I heard his deep voice, full of cockiness.

He has such a deep, husky voice and those beautiful eyes; too bad he is lacking in department of manners. My back was turned to him, so I do not think he realised it was me, but I believe he does because I can feel his gaze on me. I had the impression that someone was watching me—is he?

"Good to see you, Mr. Sehgal," he said. From the corner of my eye, I saw Bhaiya shaking his hand and smiling.

 "So, may I have this dance with the gorgeous lady beside you?"

Oh, no, no, no.

When I turned around to face him, my eyes widened. Oh god. He looks incredibly handsome, with his hair gelled back to perfection. He is dressed in a black suit that appears to be tailor-made for his frame. His honeyed eyes gleamed in the dim lighting. I stopped and averted my gaze, realising I had been staring at him.

I looked at him and found him staring. His gaze trailed down my body, lingering on my exposed leg, making me aware of his presence. I cough, drawing his attention back to my eyes.

When he returns my gaze, his eyes are slightly dark and hooded. My face feels warm under his intense gaze. He closes his eyes and clenches his jaw tightly.

I gently pat my cheeks and turn my head to look up at Bhaiya, pleading with my eyes for him to say no. "Of course, Mr. Kapoor, I can't say no to my boss." My brother chuckled slightly, and I stood still, feeling the colour drain from my face and my body going numb.

Boss?

"Chandini, why are you staring at my boss like you have seen a ghost?" Bhaiya whispered in my ear, and I shook my head, looking down.

What have I done? I slapped my bhaiya's boss and repeatedly called him arrogant and a moron. As if that were not enough, I found him attractive, and his voice... what can I say? What if he fires Bhaiya as a result of my actions? I am ready to die.

"He is waiting for you, Chandini." Just as Bhaiya said. He extended his hand to me. I raise my eyes to meet his, but my nervous gaze turns into a glare as he smirks.

Bastard.

I reluctantly took his hand and followed him to the centre of the dance floor. When I looked around, I noticed that everyone was staring at me, and my pulse quickened as my nerves kicked in. I dislike being the centre of attention. My breathing became more rapid, and I tried but failed to relax.

I felt him place his hand on the small of my back. I raised my head to see him looking at me with gentle eyes. "They are staring because you look exceptionally beautiful," and my breath caught in my throat as I noticed his eyes darting around my face as if he was... Admiring me.

"All right, darling, Relax and ignore them—take a few slow breaths, yes, just once more. Now keep your focus on the dance and your eyes on me." He said this while moving his thumb in a circular motion on my back. My eyes flutter shut as I relax into his arms.

I opened my eyes and placed my hand on his shoulder, ready to dance. The music began after he nodded his head twice. We were swaying back and forth, and I was trying to avoid his gaze.

"Darling, look at me." I looked up, and our gazes met.

I took a deep breath and lowered my gaze. I lifted my head to look him in the eyes. "You did not say anything about being this big, famous personality—or maybe your name would have been fine," I pointed out. He could have said something about himself when he was bothering me earlier today or when I asked him who he was.

Rohit once told me to look up his name on Google after he became a national sensation due to one of his projects. Which helped hundreds of people across the country and created many job opportunities. If only I had listened to him.

But what was his name again?

"Where was the fun in that? You didn't recognise me, despite the fact that I am very well-known." He said arrogantly, How can a person be so arrogant? I fixed my gaze on him.

"You are completely wrong; I know your name and your face—it is not something to remember." I lied.

I don't know who he is.

"It is not good to lie, darling," he smirked.

Suddenly, he spins me twice and dips me low, his gaze fixed on mine. I hold my breath when he brings his lips very close to mine. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, and something flutters in my stomach.

What is wrong with me?

I closed my eyes and tried to stay still because if I moved, our lips would touch. When I heard clapping and cheering, I opened my eyes and looked around. People were applauding and cheering for us. He pulls me up to my feet, and I stand straight, smiling at everyone.

He started dragging me somewhere, and I tried to stop him, but it did not work. "Chandini! Chandini! Where are you taking my sister, Sir?" Bhaiya's voice came from behind me. He stopped and turned around to face my brother.

"I would like to talk about something important to your sister, Mr. Sehgal. I hope you don't mind," he said.

"Ahh, I don't, sir," Bhaiya said, his voice laced with doubt.

He took me to an empty room and locked the door behind me. "What are you doing? Let go, please! Sir, let me go!" I said it pleadingly, and my tears flowed down my face. I am scared.

"Hey, hey, listen, I just want to talk, nothing else, no need to worry," he said calmly, taking a step towards me. I took two steps back and cried.

"No, I don't want to talk! Let me out! Please!" I was sobbing at this point. It all started to come back to me.

"Listen to me! All I want to do is talk!" he screamed. I flinched at his harsh voice and slid to the floor, trying to calm myself down.

"Darling, relax; I promise I won't do anything. Take deep breaths, as you did before." He walked up to me and sat down, taking my hands in his. I took deep, shuddering breaths.

"That is it, darling, just one more time. All right, good girl," he said as he smoothed my hair away from my face. I nodded, calmly.

What am I nodding to? stupid!

I jerked his hand away and locked my gaze on him. He looked me in the eyes—his eyes softened as he moved his gaze across my face, but only for a few seconds.

Then he said something that made me slap him once more.

What do you guys think?
What did Rudra say?
What made Chandini slap Rudra again?