Deepika was in better spirits after the long drive with Ranveer. Amid their pleasant ride, Sharin stopped their convoy and entered the limo. She handed the details of the events to Deepika.

They were headed for a gym opening in Khar. Deepika turned pages of the file without reading.

"Ezekiel would likely meet you in the green room," Sharin said.

"Ezekiel, the owner?" asked Deepika, not interested.

"The event manager," said Ranveer.

Deepika and Sharin both looked at him as if he had murdered a cat.

"Yes," Sharin broke the silence while Deepika only smiled and Ranveer.

Ranveer gave her a toothy grin like a twelve-year-old.

"Why do you know the name of the event manager?" asked Deepika thoroughly amused.

"Never mind," Sharin cut their romance short. "Ezekiel will probably insist on arranging transportation for you guys. Do not fall for it. Just say no."

Deepika nodded. Ranveer was suddenly interested. "Fall for it?"

Sharin ignored the curious comment and continued her instructions which Deepika half-heartedly acknowledged. Some of the instructions included not to make any political comments, support Indian culture or feminism only if the question inherently supports the causes, and that you love all the three Khans. Equally.

Ranveer listened to her talk wide-eyed rubbing his sweaty palms on his seat. He stole looks at Deepika hesitating to ask about rigorous instructions for fifteen minutes of media interaction in front of Sharin. Sharin proceeded to make the calendar for the promotion schedule of Deepika's next release Tamasha.

Ranveer noticed Deepika knew little of her own time. Sharin maintained her schedules and found time for family and vacation on her own. He made a mental note to talk to Deepika about it.

The schedule for Padmavati would end in two weeks and the film would be tabled for the rough cut. This would also mark the end of Ranveer's long professional partnership with Deepika. Then she will leave him to promote Tamasha with Ranbir Kapoor.

Ranbir was a wonderful guy and everything but Ranveer could never like him. Probably because he was a lot like Ranveer himself. They were both bratty, Ranbir a notch more maybe, both had Deepika in their lives and both longed for the forbidden fruit. Something told Ranveer he would try to get Deepika back, just to see if he can.

The thought stressed Ranveer. On top of that, this manager just made him realize how unprepared he was for the event and he could do nothing now except keep his cool in front of the media.

Ranveer's leg shook and he fought himself against biting his nails. He has to think of something to ease himself out. He thought he'll try something he learned in the film school.

"Hey Sharin," he said.

Sharin obliged him with a quick smile and went back to her planner.

Ranveer smiled at Deepika. She was puzzled. What is he up to?

"Have you done something with your hair?" he asked.

Sharin was surprised when she saw Ranveer was talking to her.

"No. not really," she said. She gave Deepika a confused look.

Deepika smiled nervously. Sharin wasn't a showbiz girl who would let go of the most sexist remarks to avoid tags such as 'difficult' and 'moody'. She hailed from the ice-cold world of corporates where a misplaced compliment could end up in a police complaint. She wasn't a fangirl and had seen enough celebrities to know they are hollow within their larger than life personas. Ranveer is walking right into trouble.

"Really? Are you wearing different makeup then?" Ranveer pushed on.

"No, I am not," Sharin said in a stern voice.

Deepika's heart came in her mouth. Sharin is going to explode. Ranveer is dead. She can do a lot more damage than Ranveer imagines. She will have to intervene to save the situation.

"You look good today," Ranveer furrowed his brows. "I'm sorry," he added. Suddenly he had acknowledged his nervousness.

The apology took Sharin off guard. Deepika could see Sharin's thoughts animate on her face. She melted in the guilt of intimidating Ranveer which she did to everyone abashedly. But no one had ever called her out on it so innocently. Her stern reprimanding expression cracked and revealed a smile.

"You don't have to apologize, dude," Sharin said.

Dude???

Deepika couldn't believe her ears. How does Sharin even know that word? Ranveer was making his George Clooney puppy face.

"Well an extra button is unfastened today," she said as she pulled at her collar showing her deep cleavage.

Deepika's mouth fell open. A pressed smile appeared on Ranveer's face as he checked out her massive breasts.

"I knew something was different," Ranveer said. "On a date?"

Sharin let out a hearty laugh. "I wish," she put her file aside. "Lost a button."

"Lose all your buttons, then."

"What!" Deepika shouted as Sharin giggled.

"I mean lose the same button in all your shirts," Ranveer said smiling at the corner of his lips. Sharin kept giggling.

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