I was fucking blown away! I mean, she was just so fucking amazing. Her confidence was a huge turn on. I've never seen a woman like her. Agreed I look up to my mother as a strong and courageous woman, but that lady was just something beyond my expectations. She was clear, blunt and bold. And that was a definite sexy trait one woman can carry.

She's a single mother but damn if she did not have the persona that can easily put down a young girl to shame. She's attractive and she definitely knows that. Her every single movement was handled with grace, the way she talked, the way she smirked and then smiled, I could look at her all day and won't get bored at all.

I am smitten by her.

For the first time in these last five years of my life after that accident I'm feeling crazily attracted to someone. Never had any woman caught my attention like she did with just one glance. Never was I this giddy, a ball of nervousness and completely dazed by someone's presence. My body reacted to her like crazy, my heart raced everytime she looked at me and smiled, my insides melted everytime she whispered something in that dulcet voice of hers. I'm a fucking goner.

“Cheaters are not my type, Mr. Raichand. I don't do committed men.”

God! Only if I was not stuck in this meaningless relationship. Only if I had broken up with Tiara immediately after not feeling anything for her. Only if I had been honest with her and with myself.

I looked around in search of Uncle Anish. He was in the middle of conversation with someone when I intruded.

"Yes, Kabir?"

"Where's Tiara?", I asked as I stole another glance around.

"She didn't come.", He answered and my brows furrowed together.

"Why?", I questioned. Almost everyone in my parents friend and business circle has arrived along with their families.

"Something important came up so she stayed home.", He said and I rubbed my temples in a frustration.

I need to get this off my chest. I need to break this whatever we've between us. I can't continue with this anymore. And another fear that lurked around my mind was; what if she's asked out by someone else. She's beautiful and many men will try to have a chance with her. I can't lose this date, that is if she agrees. But I think she will. She looked attracted to me as well. We were flirting for God's sake.

I quickly reached to Aarav and demanded for his car keys. I can't waste my time in going upstairs to my room. He frowned but nonetheless handed me when I grew restless.

"Mom, I'm leaving. I'll be back before midnight.", I said hurriedly and left without hearing her response.

I know I'm hurrying a bit too much. I should talk with Tiara in morning. But I just can't wait anymore. After meeting that woman, even staying in a relationship with someone else feels weird.

Parking my car in front of their gates, I walked out and entered in through the small walk in gate. The guards politely greeted me and I nodded back before rushing inside.

When I finally stepped in the large living room, I was panting hard. I must be looking like a complete idiot, huffing like an asthma patient wearing a tuxedo.

"Kabir!", A gasp caught my attention and I looked up to see Tiara walking down the stairs with a huge smile on her face. "You here?", She chuckled as if she couldn't believe that I'm actually in front of her.

"I need to say something.", I breathed out as I straightened up from my crouched position.

"What?", She whispered, her voice was shy.

I feel guilty for doing this right now, so late at 11 in evening. But better late than never, right? I guess I used the phrase wrong.

Fucking focus, Kabir!

"I-I can't do this anymore, Tiara.", I said it finally. Her smile dropped and my heart clenched at her broken state. She gulped and I noticed her fists clenching at her sides.

"Okay. You can leave.", She said. Her tone carried a kind of defeat in it.

That's it? She won't blow up because I broke up with her in the most possible lame and selfish way?

"Really?"

"Yeah. I guess I was stupid to waste my whole fucking life in loving a wrong man.", She simply said before turning and rushing upstairs. My mind screamed at me to follow her and hug her tightly. But that was a brother's intuition and I know she'll take it in a wrong way.

I sighed tiredly before slowly turning and walking out. My shoulders were slumped and I must be resembling a dog whose tail was stepped on by some naughty kid.

"Good night, sir.", The guard at the gate said and I nodded with a forced small smile before walking out. I opened the door of my car and got in lazily. Throwing my head back, I groaned.

Oh Rivaah! You're messing up with my poor heart!

Her name made me sit straight immediately. Fishing out the folded tissue from my chest pocket, I unveiled it to find a number scribbled on it. Even her handwriting is beautiful just like her. Mine looks like ants crawling around. Literally.

I immediately picked my phone from dashboard and dialled her number. She picked up after fourth or fifth ring.

"Hello?", I said and heard her chuckle.

Fuck! I'm whipped.

"You're fast."

Adrenaline rushed to my cheeks and I bit down on my bottom lip to stop the goofy smile that was threatening to spill.

"Were you asleep?", I asked as my eyes narrowed guiltily.

"Not me. But your call might have woke up my son.", She chuckled before I heard some shuffling from other side.

"I'm sorry.", I said sheepishly.

"It's fine.", Her voice sounded firm and confident again. She must have walked out to somewhere distant to not disturb her son's sleep.

"Okay.", I murmured like a fool. C'mon! Say it what you called for!

"Mr. Raichand?"

"Hmm?"

She laughed and I know I must be grinning like an idiot now. This woman will be my ruin someday.

"Mr. Raichand?", She called out in a more demanding way now.

"Hmm?"

"Okay, enough! I'm hanging up.", She said playfully but I got scared.

"No don't!", I said immediately.

"Then speak! All you say is ‘Hmm! Hmm!’ ", She mocked and after passing a nervous hand through my hair, completely messing them up, I sighed.

"I'm single now. About the dinner?", I blurted out and closed my eyes, not at all ready to hear her answer.

"I've something to discuss with you tomorrow. We'll talk about this as well in your office.", She didn't asked, she told me.

"You're coming to my office tomorrow?"

"You heard anything different?"

"No.", I mumbled. She's controlling our conversation. Is this how it is supposed to be done? Don't men normally make decisions?

"Okay then, see you tomorrow, Mr. Raichand-"

"You can call me Kabir.", I said cutting her off.

"Very well, Kabir .", I was not ready at all. The way she said my name sent shivers down my spine. "See you tomorrow. Good night.", Before I could respond, she had already hung up on me.

Rude.

I found the guards at the gates of mansion eyeing me weirdly. Then I realized I was pouting childishly just because she hung up on me blatantly. I cleared my throat and nodded at them curtly before quickly igniting the engine and turning the car around.

I chuckled at my silly behavior before pressing the accelerator and speeding up. I opened windows and turned on music player. Raising up the volume, I bobbed my head along with the music. The moment I stopped at the traffic signal, another sport's car filled with youngsters, that looked not more older than 19 or 20 stopped beside me. The guy in the driving seat eyed me challengingly, before he nodded towards the road.

I chuckled before pressing the button that retracted the roof. "I'm a man, boy. You're free to go!", I shouted over the yells and music. The girls at the backseat cheered but he looked at me all pissed off. After glaring hard at me, he drove off.

I reached home past midnight. Mom was still waiting for me in living room, pacing back and forth when she spotted me entering inside.

"Where were you?", She asked coming closer.

"To Sharma Mansion.", I answered before removing my blazer. She immediately took it in her hold.

"For what?", She asked skeptically.

"To end the meaningless relationship I was dragging from past five years.", I said before sitting down on the couch.

"Why Kabir!?", She screeched loudly.

"Mom! I was not happy.", I said before throwing my head back on the headrest.

"Fine. Then shall we start looking girls for you? You're already 33, Kabir. I think it's high time you settle down and plan a family .", She said and I looked at her in disbelief. She can't be serious.

"No."

"Why? Because of the girl you met today?", She asked.

"I'm so tired. We'll talk about this later.", I said before getting up. Grabbing my blazer from her, I rushed upstairs to my room.

Next day I was all ready way before my usual time. I chose grey suit because I receive many compliments whenever I wear grey. After setting my hair with gel and spraying my usual cologne, I satisfactorily nodded at my reflection. My eyes fell on my empty wrist and I groaned. Heading to my walk-in closet, I stopped at the sight of my navy blue Armani hanging in the Formal Wear section.

My current choice faltered and I sighed out in frustration before grabbing the Armani and changing into it. On my way out I picked up my watch, shades and car keys. I again sprayed the cologne all over me and smiled in excitement. I look good. I hope she thinks the same.

I busied myself in some office work until it was time to go down for breakfast.

After an hour or so, I was parking my car in the car park of office building.

Karthik was beside me when I entered into private elevator.

"How do I look, Karthik?", I asked, he looked taken aback.

"Uhm, good.", He awkwardly smiled.

"Imagine yourself as a girl and then tell me. How do I look now?", I asked as I turned to him. His face was priceless. I laughed before shaking my head and patting him on his back. "Chill, dude. You looked so scared.", I said through my chuckles and he breathed out in relief.

I was almost on the verge of counting minutes now. It's been almost two hours that I came and she's still not here. I should have asked her what time she'll reach before assuming on my own. Sighing out annoyedly, I resumed back to my work. It was another two hours later when the knock on my door interrupted me.

I immediately straightened up, and brushed my hand through my hair to tame them. I was confused in what style of posture should I sit to look more professional and attractive. Another knock made me flinch and I blurted out a loud 'come in.'

The receptionist entered and looked baffled as I was half sitting and half standing, still in the confusion of how should I sit. I chuckled awkwardly before lowering down on my chair. "Yes!?", I asked catching her gaze.

"Um, Miss. Verma is here to meet you.", She said and my eyes widened.

"Already!?", I whispered to myself.

Well, you were waiting for her since morning!

"Send her in.", I said and she nodded before walking out.

I crossed my legs, grabbed one of my classy fountain pen, placed my free hand on the wireless mouse and shifted my focus on computer screen.

"Come in.", I said coolly when I heard two knocks.

She entered gracefully. Her voluptuous body looked more prominent and eye catching in the grey chiffon blouse and black pencil skirt. Her legs looked so fucking attractive because of the high heels. Her heels made a clicking sound as she walked front and stood before me, against my desk.

"The computer is not turned on.", She commented with a smirk.

"Oh? I was just checking how this mouse works.", I chuckled before raising up the mouse and examining all it's corners.

"You were checking the functioning of mouse without even turning on the monitor? Smart.", She smiled sarcastically.

"My work ethics and methods are very different and complicated, Miss. Verma. You won't understand.", I waved my hand dismissively before gesturing her to take a seat.

She chuckled with a shake of her head and I cussed myself internally for being so fucking stupid.

"Would you like to have something?", I asked.

"No, I'm fine. I'm here to take your permission."

"For what?"

"I've always managed projects related to Digital Marketing. But Mr. Khanna said that you are more focused on Branding.", I nodded. "Well, I would like to meet your advertising department and work with them as a team. I had initially thought I'll just work with Khanna's but as you both are merged for fashion line, I think involving your staff will be more beneficial.", She said after crossing her legs and leaning back. Her entwined hands resting on her knees.

"Go ahead. I don't have any problem."

"I've another request."

"Yes?"

"I would like it if you tell about this to your staff. You're their Boss and I think your words of working as a team with Khanna's advertising staff will affect them more.", She said and I nodded in agreement.

"I'll do that. What about our date?", I came to the main point and she chuckled.

"We'll conduct this meeting tomorrow at Khanna office. It's closer to the hospital I'm taking my son to."

My heart almost stopped as she said that. "Is-Is he fine? What happened to him?", I asked leaning front.

"Don't worry. He's okay. Just the common cold and flu.", She answered and I sighed in relief. But still there was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. I decided to shove it off.

"I'll be there with my staff tomorrow.", I replied and she stood up. My face fell and disappointment surged through me as she collected her bag, all ready to leave.

"Text me the address of restaurant. I'll be there by eight.", She smiled before turning around and walking out.

I almost squealed in excitement but controlled the temptation.

_______