Chapter 20

Chapter 20
He was driving her to the office while she was sitting in the passenger seat. His fingers brushed against her thigh whenever he reached out to change the gear. That mere touch sent chills down her spine.

She was sitting in his car stiff but there was havoc in her heart. "Stop here," she said meekly when they were a little distant from the office. "But we are a little away from your father's office," he said, frowning.

"I will walk… a little. Dad might…see you" she stuttered fidgeting with the seatbelt. 'Smart girl' he chuckled inwardly and nodded at her.

She got out of the car and he drove away without sparing her a single glance. "What's wrong with him? At Least he could say bye" she pouted looking in his direction and left.

"Where were you, Shanaya? I was waiting for you" Rajeev let out as she walked into his office. "Sorry dad, I got late," she said meekly while taking her seat. "Alright dear, I need your signatures on these files," he said, forwarding her bunch of files and she nodded.

"What is this?" She asked, grabbing the pen from the desk and opening the file. "It's…It's for a charity we always hold for your birthday," he said as he motioned her to sign.

She was staring at the file and Rajeev tensed. "We are getting late dear, Sign here. I have an important meeting to attend" he said smiling at her and she nodded before she signed.

"Alright, go home. I'll be late as I have to attend a business party tonight" Rajeev told her and she again nodded. "Give me a call once you reach home okay? Or else dad will be worried" he said, patting her head and she smiled. "I will dad, don't worry" and she left for home.

After reaching home she sat on the couch in the living room. A maid offered her a glass of water and she gulped in one go.

Reema bi served her lunch and sat across from her and she finished her food with a little chit-chat. She went to her room as she was exhausted from the hectic day. As she lay on the bed facing the ceiling her mind filled with his thoughts.

Before the confrontation, she was feeling embarrassed, angry, and ashamed but now after he truly apologized to her she felt comfort.

It would not be a big deal for him to kiss any girl as she googled him and got to know about his lifestyle. A successful self-made billionaire at the age of 26. Rumors that he used to be a playboy at his university and might still be. A charming persona with Greek god looks. Runs a well-known top firm RM Holdings in real Estate and blah blah. His Instagram account also has millions of followers.

They both are so opposite of each other. He was the center of attraction and she likes to stay away from the attraction. Attention would reach out to him wherever he goes and she hates drawing attention. He would appear like a king in the crowd and she doesn't like crowds. He likes to explore the world and rule the world and she's comfortable within her four walls, her own small world.

"Snap out of it Shanaya! What are you even thinking" she scolded herself for thinking about him.

At dinner time;

Shanaya ate her dinner as Reema bi served her and sat with her until she completed her food. Rajeev was late as he had to attend a business party.

She went to her room after dinner. At night she woke up when she felt thirsty. She traced her hand on the nightstand and got a hold of a bottle but it was empty.

Whining, she tore off the bed and walked down the stairs while rubbing her eyes to get rid of sleep.

She strolled to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator she grabbed a bottle of chill water and poured some for herself and swallowed down, sighing in contentment she again chugged another glass of water. Wiping her mouth from the back of her hand she placed the bottle back and switched off the lights.

She ambled toward the stairs and as she was ascending the stairs she bumped into something hard and a hiss escaped her lips.

She rubbed her nose while hissing in pain. When she looked up, a broad chest came into her sight. She scanned up and her eyes went wide in horror and a scream escaped her throat.

She was about to scream again when a big claused palm covered half of her face and muffled her scream.

Her heart was thumping wildly in fear as she attempted to push at his chest but the audacity of this man held her both hands behind her back and pulled her closer to him.

She stumbled on her foot as they both were standing on the staircase and she was one foot down from him.

Her entire being shook and she struggled wildly. "Shhh" his manly voice froze her and she went rigid in his arms.

"Who's there?" Rajeev's voice sounded from the hallway which distracted him momentarily. Her senses kicked in and taking the advantage of his distraction she elbowed him on his stomach and jogged down the stairs to her father.

"Dad…there" she was gasping for air and pointing towards the staircase and Rajeev frowned looking at the way. She looked horrified, sweat beads trickling from her forehead. "There… someone is…'' she said breathlessly and when Rajeev turned to the direction she was indicating. A man was descending the stairs with a mischievous smile. His both hands were inside his sweats and he was wearing a black tee.

Rajeev smiled and shook his head and walked to him. Shanaya, who was frightened till now, looked at her father in stunned silence who was approaching that man with a smile.

Her brows creased in perplexity when she saw her father patting him on his shoulder. "Shanaya dear, come here and meet Neil," Rajeev said and she only frowned looking at them.

When she didn't make any effort Neil strolled towards her and stood in front of her. "Hi, I am Neil" he spoke in his rich manly voice, forwarding his hand for a handshake. Shanaya gaped at his hand and his face.

Her head whipped towards Rajeev who stood beside her. She expectantly looked at her father and asked. "W…Who is he, dad?" Her eyes sauntered between her father and him.

"He is Neil. My friend's son. He came from Paris today only and will be living with us for a few weeks" Rajeev clarified to her and she nodded nonetheless.

"Shanaya" Neil lifted his right eyebrow indicating his extended hand and she got the cue. She looked at Rajeev who gave her a nod and she hesitantly placed her palm in his big hand. He grasped her tiny hand firmly and shook hands with her.

"H…Hello," she spoke in a small voice and didn't look at him and pulled her hand back. "I am going to my room," she said and didn't wait a bit as she climbed the stairs hurriedly.

Neil looked in her direction, his lips tugging into a mischievous smile. "Scared kitten" he mumbled under his breath which Rajeev couldn't make out.

"What were you doing?" Rajeev asked as he stood next to him. "Nothing, just introducing myself," he said. His eyes were narrowed mischievously as his lips tugged into an evil smile.

"Don't do anything stupid until my plan succeeds. I'll be needing your help. You are here for a purpose" Rajeev gritted out and sauntered in his room. When Rajeev left Neil was still there looking at her direction he uttered in his thick manly voice "she grew up in a beautiful gorgeous girl" he muttered before walking towards his room in another wing of the mansion.

As soon as she came to her room she immediately locked the door and breathed in relief leaning on the door frame. Sweat beads were forming on her forehead as she was panting slowly and breathing with her open mouth.

If he was Rajeev's friend's son he should have said that before. His action and the way he grabbed her hands and cupped her mouth from screaming didn't give any good vibes. Instead his actions seemed bizarre.

She was not getting any good vibes from him. The way he touched her it felt disgusting and that evil smile. 'He's so different from him' unexpectedly a reflection came in her mind and she compared him with Avyaansh.

Whenever Avyaansh was near her she felt nervous but his touch didn't disgust her. She feels safe and protected with Avyaansh. Though she was not the person to judge someone on the first impression, but his behaviour didn't sit well with her.