THE PASSIONATE EGO

20: LATE DATE

Nandini suddenly felt herself out of the place with the outfit that she was wearing amidst these fancy looking womens around. Manik was walking ahead and to the welcome desk where apparently the manager greeted him like a freaked out formal employee. Well looks like he wasn't kidding when he said that it actually his place. The manager asked Manik if he wanted a table for two or a business meeting to which he replied that he wanted a table for you pointing at the lady which should be beside him but was not. Turning back he saw her looking around the entire place in awe and a proud smile came on his face.

"So shall we?" manik asked loud enough for her to hear him withthe distance they were on.

"Huh?" Nandini replied coming out of her trance.

"I said should we go inside now?" Manik asked again extending his hand to her.

"Ya we should" Nandini replied putting her hands into his.

They moved ahead and Nandini felt jealous at each women who approached them wearing clean dresses, it wasn't that she had none ofcourse she had, she was Nandini the fashionsta but only if she had known where she was coming to. In an instance as if Manik understood her gaze and feelings he bent down a little and hushed in her ears "You still look the best here. No matter how much they get dressed i would still stare at you."

Manik pulled out a chair for her, typical gentleman behaviour well that doesn't suit him thoug, totally out of place. nandini blushed at his comment taking in his compliment. He too seated himself opposite her staring right at her being true to his words.

"Since this ain't India and this will be the only place open right now. I hope i did good." Manik asked being sarcastic over her previous words that she spoke in the car.

"Being sarcastic are we? Well if only i had known you had other businesses too." Nandini asked.

"You should have variety" Manik smiled mischiveously "at all parts in life."

"I see but don't you think it's all a bit too much for the first date" Nandini smirked knowing well she was taking him to the edge of the talk.

"Shortie it's all about the first impression" Manik smiled getting in the game here.

"Well i still think that you're a jerk. Total waste of money here. " Nandini smirked putting her hands on the table and moving a little forward.

"A jerk who's great in bed i must say. " Manik smirked at her.

"And we ain't be getting there cause you're gonna bore me in the first day itself i know" Nandini smiled checking out her perfectly manicured nails.

"You bet shortie. You can ask any girl you want to and they'll say that i am hella great in bed" Manik smiled in victory but he had no idea who was the other competition.

"Ahh let's say that ain't true. You want me and you got me in this deal just because you couldn't get me. I am not your regular blondies. " Nandini gave a satisfactory smile as she knew she had won this game then and there.

Nandini: 1

Manik: 0

Before Manik could even try to retort back the waiter came and took their orders. The latter dinner went in silence as it was hell awkward for Manik to actually hear the truth. Something inside him burned, well wasn't it true that he always wanted her as in when he laid his eyes on her and the only reason to get her in this deal was because he wanted to get her and she wasn't an easy nut to c***k.

They both wiped off their faces and waited for the dessert to arrive.

"So still thinking about an answer" Nandini asked well more like answered his mind.

"Thinking about what answer? " Manik asked very well knowing where she was heading to but he can't just give her the satisfaction

"Just what i asked before"

"Look Nandini-"

"Manik chill, i am kidding we both got in this deal. As much as this sounds wierd and stupid we know we have something for each other, definitely not cute feelings but something, there's no need for awkwardness between us. " Nandini eased the situation.

Manik smiled a genuine one and they both had their dessert. Walking out after paying the bill Manik stood at the patio for Nandini to arrive from the washroom when a girl walked upto him.

"Hey haven't seen you around! "

"Katie" Manik spoke under his gritted teeth after being a pain in the ass this girl still had the authenticity to walk upto him and talk.

"Long time no see hottie" She spoke seductively moving her long manicured finger nail up and down his cheeks.

"I think it's good for the both of us" Manik faked a smile.

"Hey don't say that. We had our great times together. Didn't we? " She smiled clinging onto him.

"I can't call them great" Manik tried talking her out before anybody sees them together.

"Oh common looks like you still need a friend like before. We can hang out at your place or mine or you know like book something. " She said batting her eyelids thinking that would work but Manik had enough of her. He wanted to throw away her arms from him but he had his own reasons not to do so.

Katie was having the fun of her life watching the hunk like that until a hand pushed her away making her stumble backwards and then looped around Manik's arm.

"Did i make you wait alot babe" Nandini spoke with sugar in her voice.

"Ahm" Manik fumbled with words. What was happening.

"Oh hey sorry i didn't see you there" Nandini addressed Katie with a smirk on her face. Oh it's been so long that she actually got into a cat fight.

"Oh nothing dear just talking to an old friend here. A really close one." Katie smiled marking his territory on Manik but she had no idea who she was standing up against.

"Oh Manik babe you never told me you had her as your secretary. I would have definitely got you a better one. I know your choices. " Nandini smiled looking at Manik who gave her a glare in return but chuckled when saw Katie fuming in anger.

"Looks like you two are a thing" Katie asked.

"Ya we are. He is the sweetest. " Nandini smiled scooting closer to Manik.

"Oh great then i guess we are gonna see you both tomorrow, together. " Katie smiled when she got back in the game.

"Tomorrow? " Nandini asked puzzled.

"The ball? Manik didn't tell you. My dad's having a ball tomorrow for the business delegates. It's kinda a get together. Hope to see you both there. Bye Manik" Crashing the bomb at them Katie walked away and so did Manik.

Nandini soon followed after him running and got inside the car before he could drive away.

"Your welcome" Nandini said as soon as she got inside the car.

Manik drove away not answering back. A few minutes of silence later Nandini spoke

"Rude"

"Seriously Nandini what do you want me to do. Clap at you for that amazing Oscar performance. " Manik spoke in anger.

"Damn relax Malhotra. I came out of the bathroom and saw how vulnerable she was making you so i just helped you out. " Nandini reasoned.

"But you made it worse. You said we were a thing. Nandini you were the one who put that rile in that no one should now. And tomorrow when we'll go to that ball people are gonna know. " Manik retorted back.

"Okay i am sorry but i just thought i was helping you out. And we can go as friends. No one's gonna know about the deal and about our friends i could just say that i didn't wanted to be home alone so i went as your plus one. See it's simple. " Nandini gave the idea.

"Of course you think it is. You don't know Katie" Manik stated the obvious that he knew.

"Why does that women have you so tight around her fingers? " Nandini asked but Manik didn't replied.

They reached back home soon and Manik walked out of the car giving his keys to the valet but Nandini had enough of the silent treatment. This wasn't the date she had ever expected.

"You don't walk away Malhotra firstly you come home late and then you demand that we still go out on our date. I don't know why. " Nandini spoke walking to him in anger and standing right in front of him on the patio.

"Nandini-"

"No you listen i just helped you out there. Sorry i had no idea it was not great to get into but i still did. I don't get it Manik you wanted the date i was fine with out it. We still went out such late and i don't know why would you even want that if you just wanted to make it the worse night with your silent treatment. Tell me?? " Nandini demand for an answer.

"I took you out so late because-" Manik said stepping closer to her.

"Because? " Nandini asked.

"Because i wanted to do this officially" And saying this Manik scooped his arms around her waist taking her inn for a soft kiss pulling her up from the ground. It was perfect with the stars in the sky and them on the patio like a movie definitely not a night Nandini had thought of or the answer that she accepted.

Pulling away from the kiss Nandini looked directly into his eyes.

"Happy official relationship shortie" Manik smiled pulling her up for a kiss again.