Tanya nodded. She swallowed her pride and finally spoke, “I…I wanted to ask you for…huh, a favor.” Tanya looked down at her peep toes, before looking up at Neil. She bit her lip, her action betraying her nervousness.
For a brief instant Neil’s face flashed surprise and a flare of heat, before he masked it with his usual poker face. “Come in, sit.”
Tanya got in and sat across Neil, the wide desk separating them.
“What can I do for you?”
“You said…you said about Ritwik wanting me for myself,” Tanya spoke in an unsure tone. She once again looked down at her toes, suddenly feeling awkward and shy.
“No, that’s not what I said.” When she looked at him in surprise, he continued, “Any man who’s worthy of your time or love should want you for who you are.” Tanya’s breath suspended for a moment. Never had a man made her feel like she could be...special. She was that friend who hung around with friends to hear their heartbreak and console them. She was the nerdy girl who was more into comics and sci-fi books than makeup or seduction.
“How..how can I, you know? How can I make him feel that way?” Tanya fidgeted to engage her hands. She knew she was probably overstepping professional boundaries by asking Neil this question. But, she had reached the end of her tether. While no one else had noticed her feelings for Ritwik, it was Neil who’d caught on it. Wasn’t he the right person then, to tell her what to do?
“Let me get this straight. You want to know how to make Ritwik fall for you? To notice you as a desirable woman?”
Tanya flushed in embarrassment at his blunt analysis. Despite her discomfort, she nodded yes. Neil continued to stare at her intently for a few seconds too long. He was torn between disbelief and tenderness. Finally, against his better judgment, he found himself replying, “Fine. I will do this. Only because you are my brother’s friend and I have fond memories of you as a perky, curious kid.”
“Thank you.” Immediately, Tanya gave him a relieved, happy smile.
“But, before that, I need you to do something.” Neil’s face was completely serious.
“What?”
“I want you to assure me that you won’t go around asking such favors from other men. Ever! Do you understand?”
“What?” Tanya was now completely perplexed.
“Dammit, Tanya! You cannot go around asking random men to help you with…with stuff like this.”
Tanya flushed at his chiding tone. She immediately stood up. “Mr. Grover, I appreciate your willingness to help. I think I can take care of myself very well. Thank you!”
Tanya’s indignant face only exasperated Neil further. He also stood up and caught her wrist just as she turned to leave. “Sit down.” Tanya looked at him with remnant anger. “Sit.” It was more of a command. Reluctantly, Tanya sat down by his desk again. “While you look cute when you get angry, you must agree with me when I say that most men would see your request as an offer.”
“Offer? For what? How?” Tanya’s button nose scrunched, her face adorably confused.
Neil found her naivety charming, although his blood boiled when he realized anyone could easily take advantage of this tiny girl. No wonder her friends didn’t allow her to date, he thought to himself. He wasn’t sure if she should be let out alone in public, leave alone dating.
“For more. To sleep with you.” Neil was blunt. He noticed with interest, as her pale, rounded cheeks turned red.
“As if I…I would. I think you are just trying to make me feel uncomfortable.” Tanya pushed her glasses back and simply huffed.
“Tanya, do you hear yourself? You asked me how I should make you a femme fatale so that you can seduce Ritwik. What better way than to teach you how to do it?” He watched with complete amusement, as Tanya’s eyes widened in horror.
“I, you…huh, I mean, I did not mean that when I approached you to help me. Oh my God,” Tanya wailed. “Please tell me that wasn’t what you thought.”
This time Neil couldn’t help it; he threw his head back and laughed out loud. At the sound of the rich laughter, Tanya stared at Neil, transfixed. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Neil laughing for the first time.
“Believe me, when a woman wants me, I know. I don’t have to resort to such measures to get a woman into my bed.” Neil chuckled.
“Gross. TMI.” Tanya made a face.
Neil chuckled yet again, his eyes twinkling with mischief and laughter. “So, do you want my help or not?” At her eager nod, Neil continued to speak. “First, stop being at his beck and call and get a life of your own.”
“I…of course. I mean, I do have a life. Duh!” Tanya rolled her eyes and pursed her full lips, causing Neil to pause. His eyes were drawn to her full, pink lips before he looked at her once again.
“No, you don’t. You shift your plans for Ritwik. Always! And, you’re on to all his requests first thing at work. I don’t mean to say you shouldn’t work hard. But, if his requests are not the top priority, you shouldn’t kill yourself to get it done.”
Tanya gaped at him as if his idea was impossible to achieve. Yet, she was willing to listen to what he had to say. “Okay. Is that it?”
