“It is not,” she says with a smile. “Stop trying to get out of this meeting, Reyansh. He can’t be that bad.”
“I am not trying to get out of anything,” I say, slightly offended. “I was just genuinely concerned. Plus, he is notthatbad, Aisha.”
“We will face him together,” she says, holding my hand resting on the console between us.
“I know. I hope he doesn’t ruin mine or your mood.”
She chuckles, and I don’t think she understands how well he can ruin someone’s mood or how much he can actually get insidesomeone’s head. He is an awful person, great at manipulating people, which makes him a great businessman, but at the end, he is an awful person.
The restaurant comes into view, and I park my car as the valet comes to take it.
I get out to open her door, and we accidentally bump into each other as she gets out too fast.
“Careful, baby,” I say, softly. “No hurry.”
“Sorry,” she says sheepishly.
I press a kiss to her cheek, and she smiles.
“Don’t take his words personally, okay. And if at any moment you feel uncomfortable and want to leave, tell me. Okay?”
She nods, and I take her hand in mine, firmly.
“I won’t, and if you ever feel like he is being too much and want to leave, let me know too.”
I smile, shaking my head. She doesn’t realize that no matter the situation or the people we are around, if she is with me, I will be okay.
* * *
Aisha Kapoor
The restaurant is dimly lit, giving it a very posh vibe. Reyansh and I walk quietly to the table that was booked for us, and I see that Mr Maxwell—Louis—is already seated there.
While I have been quiet the whole time, the anxiety of this meeting is making me want to blabber with him.
I remind myself to keep quiet and not talk unnecessarily.
“That’s him,” he whispers the obvious in my ear, and I nod.
“Hi, Louis,” Reyansh greets, and he gets up to shake his hand.
“Hi, Reyansh,” he says, straightening up. “I didn’t know you would come.”
“I promised,” Reyansh says. “And we stick to our promises.”
Louis gives him a smile that is anything but sweet before his eyes land on me.
“You must be the wife,” he says. “Nice to meet you.”
“My name is Aisha,” I say, to remind him that my name is not just “wife”.
“Yes,” he says. “I know.”
Prick. No wonder Reyansh doesn’t like him.
He pulls the seat for me, and I take a step back, a little taken aback.
“Thanks, Louis,” Reyansh says, and I can see already that he looks annoyed. “But I can take care of my wife.”
