-Shopping-

I groaned as I woke up thinking about the torturing shopping trip that was ahead of me today. It was 10 already..I had 2 hours to device a plan to escape the torture spree.

I took a nice warm shower and got dressed in my grey tank top and blue jeans. I ate my cereals and due to my laziness and extremely slow speed, by the time I was finished it was 11:28. Great, now I only have 30 minutes to device a plan.

Should I say...I am sick? But he won't buy it...I have to think of something better. Like..don't go out today because zombies are going to attack! That sounds legit now...I wasted my precious 30 minutes pondering about different excuse but still couldn't think of anything.

Suddenly my phone rang and I picked it up without looking.

"Come down in 5 minutes." Zero marks for guessing whose arrogant voice it was.

"Good morning to you too," I smirked and then I got to know what was wrong, unfortunately he caught it before me.

"It is afternoon, my dear sleeping beauty." Ha! You had a chance and you blew it Ruchi. Amazing!

"Whatever. I don't want to learn about time from someone like you." I said and I could imagine him frowning.

"4 minutes." He said and then hung up. How rude!

I took my jacket, wore my sneakers and headed off downstairs. Wait...I was supposed to find some way to escape this..shit! I groaned internally on my carelessness while talking to him.

I exited through the doors of the building and there.... was the beautiful, gorgeous, swoon-worthy, looking amazing.... his exquisite red sports car!

And inside there was a normal looking Vivaan Kapoor.

He came out of his car and opened the door for me.

"You are so good at fake chivalry." I smiled tightly and continued "Well, I can't go on this shopping trip since I am sick." I internally crossed my fingers, it is worth a try.

"What happened?" His face was blank, did he buy it? Well yes, he did, of course, it is not like he was keen on this shopping trip either.

"Flu." I lied. I am not a professional in the lying department, but I can always lie like a proficient to save myself.

"Well, in that case, we have to cancel this shopping trip, as you say it." He said and I couldn't believe my luck! I did it. This lame lie saved me!

"Well then, goodbye!" I said and waited for him to get inside the car and drive off to where the sun doesn't shine.

"No, not goodbye. If you are sick, I am taking you to the doctor." There was a slight smirk on his face and then it disappeared. I could feel my mouth hanging but I tried to cover it up.

"No!" I exclaimed, "I mean I am not that sick, rest is all I need." I said and faked a few coughs.

"No way, I don't want my date for the charity ball to fall ill. We are going to a hospital." He said and all I could think was when the hell did he start caring about me?

"No. It is fine. I am telling you!" I tried insisting but everything fell on deaf ear.

"We are going to the hospital and it's final." Hospital...I felt like puking. The last time I went to any hospital was probably when I was still in my mother's womb. I never really fell seriously sick and never had to go to a hospital because home remedies rock like that. I just hate going to hospitals for some unknown reason.

"NO! I am not going to the hospital." I yelled and suddenly the smirk on Vivaan's face widen.

"So now if we are done with this, can you just drop your act? I would appreciate it. Lot's of time has already been wasted." He said as I stared at him wide eyes. He knew it and was just playing around? why am I this unlucky all the time?

I reluctantly sat inside and felt the similar comfort of this luxurious car again. We drove in silence, after some minutes we stopped in front of a fancy looking boutique.

~~***~~

I opened the door and exited the car, I didn't even bother reading the name of the store I just walked in with him beside me. And deja vu! Every single staff member ignored me and was all over Vivaan Kapoor. What was he? God?

After a few minutes of greetings, I along with Kim, the store manager found some evening gowns, for me to try. How much I dreaded it.

I got inside the changing room and tried the first dress. It was white and was made of sheer material, but covered everything and hugged my figure perfectly. And the back was completely bare. I stepped out to take mighty Vivaan's approval who sat on the couch like a king. 

I didn't like modelling dresses for him like that. But I've always liked trying dresses on after someone chooses them for me.  Still having Vivaan look at me made me feel really shitty. His gaze was not objectifying me, but I did not like it anyway.

"It looks good." He said, after looking at the dress for less than 15 seconds.

"So, shall I take it?" I asked and he just nodded. Wow, that was quick. I wish if every shopping trip could be this quick.

I turned around happy and then he said "Stop. We are not taking this one. Go change into another." There was a frown on his face and I didn't question his judgement, he looked irritated for some reason. The whole way back, I could feel his eyes burning a hole in my back.

Next was a hot pink gown with lots of bling and sequence it blinded me and it seems like it did same to Vivaan too as his exact comment was "Are you trying to blind me by imitating a disco ball?" He even earned a glare from Kim too.

I was happy to get that dress off me, next was a black dress, it had a sweetheart neckline which was plunging, there was a mid-thigh split and it made me feel like Megan Fox. I am not exactly into dresses like these but this one was gorgeous and as an added bonus, I looked good in it too. For some strange reasons, I wanted to see Vivaan's reaction on this one. I walked out and the moment he saw me, his face darkened.

"NO!" I couldn't help but laugh at his face, he looked really irritated. And surprisingly I was enjoying trying all these expensive dresses more than I should.

"Okay Okay " I laughed happily and got inside to change. I've tried like 6 dresses and nothing could impress that man. Every dress had some flaw for him. He even tagged 1 or 2 as immoral.

"This is my last try, do you hear it?" I speak with great irritation in my voice.

This was a red dress and the moment I wore it, I knew this was it. Everything about this dress looked perfect to me. I stepped out to show it to him.

"Beautiful." He said instantly. I could feel my cheeks getting redder than the dress. It was the first time he ever complimented me. "This is perfect. This dress is beautiful." He said with a smile and mine fell a little when I realised the earlier compliment was for the dress and not me. He paid for the dress and I didn't put up a fight this time.

We got out of the shop, the dress will apparently be delivered to me tomorrow because that's how it works. We were back on the road and suddenly Vivaan asked me "You want to grab some lunch?" I would have declined if I wasn't this hungry. I am the kind of person who is always hungry, so, "Sure." I replied.

~~***~~

I was expecting him to stop in front of some expensive 5-star restaurant, which in fact was exactly what he did. I opened the car door and he frowned a little "I was about to open the door for you." He said..no kind of pouted as I stuck my tongue at him.

The name of the restaurant was in French, I can't pronounce it even if it is written in English... La..La.. that's all I could read.

"This translates to L'Horizon. Now stop gaping at it." I glared at Vivaan as he looked at me like I was some low-lying dirt. Great! I am not even inside and I am already embarrassed.

We entered and the place looked extremely posh, it was lunchtime and there were many people dressed formally and looking elegant.. great day to wear a grey tank top and sneakers...I thought to myself.

The moment we entered inside the restaurant, Vivaan didn't even have to speak, we were seated on a table in the corner near the window before I could process anything.

Soon there came a waiter who was dressed better than me. "Good Afternoon sir, mam." He handed out menus to us but Vivaan waved it off "Just get me my regular and same for the lady here too." He said and the waited nodded with a smile.

"Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to order for me ?" I asked annoyed. He just smirked and didn't say anything. We were silent and I felt extremely uncomfortable, everyone was dressed extremely well and although I am sure nobody paid much attention to me I felt unwanted. I do not belong to places like this. I am the kind who goes to McDonald's or local diners.

"I don't feast on little puppies or rabbits. Stop feeling so uncomfortable." My thoughts were interrupted by him and I looked at his face which showed faint traces of concern.

"How am I supposed to believe that? After all, you look like you came straight from hell, who knows what they might serve you there?" I said and he glared at me.

After a minute or so of silence, he said "You don't have to worry. You don't look out of place." I won't lie, I was surprised, he noticed my discomfort. It made me feel comfortable..but since when his words made me feel comfortable?

"Easy for you to say. You are dressed for a place like this. I am not. This grey top and jeans are not appropriate for a high-end restaurant like this." I said all my thoughts aloud, which surprised me a little. 

"No problem, if someone asks we can always say that you are a big fan of 50 Shades of Grey." He winked at me and I had this uneasy feeling in my stomach. My cheeks warmed up as he used my previous statement. There was silence again, after 5 minutes our food arrived.

It looked delicious, I ate carefully, afraid of dropping utensils and embarrassing myself. His choice was not that bad. We ate in silence, once we were finished he paid the bill and we got out of the restaurant.

"I hope you enjoyed it," He asked me. I raised my eyebrow.

"Am I going to get compensation if I say, I didn't?" I asked as he pushed me towards his car.

"Ow! What the hell?" I half yelled as he stared at me intensely.

"You did or did not?" He asked and it took me a moment to process what he meant. I hate him when he is so near me. He was staring straight into my eyes with his hazel orbs. It was like he was going to eat my soul out. I never felt so uncomfortable before, my palms started to sweat and my heart started to race.

"I did. Now, give me some space to breathe, you jerk!" He smirked and moved away, opening the car door for me. I glared at him and then slid inside.

It was 3 p.m. when he dropped me at my apartment.

"Take a leave tomorrow, too."

"Are you crazy? I don't have any paid leaves left." I scowled at him but he didn't seem to get affected.

"Consider this as a part of your work. I'll see you tomorrow at 7." He said and I slammed the door of his car. This poor door always has to suffer because of my anger.

I sat on the couch, thinking about everything that happened...Why did I agree to him so easily? I prayed that nothing would go wrong tomorrow, I just want to get over with it.

_______________________________________________________________

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