2 K reads... thank you all for the love! And sorry for the delay... again.

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- Mumbai -
- 2017 -

Shivaay got up a little late that morning. He's still having problems adjusting with the timing in India even if it has been a week since he came here from New York. If working on timings is one thing, then there's another huge thing, his insomnia seems to be getting worse. Thoughts of Annie and the moment they spend together flashes through his mind almost all the time. To avoid it, he has become fully devoted to work but at some point, when he has nothing else to do, she comes back.

Ever since the day she left, it has become a daily routine for Shivaay to get rid of her thoughts. She wasn't there with him physically but she was always there mentally and emotionally for him. And to add to this, only he knows the battle he's fighting everyday.

It was a usual day at work. Some meetings with client, then some project's sight seeing, deal crackings and also meeting the lawyer. The new CEO was managing everything just fine, given at such a young age to manage an entire empire alongside his father. Some even start saying that Shivaay will bring the Oberoi empire to greater heights considering.

Just as he was getting himself immersed in the law paper he had just signed, he received a call informing Tej being admitted in the hospital due to an acute cardiac arrest. He left all the workloads behind to Mishra, his P.A. and rushed to the hospital. When he arrived, Tej was shifted from I.C.U to normal ward already.  He entered the exclusive suit to find Jhanvi sitting on the couch while a doctor was checking on his father. Tej was sleeping or resting or still unconsicious, he wasn't sure which one. He went upto his mother and sat next to her, taking her hands in his. She smiled at him and pulled him into hug.

'How are you now?', he asked.

'He's fine! (She realized Shivaay's question) He scared me within seconds... and you were also not there so I panicked. But now I'm fine. You're also here. So it's all good now!', Jhanvi replied with an assuring smile.

'It's indeed all good now Aunty!', Shivaay heard a familiar voice. It was of Anika's of course.

'Tej Uncle is absolutely fine now. It was just an acute attack due to stress. That's all! Just follow the diet plan that the dietician will provide and a little of exercise which I personally will inspect and Uncle will be absolutely fit and fine! Doctor informed me everything already and I've consulted everuthing with Om Bhaiya also. His reports are all good!', she exclaimed excitedly.

Shivaay was surprised to find her there and looks at Jhanvi for answers.

'Thankfully she came to our house at that time like an angel. She was the one who helped us out', Jhanvi explained.

'Oh! Thanks a lot Anika!', he thanked her.

'No problem!', she replied with a smile. She then left all of Tej's reports and everything on the shelf there and leaves.

'Shivaay beta, can you please drop her home?', Jhanvi instructed.

'Yeah sure!', Shivaay readily gets up right away, walked up to the door with Anika tailing behind him.

'Hey!', she greeted as she finally caught up with him as he was speeding off real quick.

'You don't have to send me back if you don't want to. I'm not a child. I can get back home myself', she spitted out everything quite bitterly.

'Why would you say that?', he asked her all stunned.

'Its just that you're rushing out like this without talking anything as if we're strangers. I guess you don't like me... or you don't want to send me back home... actions speak louder than words you see! And I'm a person of actions', she was being honest.

'I'm sorry for making you feel that way but I seriously don't have any problem sending you back home. It's just that I was a bit stressed out and I take time to cool down and get back normal', he explained.

'Good to know! So shall we?', she asked him.

'Yeah sure!', he replied and begins to go when Anika stopped him and entwined her arms with his making them walk arm in arm. Shivaay couldn't help but to be amazed at her action.

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- New York-
- 2012 -

Shivaay's POV

After a really very wild make-out that drained out all the energy from me, or should I say us, we were laying down on the bed. Naked? Yes. But we had my comforter on us. Asleep? No. Sleep was far away from us. We were just laying next to each other while gazing the stars. Well, I won't lie, she was gazing the stars, and I was gazing her. One of the perks of living in a room with a clear roof.

Just then, I realized that my stomach was rumbling for food. She chuckled when she heard the rumble.

'You hungry?', I asked her.

'Starving!', she replied back with a smile.

'I'll make you something to eat... get dressed...', I said and pecked on her forehead.

She chuckled more and stirred around facing me and got up holding the comforter by her chest. As if I haven't seen any part of her. Duh!

'I didn't knew that you would turn out to be the boyfriend material!', she blurted out.

I smiled upon hearing that, then confusion struck me. Is that supposed to be a compliment or a taunt. What does this girl mean? Why does she posses the ability to get me on my nerves.

'What do you mean?', I asked her bluntly.

'What I mean is that I thought you would be a mere one-night stand. But you aren't. You brought me to your bed and got a place in my mind. I don't usually like this but somehow I'm enjoying this. You're something! And now this cooking and the peck, it's like a boyfriend thingy! I don't do boyfriend stuffs. So it's better off being strangers', she explained and began finding her clothes which I had thrown away earlier and begin to dress up.

Woman! Stop messing with my mind would you! I offered you food and this is what I beget as a reply. Great! Is she leaving? But it's 3 in the morning. This late??? I should ask her to stay-back.

'Stay here for the night. It's late already. I shall not make you food! You can just sleep here and leave in the morning', I muttered trying to hide the anger but I guess it was evident through my voice.

'You got angry??? Hey, don't be! Accha baba! I'm sorry... I'll eat whatever you make me but I can't stayback here for the night. I have to go. I'm bounded to certain rules... but yes... I can certainly grab some food. So what are you serving me Chef Shivaay Singh Oberoi??', and all my anger was gone. It was as if she had some magic and slowly she was enchanting me with it and I was willingly becoming her captive. I grinned widely and went to my kitchen. She followed behind me.

I brought her to the bar table and made her sit. Just like a waiter. Only thing is that this waiter is only wearing his trousers... shirtless above.

'May I know the name of the lady I'll be serving today?', I asked as I hold her right hand in mine.

She smiled or blushed, can't identify it properly.

'It's Annie!', she replied.

'Just Annie?', I asked back.

'Just Annie!', she replied with a sexy voice.

So that's her name! Annie. Annie... hmmm... short name... pretty... and sounds sweet.

'That's a very pretty and sweet name! Just like you!', I said out with a smile and kissed her forehand.

'Does the chef intend to serve me something or just flirt with me like this?', that question brought me back to reality. I immediately rushed to the kitchen and started looking at the remaining groceries I had.

PRECAP : 'How do you know, Om Bhaiya???', her question was a simple one. But the answer isn't.

- To be continued -

TARGET :- 75+ votes.