BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED, Part 5

BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED

Part 5

Maan closed his eyes n stepped back while she remained immobile in her vulnerable condition.

He turned around unable to see her like that. The sight was making his patience slip, like sand in fist.

I would be waiting outside. He said n walked outside without sparing her another glance. Geet opened her eyes feeling uncovered n empty; she kept a hand on her heart to steady the fast pacing beats. She was not disappointed, she liked to believe that but the frown on her face said otherwise.

Geet walked out only to find a silver Limousine. The driver opened the door n she sat inside. 

The interiors were even better than what she saw of the car from outside.

Maan who sat across from her was busy on his phone checking mails n Geet felt really awkward.

He looked at the beauty before him n to lessen the thick layer of gauche, he decided to start a conversation... it was better to talk rather than allowing other thoughts come n corrupt the brain, thoughts born of desire, full of lust.

So what did Niki told you about me? I am sure she would have said something; she likes to praise me a lot. He said sarcastically.

She said though you are younger you like to boss around. Geet repeated Nikita’s words.

Maan scoffed. Just by two years but I am larger. Then he added for more clarity. N I don’t boss around.

Sibling love!! Geet commented inwardly n her lips curved up into a small smile.

Maan himself couldn’t help smiling, it was the first genuine she gave him. Not nervous, not suggestive, a real smile which meant she was not uncomfortable around him.... at least, to some extent if not entirely.

Why you don’t call me Muskan? This was her turn to question.

Why would I? His voice was filled with amusement. You told me you are Geet. So, I will call you that only. Moreover I think it suits you better.

No doubt, perhaps that was the reason why her parents named her Geet. It suited her.

Wear your mask, we are there. He instructed wearing his mask n Geet did the same with hers.

They exited the car n stepped onto the red carpet. Cameras flashed-considering the party was high profile-making Geet conscious though she thanked her stars for having the mask on. God forbid if anyone recognised her it would not only ruin the image of the man beside her but also won’t be very fruitful for her too.

Maan noticed the sudden rigid posture of Geet n held her hand into his. His touch did the job for her mind now concentrated on his warm touch instead of the fears that could most probably turn into reality.

They entered the main hall n the spot light fell on them with the announcement-Hold your breath ladies here comes Maan Singh Khurana.

Maan smiled n shook his head in an all knowing smile.

As the couple walked inside the spot light faded much to Geet relief. She didn’t want to notice that everyone’s eyes were on them so she took in the surrounding instead.

Solid black-and-white candles were lit around the hall that gave off the dramatic, dark romantic feel. The walls were draped with tulle in heavy evening colours; it added more depth n mystery to the area n it went really well with the theme of the party.

Whoever did the decoration was very good at the task n whoever paid, well let’s not go there.

Maan escorted Geet to a group of people that were sitting comfortably on a sofa in the corner.

Maan... A Man almost same height n age as Maan stood up.

Shaan. Maan greeted n they both shook hands, nodding their heads in a universal man-to-man hello.

What’s with the grand welcome? Maan asked.

Shaan replied with a grin. Now you would have heard the saying ‘keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’.

Yeah right, anyways congrats for the new deal. Maan wished. You won the bid.

Only because you were not there. Shaan added with a smile.

There was a small girl who was sitting beside Shaan, she passed Geet a smile n Geet smiled back. The girl had a diamond shaped face n hairs that were curled at the end. She didn’t have what was called big breasts but they were perk n high, her entire frame was not very alluring yet her simplicity made her stand out.

All n all she was beautiful n nice, Geet concluded, because she was the only one who acknowledged her presence amongst the others sitting there. Geet didn’t bother about noticing them much, tit for tat, though it was obvious they didn’t care if the new entrance remarked them or not.

Am I flattered? Maan smirked.

Ahem... you should be. They both laughed.

The first look at the two men and anyone would think of them as friends or at least acquaintances if nothing else, but they were actually cut-throat competitors. They both owned two of the best construction companies in the world n were always in race trying to get ahead of the other.

Although Maan most of the time turned out to be the clear winner, Shaan never played it dirty. It was their silent, inside game rule. Shaan respected Maan n the feeling was mutual.

And who is this pretty lady? The cheerful voice of Shaan caught Geet’s attention n she finally decided to pay regard to the conversation going on.

Geet Malik. She introduced forwarding her hand; she had to play the sophisticated n wished she didn’t make a fool of herself. After all a prostitute n classic masquerade ball was no combination.

Nice name to go with the beautiful woman. Instead of shaking hands like Shaan did earlier with Maan. He took it to his lips n placed a subtle kiss on the back of her hand.

Geet instantly knew Shaan was a ladies’ man. As for Maan, he wasn’t very pleased with this display of affection.

If you could excuse us for a second. Maan said politely n took Geet with him.

They walked a distance n halted before a woman. Maan hugged her briefly n Geet shouldn’t have been bothered but strangely it irked her. All this change was getting to her head.

The way other’s head turned towards their direction, practically every ear straining to catch the conversation of the two, Geet got the idea they were talk of the town, may be a couple in making or... already one. But if they were to be a couple, she doubted her presence in the picture.

She wondered if the reason of bringing her was to make the other woman jealous. Maan didn’t look so shallow but then she just met him two times earlier n she was never a steller judge of character.

Geet glanced at her hand that was entwined with Maan’s then she raised her eyes to observe the other woman.

She had a good height probably an inch or two higher than Geet. Her hairs were tied in a complicated yet beautiful chignon behind her head, coming down there were the massive breasts which she certainly liked to flaunt if the too deep neck line was to indicate something.

Her clothes were like every other person in the party, shiny n expensive. The black gown complimented her full curves immensely. Her face was covered with the mask only red lips moving fluently as she spoke.

It was difficult to decipher the colour of her eyes in the dark but from what Geet heard of the conversation between the two, her name was Deepika.

While Maan kept Geet’s hand secure in his hold the girl he was talking to didn’t found Geet sufficient enough for even a look. Deepika ignored her completely n Geet speculated if suddenly she had become invisible... well, either that or Deepika was blind.

The girl intimidated Geet without actually doing anything; she was just showering her unctuous talks over Maan n he seemed to enjoy that.

Slowly Geet slipped her hand out of Maan’s n walked away.

The sudden action surprised him but he let go, assuming she needed her own space n share of enjoyment.

Everything was boring save for a single place; it was of her taste, the bar. Alcohol didn’t differentiate between rich n poor, corporate renowned n sluts.

There were a number of beverages being served but Geet opted for the rose vodka. She never had it before but the name was promising.

As expected it was awesome though it didn’t helped much. Even after 6 shots, her throat burned n she didn’t felt the ease she searched for.

She saw Maan heading for a dance with Deepika n diverted her gaze. Unfortunately, all sides sang the same tune, she didn’t fit. Why was she here?

The people here were all rich dressed in best of the attires. Each woman was wearing costly jewels, talking animatedly among themselves, showing off their riches-faking smiles, all the while knowing the other one is doing the same. What fun were they getting?

Play of destiny-some gets whatever they want n couldn’t actually fathom the value of it while the others who yearn for the smallest of happiness rot in hell.

Geet stood there in middle of these people she was well aware it was not her world; she didn’t belong here in the least. She belonged to that red light area of hers, to that dingy street where garbage putrefies on the side of her building n where girls were treated worse than that garbage.

No girl wishes to be a whore, n become just a source of satisfying carnal need of every men out there.

She knew girls who were traded for prostitution at a very young age-away from home, some girls were forced into the business by getting them addicted to drugs, so that they would need money n couldn’t run, couldn’t defy.

Whenever she thought about all this, the comparison made her feel somewhat better. She did the same job but was in a healthier position, she was never truly beaten except for a slap in her initial days n she got a say while choosing her customers.

These were the advantages of working with Mr. C. Until n unless she earned n practiced obedience she was safe.

A snap of finger brought her back from the horrible reality again to world as fake n short lived as a dream.

It was Shaan who was now standing beside her. Her eyes had again travelled to Maan n following Shaan’s gaze, she was sure he noticed her centre of attention.

How inconsiderate of Maan to leave the lovely princess like you alone. Princess? Certainly overrated. Geet just looked ahead n Shaan continued. That’s 

Deepika. She is the MD of an interior designing company; Maan often works with her in collaboration. They are a good team together.

Shaan smiled innocently when Geet gave him a sharp look. Let’s forget about them. 

Shall we have a dance? He asked forwarding his hand for her to take.

Geet threw another shot down n gave her hand to him. Rather make the best of time she got here.

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