Chapter 8

"Hey, I just went over the contract for G&S corporation, everything looks good, all we need is Niyati's signature now." Varun placed the file on Shane's desk and waited for him to respond.

"Is everything okay?" Varun asked, when Shane didn't reply.

Shane finally turned, "I am not sure yet." He opened his desk drawer and pulled out the note that Niyati had given to him the night before.

Varun read the note then placed it back on Shane's desk. "Where did this come from?"

"Niyati found that on her doorstep last evening," He too sat down in his chair.

Leaning forward, Varun once again glanced at the note then at his friend, "What should we do about it?"

"Nothing for now. We have no clue where it came from or what is the intention behind the note," Shane said as he relaxed back in his chair. He picked up the file and skimmed through the contracts.

Varun wasn't so sure they should take the note so lightly but he pushed that thought a side as another thought formed in his head. It appeared Shane had gone over to Niyati's place last night and once again he wondered about their relationship. He contemplated asking Shane but is he prepared to hear the answer?

Yes, he is prepared. He wasted too much time already, he couldn't wait anymore. While he hadn't planned on seeking out Niyati, now that she is back he knew exactly what he wanted.

He cleared his throat, "So..How long have you known Niyati?" Darn it! That's not what he wanted to ask.

Shane's lips twitched in amusement, he put the file aside and gave, his friend, his full attention.

"What you really want to know is what is going on between me and Niyati?"

Varun shrugged his shoulders, "That too. I have never known you to be just friends with women and you referred to her as your special friend."

"As a matter of fact Niyati and I are just friends. She is special because she is the first woman who didn't fall for my charming personality," Shane replied with a chuckle.

He leaned towards Varun, "Why did you let a woman like that get away?"

Varun was relieved to hear that there was nothing romantic between Shane and Niyati. He relaxed back in his chair. "Things were complicated five years ago."

"Hmm...And now?" Shane's eyes flickered to the wall of monitors behind Varun.

"And now things are different but I am not sure where to start," Varun said.

"You could start by explaining to her why you were dating another woman while you were engaged to her," Shane retorted.

"She told you everything?"

Shane shook his head slowly, "Not everything, she didn't tell me the name of the man who broke her heart five years ago."

"Then how do you know it was me?"

"I guessed and she confirmed it last night." He didn't have much time. Any minute now Niyati will be knocking on his office door.

"It's not going to be easy winning her trust again." The biggest hurdle is going to be to get her to talk to him alone.

"Whatever you do, don't break her heart again. Like you, she also has her own secrets and a valid reason to walk away from you. There are things.." Before Shane could finish there was a knock on his door.

Varun was confused by Shane's odd statement. Secrets? What secrets? He really needs to find out but pushed the questions to back of his mind when he saw Niyati walk into the office. His breath caught at the sight of her. She looked fabulous in a gray knee length pencil skirt and a royal blue blouse with a gray west. She looked every bit the up and coming business woman that she is, far cry from the college student who preferred jeans and sweaters in winter and shorts and tees in the summer. There had been only been handful of times when he had seen her in something formal.

As beautiful as she looked in the business attire he much preferred her in less formal clothing. She looked more relaxed in casual clothing. He wondered what she would wear if he were to ask her out on a date now. Would she dress as she had the first time they went out on a date, the night he proposed to her or would she be dressed as she had been on that fateful snowy night when... he ruthlessly pushed the memory aside before it could take shape and take over his entire being.

He tuned back into the conversation between Niyati and Shane just in time to hear Shane say he is going to go make copies of the contract. Varun frowned because he had already made two copies of everything. Shane walked to the door and winked at him before closing the door. Shane had made an excuse of copying to give Varun few minutes alone with Niyati.

Awkward silence settled into the room after Shane left the office.

"Can I.."

"I spoke.."

They both started talking at once then stopped. Varun pulled out a chair, "Have a seat. Do you want some coffee?"

"No thank you," she took the chair he offered then turned towards him after he sat next to her. "What were you going to tell me?"

"First you tell me what you wanted to ask me."

Niyati avoided looking directly at him. "Err..I was wondering if you could give me Nidhi's phone number."

"Give me your phone," he held out his hand to her. She pulled her phone out of her bag and placed it in his palm without touching him.

He quickly programmed his sister's phone number into her contact list then hesitated and took the liberty of programming his number into it as well. He wondered if she would notice. He held the phone out to her, "I spoke to her last night, she would like it if you could call and go see her. I know she misses you."

"I miss her too," came the soft reply. She took the phone and placed it back in her bag. She noticed the note on top of Shane's desk.

"Shane showed you the note?"

Varun glanced toward the note, "Yeah, just now. You didn't see anyone lurking around the townhouse when you went home last night."

"It was late evening when I got home and I was too tired at the time to take notice."

He groaned silently when she bit her lower lip nervously. "Is the security system I installed few years ago still working?"

Niyati had forgotten all about the security system, "Emm..I am not sure."

"What do you mean you are not sure?" He demanded

She sighed in frustration and turned to him fully forgetting all about the awkwardness between them. "I mean I haven't used the security system in the townhouse since I returned. I am sure its fine."

"How did you manage to survive alone in New York on your own for five years Niyati?" Varun shook his head, "You are still reckless."

"And you are still bossy," came the quick reply.

And just like that the tension eased between the two. It was an old argument between them. He may not have loved her but he had cared for her as friend and he was very protective of those he cared for, perhaps that is what had made her love him so much.

"I will come and check out the system tonight once I leave here. Perhaps we need to upgrade to a better version."

She just nodded her head. There was no deterring him once he sets his mind on something. She was relieved when Shane returned to the office.

They signed all the necessary contracts quickly then Niyati stood up to leave. "Shane, will you also be coming over tonight?" When he looked at her blankly she explained further, "Varun is coming over to look at my security system."

Shane glance at Varun then made a quick decision, "No can do beautiful, I have a date tonight. Besides I am no good at the technical aspect of this company, that's his forte," He replied with a pointed glance in Varun's direction.

"Okay, I will see you later," She vaguely glanced in Varun's direction then walked out without a backward glance.

Varun turned towards Shane, "Do you really have a date tonight?"

"Nope, but I am giving you a chance to be alone with her, so don't waste it. Next time I may not be so generous, I love her cooking and I never pass up an invitation from her." Shane said with a grin.

Varun started walking towards the door, "Enjoy it while you can because pretty soon she will be cooking my favorite meals for me. You may have to find someone else to cook for you."

"Where am I going to find someone as good as her?"

"Oh..I don't know," he said, "there might be someone closer than you think. You only need to woo her." He walked out before Shane could reply and grinned to himself. He felt lighter after a long time. May be, just may be he may have chance to do some wooing of his own.

A/N Sorry for the late update. I am bit slow on updates because I have several things going on at the same time, but please do bear with me until I catch up on things.

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