Everyone had already arrived at the 5 star italian restaurant that took Ajay a good week to seal a reservation for such a large group. It was through his charms did he manage to get the female hostess to call up other guests and tell them she had accidentally double booked.

In her black bodycon dress and heels Riddhima had made certain that her arrangements for tonight were in place. Having Ishana to help her was definitely going to make things easier. With her long black wavy hair pinned to one side and her plum shaded lips every male at the table could not help but stare at Riddhima a little longer. Even Ajay and Daksh found themselves unable to turn their eyes away.

Ishana who was sitting next to Riddhima was also in awe of the sexy woman.

"You look stunning today Riddhima."

"You also look very nice."

It took Ishana an entire afternoon to pick out an outfit for today but one look at Riddhima and she knew there was no way she could be the star of the night. With her tight black miniskirt and a very snug blue sleeveless top Ishana figures as long as she sat beside Riddhima she was sure to catch Ajay's attention sooner or later.

As the two women chatted with one another Ajay was busy looking at the door waiting for Gauri to walk in but every time the door would open it would just be another one of his co-workers. Soon everyone had arrived but Ajay was beginning to worry that she wasn't going to show up.

Riddhima could see the anxiousness in Ajay's eyes and couldn't help but sneer at him.

"She is not the only new employee Ajay. Isn't this get to together also to welcome Ishana?"

Ishana felt a bit embarrassed as Ajay looks at her awkwardly thankfully his friend Daksh was there.

"I'm pretty sure I've made Ishana feel welcome. Isn't that right Ishana?" asked Daksh.

"Of course."

Daksh had already given up on the thought of chasing Ishana when all she does is gawk at his friend every chance that she got. Today was just an outing that he had to attend in order to maintain the company's tradition.

"I'm happy you came Ishana. It's just that Gauri is new to Mumbai so I'm a bit worried that she might have gotten lost."

Riddhima's condescending laugh had caught everyone's attention.

"Well...what do you expect? The girl probably have only eaten at food stalls in her little village. How could you expect her to know what fine dining really is?"

Just when he was about to text Gauri he heard voices from the front of the restaurant.

"Gauri..are you cold? I have a jacket in the car."

"It's okay Dilpreet. I will just order some hot tea."

Granted the restaurant was a bit chilly but with her arm hooked around Dilpreet's she was feeling like a furnace inside and because of her pounding heart she hadn't realize Ajay's ugly expression.

Gritting his teeth Ajay waves the two over.

"Gauri. Over here. I saved you a seat."

As the two came over Omkara was about to sit by Ajay to separate Gauri from him but that bastard dared to grab her arm and pull her down beside him.

"Gauri sit here. I wanted to ask you something."

With no other choice Omkara sat on the other side of Gauri but the worse part was that on his other side sat Riddhima. This woman was releasing out pheromones like there was no tomorrow and Omkara didn't have the patience to deal with loose women; especially in front of Gauri.

Riddhima on the other hand felt that this mask man gave off a very familiar feeling and seeing him escort Gauri  like a gentlemen made her a bit jealous. She remembered yesterday he had been the one to picked Gauri up so effortless when she fell to her knees.

Leaning over the table to show just enough cleavage Riddhima looks at the mask man.

"I believe we haven't met. I am Riddhima. I work with Gauri."

Omkara could see her hand with black nail polish floating in the air waiting for him to reciprocate the seductive greeting but nevertheless as a gentleman he shook Riddhima's hand.

"I am Dilpreet."

"Gauri. You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend with such a sultry voice. If you don't mind me asking...why do you wear a mask? I am sure you are very handsome."

Contrary to her words Riddhima was hoping that he was a toad who was too embarrassed to reveal his hideous face.

"He is a friend and as for his mask...."

Omkara didn't want to put Gauri in a position where she had to lie because he knew just how much she hated it.

"I wear a mask for personal reasons." Dilpreet swiftly answered.

Leaning closer to Dilpreet's side Riddhima whispers just loud enough for everyone to hear.

"So mysterious. I like it. I would have surely been sad if you two were an item."

Gauri saw that Riddhima had disgustingly put her hand on Dilpreet's lap and she instinctively scooted closer while calmly grabbing Riddhima's hand. 

"I am sorry if we gave you the wrong idea but Dilpreet is with me today and not to mingle with anyone else."

Ishana could sense Riddhima's anger growing and tried to help.

"But Gauri you just said he wasn't your boyfriend. Why not let him have some fun too?"

Riddhima pulled her hand away from Gauri's grip and pretended to rub her palm as if Gauri had used to much strength.

"I did not take you to be this type of woman Gauri. So possessive towards your friend here. This is an outing to mingle."

As the people around them started to whisper to one another Riddhima was sure that Gauri was embarrassed of her actions but instead she saw her looking at Dilpreet only.

"Dilpreet. Let's switch seats."

Immediately standing up from his seat Omkara took Gauri's hand to help her up. He couldn't be more delighted to get her away from Ajay who clearly wanted to be close to her.

"What? Wait...Gauri I still have something to ask."

Letting Dilpreet push her chair in as she sat down next to Riddhima Gauri looks over at Ajay.

"The table is not that big. You can ask from there."

"But...."

"I don't recall having any private matters between us so I don't know why you must have me sit next to you."

Embarrassed to be rejected in front of his colleagues Ajay tried his best to smile.

"You are right. It was just work related. I just thought you like to keep your work private. We can talk about it later."

Gauri could see him still staring at her but soon Dilpreet sat down to block his path. Ajay could see the man's cold gaze as he sat down beside him.

"I thought this was an outing to welcome new employees. Why would you need to talk about work? That should remain in the office."

The first impression everyone had of the mask man was that he was gentle and kind but after hearing that chilly tone directed towards Ajay the people around the table couldn't help but shudder.

Gauri knew Riddhima was staring at her waiting for her to reply regarding her earlier remark and she felt that in order to have a peaceful dinner she had to comply. So Gauri looks over at Riddhima as she spoke to Dilpreet and Riddhima herself could see the taunt in Gauri's eyes as well as in her voice.

"Dilpreet."

"Yes?"

"When I asked you to come with me today what did you expect."

Taking the pot of hot tea that was already in the middle of the table Omkara takes a clean cup to pour for Gauri.

"To be by your side the entire evening."

"Do tell me if that gets boring for you."

Pushing the cup towards her hand Omkara's eyes was filled with warmth as it forms a crescent shape indicating that he was smiling underneath that mask.

"If things get boring I will just take you elsewhere to have fun."

His answers made every woman at the table burn with envy. Not once did he ever admit that he was forced to be here but rather suggested that they were the one's that could make things boring for him. The feeling everyone had was that if not for them these two would rather be elsewhere.

As the waiter took their orders the men at the table couldn't help but compare the three most beautiful women present. Riddhima had that seductive air about her while Gauri exudes the gentleness of a graceful beauty but unfortunately for Ishana her beauty was easily overshadowed by these two. No matter how much she tried to include herself in everyone's conversation she could tell that their eyes would wonder off towards Gauri who would sit silently. It was only now and then would she whisper something towards Dilpreet.

When the food came out Ajay was determine to get Gauri to open up to him so when he saw some fried calamari and parmesan chicken wings he hurriedly picked some up and set it on top of Gauri's plate.

"Try these appetizers Gauri they are very popular here."

"Thank you."

His smile grew so wide in happiness that he wanted to see Dilpreet's jealous expression but the man just sat there calmly.

"How are you going to eat with that mask?" Ajay asked.

His question made everyone lift up their heads to look at the mask man who was just staring at the appetizers before him. They saw him scoop up some calamari and set it on his plate and then using his fork he picked up a piece. Everyone was staring at him as if he was performing some kind of magic trick but all he did was slightly pull his mask forward as he snuck the food under and into his mouth.

As everyone sat there in a daze Gauri's soft laugh shifted the focus back to her.

"With you here I am sure I won't be bored." This was the first time anyone had heard her laugh genuinely and Ajay was filled with jealousy. He didn't care why Dilpreet was wearing a damn mask. He just wanted that man to disappear. The moment Gauri entered the restaurant he was already enchanted by her looks. Her long wavy hair and that sultry body hypnotized him. Reminding him of all the times he had fantasized about her.

Ishana hated the fact that Ajay kept chasing Gauri even though she had openly rejected him time and time again.

"What so good about her?!"

Her mind was beginning to curse the woman who had once helped her. Sticking out her plate Ishana cutely smiles at Ajay.

"I would love to try some too Ajay."

But before he could scoop her some Gauri took Ishana's empty plate while setting her own plate in front of her.

"Have mine since you wanted to try it."

Ajay's face turned a degree darker as he sees his efforts being given to another. His brows were furrowed and his entire body became quite stiff. The awkwardness at the table was worse then ever but this time it was Riddhima's laugh that took the spotlight.

"How rude of you Gauri. Ajay politely asked you to try it. Why are you treating him so coldly. It was him who planned this entire evening out just to let you feel welcomed."

Gauri didn't mean to be disrespectful it was just that she never really like fried food. She just didn't want to force herself to eat it or worse; waste it.

"Do not blame Gauri. She does not like to eat oily food. If she had not given her food to Ms. Patel then I would have eaten it for her."

Though Gauri was thankful that Dilpreet was trying to explain but she really had enough.

"If that is the case then I would like to make it clear so that we can all have an enjoyable evening."

Looking at Ajay Gauri held no emotions.

"Ajay, I thank you for organizing this outing but I thought this was to welcome the new employees. I would feel more comfortable if you treated me the same as Ishana. The last thing we all need are rumors. If your sentiments have been hurt than I apologize. It was not my intention."

Riddhima could see everyone looking at one another awkwardly and this made her very happy.

"Oh Gauri...you make the rumors that is about to spread so much easier...it's not going to be hard for one to believe them either."

Clearing her throat Riddhima waves the waiter over.

"Gauri is right. Ajay you need to treat them the same. No favoritism now. Let's all relax. First round of drinks are on....AJAY!"

Hearing everyone yell in excitement made Ajay's mood a bit better.

"Then I propose the 2nd round be on my friend Daksh!"

"What? Why me?"

Grabbing his friend by the neck Ajay whispers a plea.

"Help me man. I'm getting no where with her."

Gasping for air Daksh looks at Ajay's grin "So you want to up your chances with alcohol?"

Winking at his friend Ajay nods "A village girl like her definitely can't hold her liquor. This is a welcome party so she will have to join in. Come on man."

Daksh then leans his head forward to take a glimpse at the mask man before turning back to Ajay.

"Bro. How you gonna get pass him?"

Hooking up his lips "The karaoke room in dark...easy to get lost. Besides... I'm sure Riddhima won't mind taking him off Gauri's hands."

**Hope you guys like this update. Do vote if you did.**

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