His eyes were intense. His glare was if he was wanting to devour her. He didn't even blink. Gauri did not know what to do at this point so she just stared back at the handsome man. " No wonder many women could not resist having a physical relationship with him. I wonder what he's thinking... she thought to herself.

Gauri: Is there something on my face?

Om: No.

Gauri: Then why do you keep staring at me..it's making me uncomfortable.

Om: Im just wondering how could you can have such nice looking skin.

" Hmm...so he does think I'm a man if not why would it be a surprise if I had nice looking skin if he thought I was a woman...this will be fun... Gauri thought to herself.

Gauri: I just use soap and water.

Om eyes widen " I use only soap and water and my skin looks nothing like yours...you must be blessed with good genes.

Gauri laughed at the thought...who would have thought that Tej Sharma's genes was the reason behind her nice complexion.

Gauri: I will take that as a compliment.

Om: I was hoping you used some type of product so that I could find some in Pune to bring back home later as a gift for my sister in law.

At first Gauri wanted to have some fun with Omkara but once he said his final destination was Pune she was all business. " Why is he going to Pune? Did his brother send him also to get the land deal? " Her thoughts were disrupted when Om's phone rang.

Om: Hello?...Yea Shivaay Im on my way. I have 2 more hours till I reach.

Shivaay: I heard Tej Sharma has also sent his people to make an offer for the land. Damn it! If I knew they were this interested I would have made a trip there myself. I haven't even drafted any proposal for this either. I just thought to have you go there and get acquainted with the owner and to see what offer he was looking for. But after hearing that Tej Sharma has sent his people... that just means that they have everything in order and ready to make an offer.

Om: So what do you want me to do Shivaay.

Shivaay: I will contact the owner and let him know you are also in Pune and that it would be great if I can setup a meeting between you two. And when I do..Om I need you to somehow convince him to wait for my proposal. I am working the numbers right now.

Om: Shivaay. I will do my best but you know this is not my strong point. I have no patience to butter up clients. That is why I am happy to be the one to gather information that you need. You better hurry with that proposal. You remember what happened last time you ask me to do this?...

Shivaay: Oh god!...Do not use violence on our clients Om!...that lawsuit cost me a great deal!

Om laughs at his brother " That is why I told you I will try my best..so you better hurry with that proposal

Shivaay: okay okay...I will call you when I've set up an appointment.

Meanwhile Gauri was sitting back listening to the entire conversation " So Mr. Omkara Singh Oberoi is going to try to buy some time huh...and he has no patience to butter up clients? and he's even gone as far as striking clients Gauri looked at a troubled Omkara and laughs to herself. How could SSO even think about sending a warlord to mask as a businessman. He must have been desperate for this land deal. Gauri's sharp eyes kept staring at Omkara " Im sorry Omkara...but this is one task you will fail in. No matter what you try to do..it will be useless

Omkara suddenly felt Gauri's piercing gaze and turned to look at her " Um..is there something on my face?

Gauri: No.

Om: Well now you are making me uncomfortable.

Gauri: Sorry. I just couldn't help but overhear your phone conversation. I just felt you looked troubled.

Om looks at the "boy: Take it from me..you should enjoy your carefree life now because when you enter the real world you will be left with no playtime.

Gauri felt offended. " What makes you think that I have not entered this so called " real world? Do you usually judge people by their appearances?

Om: Oh. Sorry. You just look very young.

Gauri: I am 25. And very well aware of what is out there.

Om couldn't help himself but reply sarcastically " OH ...25 huh...oh yes you have seen it all

Gauri was getting pretty irritated. She hated when people were prejudice against her age or her gender. Proving herself at Sharma Industries was no easy feat. She pride herself of what she had accomplished for the company so far.

Gauri: well let this young one give you some advice..things are not what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.

Om was taken by surprise. " this young lad really sounds intelligent he thought to himself

Om: Wow that sounds like a famous quote.

Gauri shrugs: A quote I live by. And you should also remember it.

Om is starting to really like this boy maybe they could also become friends. " Hey what is your name?

Gauri looks at Om suspiciously : Why?..What is your name?

Om: "O.

Gauri gave Om a mischievous look : " Then you can call me "G.

Om: Okay ...I guess that is fair..we are still just strangers. So " G where are you headed?

Gauri: same place as you.

Om: Pune? why are going there?

Gauri: same as you.

Om was now really surprised " business?

GAuri nods at him.

Om: You don't talk much do you...

Gauri looks stares at Om: Im just not really good at making conversations.

Om gives "G a devilish smile : With that face and being in your prime..Im pretty sure you have many lady friends.

Gauri smiles : I don't go out much to have lady friends.

Om: Hey since Im older and we are in Pune...If I have time I will show you how to pick up girls.

Gauri was very amused by this point : Oh...so you are a lady's man huh...granted you are very good looking so Im not really surprised. So tell me..how do you get women to fall for you.

Om: Thats your mistake right there. You NEVER want a woman to fall for you. You only want them to WANT you.

Gauri stares at Om with her mouth open " this man really is trying to teach her how to pick up woman for sexual needs only!... So you only want women for your sexual needs?

Om: Don't look at me as if its a bad thing. When you become a little older and with more experience you will understand. And besides...when it comes to me ...It is always consensual. Nothing wrong with two people enjoying each other physically.

Gauri looks at Om's deep dark brown eyes " Very true. Nothing wrong with that. But I rather be intimate with only one person who will be committed to me only.

Om: You're looking for a commitment huh...and at such a young age too...such a pity. I will never be tied down by one woman.

Gauri smiles at Om thinking " never say never ...

Gauri: Well I don't think I will have time to learn from you. This business venture for me is pretty big so I will be very busy. Maybe when we both return to mumbai we can have FUN together.

Om didn't know why but "G's words sounded like there were a hidden meaning to them.

Om: Oh. okay then.

Soon they had arrived in Pune. The train came to a halt and everyone was standing up to stretch their legs until they got the green light to depart from the train. As Gauri was casually stretching she couldn't help but stare at the man standing opposite of her. He was just so tall compared to her. His long hair tied up in a half ponytail made him so tempting. Gauri was ogling her soon to be husband unabashedly. While Gauri was busy feasting her eyes when from behind two scantly dressed women where pushing themselves forward. Om saw the two women pushing their way and with so much force too. The two women suddenly tripped on another passenger sending them all toppling down creating a domino effect. Om hurriedly grabbed Gauri's arm and pulled her hard. Gauri felt herself slam against Om's hard chest and safely put up her arms to put up a barrier between their bodies. She looked up at him and followed his gaze and saw all the people on the train's floor. When she saw two women stood up to make their way towards them she knew what had happened. She looked up at Om who had an irritating expression. As the two women were approaching them Gauri tried to free herself from Om's grasp but Om looked down at Gauri and pulled her closer and whispered " just play along..I don't have time for them

Gauri was confused at first till she saw both women gasp with wide eyes open...then she knew. With Om holding her close they looked like lovers. Two men in that " kind of relationship. She felt his hand slowly trace her around her face " honey are you okay..that was close...you could have been hurt Gauri wanted to laugh so bad but she better play along. " O..Im okay..but you are holding me too tight..people are staring. Soon the two women turned back around and left. When the two women were finally out of sight Gauri kept looking up at Om.

" his grasp is so strong..and damn he smells so good. Gauri's hands started to move on its own. She started to caress is hard chest and leaned in even closer to take up the alluring aroma. Om on the other hand was thinking " how could he be so soft. And he smells so good too...oh god..I need a woman after this trip asap! Suddenly he felt a pair of soft hands against his chest. And jerked " G what are you doing? Gauri snapped back to reality " uh..Im playing along like you said...Om suddenly pulled them apart... they left already.

Gauri unashamedly smiled " oh I hadn't realized.

Om and Gauri soon left the train station and now both waiting to hail a taxi to head to their respective hotel.

Om: Well " G I guess this is goodbye. Good luck on that business venture..and hit me up when you're back in Mumbai.

Gauri smiles: Good luck to you too. Maybe we will bump into each other in Pune if destiny permits.

Both hailed their separate cabs and started to make way to the 5 star hotel "Royal Gates. Om had arrived first and was in the process of checking in to his reserved private suite on the top floor when he noticed " G was standing right behind him.

Om: Oh. Hey..is something wrong? Did you follow me here?

Gauri: No. Im staying here also.

Concierge : Here is your keys Mr. Oberoi I hope you enjoy your stay.

Om grabbed him keys " thank you.

Gauri looks at Om: An Oberoi huh. "O ..Omkara Singh Oberoi.

Om smiles and leans close: Am I that famous? He smiles playfully at Gauri.

Om stands to the side and waits for Gauri to checkin to see if their rooms would be close to each other..if not he would upgrade his new friend to the luxury life of a private suite.

Gauri knew Om was waiting for her and she felt its time to give him a shock. She approaches the check in desk and slowly takes down her hoodie revealing her long ponytail.

Gauri: I have a reservation for one of your private suite. Gauri Kumari Sharma.

Om stared at the petite woman for the longest time. Many things going through his mind at this point. Especially the conversation that they had on the train.

" WTH is happening..he's...he's...a freaking she!...She's..She's Gauri Kumari Sharma?!... Shit!

The concierge gives Gauri's her keys and wishes her a pleasant stay at the Royal Gates. Gauri turns to a speechless Om and amusingly says " Ah..seems like we will be neighbors for this trip Mr. Oberoi. Those honey brown eyes caused Om to take a step back. Om started to stutter : " seems...we...are...

Gauri made her way up to her room leaving a stunned Om to get a grip on what had just happened.

As the two went into their respective suite...Gauri was smiling from ear to ear but as for Om he was still in a state of shock.

Gauri threw her luggage to the side..took off her oversize hoodie and laid down on the bed. This was sure a 5 star hotel..the silk bed sheets felt wonderful against her skin. She rolled around for awhile till it was time to hop into the shower. As Gauri was enjoying her hot bath Om was busy calling Shivaay.

Om: Shivaay...don't get upset but...I've messed up before it began.

Shivaay confused : What are you talking about?

Om: Long story short..I thought I met a new buddy but instead it turned out to be a girl. That girl turned out to be Gauri Kumari Sharma. The associate Tej sent was his own daughter.

Shivaay: Shit. But...wait what do you mean you thought you met a buddy?..did you talk to her?...are you on good terms?..did you find out anything.

Om rubbed the back of his neck as he started to embarrassingly tell his brother of what had transpired on the train.

Shivaay: OH SHIT. So she overhead our phone conversation.

Om: Yup.

Shivaay: She knows we have no proposal for the land.

Om: Yup.

Shivaay: She knows you have limited experience when dealing with clients.

Om: Yup.

Shivaay wanted to bang his head against his desk. How unlucky could they be! "Om since you are staying at the same hotel use this opportunity to see if the marriage is taking place..that is more important than the land deal. Ill still work on the land deal and email as soon as I can. I guess its fate because I convinced the owner to see you..but the only time he is available is when he is already meeting with Gauri Sharma. "

Om: Damn it Shivaay. This is getting too complicated. This is too much.

Shivaay: I know Om. But its important. At least don't come home empty handed.

Om: Okay okay. I'll try.'

Om looks at the clock and realize its almost dinner time. Within this 5 star hotel the restaurants were top notch. He made such a blunder regarding Gauri but he figured it would be the perfect excuse to ask her to accompany him for dinner. He called down to the desk to ask for Miss. Sharma's phone room number and they were more than happy to REJECT his request.

Om: What why not?

Concierge: I'm sorry Mr. Oberoi. I did not mean to offend you. But Miss. Sharma has requested we keep her privacy and to not leak out any information during her stay.

Om was pacing back and forth his room. Never in his life has it been this hard to ask a woman to dinner. He looked at himself in the mirror and gave himself a pep talk " You CAN do this..she's just a little girl...nothing to be afraid of..its just dinner...okay..lets go He dashed out of his room and knocked on the next door.

But when she opened her door for him...He froze. Jaws dropped. Eyes wide. Hand is now continuously knocking at air now.

And there Gauri stood wrapped in her silk robe. It hugged her every curve leaving barely nothing to the imagination. Her hair pulled to the side exposing her porcelain neck with water droplets sliding down to her collar bone. She smiled seeing how speechless Om was. She must have really surprised him.

Gauri: Mr. Oberoi. Can I help you?

Om realized he has been staring for a good 2 minutes. Embarrassingly he asked " I wanted to see if you would do me the honor of accompanying me for dinner later on tonight. I feel we both have a lot to talk about.

Gauri leaned against her doorway and looked up at Om " We do?...I don't recall needing to speak with you about anything.

" Is she playing with me right now?!..what does she mean nothing to talk about?!..obviously she knew who I was! why didn't she reveal herself!..she found out I was here about the same land deal she is here for?!

Om tried hard to not show his irritation " I mean I have a lot of questions ever since I found out that my new found friend was actually Gauri Kumari Sharma of Sharma Industries.

Gauri gives Om a sly smile " Ah...I see...Well I am hungry...could you give me an hour to get ready?

Om: Thank you. I will be back to escort you in an hour.

Gauri closes the door and walked toward her briefcase. She takes out the contract that she had drafted up a few nights back. " Well I was going to present this to him at the ball but I guess tonight will do. If you thought you were surprised just a minute ago Mr. Oberoi...you will be blown away after tonight 

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