Smriti's POV-

Today is Thursday and Mia is dragging me to various stores in search of a dress. I am tired now! Mansi and Sunaina are with us too. The three of them are enjoying this a lot too much for my liking.

" Come on Smriti, enjoy! It is your engagement tomorrow." Mia said.

I gave her a smile.

Finally after 2 long hours, a gown was selected. Thank god.

We then went to Starbucks for coffee and then Mia dropped us to the hotel. There, the boys were waiting for us.

" Guys, I know that we are suspended for 5 days but Sanjay sir had called up to inform us that since we are in New York, we are required to go and meet these people." Fahim said and gave us some photographs.

" But who are they?" Mansi asked.

"They are our assets here. Any problem and we can contact them. Also, Manish sir will draft our transfer orders from Delhi to New York next month and we all can come here after your wedding." Rajat said.

" Okay, but who all are being transferred here?" I asked.

" Mansi, Chaitra, Fahim, Sunaina, Rajat, you and I." Lakshya said.

" Okay then. Let's leave." Chaitra said.

We were just about to exit the hotel, when I saw my parents along with the Grace and Carrick entering the hotel.

" Guys, let's get out of here before anyone sees us." I said.

They all nodded and we hired a cab.

" See, we are so dedicated. Who works in suspension?" Chaitra asked dramatically.

" We agree." All of us chorused.

By the time it was evening, we had met them all.

" Guys, I think we should return back to the hotel." Mansi said.

" Or else, aunty is gonna kill Smriti." Lakshya said.

I nodded.

We reached the hotel at dinner time.

" See here they are!" Mumma said as soon as she saw us.

" Smriti, are you nuts? We have to go for dinner to Christian's place and he has been kind enough to pick us all up. And you guys! You have no sense of time and responsibility." Mumma said.

Then I saw Mr Grey standing next to papa.

" Mumma, I was not aware about the dinner plan. Give me 5 minutes, I'll be back." I said and ran to my room.

I got dressed within 2 minutes, applied my mascara and lip balm in 1 minute, wore my heels and took my clutch on the next 1 minute. As promised, I was downstairs within 5 minutes. You see, the training we get in RAW is commendable.

Smriti's look-

" That was pretty quick." Christian said.

I smiled and we started for his house.

There, I touched grandma's feet and hugged Grace and Carrick.

" Now that all of us are here, let's begin. I'm really hungry." Mia said and we made out way to the dinning table.

I was about to sit next to Mia when grandma interrupted.

" Smriti, sit next to Christian." She ordered.

" I am fine here grandma." I said.

Then my mother said.

" Sometimes, there is no harm in listening to elders Smriti." She taunted.

Without further nuisance, I went and took a seat next to Christian.

" It seems that you are afraid of your mother." Mr Grey whispered in my ears when no one was looking at us.

" You have not seen my mother angry. And 100% of the time, her anger comes out on me, irrespective of it is my fault or not. Besides, the other object of her wrath is my phone." I said seriously.

I could hear him chuckling.

" You should laugh more often." I said without thinking.

" What makes you think that I don't?" He asked.

I realized what I said.

" Let's just pretend that I did not say anything." I said, embarrassed.

" No Ms Sharma, I want to know what makes you think that I don't laugh?" He questioned again.

" I am not answering it." I said.

" Yes, you are." He said in an authoritative tone.

" Mr Grey, you do remember that I am not your employee right?" I asked.

" Ms Sharma, you will answer this question before you leave. I challenge you." He said.

" Let's see." I said.

We all were full. Let's catch the game tonight." Carrick said.

Papa nodded.

" Christian, wanna join?" Carrick asked.

" Actually, I have promised Smriti a tour of your premises." He said.

Wait, when did that happen?

" Okay son." He said.

" Shall we, Smriti?" Christian asked.

I looked at him with a blank expression.

" Go Smriti." Papa said.

I nodded, unsurely.

" Your house is really beautiful." I said.

" This is not my house. It is mom and Dad's." He said.

" You don't live here?" I asked.

" No, I have a penthouse at the other end of the city." He told me.

" Okay." I said.

We started talking about various random things.

" Why do you think that I smile less?" He asked.

" Old Trick Mr Grey. I am still not answering." I said.

Honestly, it is not easy to get information out of me. I am a RAW agent for cying out loud.

" Very smart." He muttered.

We then started walking ahead.

Out of the blue, he pinned me to the wall and started tracing patterns on my waist and wrist.

" Mr Grey...." I started nervously.

" Shh..." He said.

" I repeat my question, why d you think that I smile less?" He said.

" Because, before today I never saw you smile and also you are some sort of control freak. I mean, this is what Mia has told me." I spilled the beans without thinking.

He then left me.

He just used intimacy to get answers out of me.

No one has ever succeeded in doing this. Whoever has tried to come close to me, I have kicked their asses, what the hell happened today??

There he was, looking at me and smirking.

" You lost the challenge." He announced.

" You did not play fair." I said.

" I did. Most of the Indian girls' weakness in intimacy. They get nervous when someone is too close to them and I love to win Ms Sharma." Christian said.

I blushed.

" By the way, the way your body reacts in my presence is magical." He said. He is really very straight forward.

I blushed, deeper if that was even possible.

Not able to tolerate his taunting gaze,I ran off to the living room.

" And Ms Sharma, now you owe something to me." He said, following me.

" I do no such thing Mr Grey." I said.

" We will see." He said.

Mumma, papa and I then left for the hotel. It was a happening day.!

I am still really disappointed with the book's performance . Please comment 1 word and tell me if you like it or not. That is all I want. I hope you listen to me. Remember, I love you all. Until next time. Byee!!

PS- Do vote, comment and share. I appreciate it all!