Chapter 49: chapter 49

Chapter Forty NineMaya took a deep breath and counted to ten. She had one shot to do this right and she was damn well going to nail it.When she felt more in control, she leaned forward and knocked decisively on the door in front of her. All she’d had time for was to run her fingers through her hair after leaving Yash’s room. Her breath probably stank and her hair was doing a good bird’s nest impression even with the finger run through. Not to mention the kajal that had smudged under her eyes leaving her more raccoon and less girl. But saving grace, she had her panties on for this confrontation. The door swung open and she mentally pulled her big girl panties on too.“Hey there, bestie,” she beamed. Aakash Thakkar’s eyebrows shot up, disappearing into his hairline. Maya was a complete gentlewoman and pretended not to notice that he wasn’t wearing anything other Calvin Klein boxers. Okay, maybe she noticed a little bit. In her defence, it was hard to miss!“Can I come in?” she asked, clearing her throat. “I need to talk to you.” Aakash’s gaze travelled over her admittedly scruffy and half naked appearance. She didn’t blame him for looking doubtful.“I’d prefer we talk here,” he said slowly. “Was there something you needed? I can call Aayushi over to help you.” “I don’t need Aayushi. I need you. Can I come in?” she asked, waiting for him to move out of the way.Aakash looked uncomfortable for a moment and then he managed to look resolute and uncomfortable. It was fascinating to watch.“I’m sorry but no. Yash is my best friend and –“ “He can join us later,” she assured him. “But for this initial bit, it needs to be just the two of us.”Appalled, Aakash took several steps away from her. “Look, I’m not attracted to you. And I’m not into threesomes, especially not with Yash.”Maya stopped her headlong rush to get into his room. Pausing, she took in his defensive posture. “You think I want to sleep with you?” A wildly, hysterical giggle was threatening to break out of her throat. “Also, does that mean you’re open to a threesome that doesn’t include Yash?”“You’re not?” he eyed her warily. “And no, not with you. No offence,” he added as an afterthought.Maya started to laugh, the stitch in her side making her list to the side for support. Aakash grabbed for her before she keeled over. He yanked her in before shutting the door behind them.Maya was still giggling as she collapsed into a chair by his bed. “You keep talking to Yash about orgies,” he grumbled, watching her. “And then you showed up looking like that.” He waved a large hand at her. Maya looked down at her rumpled nightshirt. “If you thought this was my seductive best, you have a lower opinion of me than I thought.” Aakash sighed, clearly not wanting to engage in her version of banter. “What do you need Maya?” “Your help,” she replied, getting serious.Aakash nodded. He straightened from where he was leaning against the wall and walked over to a desk behind Maya. He opened up a drawer and brought out a chequebook. “So,” Maya mused. “Your opinion of me is truly lower than I thought.” Aakash had just clicked a pen open when her words sunk in. “I beg your pardon?” he said. “You don’t want money for your business?”“No, Your Highness.” She pretended to tug at a forelock. “This peasant can feed and clothe herself on her own steam.”He clicked his fancy pen shut and watched her for a long, silent moment. “Maybe we should begin this conversation again.” “And maybe this time you would give me a chance to talk before making assumptions,” she said, hopefully. “I promise.” He nodded, solemnly. And Maya started to talk. She explained the whole situation between Yash and her. The painful ramifications of the past, the misunderstandings both created by others and fuelled by their own insecurities, the push and pull of their attraction and feelings over the past few months and the horrifyingly embarrassing encounter with Yash’s mother this morning after their wonderful night together. She started to give him more details but the pained embarrassment on his face had her wisely stopping. “I know I’m not a friend of yours but Yash is your best friend. I need your help. I can handle my own family and the issues on that end but his…I need you to mediate between his mother and me so we can work out an understanding where she doesn’t try to stab me on sight. Or shoot or poison or anything else that could lead to my demise or disfigurement or anything of that sort.” She thought about it for a moment and then added, “And she can’t hire the job of killing me out to someone else either. You rich people do shit like that, don’t you?” Aakash’s eyebrows had disappeared again. Neat trick that. Maya tried arching her own eyebrows that high but didn’t think she succeeded. “She needs to tolerate my existence so her son can live happily ever after.” Aakash didn’t say anything. “With me,” she added, when he continued to stare at her like she was an alien who’d pooped in the middle of his bed or something.After a long, long silence, Aakash clicked his pen open. “Are you sure I can’t just give you money?”