(UNEDITED)
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. That was the only sound that could be heard in the conference room as Farrah tapped her pen rapidly against the table. The sound of the pen tapping against the table only amplified her anxiousness. She was meeting Richard today, well formally as Prince Richard. In a meeting room. In the BBCS office.
Going through drafts after drafts of the agreements, on conference calls with Richard, Phillip and Allan; their PR guy, they had finally agreed to a contract. And with that, Farrah finally broke the news to her boss George and almost everyone lost their minds. Sure, it came with celebrations a whole lot of brainstorming on how they would make use of this opportunity, but there were the snide remarks that Farrah knew would be aimed her way. No one has said it directly to her, but rumours have already started about her 'relationship' with the Prince.
To make matters worse, Farrah hasn't met Richard since that night he came over to her house to give her the first draft of their contract; where she had left to attend Mahira's mehendi. They talked on the phone but recently it has been all about work. She missed his texts that told her what he did, what he ate, or even who he was meeting. It's ridiculous, but she just missed...him. Without realizing it her hand gripped her earlobes, retracing the path that Richard's fingers traced.
A knock on the door startled her out of her reverie. As she looked up, she saw George looking at her expectantly. "You need me for anything?" Farrah said clearing her throat.
"No, just wanted to check in. You all good?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, all good," she breathed out. "I'm just praying that things go off without a hitch."
She watched as George nodded his head with a contemplative look on his face. "There's something else isn't it? That you wanted to ask?" she said with a raised eyebrow.
"It unnerves me whenever the hell you do that," George mutters. He stepped into the conference room and closing the door behind him. "Look, there's a lot of talk going on about you and the Prince."
"Yeah, I figured," Farrah groaned resting her forehead on the table.
"Is there anything you want to tell me?" George asked, "Just to clear the air..."
Groaning again, Farrah shut her eyes tight. What was she supposed to say? That she has feelings for the Prince and he might have them for her too? That Richard is more than a friend. That most nights she goes to bed wondering what it would feel like to wake up with him next to her. What exactly was she supposed to say, that can clear the air?
"Is he the one sending you all those flowers?" George asked again.
"You know, for a boss, you're being nosy as fuck," she muttered.
"Well?" he continued expectantly.
"No. It's...It's complicated," she said lifting up her head and resting it on the palm of her hand.
"Simplify it. You've got five minutes before you have to start getting the conference room ready," George said looking at his watch.
Sighing deeply, Farrah said, "I was arranged to meet someone, you know, to see if he was a 'prospective suitor'. But we are both not interested; and that was that. The flowers...uh...they are from his elder brother."
"So, basically you rejected one brother and the other is sending you flowers?" George said, scrunching his eyebrows, his fingers tapping his lips.
Shrugging, "Well, I didn't reject him. But yeah..."
"Blimey, your life is already a fuckin' soap opera, even without a prince in the picture," George laughed.
Farrah looked at him un-amused when there was another knock on the door. George opened the door and a young girl, popped her head in, "umm Ms. Khan, there's someone here to see you. He's waiting outside."
Her heart jumped to her throat. It couldn't be Richard could it? Glancing at the clock, she knew that she still had 20 minutes before their scheduled meeting. Could it be him? Would he come early just to see her? Shaking her head in a no, she knew that it was all just wishful thinking. Excusing herself from George's presence and giving quick instructions to the student interns, Farrah headed to the entrance of the floor, where there was a little reception desk. As she walked closer, she saw the flowers and the card stuck to it, on the table. In messy handwriting, her name was on the envelope. With a small smile, she opened up the envelope and frowned. And then laughed, a full bodied laugh.
"Well, at least I know I can make you laugh yeah," came the voice behind her.
Still chuckling, Farrah tucked the card back into the envelope and shook her head. Farrah froze as she felt Saif come up behind her one hand on her hip, whispering in her ears, "Just give me a chance Farrah. I know I can make you do so many other things," he said. His voice loaded with innuendo.
Suddenly feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulder, Farrah felt tired. "Move," she clipped out. The moment she felt him move she turned around and looked up at him. He was the very definition of a beautiful man; the dark wavy hair that he left brushing his shoulders, the designer stubble on his angular jaw, the bright black eyes that seemed to twinkle down on her. The way he carried himself in designer threads, with his crisp white shirt under his winter coat and scarf, not forgetting the trendy ripped jeans he had on.
"No." With that one word, spoken in all seriousness, Farrah watched his confident stance shift. He frowned as if not understanding what she said.
"Look, it was funny, cute even at first. But this," she said as she waved the card towards him, "has got to stop."
"What do you mean?" Saif said eyes boring into hers.
"I mean, it's not going to happen. You. Me. Not going to happen."
"That's because you've not given me a chance," he said charmingly.
"Why?" she asked smirking cruelly, "What is so special about you that I need to give you a chance."
He seemed taken aback, and for once completely speechless. "You think I don't know anything about you, yeah?" she continued after a beat, her lips still twisting cruelly. "The hooking up, the drinking, the partying, the never being serious in anything, the not having any commitments for anything and anyone."
He was still quiet as he watched Farrah as she rubbed her temple, her hand gliding across her hair tightly tied in a ponytail before she twisted it in the ends of her hair. Looking away she sighed deeply, "I'm sorry, that was mean. And uncalled for."
Clearing his throat, Saif took a few steps backwards. "I should go."
"I...I'm...," sighing Farrah started again, taking one step closer. "I'm really sorry, Saif."
"KHAN!" came George's voice from behind them. "Come on, it's showtime!"
"Coming!" she shouted, while she watched Saif walk into the lift. She opened her mouth to apologize but it was too late as the door closed. Sighing she looked at the card in her hard and opened it. Be my Valentine? x, Saif
She threw her head back, looking at the ceiling and gripped her ponytail tight, pulling on it. Huffing she let go of her hair and picked up the flowers and walked towards her desk with it. Laying the bouquet gently on the table, she gathered up her phone, laptop, and her notebook and went into the conference room. Her phone chimed, and she saw Ben had texted her. Unlocking her phone â ETA in 5. Her fingers hovered over the call button.
Setting her things down, she picked up her phone and stood to the side, running her palms down the front of her outfit. Suddenly the black turtleneck sweater felt constricting and the pink with black checked trousers felt dated with its flare legs, while her feet felt pinched in her ankle length boots. Her heart thundered in her chest. Quickly she scrolled through her contacts and dialed. Her heart continued to thunder as the phone rang.
"Assalamualaikum bacche." Yousouf said on the other end. Farrah heaved a sigh of relief.
"Walaikumussalam Daddy," Farrah said, rushed. "I have a really big presentation today, well in less than five minutes actually. Pray for me, Dad."
"Always, bacche. Now go,and get ready for your presentation. My prayers and love are always with you, bacche," Yousuf said lovingly.
"Thank you, Daddy. Love you," Farrah said, quickly ending the call. There was a commotion outside the conference room and Farrah's heart almost stopped. Richard was here.
With one last cursory glance around the conference room, everything looked ready. The teas and coffees, were prepped and ready. All she needed to do now was to get through her presentation and not to come off as too familiar with Richard. A piece of cake, right?
Wiping her clammy hands on her trousers, Farrah squared her shoulders and took a few deep breaths. With a smile plastered on her face, Farrah walked out of the conference room, to where all the commotion was focused. In the centre of it all stood Richard, in a charcoal grey suit with an almost white pink shirt. He left the top two buttons open. The orange-red beard that she was so fond off wasn't there and she felt a bit sad. He shaved again. A formal look, for a formal meeting; that's what he said the last time.
Behind him, looking like a proper bodyguard was Ben. Standing straight and tall, Farrah almost laughed at his stiffness. She couldn't believe that this was the same man that was dancing around in boxers in her flat singing pop songs to Charlie; something she had accidentally walked in on when she came back early from Paani after doing inventory. She couldn't help it, but she broke out in a smile at that memory. Ben and Charlie were just so crazy and perfect together.
"Alright, alright. Everyone settle down. I'll bring Prince Richard round to meet some of yous after we're done, okay? Now back to work," George almost yelled at the crowd. Acknowledging each other soundlessly but formally, Richard walked passed Farrah as he followed George towards the conference room. He was followed by Ben who shot Farrah a quick wink as he walked by.
Farrah stood as she watched George, Richard, and Ben pause in front of the conference room. There were a few more producers and managers who were supposed to attend the meeting and they were not here yet. As she made to move, Farrah heard a few male guffaws coming from her behind her. She turned around to see it was just Chris, holding court. She was sure he was mocking someone or another. Although her ears caught Richard's name and she took a few steps backwards. Interested in what he had to say.
But of course, Chris was mouthing off on Richard and his mother, Princess Elizabeth. He was going on and on, about how she was 'a knock out' back in the day and how it was a shame that she killed herself. Hearing that, her eyes were round in shock. How could someone be that callous, hoping that Richard didn't catch any of Chris's words, Farrah turned towards him and hissed, "Grow the fuck up Chris."
"At least all I need to go is grow up, you'd need to stop whoring yourself out to the likes of them," Chris said maliciously. "You do realise, that their entire family is the cause of your Pakistan being in the shit state that it is."
Farrah clenched her jaw, and grinded her teeth. Trying as hard as possible to keep calm. She jumped when George's voice sounded again calling her to start the meeting. Glaring at Chris, she walked away attempting to keep her head held high; acting like she wasn't at all affected by Chris' taunts. She knew it would be bad, once the news of her segment broke on the floor. But she wasn't prepared for this.
She could only hope that Richard didn't overhear anything. Sparing a glance at him, she wasn't all too sure. She saw splotches of red on his neck and cheeks, and he kept his hands clenched as he crossed his arm across his chest. He looked relaxed and attentive to whatever George was saying but she knew that there was something brewing in his chest. Shit, she thought.
Holy fucking shit, mother of God...., Farrah caught herself before continuing. Ya Allah, Astaghfiruallah, what is Mr. Walters doing here?, Farrah though to herself as she plastered a smile on her face. She went through the pleasantries offering tea and coffee to everyone as the student interns got the presentation ready. She realized that Richard hadn't extended the courtesy to anyone to address him by name, so she continued to call him 'Sir' as did everyone else.
"Good afternoon everyone, Your Highness, Mr. Walters, Ms. Lane, George...and well everyone. If I were to take everyone's name, we'll probably be here all day. So, let's get to the point; in 2 months, it'll be 20 years since Princess Elizabeth passed. The last 8 months of my life has seen me sending email after email to the Palace to try and get a proposal through and by some miracle, I did. After some intense discussion with the royal family, we have come up with an agreement which is in the folders that is currently being passed out. George and I have sat and gone through the agreement with Ms. Lane our advisor and everything seems solid."
She saw Mr. Walters shoot her sleazy smiles, as she delivered her presentation. Everything seemed to be going well, even the tenseness of Richard's shoulders had lessened. As the presentation drew to a close, everyone seemed to be happy with their plan for the segment. They will shoot a 35 minute segment of the home in Paris where the princess was found, and another 45 minute segment where the three royal siblings will talk about how they coped with the deaths of their mother, what they learnt from it and discuss what depression is with a fellow expert.
The kicker was that no one went against the fact that Farrah was to be the one hosting both segments. She had at least expected one of the producers to object, but to her surprise no one did. As people started clearing out of the conference room, Rachel Khoo a beautiful British Chinese producer came up and bumped her with her hip. "Good job you! They can't keep you an intern anymore after this," she said congratulating Farrah.
"Here's hoping," Farrah whispered. Making a funny face at her, Rachel walked out. She looked over and saw Mr. Walters say something to Richard and watched as Richard froze for a brief second. He had on a polite smile and extracted himself out of Mr. Walters company. Farrah watched as again, there was splotches of red on his neck and face. Richard, brushed passed her with Ben towards the office floor with George making quick introductions to everyone.
She felt a presence next to her and looked to see that it was Mr. Walters smirking at her. "Sir," Farrah nodded and made a move to step away from him.
"You know, if you were so tired of being an intern, you should have just called me. You didn't need to go through so much trouble...," he said waving towards the office.
"Trouble, sir? I'm sorry I don't follow," Farrah said as she frowned.
"My offer was still on the table you know, and it still is," he said smiling. He extended his hand towards her, and left without a choice, Farrah extended her hand too. Clasping her palm with both hands, Mr. Walters said a wink, "Call me if this doesn't work out for you."
Nodding dumbly Farrah removed her hand from his grasp and discreetly wiped her hand on her trousers. She looked over at Richard and found him standing at her desk, by now his entire neck was colored red but he still had a polite smile on. His eyes was trained on the flowers sitting on her desk and he seemed to be listening attentively to whatever it was George was saying to him.
Fuck, Farrah thought grimly, this day just keeps getting better and better.
***
Alright guys, it was a long chapter packed with a whole lot of things happening. It was just one of those days were nothing was going right for poor ol' Farrah.
Again, sorry this chapter is unedited and I dont think i'll have the time to fix it until I guess I finish the book. *fingers crossed*
So what do you guys think about this chapter? Good? Bad? Hate? Love?
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