Page 84 of Made in Mumbai

His muddled brain cleared up as Maya whirled into his office and shut the door.

“The glass is there, my body is here,” he began to get up with a smirk when she shook her head — “Umm mmm mmm… don’t smile at me. People are watching.”

“What?” He rounded his desk.

She gestured not-so-subtly to the side, and sure enough, his staff was unsuccessfully hiding behind tree trunks. The lamp lights in his office were on, which meant they had clear vision of them both.

“What’s going on?”

“The party.”

“No,” he crossed his arms across his chest. “They make a mess every year when we don’t have a party. If we have it? No, M. Absolutely not.”

“You better say yes now because they think I can sweet talk you into anything.”

“Then sweet talk me,” he flirted. “Look angry at me!” She hissed, and he drew his brows together — “Angry enough for you?”

“Don’t try acting Gautam, you suck!”

“Way to go with the sweet talk.”

She huffed — “What will it take?” She opened both hands, gesturing randomly, as if she was making some great points. Her acting wasn’t Oscar-worthy either.

“A kiss,” he threw out. She narrowed her eyes. He shrugged.

“Fine,” she hissed.

“Or three.”

“What?! That’s blackmail foroneparty.”

“I hold the power. Think it through, the offer is on the table.” He threw his arm out angrily at his desk.

“Fine. But my time and my choosing.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.” She lay her hand on her belly.

“Is she kicking?”

“Yes.”

Gautam side-eyed the group hanging onto the terrace parapets now.

“Come up behind the cabinet here, I want to feel her too.”

“Not here! Now… I am going to make an exit. You look defeated, ok?”

“Two more kisses then.”

“In your dreams!”

“I don’t get to feel MM kick, I have to act defeated,” he counted on his fingers. “That’s two more. Agree or no party.”

“Fiiine,” she snarled into his face, then gave him a sweet smile. “Thank you,” she stretched her hand out for a shake. And he took the opportunity, circling his thumb on her wrist — “I look forward to my payment, M.”

A moment of red, then her face transformed into a naughty grin — “You know what? So do I.”

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