Chapter 36: Chapter 36

-35-Shahi Tukda.

"Human beings are not static entities, they keep on changing. But change for the better."

The Next day Riley was in no hurry Since it was a holiday because Everyone was given to prepare for the party. It was a masquerade party much to her surprise. The one she always wanted to do. So because of it, she got up early to make breakfast for Christian. She had prepared Pancakes and Shahi tukda for him a new dish that she discovered from Tina.

After preparing everything and placing it on the table. She tidied herself up and moved towards their bedroom to wake him up.

Remembering how Last night She had allowed him to sleep on the same bed. Only on one condition. That they will be separated with the line of cushions. It was a ridiculous and childish idea considering if he wanted he could do anything to her. But three months living with him had made her realize, he was a gentleman in beggar's clothes.

Never even once, he had tried to do something funny to her. That she didn't want.

Gently kissing him on the forehead, She mumbled

"Good Morning Mindy."

Upon feeling a feather touch Christian opened his eyes, Murmuring back.

"Morning Honey."

Riley noticed The corner of his eyes were filled with a tiny green sticky substance while there was a little moisture in the corner of his lips. She almost wanted to laugh at his childish sleepy face. She never noticed The man who always managed to look handsome could look this silly in the morning. Despite that his pink lips pouted.

"I made breakfast for you. Come out, Mindy."

"Wow. Honey. There was no need. I would have made it for us. And you must be getting late for the office."

Smiling she shook her head, "No. Today we are granted a holiday to prepare for Tomorrow's party."

Standing up he stretched his hands showing off his muscular arms. And Asking back.

"Party? What kind of Party?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention to you that our company is merging with a prominent publishing house. And tomorrow is the day we will meet our new chief."

"Oh. That sounds good. But what about your jobs?"

"Well. We don't have to worry about it. Everyone's job will remain the same. Considering they are looking for establishing their other branch in New York City."

Smiling he nodded his head, indicating he understood what she was trying to say.

While placing the toothpaste on the toothbrush he asked back looking at her in the mirror.

"Which publishing house?"

"Oh, that we will get to know about it tomorrow."

"Oh Honey. Don't you think it sounds strange?"

Contemplating his words, Riley thought for a while and then understood what he was trying to say. It did sound strange even to her ears, considering How could it be practically possible that they didn't know the name of the company they were merging with. Letting out a deep sigh she said.

"Yeah. It does feel strange. But what can we do?"

"Yeah. You are right. Honey." Raising a brow, he gave her a deep look and placing the brush in his mouth thinking, 'You could do wonders baby. Only if you truly know your power. As my wife'

"Yeah. I know right. Come out after freshen up. Before the breakfast gets cold."

Smiling he nodded back at her, in the mirror with paste in his mouth saying with difficult.

"Okay." Which sounded like Bokay. Giggling Riley smacked the back of his head. Advising him.

"Don't speak when you are brushing."

"Eh." Rubbing his head he smiled at her reaction. It was cute.

Then again she was always cute.

Leaving him, Riley decided to clean the kitchen counter first. To eat with him. She loved eating with him. Every time they ate together, he would place large portions of every dish they prepared. Telling her to eat since she looked thin.

[Ten minutes later]

Coming out of the bedroom, Christian made his way towards the dining table. Watching as she warmed the items she had prepared. Smiling, he sat down on a chair.

And as if on cue, She took out the items serving him.

Looking at the weird toast like dish, he glanced at her asking excitedly.

"Wow! What's this Honey? It looks quite appealing."

"Oh, this is called Shahi Tukda. An Indian dish Mindy. I made it especially for you. Try it And tell me how does it taste?"

"Oh yeah. Sure Honey."

Just when he took his first bite, Riley stared at him in anticipation of his answer. It was her first time when she had tried to cook something Indian. Although she had loved every flavor of it when Tina had shared it with her from her lunchbox. It was sweet and she had a sweet tooth. It was so yummy that she had almost finished two pieces of it without knowing. And had asked her to write it's a recipe for her because She wanted Mindy to taste it.

"How's it, Mindy?"

It was truly a delight to his tongue. Eating the crumbs of bread, that we're drowned in the mixture of what he felt like were coconut and egg.

"Uhmmmm.Yum." moaning in delight, Christian closed his eyes relishing every bit of it. Swallowing it.

And Hearing her question, he opened his eyes.

"It's too delicious honey. I have never eaten anything like this. From where did you learn to simmer it?"

Though Christian had traveled to various countries and had experienced almost every famous dish in every country. He never saw it.

Listening to his answer, immediately a smile made its way on Riley's face.

"Thank you, Mindy. You probably don't know her, she is a colleague of mine and she is Indian by birth last week she made me try it. I loved it. So I thought to prepare it for you."

'Ah! India is probably one of the few countries I never had the chance to travel to.'

"That's so sweet of you. Thank you, Honey, I loved it. And you know, You are the best wife."

Instantly her cheeks blushed at his compliment. And To hide it she held her piece mumbling a small "Glad." And devoured it.

After that, they ate in silence. Amid breakfast, She remembers how she needed to purchase a new dress and a mask for the party. Hesitating, she spoke.

"I have to go to the mall, Mindy. To purchase a dress for the party tomorrow."

"Oh. Is there anyone else going with you?"

"No."

"Then. Let's go together. I need some clothes too. For my new job."

"Ah. Look I almost forgot to ask you. How was your interview?"

Smiling he tried his best to look excited "I got accepted."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What's the job?"

'Ah. I almost forgot to think about it. What should I tell her? That I am a CEO. What would be more convincing? A waiter, bartender? Receptionist? Ah, that sounds convincing.' Thinking in his head he spoke.

"It's a receptionist job."

He was met with complete silence. It was so quiet that for a moment he heard the sound of his heartbeat.

Looking up he saw Riley looking at her with a weird expression. He couldn't comprehend what she was thinking.

"Ah. I?" He tried to say something. Something that could make the silence bearable. But nothing meaningful came out of his mouth.

While Riley screamed, jumping in joy and kissing his cheek, making him stunned by her reaction.

"I am so happy for you. Mindy. A beggar to a receptionist. That's like a great achievement."

Unable to say anything, he nodded at her with a fake smile.

'If she is this happy because I got a job as a receptionist. How will she react if she got to know I am a freaking CEO.' He didn't want to know the answer to that.

"But how did you get a receptionist job? I mean didn't they asked about your previous experiences"

Rubbing his neck, he chuckled nervously, answering.

"I guess They were in a hurry and I just got lucky."

"Yeah. Probably." Though she said it, She didn't sound a bit convinced with his answer. But she chose to keep quiet. And for that, he was grateful.

Because every time he lied to her. His guilt returns.

'The feeling of betraying her was increasing day by and day. The guilt, suffering. The need to tell her about the truth. It was eating him.

[Two hours later]

They left the home together for shopping and he was excited to accompany her to the mall.

Though it was weird imagining he never liked shopping in his life. 'Ah, what love does to people.' Here he was taking her to the mall.

The journey lasted for an hour, They left the Cab together. Hand in hand with the brightest smiles on their faces.