Darain was leaving the office building where he had just attended a business meeting when he when he spotted Sarika get off the elevator. She stood in the lobby talking to another woman. A tense expression came over his face as he watched her. He hadn’t be able to get her out of his mind since he saw her at the dinner party. She had taken his breath away and he was glad that her boyfriend hadn’t gone with her. It was nice spending the evening with her.
He had always been attracted to her and was disappointed when he learned that she was in a relationship. He chided himself for not making a move when she was still single. Maybe he would have had a chance or maybe not…
He saw her say goodbye to the woman who headed for the revolving doors. Sarika went over to the security guard and stood talking to him for a while. As she turned away from the desk and was about to head for the bank of elevators, Darain intercepted her. She seemed startled to see him. “Hello,” he said.
“Hello.”
“I didn’t expect to run into you. Do you work here?”
“Yes. What are you doing here?”
“I had a meeting.”
“Do you work around here?”
“No. My office is in the Canary Wharf area.”
“You’re right in the business district.”
“Yes. I live within walking distance of my office.”
“Is it expensive living there?”
“Yes, it is but I like the area. Have you had lunch?”
“No.”
“Would your boyfriend have a problem with you having lunch with me?”
She thought about it and decided that Trishan wouldn’t have a problem with it at all. He would probably encourage her to go. “No, he wouldn’t,” she replied tersely.
“What about you? Do you have a problem with it?”
Her chin lifted a fraction. “Why would I?”
“No reason,” he said. “So, how about it? There’s an Italian restaurant at the corner.”
“Fine. I’ll right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to get my handbag.”
“No need to do that. Lunch is on me.”
“Thank you but I prefer to pay for my lunch. Excuse me.” She turned on her heel and walked away.
He shrugged. At least she was going to have lunch with him.
Notes to Women 