Chapter 18
Tonight was Sheena’s party and Sameer was late.
The annual hotel conference was being held at The Marquis and the hotel bustled with people.
Hoteliers from all over the world came for this annual meet and the days were filled with conferences, workshops and banquets.
Sameer was the keynote speaker today and hence he couldn’t leave early.
He checked his watch as soon as he had finished his presentation.
It was past seven and even if he left for the party now, it would still take him two hours to reach Sheena’s house considering the crazy Mumbai traffic.
Just as he exited the hotel, there was a tap on his shoulder. He turned and came face to face with Jiten Arya.
Sameer greeted him and shook hands with him.
“You’re a hard man to reach, Mr. Arya,” Sameer told him.
“Well, these are busy times for us hoteliers as you surely know,” the old man replied.
Sameer nodded and walked back inside the hotel.
He guided Jiten Arya to an empty sofa in the lobby and sat across him.
Ever since Sameer had ended things with Natasha he had been trying to get hold of her father.
But the old man had always been unavailable.
But since he had sought Sameer out today, it was apparent he wanted to talk.
However, more than fifteen minutes had passed and Jiten Arya had spoken about everything under the sun but had deliberately avoided the topic of Natasha and him. Sameer was losing patience. He was getting late.
He was looking forward to tonight. His brother, sisters, cousins and everyone near and dear would be there.
And most importantly, she would be there too.
He had taken her advice and changed his approach to Rhea and although his sister hadn’t yet opened up to him, at least she didn’t fight with him for everything.
She even looked happier than before. He hoped his sister trusted him enough to confide in him soon.
But thanks to Raashi, at least they had reached a better understanding with each other.
He smiled; tonight would be a real fun night.
After the last time in his office, he had made it clear to Raashi that he was coming after her. She belonged to him and he was going to claim her and soon. And that started tonight.
“You haven’t been hearing a word I have spoken,” the older man suddenly said.
Sameer gave him an apologetic look. “Oh, I am sorry. I’m just preoccupied.”
Jiten Arya nodded. “I wonder where all your focus is these days. On the villa next to The Marquis or on the woman who owns the villa now?”
Sameer frowned.
Jiten Arya rubbed his chin slowly. “Of course, I have heard. I make it my business to know what’s happening in the life of my future son-in-law.
I know you want the villa. I know you’re meeting the woman who owns the villa often.
It just makes me wonder if the girl is now a threat to our previous agreement. ”
Sameer’s eyes widened. “Are you spying on me?”
Jiten Arya took his time to reply. “I will always watch out for the interest of my daughter.”
Either Natasha hadn’t spoken to her father about their last conversation or the old man was knowingly playing this out to ferret out Sameer’s reaction and intention.
Sameer would bet on the latter. Being in the business for so long, he knew the games people played.
And therefore he needed to ensure that Arya understood once and for all where Sameer stood with regards to his daughter.
“Mr. Arya, I was pretty clear to Natasha the last time I met her that nothing could happen between us and I am certain she has told you about it,” Sameer told the older man.
“My daughter considers it all a misunderstanding.”
“I meant it when I said it wasn’t going to work between us. She’s a great girl but she is not the one for me and I am definitely not the one for her. So, unfortunately I won’t be marrying her.”
“It’s quite surprising that the incentive of all the Arya Group Hotels hasn’t interested you enough to make it work with my daughter.
Perhaps, you need time to rethink things through.
After all, it definitely will not be in your best interest to antagonize me.
Why be enemies when we can be friends, isn’t it? ”
Was the man threatening him now? Sameer forced his clenched jaw to relax! Although furious by the older man’s words and tone, Sameer spoke to him in a calm yet firm tone.
“Look Mr. Arya, I don’t want your hotels nor do I need to rethink anything.
However, considering our past, I will choose to ignore your not so subtle threat for now and hope that you will let this go graciously.
But, anyone who comes after me and mine will definitely face consequences and I have the weight of the entire Sehgal Corporation behind me. ”
Sameer glared at him for a second, ensuring his message was well received and then he stood up and left.