22. Aarti
AARTI
I t was the little things, as my mother had observed several times. Love and care were epitomized in the most mundane actions of routine life.
But I didn’t do little . I couldn’t. It wasn’t in my nature.
Lying in his arms by the fire, I decided I would give him his day at the beach. I was determined to fight against destiny, against him, to give him the happiness that no one else would. I wanted the smiles that were exclusively for me. I resolved to make him happy the way he brought me joy.
It was easier said than done, though, because I couldn’t access my wealth.
Not without my family finding out about it.
I couldn’t request a charter plane through my office, nor put any big expense without raising suspicions.
By snitching on me to my brother, the world had effectively stemmed my resources.
Thankfully, I was friends with one of the country’s most powerful couples.
I texted Mary Beth. They had properties all over the Caribbean.
Without any questions, she texted back.
Mary Beth
I’d recommend St. Martin. I’ll arrange for the smaller jet, and you can use the chateau. The staff resides on the property. They’ll have everything ready for you.
I had an unabashed demand.
I was thinking something cozier.
There’s a beach house closer to the sea, which Ezzie and I use when we travel alone.
I can’t thank you enough.
Since when do you need to thank me?
??
I still think you should sleep with him. This obsession with him is clearly getting out of hand.
??
That week, I had another important matter to settle.
After my visit to Ms. Dina’s, I had contacted Walter and we had finally fleshed out the details.
Using a subsidiary of our company, I bought the diner from Walter.
Ms. Dina would never again feel threatened about losing her cherished place, and Sujit would never lose his sanctuary.
I requested Walter to keep this information from both Ms. Dina and Sujit because they really didn’t need to know.
Sujit had talked about selfless love that day, and he was right.
Doing something good for someone wasn’t selfless, for it brought immense joy, satisfaction, pride, or whatever else we were hoping for.
I had decided that once I had enough money of my own, I would buy the diner and transfer it to Ms. Dina’s name.
It was not possible for me at the moment, with Dad holding all of the executive power, and he wouldn’t be amenable to helping if he knew Sujit was somehow a part of my calculations.
For now, I did have the power to protect her lease.
On Friday morning, I sent Sujit a text.
How much do you trust me?
Sujit
Enough
Enough to let me take over your weekend?
Definitely that much.
Do you have anything planned for the weekend that can’t be rescheduled?
There’s nothing that can’t be rescheduled for you.
And yet, our connection needed to be kept hidden, an embarrassment we couldn’t share with the world. A dash of anger coursed through me as I typed.
Pack a bag and be ready at 5.
Any hints on what to pack? Tux or Tees?
I smiled. Even when I was feeling the worst, he could always make me smile.
Tees and shorts. Don’t forget the swimming trunks. A rash guard if you’re averse to showing off your body.
Think turquoise waters.
Mauritius, Maldives, Maui, or the Mediterranean?
It’s a weekend getaway, so none of the above. Keep guessing.
Sorry I have to go now. Roy is waiting on the line for me.
Am I supposed to know this Roy?
You should. He’s a senator.
Are you allowed to address a senator by his first name?
You are when he’s your buddy from college.
All right, big shot. Carry on. I guess if a senator is calling, it has to be more important than chatting with a girl you just met.
I hit send and immediately regretted it. I considered trying to unsend the message—thank you, technology—but I knew he’d already seen it. I saw the three dots and waited for his response with a thumping heart.
Right now, nothing is more important than you, sweet girl. But it is impolite to keep a senator waiting. He’s calling about a new legislation on accessible education.
That does seem more important. I’ll let you go, then. Go do some good, this shitty world needs it.
I typed, pressed the send arrow, and sighed. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Sujit. I was glad I was trying to give him a bit of it, at least.
I was at his door exactly at five, wearing linen pants and a flowy blouse. “Are you ready?”
He lifted his holdall. “As ordered.”
“Good boy,” I said and winked.
“You aren’t kidnapping me, are you?” he teased while punching in the numeric code to lock the door.
“Maybe. How much do you think your fam will pay for you?” I replied, leading the way to the elevator bank.
“Depends on who you send the ransom note to. If you send it to my parents, they will probably head straight to the police station. If it’s my brother, he’ll try to negotiate the numbers with you. Your best bet would be Cathy. She’ll bankrupt herself to get me back.”
“She loves you that much, eh?” I asked with a crooked smile while the elevator doors opened for us.
“Yes, but you don’t want to mess with her. There’s a distinct possibility she’ll find you and ruin you after she gets me back.”
That made me laugh aloud. It reminded me of Dad, who’d probably do the exact same thing. No wonder those two were so hurt and offended for us.
“You know, when I saw you at the bar that first night, I would’ve never guessed how funny you are,” I said. “There aren’t many people who can genuinely make me laugh. And you do it with such a straight face, one wouldn’t know you’re joking.”
“I wasn’t,” he said as the elevator doors opened again and we walked out to the car waiting for us. “Cathy has the potential to do everything I just said, and more.”
When we arrived at the hangar, the private jet was ready for us. An attendant took our luggage off the driver’s hands and carried it on board.
“Wow, Devi wasn’t kidding when she said you’re an empire!” Sujit said as we climbed on. “Is this your company’s jet?”
“No, Dad’s very practical that way. He just rents when he needs one,” I said as I buckled my seat belt. “Plus, I couldn’t tell my family about this, not after that showdown with my brother.”
He raised his brows in question.
“This is all Mary Beth. I am officially taking advantage of my friendship with her,” I explained with a sly chuckle.
“Wow, I am on board Ezzie Strauss’s private jet.”
“Probably,” I said, looking around at the exquisite furnishing of the aircraft. “Well, actually, definitely his personal one. Mary Beth would make sure I whisked you away in the best way possible,” I blurted without thinking. It had been a long day.
He gifted me a wide smile.
“I hope you are impressed. Let the records show that I’m whisking you away in style.”
“Well, you’ve definitely done that. Impress me, that is,” he said, and I looked away to hide the flush in my cheeks.
Sujit was asleep a few minutes after take-off but I wasn’t that fortunate.
Pulling out my laptop, I looked at the documents the office had sent me.
It included proposals for several new properties in Brooklyn and upscale Queens.
The office had sent me the numbers and their recommendations, and Dad was counting on me to make the final decision.
I remained buried deep in the numbers until the captain announced that we were ready for descent.
It had taken us just under four hours to get to St. Martin.
It promised radiant waters and pristine beaches, but we’d have to wait until morning to experience the beauty.
A car awaited us and soon we were on the way.
I powered down the window slightly to enjoy the gentle roar of the waves as we drove along.
The staff was at the beach house, awaiting our arrival.
It was huge, with three large bedrooms and a spacious open lounging area.
I directed the man escorting us to put my bags in one of the bedrooms facing the ocean and Sujit’s in the adjoining one.
After making sure we had everything we needed, they drove off in golf carts toward the chateau to bring us dinner.
When I strolled into the lounge, I caught Sujit looking out at the dark sea with a gentle ripple of a smile across his lips.
“That smile is the exact reason I’ve brought you here,” I said, flopping on a sturdy cane couch with plush cushions. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?”
“It is paradise,” he said.
He came around the couch and sat on a chaise facing me, then slipped out of his shoes and socks and into the slippers that were kept ready for us.
My gaze inadvertently darted toward his bare feet.
I didn’t remember seeing him barefoot before.
He always wore socks with his house shoes, and even at his family home, he wore socks with his clogs.
The sight of those runner’s feet, the long, shapely toes trimmed and cared for professionally, awakened a primal instinct inside me.
I found myself dreaming about those feet against my bare skin.
Those toes slipping up my naked calf, my exposed thigh, up my waist… .
“Maybe I’ll freshen up before dinner,” I said and vanished into the bedroom.
He simply nodded and got back up to walk to the window and continue gazing out at the sea.
I heard the faint clink of silverware outside. The staff was already setting the table. I quickly changed into a linen dress and refreshed my perfume.
To keep my mind off my proximity to Sujit, I focused on the delicious food prepared meticulously by the staff.
But I could keep neither my mind nor my eye off his magnificent face as he savored the glazed salmon with rice and roasted vegetables.
When he suddenly looked up at me from over the rim of his glasses, I looked away.
“Everything is perfect, Aarti. Thank you for giving me my day at the beach. I hope there is a hammock.”
“There is. Right on the soft sand by the water.” I felt a sense of pride and joy coursing through me.
When the staff cleared up and left, we settled by the windows with a gentle breeze drifting in.
I had offered him a scotch from Mary Beth’s excellent selection, but he stepped over to her wine collection instead.
Curious, I walked over and stood beside him.
The walk-in cellar had a fridge in one corner, and I found Sujit standing before it.
If the beach house had this kind of collection, I wondered how big of a wine cellar the chateau had and how many wines it housed.
Sujit picked up two bottles, one in each hand, studying them as if he were trying to solve a major mathematical conundrum.
For me, the solution was simple. One was red, one white.
There was no decision to be made. I watched him with fascination, wondering why he was considering the options.
I peeked over his shoulder to see the labels.
One was a Tawny Port, the other a Moscato d’Asti.
Both were too sweet for my taste. I preferred a light Reisling or an elegant Gewürztraminer, but I reserved my opinion.
Sujit eyed me, trying to read my expressions. I only returned a smile. He put the Port back in its spot and pulled out another white from the refrigerator. A Passito this time.
“Now?” he asked, and a hearty chuckle emanated from my throat, accompanied by a fear that caused my heart to thud.
He could read my feelings just from the smile on my face. Why couldn’t I have met this man sooner? Before the whole debacle that seemed to have defined my current existence. Before we became tagged with the memories of our exes. It would have been so simple.
I pointed to the effervescent Moscato d’Asti. He nodded and put the amber Passito back.
I let out a silent sigh just as a knock sounded at the door.
“Ah, it’s here,” Sujit said and started toward the door.