The Girl He Left Behind (4 page)

Ryan stared out at the rain pelting the city. Cyclonic storms weren’t uncommon this time of the year but the heavens probably opened up at the thought of Sia and him having dinner together, he thought wryly. He turned to face the door of his office as his team filed in and took their seats.

‘Good morning. Let’s get this session started. Who wants to go first?’ He wasn’t in the least bit surprised to see Sonia’s hand shoot up. At twenty two, Sonia was fresh out of college and had the earnestness that went with being young and raring to take on the world. She also made him feel like a fifty year old school principal when she raised her hand for permission to speak.

‘I’ve read the manuscript Sia gave us and I have to say that it follows the traditional lines of an alpha male and the woman who manages to make a dent in his titanium plated heart. I was wondering if instead of following the traditional print and electronic medium advertising that we do, we could leverage social media and open up interaction with the audience through a competition. Say we ask them to send in their own love stories and then a panel picks the winner who gets to have dinner with the author. From what I’ve heard the author is pretty famous and there should be a lot of women clamouring to have dinner with her.’

As the conversation around the table picked up, Ryan let his mind sift through their ideas. When the discussion started to wind down, he spoke up again. ‘How many women do you think dream of meeting their Mr. Right under incredibly romantic circumstances?’

Sonia and the only other woman at the table Tara flashed slightly abashed grins. ‘More or less every single woman in the world. It’s the big dream, isn’t it? That you’ll meet this guy who is incredibly handsome, sexy, intelligent, rich and powerful and he will fall madly in love with you. Then the two of you will live happily ever after with him cherishing every moment he spends with you etc. etc.’ Tara grinned ‘I don’t think there is a woman alive who can turn away completely from the fantasy, boss, which is probably why the romantic fiction genre is alive and kicking.’

‘Are women really that dense?’ Adarsh wondered aloud only to realize he should have left that thought unspoken. Avoiding the glares aimed at him from the two women, he addressed Ryan. ‘Haven’t we moved on from this? Aren’t women today more self-aware and focused on their individuality? Instead of looking for Mr. Right, they are willing to open their minds to the possibility of finding a partner who complements their personality and makes them happy. I’ve read the manuscript too and are you telling me that the only guy women want is the one who masterfully sweeps them into his arms and into his bed. I have to say leaving the possibility of back problems or tripping and falling flat on your face aside, it rather undermines the whole women’s lib movement doesn’t it?’

Sidestepping that landmine, Ryan continued ‘Leaving ideologies out of it, I was thinking we should take advantage of the fact that we are looking at selling that fantasy. Expanding on Sonia’s idea, maybe as part of the prize, the winner could have
the female protagonist named after her and be featured on the cover of the book as well?’

‘What if it’s a guy or a woman who doesn’t, err, fit the requirements of the heroine, physically I mean?’

‘The odds are rather low that it will be a guy but even if it is he could be the male protagonist and maybe the cover picture could just have the side profile of their face to indicate the likeness. We can work around those issues graphically, can’t we Adarsh?’

‘Sure boss. That shouldn’t be an issue. What might be an issue is getting the author to agree to it.’

‘That’s going to be a battle. Let’s sell it to these guys first and then work out a way to pitch it to the author. Are there any other ideas to be discussed?’

They wrapped up twenty minutes later and were leaving the conference room when Ryan heard his name being called out. Turning, he saw Nisha Malik make her way across the room. In navy blue trousers and a crisp white shirt, her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, she made an arresting picture – part efficiency and part banked sexuality.

‘Maybe that’s the angle you need to pitch your idea from.’ Adarsh murmured before deserting him.

‘Nisha, how are you?’ Smiling his greeting, Ryan started to propel her away from all the avid stares. He could still feel the eyes boring into his back as they left the floor and headed towards the bank of elevators.

‘I’m doing great. I was hoping I’d run into you so we could have a cup of coffee together. We didn’t get much of a chance to talk during that meeting.’

It was going to be really hard to delude himself about the invitation in her eyes. Groaning inwardly, he plastered a smile on his face before looking down at her. ‘Coffee sounds great. Why don’t you order and settle in at a table at the cafeteria?
I just need to drop by my office and send a few emails. I’ll be there in about ten minutes?’

After seeing her to the door of the cafeteria, he backtracked to his cabin. Dumping his laptop there, he hurried across to Minty’s cabin looking to be rescued. Minty looked up startled when he burst into her room with a slightly crazed look in his eye.

‘Do you remember the time that guy at college was hassling you about that hideous outfit you were wearing?’

‘Umm yes but polka dots were in fashion then and I thought it was a very pretty outfit.’ Minty replied defensively.

‘Polka dots and frills? Nothing can make that combination pretty! Anyway, do you remember me rescuing you from his snide remarks?’

‘If you’re bringing it up just to make fun of me today, I don’t think it’s very heroic.’ She grumbled.

‘I’m calling in that favour. Come have coffee with me now.’

‘What’s the catch? Coffee with you wouldn’t be calling in the favour.’

‘Nisha is at the cafeteria right now waiting for me to have coffee with her and I don’t want it to be just the two of us. So you’re coming with me.’

‘Oh! Poor you! It must be so hard to go through life with pretty women chasing after you. I wonder how you manage to suffer through it.’

Sarcasm was something both Minty and Sia could make a career out of, Ryan reflected. It was no wonder they’d stayed fast friends.

‘Either you come with me now or I will have a conversation with your fiancé where I relate every single embarrassing moment of your life. Speaking as someone who has been there for a lot of those embarrassing moments, I have quite a repertoire.’ He broke off as he saw the smirk fade from Minty’s face.

‘Let’s not keep your date waiting then.’ Eyes averted, she grabbed her purse from the desk and got up.

‘Min, is everything okay with you and the fiancé?’ He stepped in front of her to stop her headlong dash for the door.

‘I don’t know. Right now I just don’t want to think about any of it.’

‘Want me to beat him up for you? Is he skinny or built?’ Hoping to coax her smile into reappearing, he continued ‘I could probably take him even if he is all muscular and everything but I sort of like my face the way it is. Having it rearranged would be a little inconvenient.’ He had an arm around her and was looking down at her when they walked into the cafeteria which is why he missed all the signs of the potential disaster coming up until they were at the table.

Minty’s murmured ‘Ryan’ had him looking up and over at where Nisha was sitting. Unfortunately, she wasn’t sitting on her own. Sia and she seemed to be in the midst of an animated conversation.

‘There he is!’ Nisha exclaimed, making Sia look up and at them. Minty, the traitor, slipped into the seat next to her leaving him the seat next to Nisha. ‘Sia was just telling me that your team will be giving us your ideas for my book promotion very soon.’

‘Actually, the book promotion is more Minty’s end. We’re just looking at a broader view of romantic fiction in the market and your book is definitely part of it. Since you brought it up and we have all the key players around this table, I may as well run you guys through an idea the team had today.’

‘Nisha just mentioned that she had a coffee date with you. Why don’t Minty and I leave you guys to that and we can have the work conversation another time? I can book a conference room if everyone lets me know what a good date and time is for them.’ Sia levelled a cool look at him that had his blood start
a slow simmer. This ice maiden act she had going was really starting to get to him.

Ryan sat back in his seat and let the women figure out the logistics of the meeting.

‘Does Monday morning, at nine thirty, work for you Ryan?’ Sia waited for his reply with the same distant expression on her face.

‘Can we make it Tuesday? I was hoping Nisha would have dinner with me Sunday night.’ Loading as much innuendo as he could into the smile he flashed at Nisha, he continued ‘I’d rather not have an early morning meeting on Monday.’

With barely a hitch in her rhythm, Sia made the changes in her Blackberry and stood up. ‘Done. Minty, will you be coming with me? We should leave these two to their coffee now that we have work out of the way.’

Shrugging helplessly when Ryan glowered at her, Minty said her goodbyes as well and walked out with Sia. They walked in silence for a few minutes before Minty spoke up. ‘What was that all about?’

Deciding that feigning ignorance wasn’t going to work when you’ve known someone all your life, Sia sighed. ‘Before you guys came in to the cafeteria, Nisha was talking to me about what high hopes she has for this meeting with Ryan. Apparently she felt this spark when she met him and now wants to see where it goes. So, I figured we should leave them to it.’

When Minty didn’t say anything to that, Sia slid a sideways glance at her and noticed for the first time the lines of strain etched on her friends face. ‘Min, is everything okay?’ When she still didn’t get a response, Sia put a hand on Minty’s arm to stop her from moving forward. ‘What’s going on? Is it work or problems at home?’

‘Neither actually.’ Minty had a rather strange smile on her face.

‘Pre-wedding jitters?’ Sia hazarded a guess though she doubted that could be it, Vikas and Minty were pretty good together. Or so she’d always thought. To her complete surprise, Minty dissolved into tears. Looking around quickly, Sia steered her into the nearest empty conference room, locked the door and held her while she cried. When Minty finally calmed enough to blow her nose and wipe her face, Sia went out and got her a glass of water and sat down. ‘Do you want to talk about it? Or shall we just go out after work and do some random shopping and clubbing?’

Managing a watery laugh, Minty said ‘I don’t think shopping and clubbing is going to help this time. Do you remember what I told you when I decided that Vikas was the guy for me?’

‘Refresh my memory, hon.’ Sia said gently ‘We had a lot of conversations about him. Girl talk, remember?’

‘I told you that part of being in a relationship with someone who loved me more than I loved him would be that there were less chances of me getting hurt.’

‘Oh right! The men who are popular are jack asses conversation.’ Sia recalled.

‘Turns out I was an idiot. It’s not just men who are popular that cheat on you but apparently even the nerds who on the surface of it seem completely in love with you end up scoring with women behind your back.’

Sia sat in silence for a few minutes after this bitter proclamation before venturing, ‘Vikas cheated on you? Is this speculation or do you know for sure?’

‘I walked in on them in bed last night. I dropped by his place after we all had dinner last night. I was in a good mood and wanted to surprise him. Thought we could grab a late night coffee at one of the hotels. He’s certainly very acrobatic in bed with her from the glimpse I got last night.’

‘What did he say when you confronted him?’ Sia asked, placing her hand over Minty’s in silent support.

‘The usual, it was a mistake, an accident, he didn’t mean to, it’s all pre-wedding nerves, once we’re married it will be different.’ Minty let her head drop into her folded arms with an exhausted sigh.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before she raised her head and looked at Sia. ‘Aren’t you going to ask me what I’m going to do now?’

Sia smiled at her before saying ‘I don’t need to. After you dump his ass, we’ll nail his picture to a dart board and throw darts at it. Once we’re through with that, we’ll go partying and let all the hot men hit on us. And once we’ve got that out of the way, we’ll go home and stay up all night eating ice cream and thrashing men.’

‘That sounds like a fun plan. Can I tag along?’

Minty and Sia looked up in surprise at Ryan standing inside the room. Damn, Sia thought, she’d forgotten to lock the door.

‘I figured something was wrong when you guys didn’t emerge from this room for a while so I came to check. Who’s the guy we hate?’ Ryan asked though he was pretty sure he knew from Minty’s tear stained face. When Minty just stood up and walked into Ryan’s arms for a hug, he met Sia’s gaze over her head. At her nod, he sighed and tightened his hold on Minty. He felt her shoulders shudder with silent sobs as she held on just as tightly. Sia walked over and laid her hand gently on Minty’s back. ‘Min, I have an idea. Let’s take the rest of the day off. I can clear my calendar in about fifteen minutes and meet you downstairs. Let’s just get out of here. It’s almost two in the afternoon anyway so it won’t really matter.’

When Minty nodded, she looked over at Ryan and realized Minty still had him in a death grip. Time to be a grown up, Sia, she thought wryly before saying ‘What about you Ryan? Would you be able to blow off work and join us?’

At the invitation, Ryan felt something unclench inside him. ‘Of course, as long as I can skip the being hit on by hot men part of the evening.’ He grinned ‘I’m my own boss. I can blow off work whenever I want to. I’ll meet you guys at reception in fifteen minutes.’ Gently prying Minty out of his arms and tipping her head back with a hand on her chin, he said softly ‘We’ll fix it, Min. You need me to do or say something, you consider it done. Want me to twist his dick into a knot?’

‘It’s not long enough.’ Minty’s low mutter had both of them grinning.