His smirk

" You did what? "

Mark couldn't help himself but to ask twice. Here he thought that would be last day of that girl who had disrespected Orion.

" I made a deal. Why are you so shocked its just business. "

'Business ' he said but Orion didn't wanted it to be just a business. It was the second meeting with her and she had already occupied his mind. Mark wanted to see through his friends curtains of words but Orion was always hard to read.

While Mark was trying to read Orion as the first time he said one thing and did otherwise, Orion was drowned in his thoughts. Other women fantasized about his body and money Ruth was interested in his family band. It was simple band with the initial V engraved on it.

After he told her that it signifies her family legacy she looked as if she had thousands of questions in her mind. However she didn't push it. Now he had to wait for her, if she wanted to be his business partner.

If he wanted he would have easily taken the land but he wanted her in front of his eyes and the only way was to let it be as it was. Although the shop was not an obstacle he just wanted the place to himself but now the things has changed.

" What if she will deny your offer this time too?"

Mark spoiled his thoughts with his sour words. Taking a gulp of whiskey from his glass he gave it a thought. For him she looked convinced. There was no reason to deny it. It was past 12 and his idiotic friend was poking his nose in his business.

" Don't you have to be somewhere other than my house? "

Orion looked at Mark with his scrutinizing gaze . He had told him that shipment would arrive around 12 and Mark was showing no intention to live his house.

" I have still - looking at his watch - ten minutes before I go to check the packages."

Mark shrugged his shoulders that why Orion was so eager to make him leave his house.

On the other side Ruth was in a dilemma thinking about him and her shop. It was no big deal to accept it but she didn't want to be tangled with him in future and here if she agreed they would have to meet once in a while for discussion.

The revelation of the band didn't help either, she so desperately wanted to ask about him knowing Sal but also didn't want to keep her hopes only for to getting it shatter in the end. May be it was only a coincident, there are many people who have same last name and could have a family band. But what about his face?

There are seven identical people in the world.

Tying the knot of the rob tightly around her waist she put moisture on her body.

It was of no importance, she should be investing her mind in thinking about the offer rather than indulging in one's family. Ofcourse it was impossible that they were related.

Slipping in between the silk sheets of her bed she put the lights off , still looking at nothing in the dark. Sleep was miles away from her eyes yet she kept her eyes close to welcome it warmly.

In the morning she hurried to her car to go to her shop. The prior two sleepless nights took tol on her and she slept for extra three hours. The road was quite sprightly with cars and pedestrians crossing the road although it was saturday it was lively.

She needed the file of revenue to double check it , she once thought of Sara to go collect it for her but it was her day off . Although she would not have denied her but Ruth didn't want to bother her considering Sara worked as hard as her, even more.

Quickly opening the drawer she took the file, coming out to go to her car for another important work. Before she always used to spend her day either Saturday or Sunday with her father and now she barely have any time for herself let alone chilling with her father. She also felt guilty that she couldn't make out time for her family. Since she was free today she decided to surprise her father whom she had not met for weeks.

Ruth parked her car in front of a cafe to get something for herself. In haste she didn't even had her breakfast and now there was a brewing storm in her stomach.

" Ruth? Is that you? "

She looked over her shoulder to take glance at the person who took her name.

A person with blonde hair and blue eyes who had a smile which definitely reached his eyes came, hugging her. He looked familiar but she didn't have any idea where she had met him.

On seeing her confused state the man knew she didn't remember him.

" Don't tell me you forgot me. How could you? "

He pouted , clearing the fake tears in his eyes.

" I'm Darius, we were in same batch in highschool , I was in the basketball team? "

He used all the elements from which he could make her remember him.

" Oh Gosh! I'm so sorry. Its just you are looking so different with..... Suit and... You never used to dress up. I have always seen you in jeans and jacket. So I - Um... What are you doing here? "

Darius and her were frenemy in their high school days. Ruth hated him because of his cockiness. He was a jock. She expected nothing less from him. And speaking of Darius, he liked pulling the leg of - goody two shoes - Ruth.

" For business. "

He kept it short.

" Although I didn't expect to see you here. "

He couldn't help himself but to ran his gaze over body. Not pervertedly but admiringly.

She was in a blue skinny jeans with a white halter top .

" I thought basketball was your career."

She commented reminding him his own saying.

" You want to learn my history in the middle of the road or would want to go in. Come lets talk over a coffee. "

He couldn't deny that she was looking heartwarming-beautiful. Actually she was beautiful in school years , she was sweet and pretty girl. But now she was actually a gorgeous woman. Time definitely did work on her.

" Yeah. Sure. "

Darius was about to take her hand when she was pulled back on a hard and warm chest. Both were taken aback from the actions of the person. She was least to shock looking at the person in front of her.

" Mr. Vassiliev?"

Ruth frowned while Darius looked at Orion with bored look . Orion had covetous grip around her waist which made Ruth stone in her place.

" Actually we have to be somewhere now. Say bye to your friend here. We are getting late. "

Orion didn't answer her and without listening to other person he dragged Ruth to his car which was parked on the opposite side of Road. When she was out of her trance they were already near his car . Darius looked confused , didn't expect all of this to happen in a blink.

Ruth waved him with a apologetic smile before glancing over Orion.

" You can call me by my name. We are not in a business meeting. "

Orion was just passing by when he spotted her talking to a man with a beautiful smile on her face.

'She never talked to him like that. '

The mere thought infuriated him and before that man could touch Ruth he came on their way. An emotion heavier than rock settled on his chest looking her with that man.

" Explain. "

She snapped.

" We need to discuss about our partnership. "

He told what she needed to know. Orion knew she had asked for time but what was the point of time. If she didn't accept his offer he would take the land and if she accepted they had to talk about it either way. He couldn't see any wrong in this.

" I'm still thinking about it. "

She was furious. First he had snatched the peace from her life and now he was ruining her weekend.

" You have to go for it. No choice. Or you want to lose your shop?"

It was plain threat to her. Her jaw dropped and her palm itched to meet the cheeks of the person in front of her. Finally he showed his true colors. But she knew violence with this person would be her own downfall.

Orion held the door open for her , she scooted in the passenger seat with red face. Ofcourse from anger.He smirked looking at her cute red face. Coming around to the driver seat he reversed on the road.

" Where are we going? "

" My house. "