SS- The rise of the Phoenix -Chapter 9

 

The Rise of the Phoenix

Chapter 9

 

 

The plan was laid out and Arnav took the bait –as soon as Anjali told Arnav that Phoenix was donating two outfits and was willing to model them for her cause ; he being her brother had to match if not surpass Phoenix’s donation.
“I will donate for you but I will not model for you Di!”
“Chote ,imagine the great ASR walking down with the phoenix in their own designs, on the final parade –that would be the ultimate climax.”
“Di , I am not wearing a lengha!”
“Chote I’m not asking you to wear a lengha but a sherwani ? Perhaps?”
“I designs women’s clothing”
“Even better –The great ASR –will be launching a new line –men’s wedding apparel-picture it –it would be part of the marketing strategy. All the people from your world would attend and would fight to purchase the first ever design for men from AR designs. It would be a Dutch auction. The money raised from it would be unbelievable.”
“Fine Di, you will get your sherwani-it’s easier to design and have the bloody outfit made than have you burrowing a hole in my brain and then when I disagree with you, you will turn on the waterworks. At that point I usually cave into whatever you want –so to save myself all the extra aggravation for something I am going to do anyway –I’ll say yes. By the way have you ever met the Phoenix or seen the recent pictures of her?”
“No-Chote you know that unless it’s about you I don’t bother with the fashion pages or the gossip columns“
“Before you meet her find out as much about her as you can-I guarantee that there is a surprise waiting for you.”
Khushi, NK and Preeto planned everything to perfection. The three would be at hand as expected at the fashion show –Khushi would not turn up for any rehearsals but once there her task was to ensure that Arnav stayed away from his phone –the only guaranteed time that would be the walk down . After that it was all down to Khushi to keep him occupied. The twins would then have that time to hack into and out of his secure systems and download the information required.
Khushi appeared five minutes before the walk down.
“Arnav “
“Khushi”
“I prefer phoenix”
“I prefer Khushi”
“It’s a good job that I don’t have to accommodate to your preferences”
Arnav looked her up and down pausing at her hips and bust-“It looks like you have dressed to accommodate my preferences. Clean lines –that means no lingerie-I believe that gives me an open invitation”
“I dress to please myself and you are right –no lingerie –interested? I believe that we are to walk”
Khushi drew strength from the memory of her daughter and held out her hand- “I believe we are to walk together? Your hand?”
Arnav looked at Khush speechless- not something that often happened to him. Did she just proposition him? He held out his left hand calmly trying not to focus on her touch. She called herself the Phoenix-she was setting him on fire –she was playing a game but which one he hadn’t quite worked out the stakes.
I believe they are waiting on us –as they walked down –there was no leader –they were equals. Khushi smiled her killer smile making sure from those watching she had made a few more lose their hearts to her. He had always said she could set the world alight with her smile. No one could ever judge correctly what was hidden behind that smile.Khushi turned and smiled for Arnav –“for old time sake Arnav shall we give them a little footwork?”
As they reached the end of the runway Arnav gave Khushi a few twirls , the lower half of her lengha spun in a full cicle exposing her hennahed legs, whispering to the on lookers the promise of discovery –if they were so blessed.He then lent her back in his arms. Khushi arched her back gracefully throwing her chest into Arnav’s face. Two buttons were undone enough for him to see. To remember of a time together, a time long gone; when he could have buried his face in her breasts and relished in unadulterated pleasure. As he pulled her back to standing his other hand slipped, momentarily , but it had slipped and he couldn’t help himself and caressed her booty.
They walked back together –“ Still haven’t changed you were always were a booty man Arnav”
Not one to be caught out but this time he was unprepared and she was unexpected. He blushed.
They parted company and re joined for the finale –he changed into a navy blue Sherwani whilst Khushi returned in a silver lace bra top studded with blood red and orange diamantes sprinkled generously. Her blood red lengha was worn low on her waist heavy with silver embroidery and as she walked down with him bright orange pleats open to reveal even more intricate embroidery. The illusion of flames appeared as she walked –her signature colours. There was no disputing the designer or the outfit of the night. She had rightfully earned the right.
All Arnav could do was stare at his vision.
Khushi stood to one side as the bidding for the outfit started –as hoped for. As hoped for a bidding war started out. Finally her outfit was sold and Khushi blew a kiss to the winner of the auction.
“I double the money for a taste of those lips”
“Write your cheque and claim your kiss sir, but I must warn you sir, once you have tasted Phoenix –you may not want anyone –ordinarily Phoenix’s kisses aren’t for sale, but if I break yours I can fix four others. .I have known others to try and sell Phoenix for a lot less- so please sir come and collect your prize “
Karan Singhania- flew up onto the stage and claimed his prize with the world looking on.
Karan kissed Khushi full on her lips –the warmth and the moisture was pleasant –but that was all. There was no earth shattering feeling , no racing of hearts and above all no feeling of pure hatred or digust.
Karan clutched his heart and fell to the floor –“I am enslaved to you forever”
Khushi smiled her smile that she knew would keep Karan‘s interest and Arnav’s once he had got over someone else kissing her. He had him tried to look cool suave and unaffected- but she knew that look in his eyes-the only uncertainty was whose death warrant had she signed, Karans or hers as well.
This evening was turning out far better than she could ever have planned. Khushi smiled to herself –You ain’t seen nothing yet Mr Raizada, the stage is set, the play has only just begun. You are going down –next stop –hell.