MaNan FF : Blame Game

part 4

Manik, on the other hand, reached for a glass. He poured himself a drink with a deliberate slowness, the amber liquid catching the chandelier light. Without sparing her a glance, he turned his back to the counter, facing the crowd again..

His dark eyes were elsewhere. Bored. Detached. Suffocated by the endless chatter of wealth and status.

Nandini, on the other hand, carried her loneliness silently, pretending to be busy observing people.

And then... a new voice broke through.

Smooth. Deep. Laced with just the right amount of charm to make heads turn.

"Well, well... if beauty had a form tonight, I think it decided to settle right here in this corner."

Nandini blinked, startled. She turned, finding a decently tall, strikingly handsome man standing at her side. Killer smile, neatly tailored suit,silk pocket square sitting neatly, and a watch gleaming just enough to whisper expensive rather than scream it.

And eyes that held a playful glint. He looked like someone who knew exactly the effect he carried and wasn't shy about using it.

From behind, Manik's brows arched. He tilted his glass, taking a slow sip, but didn't turn.

Shamelessly cheesy, he thought. Still, he made no move to interfere. Why should he?

"Excuse me?" Nandini's brows lifted in surprise.

He placed a hand dramatically over his heart.

"Pardon me, I couldn't help myself. When the moon decides to descend into a red gown and shine brighter than all the chandeliers here, how is a poor soul like me supposed to stay quiet?

Nandini's lips parted in disbelief.

Did he just...?

She stifled a laugh, shaking her head.

"Wow... that's... quite a line."

The man grinned, leaning just a fraction closer, lowering his voice into something conspiratorial.

"Cheesy, maybe. Honest, definitely. Because if beauty could be defined, I'd say it just found its dictionary standing in front of me."

Nandini shook her head lightly, trying to hide her smile. He looked polished, well-bred, someone who clearly belonged to the elite class of society. Someone from a good family, her mind concluded.

"forgive me. But beauty like yours shouldn't be standing here all alone." said the man playfully.

"You flatter too easily," she said, cheeks tinged with the faintest blush.

"Not easily," he corrected smoothly.

"Only when it's worth it."

"Are you trying to charm me mr.?" Nandini asked, raising her eyebrow in playful manner

"is it working on you miss? " the man said in husky tone, leaning closer to her

Her laughter came again, soft and genuine this time. But soon, she composed herself.

"I should tell you...I'm not a miss.. I'm married."

For a fraction of a second, the man faltered. His smile dimmed before returning with a graceful shrug.

"Married?" His tone was almost poetic,

"Then your husband must be the richest man in this room - not in wealth, but in fortune. Imagine owning the envy of every eye here."

Manik leaned against the bar, silent as steel. His expression was calm indifference, but his thoughts... sharp, biting.

"Lucky? Yeah, right."