She licked her lips and bit the lower one again.

- Fine, let's make it casual, but when it ends, we are going to our separate rooms.

- If you insist - I smiled at her.

- I do insist!

- Woman is fickle, according to certain Italian tenor.

- What? I'm not fickle! First, you use a dirty tactic to force me into going on a date with you, and now this?

p I rose my hands in a gesture of surrender.

- Don't blame me. Those are not my words. I just quoted.

- You are so rude, Peter.

- And yet, you like it. I'm different from men you are used to seeing, aren't I?

- The people whom I dated in the past have nothing to do with this, and for the record, I don't like it.

- Why are you lying to yourself? You clearly are interested. You are interested because I'm unpredictable and bold. You are interested because I'm an adventure.

- Why did you become a linguist?

- Why does it matter? You are just changing the topic.

I noticed she didn't deny what I said about her.

- I'm curious - I said.

She licked her lips again.

- Well... I wanted to be an archeologist when I was younger - she said straightening her back, showing pride. - I was very good with languages, and my father told me it would be better to work with that, rather than chase a dream I won't be able to fulfill.

- And you listened to him?

- Yes. He is my father. He was paying my tuition.

- Now everything makes sense. The trip to Uhms' settlement reignited your passion. You are now in the center of events, where are plenty of things to discover. The secrets to alien civilizations, buried somewhere on that planet. Waiting to be discovered. But you can't go, your hands are tied. Then I show up, a guy who might know something, since he brought you some artifacts, and he also speaks alien languages. That's why you are trying to seduce me.

- What?! - she shouted, outraged. - I'm not trying to seduce you, don't be ridiculous! How dare you?!

I'm not gonna lie, it was fun to tease her.

- How dare I? It's you who made me join you. It's you who got in the same car with me.

- B-becouse I-i needed to explain. B-becouse I wanted to tell you what we will be talking about during the interview.

- Just admit it. You wanted to use me.historical

- I've never used anybody!

It became clear to me that she has never dated anybody before. She was more innocent than Tihana. Probably her life as an academic was too busy for that.

- You didn't? What about me? I'm being used right here, right now.

- That's a lie!

I just couldn't help myself. I needed to make this escalate, just to see what will happen.

- You violated me, and now you want to throw me away? I should be the one outraged.

- You! You... You are making fun of me! You little rascal!

I smiled at her.

- Guilty as charged. I can wait for the dinner later tonight. This will be so much fun.

- I'm reconsidering going with you anywhere!

- All those secrets, lost forever... Who would have thought that there is... But since you don't want to know...

- There is what? You are killing me here, Peter!

- And I enjoy it so very much.

- Me too - added Vikram Kaur from the front seat.

I burst into a laugh, and she turned her face to the window, pissed at us both. We didn't talk throughout the rest of the journey.

It was kinda boring until we finally reached the city, then it got more lively. It took us some time, to drive past the big city, and finally reach Nariman Point, the business district in Bombay. We had a nice hotel there.

The lobby was big, with a white marble floor, and a very tall ceiling. You could see the mezzanines above, on each floor. There was also a view of the ocean through a glass wall with few tables, and chairs prepared to rest there, and admire it. There was also a red piano in the middle. A young, elegant man was playing it. Some romantic, melancholic piece. The left side had also tables and chairs, with few sofas. It was very elegant.

We were escorted by two women, who came ahead, and smiling, led us to the counter, where Vikram Kaur took care of the rest. Everybody had their own room.

We went immediately to check them. I had to pull the luggage out of my vault when we reached the correct floor. Sudarshana even thanked me, which meant she already got over what happened in the car.

My room was amazing. Brown floor panels white walls, with a big-ass window on the left with a view of the ocean. Big bed for two people, with an art piece behind it, some abstract, colorful squares. Reds and yellows on the blue background.

There were two bed cabinets on each side, with lamps, and some kind of bench put in front of the bed. Small table by the window, with a red armchair. The left side on the other hand had a glass wall, with a bathroom behind it. There was a shower and a large, white bathtub.

Do you know what my first thought was? How cool it would be to see Sudarshana naked, taking a shower, as I lie in the bed.

- So much to do, so little time - I mumbled to myself, and threw my luggage on the bench.

Then I went to take a shower, and sneaked my way out of the room, to have a word with Vikram Kaur. I knocked on his door, and he quickly opened it.

- Peter? How can I help you?

- I need a favor. I need a barber, a hairdresser, and new clothes. All in... - I looked at my nonexistent watch on the wrist. - Now.

He smiled at me.

- The dinner?

- Yes.

- Ok.. Let me get the keycard and let's go.