Angad was well-prepared, to everyone's surprise. As soon as Raina's background became public, he released a few pictures of them from their time working together at Rudraksh's company.

“Recently, a rumour went viral on news and social media that Angad Shekhawat, son of Angraj Shekhawat and younger brother of Chahana Shekhawat, is getting married to a prostitute. But Angad Shekhawat's PR team has denied the rumours and also provided few pictures to the media houses. The pictures, as you can watch on your TV screen, feature Angad Shekhawat and his fiancée Raina. The PR team has clarified that Angad and Raina uses to work together at Yaduvanshi Enterprises, owned by Rudraksh Yaduvanshi, who has close ties with Shekhawat family. Rudraksh Yaduvanshi has also released a statement to defend his former assistant Raina, saying somebody made her a scapegoat to cause trouble for Angad. It also came to media's attention that Angad Shekhawat had also pressurized the party president Ravi Parmar to not give tickets to politicians with rape charges against them. The party was gradually losing it's influence after Angraj Shekhawat left politics. Everyone was expecting Chahana Shekhawat to lead her father's party one day but she instead chose to join Meira Agnihotri, who is now her mother-in-law. It will be interesting to see if Angad Shekhawat can fill in the shoes and continue the legacy of Shekhawat clan.”

Angad switched off the television and turned to look at his father, who was sitting next to him with a soft smile on his wrinkled face.

“How much did you pay to the media houses to go easy on me?” Angad asked straightforwardly.

“Thirty crores each,” replied Angraj.

“Woah, public image is quite expensive,” Angad exclaimed.

“How do you think I got away from my involvement in riots forty years back?” Angraj leaned back, reminiscing his old days of recklessness.

“Dad, is it true you saved Mom from your own goons at your first encounter? How filmy.” Angad chuckled.

“Oh, yeah. Don't ask me about our second encounter. It was very awkward and embarrassing.”

“Don't tell me it was a brothel,” Angad joked. But his joke surprised his father. And much to his astonishment, his father nodded positively.

“Well, your guess is right.”

Angad gulped, taking in this new piece of information like a bitter medicine, “I must say, you were quite messed up in your twenties.”

Angraj let out a heavy sigh, “I know. And I must say you are doing much better than me.”

“Thanks.” Angad smiled.

“What are you going to do about Parmar and Vikrant?” Angraj changed the topic.

Angad's smile faded away immediately at their mention. “Parmar is not going to win the election this time. The candidate from Di's party is quite strong. It's better to give President's position to someone else after the elections are over. Let the party workers decide that through internal elections,” Angad suggested thoughtfully.

Angraj nodded, agreeing with Angad's words. “And Vikrant?” He asked further.

“He is like an unwanted weed.” That's all Angad could say about that pervert.

“Sahib used to handle the killings. His men are still very loyal to us. They will eradicate him if we ask them to,” Angraj didn't hesitate while suggesting to murder someone. He had done this way too many times to feel any remorse. Especially, for someone as wicked as Vikrant.

“Okay, let's wait for a few months. Death from heart attack will be fine.” Angad said those words very calmly, as if he was discussing gardening, and not murder.

“Alright,” Angraj agreed. Seemed like Angad was going to fill in his shoes just perfect.

✿ ✿ ✿

Raina was lying on the bed with her eyes closed when Angad entered her bedroom. He slumped next to her and snaked his arms around her waist.

Raina opened her eyes and turned towards him. She looked a little bit sad. No, she looked very much sad. Angad ran his fingers through her long black hair while looking at her innocent face.

“Why do you look so sad?” He asked.

Raina looked up, into his brown eyes. “Because I'm upset,” she replied and closed her eyes.

Angad frowned at her, “Why are you upset, Raina?”

Raina let out a sigh and opened her eyes again, “I just realised that I'm not made for your world. And that my true history has to stay hidden if I want to be a part of it. And, somehow, it breaks my heart to think about it. That what's normal to me is something entire world looks down upon. Girls my age proudly say they are teacher, engineer, doctor, or artist. What will I say? A prostitute? No, I won't. I will never be proud of what I used to be.”

He cupped her cheeks, “Raina, your past might not be something you can openly talk about. But don't be ashamed of it. You did what you saw around you.”

Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Angad, did you not hesitate even for a second after finding out that I'm a prostitute?”

“I didn't. But now I am. You must be quite experience in bed. I'm still a virgin. So I'm scared.” He wiped her tears as he tried to lighen the mood.

Raina ended up chuckling, “But my favorite part is forehead kisses. So you'll do fine.”

“Why forehead kisses?” And tucked a hair strand behind her ear.

“Because there's nothing sensual about forehead kisses. They are comforting and intimate.”

Angad smiled romantically and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Then I will keep comforting you with forehead kisses.”

✿ ✿ ✿

Rudraksh was appalled by Ritwik's disgusting proposal. He wanted millions of dollars in exchange for divorcing Naintara. Now it made sense why Naintara was so worried about Ritwik finding out about them. That man was a greedy dog who could stoop lower and lower just to get more money. As if God had permitted him to take all his money to hell after he dies.

Rudraksh was staring at the document for last forty minutes. The amount was huge, not that he couldn't afford the sum of money. He was more worried about Ritwik's greedy nature. Greed has no limit. And this man's greed was definitely limitless.

Ritwik was sitting opposite him. He had an annoying smug smile on his face that made Rudraksh feel like punching the hell out of him.

“What's taking you so long, Mr. Yaduvanshi? Do you think Nayantara is not worth the amount?” Ritwik asked with a smirk. Only Rudraksh knew how he controlled himself from punching that douchebag.

“No, she is worth much more than that. It's just that you aren't worthy enough to be trusted,” Rudraksh replied firmly, not letting his disgusting words rise his temper.

Ritwik chuckled loudly, “Mr. Yaduvanshi, I'm a true capitalist. See, I'm even ready to sell my wife for money. But don't worry, I won't blackmail you in the future if that's your concern. Blackmailing isn't my style. I earn money and contracts by satisfying men's carnal desires.”

Rudraksh rolled his eyes at Ritwik's long explanation, “Ah, just say you are a pimp.”

Ritwik's smirked widened. Of course, he was used to such insults. “I would have, but it doesn't sound fancy.”

Rudraksh let out a sigh of frustration. “I'm ready to sign the contract. You will get the money the moment you sign the divorce papers.”

Ritwik smiled victoriously.

•••

Happy Diwali ✨️