Shivaay returned to his room after a workout to find Annika not in bed. He checked the washroom but she wasn't there as well. She was sleeping when he woke up and now she have left the room before he could see her. Great now she is avoiding him from the morning itself!

It's her first day of Internship under him and since a month he planned a lot for her but looks like things won't go as per his plans. Signing he moved inside the washroom to freshen up.

As he wore his blazer he missed the part of their daily schedule where she use to make him wear his blazer, tie his cuff-links and adjusted his pocket napkin. Their daily soft moments where a few smiles and that intense red blush on her cheeks due to each of his teasing would make a perfect start of his day. God he is addicted to her!

A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips as he sensed her "You can come in Annika stop staring at me from the door." But before he could even look at her she ran out, the clangour of her silver bangles echoed behind.

Exhaling a frustrated breath, Shivaay tried to look for her ultimately finding her in Dadi's room helping her adjusting her bed. "Annika puttar why are you doing this? The servants can do. You have internship starting from today go and prepare for it."

"It's okay Dadi, I wanted to spend some time with you since my internship is starting then with the load of office and collage work I would hardly have much time to spend with family." Annika replied but Shivaay who was hiding behind the door knew very well that this was just an excuse to avoid talking to him. She isn't even giving him a chance to explain himself.

He met Om and Rudra in the kitchen to make the breakfast eventually sharing everything with Om. "What happened that night between you and Mallika Shivaay?" Om asked after listening to him, Shivaay prepared Annika's favorite breakfast knowing very well that food is her weakness.

"I am sorry Om, I promised Mallika to never tell about that night to anyone. She only gave me permission to tell it to Annika who isn't ready to listen anything." He spoke the last part frustrated pushing the table spoon.

"Relax Bhaiya, the problem is that Annie doesn't know everything. She just heard the point of Mallika Didi confessing that she loves you and that Annie came between you two. For any wife it is a shocking thing. And Annie already have a lot of insecurities." Rudra explained and Shivaay smiled at his youngest brother who although is extremely childish but behave quite mature in such cases.

"Let's get to breakfast, Om Rudra call everyone." Shivaay ordered once he was done. Soon everyone gathered to have breakfast except Annika. Shivaay waited for her patiently but finally asked his Dadi "Where is Annika Dadi?"

"Didn't she informed you Shivaay. She left for her college. She had some important work and needed to leave early. Her friend came to pick her up. I thought you knew because she always take permission from you for every small-big thing." Dadi chuckled at the end remembering how Annika always take permission from Shivaay even if the entire family allow, she won't do anything as simple as going for shopping until she have her husband's approval.

"Looks like she is finally getting over her covet" Shakti too joked but stopped noticing the look on Shivaay's face. Om and Rudra who understood everything placed a hand on his shoulder while Tej asked "Is everything okay Shivaay?"

"Y---Yes Bade Papa" His voice faltered and although everyone knew that he was lying they didn't pressured him knowing that this is their personal matter. "Whom did she go with Dadi?" Shivaay asked in a low voice dreading one particular name he didn't wanted to listen at all.

Just don't let it be that boy!

"Yuvraj, she said that only. He was actually waiting for her outside. He didn't came inside"

Dadi informed and Shivaay's heart sank low. Yuvraj was the one she seeked for peace in between their issues. It means he did matter to her, matter to her enough to be the first one she wanted around her to escape him. That though was enough for Shivaay to loose all his appetite.

He was now finally loosing his temper. He had enough of this nonsense. He had enough of trying to explain himself even though he isn't wrong. Why only he should always try to get things straight in their relationship? Why should he always bent?

"I--I am going to office. See you their Rudra don't forget to bring your files." Shivaay excused himself but before he could leave Om held his hand "Don't loose your patience and temper Shivaay it will just make the things worse. Please try to understand her and make her understand you."

Shivaay gave a weak smile before picking up his file and coat to leave. He was just going to sit in his car when he saw his Bade Papa rushing toward him. "I am Okay Bade Papa trust me----" Shivaay tried to explain him but the look on his Bade Papa's face clearly said he wasn't buying this at all.

"Shivaay I don't know what happened but I know there is problem between both of you. As far as I can understand Annika is avoiding you and you want to explain something to her. I know Shivaay, I know you have already given a lot in this relationship from your side. I know holding on your temper for this long isn't your forte. You my man have an ego, a huge one but for your relationship with Annika you have kept it at bay-----" Tej trailed off as he settled down beside Shivaay in the car not wanting to let him go alone in such a foul mood.

"I know this is hurting you, deeply but please don't give up man. I completely agree Annika is wrong here. She should listen to you but still remember we are business man and while I was teaching you business didn't I taught you to always look for long term benefits. Loosing one argument or keeping your ego aside to get something you value a lot is not a bad deal at all. When marriage is difficult focus on the person you are fighting for not the person you are fighting with." He explained as the car sped up toward Oberoi head office.

Shivaay smiled at his Bade Papa for being so understanding "Also Shivaay you know these girls are very complicated. Even God can't understand them. Sometime all a girl want from you is to fight for her and make her believe that you want this relationship more than her. I know this is idiotic but these women are like this I am telling with experience."

"------but don't you dare tell this to your Badi Mom she will eat me alive" Shivaay chuckled at Tej's expression and a relief arrived on Tej's face finally seeing his favorite son smile.

"You know you value Annika more then anything else right? You want her as your wife forever? In fact you love her more then anything so please don't give up. Let's just say for now you handle her tantrums later on she will handle yours" Shivaay gave a slight nod with a warm smile. His Bade Papa is right. He can't give up like this. He need to explain everything to Annika. Being the elder one in their relationship he have to act more mature. She is worth fighting till end.

"Even if there are hundred reason to just give up in a relationship look for one reason that can keep you fighting because at the end it's all worth it."

Tej ended as he placed a hand on Shivaay's shoulder leaving the car since they have reached the office. Shivaay too moved outside and hugged his idol for giving him back his spirit.

"Thanks Bade Papa" Tej pushed him away after a short hug "Stop being clingy like Rudra Shivaay. I don't like hugging and clinging at all-----exception for Jhanvi of course."

Shivaay gave him a teasing look but Tej just shrugged off walking "Don't even try to tease me Shivaay. It won't affect. She is my wife and mother of my three biological children. I have all rights okay." Shivaay shook his head laughing before following him inside wishing back everyone.

"Good morning Bhaiya, excited Bhabhi is doing her internship under you." Gauri teased him as soon as he entered in his cabin. Shivaay glared him back "Gauri I am your boss remember that and forgod sake don't you dare call Annika as Bhabhi in front of everyone."

"Ya----whatever." Gauri shrugged off before informing him "Mr Mathur and his son are waiting for you. You rejected Yuvraj Mathur's internship proposal under you so he came personally to talk and took emergency appointment."

"Yuvraj Mathur is here?" Shivaay asked surprised. Shouldn't he be with Annika? Gauri nodded and Shivaay asked her to send them inside along with coffee. Soon he was greeted by Yuvraj and his father.

"Yuvraj you dropped Annika at collage?" Shivaay asked soon after greeting but Yuvraj stood puzzled "I am sorry Bhaiya but I didn't see Annika since the function and she doesn't come to college with me. It's generally you who drop her and Rudra right?"

That's when Shivaay realized that Annika didn't called anyone to receive her. She went alone to avoid him but didn't seek peace with Yuvraj. She just lied to Dadi. A relief washed his face realizing this giving him yet another reason to fight and solve this issue between them.

"Is everything Okay Bhaiya?" Yuvraj asked to which Shivaay nodded "Yes, actually I had to leave early and Rudra was running late so Annika said she will go with her friend. I thought you would be the one." A disappointment washed across Yuvraj's face listening to this. He wished to be the one Annika call in any situation of need. He was even insisting with his Dad to do internship under Oberois so that he get to spend time with her but Shivaay rejected it saying since Mathurs and Oberois are competitors in telecommunication sector he can't afford to teach a rival company's heir under him.

Well Shivaay had a personal reason too not that he will accept it!

How can he accept that he is jealous of a college going boy?

"Mr Oberoi, my son really want to learn under you. You are his inspiration---ahh Who am I kidding you are idol of all the business youth for reaching such heights in such a young age. I would like to personally request you to reconsider our proposal." Yuvraj father requested.

"I am flattered Mr Mathur but you know the reason." Shivaay tried hard knowing that otherwise his work ethics teaches him to let Yuvraj intern under him. It was the jealous husband inside him which was prohibiting the whole deal.

"Mr Oberoi there is no comparison of both of us in telecommunication sector. While you lead it we are just in top ten. Also I assure my son have quite good ethics and he knows not to cheat on the place he is learning." Mr Mathur again tried and Shivaay gave up knowing he can't just mix up his personal rivalry with Yuvraj with the future of that kid.

But he didn't knew that for Yuvraj this was all personal!

"Fine Mr Mathur, he can report with all other interns within an hour." Yuvraj along with his father expressed thier gratitude toward Shivaay before leaving the cabin while Shivaay hoped he doesn't regret his decision and doesn't strangle Yuvraj for his advancement on his wife in his office.

Soon all the interns gathered which included the one from Rudra's college and also from other colleges as well. Annika stood in a corner along with Natasha who was jumping over the fact that she get to work under Oberois and Yuvraj who kept annoying Annika by asking her about her foul mood. Rudra on the other side was with Bhavya since Annika was avoiding him as well. Shivaay came to give a pep talk to all them. He looked at Annika to which she immediately looked down.

"Good morning to all of you. Well for those who don't know me I am Shivaay Singh Oberoi. The CEO of Oberoi Empire and it's my pleasure to guide such an intelligent youth. I look forward to your time under me and my respective managing groups. Many of you here wants to head a business or start one of their own so for them always remember People don't care about your business, they care about their problems be the solution they are looking for. Never compete on prices compete on services and innovation. Our country lacks innovative entrepreneurs and I hope many of you in future do fill these voids. Now without any further delay I would like to get to the details. You have been assigned under different heads including me. I am guiding seven persons right under me but even others can seek any doubt or help from me whenever I am available. The seven people under me are Yuvraj Mathur, Rudra Singh Oberoi, Bhavya Pratap Rathore, Annika, Sristi Mehta, Roshini Verma and Samar Rajput.

Annika closed her eyes in defeat knowing that now avoiding him won't be possible. She is dreading what he would say to her. She can't bear to listen that he did leave Mallika because he married her in a haste. What if he asked for a divorce? No she can't take it. She is extremely selfish for him. She can't bear to loose him. If he said he want to leave her, it would just break her heart. She knew she had to hear this one or the other time but she is just trying to delay it as much as possible.

"Rest of you would be guided by Oberoi Intrapreneur and Heads in your field of interests. You can check it in the list. All the best to all of you. The seven under me can start their work taking details from my Personal Assistant Gauri. In case of any problem or doubt feel free to access me." He ended and walked toward his cabin and every intern except the seven under Shivaay went to check the list.

"Bye Annie, see you in the break." Natasha left giving a hug to  Annika who faked a smile. Yuvraj was still sticking around her and with the foul mood she was currently in she wanted to be left alone. Only Annika knew how she was holding herself from snapping at Yuvraj.

Gauri guided all of them through their work and much to Annika's dismay she was appointed as the assistant of Gauri means partial Personal Assistant of Shivaay. How would she avoid him like this?

They all settled down for their work on their respective desk. Annika was sitting beside Roshini, a girl from another college who was also training under Shivaay and was assigned as her work partner by Gauri.

"Heyy I am Roshini and you?" She greeted with a cheerful smile. Although in a not so pretty mood Annika couldn't help but return the smile "I am Annika."

"Nice to meet you Annika. Do you know our boss Shivaay Singh Oberoi?" She asked apprehensively and Annika nodded in positive "Yes, his younger brother is my best friend." She replied not wanting to dwell in details.

"So do you know how he is? Just like all the other corporate bachelors like we read in novels. A playboy and all?" Roshini asked and Annika looked at her with a furrowed brow. How can this girl talk about her husband like this?

"No as far as I have heard he is a very friendly and cooperative boss." Annika replied with a fake smile trying to concentrate on her work but Roshini wasn't shutting up "You don't know Annika. I highly doubt him. How can someone this rich, handsome doesn't have a girlfriend. He must be having physical relationship with many girls. Hawww what if he is also like those bosses that are shown in Savdhaan India pretending to be too good in front of everyone but tends to molest innocent girls in their cabin."

Annika gave her a wary look "How can you form an opinion about him like this?" She asked annoyed with someone blaming her husband baselessly. "You don't know Annika but I doubt him. Even during his speech he was looking at you very unprofessionally. I think he has his eyes on you. Be safe-----"

Before she could complete her sentence Gauri interrupted both of them "Annika, Shivaay sir is calling you in his cabin. Take the file you are working on. He said he have to give you some details regarding it." With this Gauri left secretly winking at Annika which went unnoticed by Roshini. On the other hand Annika's heart beat raised to infinity. How would she face him? What if he ask for divorce?

"See my doubts is right. He had his eyes on you otherwise why would he personally explain everything to you that to by calling you in his cabin. I am telling you Annika stay safe. Don't let him blackmail you. If you need any help talk to me." Roshini assured Annika while Annika felt like banging her head on the wall. She was already overwhelmed with her own emotional turmoil that she now have to deal with this new nonsense of her own husband trying to molest her!

Taking a deep breath she walked inside Shivaay's cabin after knocking and as soon as she entered Shivaay locked the gate from inside. He needed to talk to her, clear everything and he was not letting the chance go.

Unknown to both of them Roshini was peeking from outside and although she couldn't hear anything, her eyes and doubts widened when she saw Shivaay closing the office door as soon as Annika entered.

Her 'crime detecting' mind clearly suspected this act of Shivaay. Didn't this is how that Boss in Savdhan India season second closed his cabin door as soon as the girl went inside.

"Would you now listen to me Annika?" Shivaay asked in a clipped tone and Annika looked at the floor suddenly finding it to be the most interesting thing in the world.

"LOOK AT ME WHILE I TALK TO YOU ANNIKA" He nearly yelled loosing his patience and Annika flinched as tears formed in her eyes.

Shivaay cursed himself looking at her tears and taking a deep breath moved toward her but before he could say a word she turned to leave "I--I need to go" That's it Shivaay held her hand pulling her toward his chest forcing her hand behind her back. She gasped as the files fell from her hand.

Roshini on the other side gasped putting her palm over her mouth 'He is forcing her' that was first thought that erupted her mind. She took her phone to record this but found the battery dead. She panicked, she need to do something to save Annika!

But she can't also enter like this since Shivaay had closed the door. No one would anyway believe her. Within few hours in the office she had got to know that their boss had quite a good reputation.

"Annika now listen to me" Shivaay ordered forcing her to look at him. Annika blinked her tears back before speaking her heart out "You can give me divorce. I will sign it."

It took Shivaay a good damn minute to understand what she was actually saying "What?-----" He was again interrupted by Annika "You want to talk about divorce right. I---I will sign it. No problem. You can live happily with Mallika Mam----"

Shivaay just didn't knew why or what instigated him but he burst out laughing seeing her oh so innocent look. He realized all this while Annika wasn't doubting him, she was actually scared that he will divorce her. Man how did he got such a bundle of innocence.

On the other side Roshini grimaced seeing Shivaay laughing face and Annika's tear stricken confused face "How inhuman of this man? He is laughing on her situation. I am damn sure he is blackmailing her for something just like that Aditya Mathur in Savdhan India" She spoke to herself.

Shivaay cupped Annika's face rubbing his finger on the end of her lips, distracted for a second before focusing back in her eyes "Annie didn't I tell you that I can't stay away from you. I agree our relationship had started off unusually but trust me I would never wish to stay with any other lady other than you. In fact even if you leave me which I dearly hope you don't I won't marry again ever."

Annika looked in his hazel eyes to search for lie, sympathy but all she found was honesty, respect and maybe----love?

"----but Mallika?" She asked shuttering to which Shivaay exhaled a breath before starting "Annika what you heard was right Mallika do love me. But another truth is that I don't love her anymore than a friend. To be honest I tried to get romantic feelings for her when she first time proposed me but I just couldn't help. I have all those feelings only for you."

Annika looked at him with her tear filled eyes---Did he just mean he love her?

"I am sorry I should have told about Mallika to you earlier but I didn't wanted to lie or tell you half truth and for telling you full truth I needed permission from Mallika because there is one part of our life I have promised her not to share with anyone else but since you are my wife I didn't wanted to hide anything. That's why I waited to ask her."

Annika kept looking him without blinking her eyes as he continued taking a deep breath "Me and Mallika were in the safe friend circle since our college. Our circle included Tia Kapoor, Raghini Malhotra, Daksh Khuranna, Samar Jit Malhotra, Mallika Kabir Choudhary me and some other students who were mostly foreigners. I would make sure I take you in the next alumni meet."

At this moment Annika couldn't help but compare how different Shivaay's life is from her. All these people whose name he took are eminent business personalities. She just didn't knew even if he ever took her for his college alumni meet how would she adjust in that circle.

"Mallika confessed she love me when we were in final year but I refused because I never had any such feelings although in the forthcoming years I tried my best to make myself indulge into her romantically but it never happened. I just couldn't see her more than a good friend. Still we continued hanging together. After a moment when I saw that Mallika isn't moving on in her life because of me I tried to distance myself from her. I thought she would eventually forget me and move on but it never happened."

He let out a painful sigh as if dwelling into those painful memories "---and then came that night when me and Mallika completely lost the comfort and friendship we had between each other. I am still guilty for that night and I don't know what you would think of me after this. I---I can understand if listening to this you start to hate me."

Annika looked at him confused seeing his hazel eyes drowned with guilt. She knew that he could do nothing as such which could make her hate him.

On the other hand Roshini was interrupted by Gauri "What are you doing here Roshini?" She asked with a raised eyebrow "you know sneaking in the boss cabin can get you detained from this internship." Roshini tried to explain the situation but Gauri shooed her away "Now go get back to work if you don't want to be punished on the first day of your work."

"I am sure gonna grab proof against this bloody bastard soon. I won't let him torture Annika like this" Roshini muttered to herself as she sat back in her seat while Gauri went to her cabin shaking her head as Roshini's weird habits.

On the other hand Shivaay made Annika sit on his chair before settling down on his knees to explain her everything.

"It was an after party of our alumni meet in London when I don't know what happened to Mallika. I--I still think someone provoked her although I don't know who. Someone provoked her to seduce me saying if I had physical relationship with her I would eventually fall in love with her and would marry her. I---I don't know how can even after knowing me for years she could believe this. I may have married her out of guilt but love would never been there considering I would have even lost my respect for her as well and for me love is not possible without respect."

Annika didn't knew she was holding her breath as she was listening about one of the darkest nights of his life. She just couldn't fathom what went ahead.

"My drink was spiked with high dosage of aphrodisiac, it's a drug that inc--rease se--x drive."

His voice faltered and he took a deep breath to continue while Annika just kept looking at him without blinking. He couldn't understand what he should take from her expression.

"But the drugs had a side effect in my body because of the medicines I took just minutes ago after dinner for my heart condition. It increased my sex drive but it also induced rage and uncontrollable anger inside me. Since I never had sex before my body couldn't completely understand it's need and the frustration inside me increased. So when Mallika tried to seduce me I----I-- hit her" His voice faltered and he choked due to his guilt.

"I don't know why I lost control that day I badly hit her. I would have choked her to death if not for Daksh and Samar who interrupted by breaking the door listening to her screams. I was behaving like an animal hitting my friends until I collapsed due to a mild heart attack------" Annika's hand immediately went to the left side of his chest.

"You okay?" The question escaped unconsciously as all her focus went toward his heart beat to confirm that he is actually okay. She rubbed it continuously muttering some kind of curses for adding drugs into his drink that harmed his health.

A smile formed on Shivaay's lips seeing her concern. She noticed only this in his entire speech. He made her look into his eyes by cupping her cheeks "I am okay and I know you hate me for this-----" Annika interrupted him immediately "I don't hate you, I can never. Whatever happened wasn't done by your will. You can't control the effect of a drug. I am really sorry you have to go through this and although Mallika Mam did wrong I am sorry she had to go through this too. "

"I---I----" Annika voiced faltered and Shivaay's worst fear surfaced. What if she doesn't trust him? What if she think something happened between Mallika and him that night?

"Annika trust me nothing happened between me and Mallika that night" He tried to explain her to which she looked at him confused "I don't care"

Shivaay looked at her even more confused "No trust me nothing happened, the next day when I woke up in hospital Mallika had left with a letter of apology and asking for a promise to never tell about that night to anyone. You can confirm it from Mallika, Daksh and Samar that nothing happened that night.  I--I remember each moment I swear------"

"Shivaay I trust you. I don't need to confirm from anyone. I know if you are saying that nothing happened that means nothing happened." She said firmly to which Shivaay asked "then why did you said that you don't care?"

He almost pouted and Annika internally chuckled because at that moment he didn't looked like an intimidating strict business but an adorable boy complaining.

"Because I actually don't care. I don't care if I am the first one in your life or not as long as I---I am the last one"

A huge smile formed on his face listening to her  as he pulled her in a hug before kissing her forehead "I swear you are my first and definitely the last girl ever in my life"

"But----" he trailed off and Annika looked at him confused "but?" She asked to which he replied sheepishly "I can't confirm that you will be the last girl I would love"

"W---hy?" Her voice quivered and in that emotional moment she missed that he confessed that he love her.

"Because I would also love our daughter you know"

He replied with a mischievous smile and it took Annika a moment to understand it before her cheeks turned red and she bit her lips looking down. He chuckled making her look into his eyes "--but you know I am really upset with you. You are avoiding me since yesterday. You didn't even let me explain myself."

"I am sorry. I thought Mallika Mam left you because of me. She said I came between you guys. When I saw you trying to stop her from leaving I thought you also want to be with her and would ask me for divorce. I just had such a dream last night and it all took toll over me. I am sorry." She laid down her heart in front of him and Shivaay didn't knew how long he could keep the pretence of staying angry on her if she continued behaving this adorable.

"Annika me and Mallika were always friends at least from my side which is quite stale now. I have no romantic feeling for anyone other than you. So keep these thoughts out of your mind. As I said Shivaay Singh Oberoi can do anything except leaving his Annika."

"I am sorry" Annika again apologized but Shivaay wasn't giving up. He had been tormented the entire day now he deserve some benefits.

"I would forgive only on one condition" He demanded and Annika immediately agreed "Anything" Shivaay smirked "Pinki Promise?"

"Pinki promise" Annika agreed locking her little finger with him. She could literally do anything to gain his forgiveness but she had no idea what cooked inside her husband's evil mind.

He came extremely close to her making her shift back in her seat. His face just centimeters away with his lips fanning over hers. She closed her eyes as he whispered just above her lips in a husky deep voice.

"I want a french kiss wifey"