The days at Rao's corporation weren't happy when Vikram, the CFO visited the place instead of his dad. He visited the business to blast the staff. The employees prayed not to meet him.
"Hey see. It's the new intern's day today," a staff member alerted his colleagues.
"He is gonna be ripped today," bet one of his colleagues. The other colleague pitied the new trainee, "He had just started working here."
"We should've warned him," another employee regretted genuinely. "We knew that Vikram is the worst."
"If it isn't the good pay here, I would have bid my farewell," added another.

Within a few minutes, the staff heard the shouts of Vikram which left them stunned. He created mayhem inside the cabin by throwing whatever item was available on his table. The staff peeked inside the cabin through the window and saw a frightened trainee glued onto the cabin door.
"He is gonna get PTSD," announced a lady to the gathering. "I wonder how Vikram doesn't get a heart attack while shouting!"

"Thank god! I am not in that position," said a guy in a relieved tone. His friend cleared his throat, "That day isn't too far too."

"You will face him before me," countered his friend and soon everyone started to discuss who was next to hear the tantrum of Vikram. They didn't notice their boss, Sooraj in their workplace. 

"What is happening here?" The older guy daunted the group with his authoritative voice. He might be sixty but his charisma looked like a forty-year-old man.

"Am I not audible?" Sooraj questioned them when they didn't reply.  The employees didn't anticipate his presence while Vikram was present to supervise the business. They couldn't complain about his maniac son. They moved backwards for Sooraj to have a peek inside Vikram's cabin. He was astounded to witness his son in his worst state.

"Oh god!" Sooraj exclaimed in front of the staff. The anger of his son reached new heights for a few days and the old man felt helpless in managing him. He ordered his employees to resume their work.

The staff had to forget whatever happened because of Vikram as their salaries were important. When Sooraj was sure that each of the employees resumed their duty, he entered the cabin of Vikram.

As soon as the cabin door opened, the intern escaped out of the lion's den.

"What the hell happened here?" Sooraj whispered, pitying the staff. Vikram threw the last set of papers that he held in his hands and panted for breath. Sooraj was frightened by his pumping chest and red face.

The son whom he faced as a cool dude was nowhere to be found.
"Why are you behaving mercilessly?" Sooraj shook Vikram with his suit. Vikram pushed the hands of his dad and ate anti-depressant tablets from the table drawer. He walked inside the cabin, taking in deep breaths before he could answer.

"It was nothing," Vikram grunted in a thick voice. He didn't like Sooraj meddling with his life. But his dad knew that Vikram was channelling his anger on innocent employees. Sooraj looked at his son and said, "You need not be grumpy with every person. You have to trust our employees instead of disrespecting them."

Vikram laughed maniacally, "This intern doesn't even know me. He made me wait at the parking lot because of his expired, old scooter. I showed him the real boss."

Sooraj couldn't believe his words, "You have lost your mind. Is it just for a spot in the parking lot?" He started to develop headaches because of his stupid son, "That guy depends on the monthly salary that you give. Still, you compare yourself with that guy."

Vikram blinked at his dad.

Sooraj slumped on the couch, adjacent to the table, "Did you understand how ego shrunk your mind? Our employees would laugh their hearts out if they heard your comparison."

"I am going to fire that guy," Vikram interrupted his dad. "He lacks IQ."

Sooraj snorted at the new story. Vikram understood the quizzical look of his dad. So, he explained in an unfrazzled tone, "I asked him three questions about our company and he couldn't answer!"

Sooraj scratched his chin, "I interviewed him and he answered everything perfectly, even about our shares."

He shook his head in disdain, "Do you have a genuine reason?"

Vikram said hurriedly, "No. As you have come here, I will take my leave."

Sooraj cut him off, "You aren't going to the pub. We have an important job with the lawyer." He couldn't condemn his son's drinking issues.

"What is the issue with a lawyer?" Vikram was uninterested in the legal problems their business faced. Sooraj wanted him to dedicate a day towards their business. He also promised not to disturb Vikram during his work days.

"He said we got a legal notice from Delhi," Sooraj said, removing his coat. Vikram rested himself on his chair, "The issue is regarding?" He was sure that his dad would bring him some major headaches.

Sooraj shook his head, "I don't know the details. He must be waiting in my cabin." Vikram couldn't believe his father, "You had work in your cabin. Why are you meddling with my anger?" 
Sooraj said nonchalantly, "I am your boss too," and walked out of the cabin. Vikram eyed his dad from behind and mimicked his tone, "Why are you eating my head, boss?" and joined his dad towards the cabin.

Their lawyer sat on the chair with a frown. Sooraj greeted the lawyer, stepping inside the room and Vikram walked inside without any formality. The lawyer greeted them, "Good morning. Vikram needs to improve his attitude."
Vikram crossed his arms and glared at the bald guy, "It will be better if you remain a lawyer instead of a behaviour coach." Sooraj cleared his throat passed a warning to his son and apologised to the lawyer.

The lawyer knew their family for a decade and wasn't puzzled by the harshness of Vikram. He showed them an envelope, "Vikram needs to refine his attitude as he is going to marry."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Vikram scowled. The lawyer waved the envelope, "The legal procedure wants you so. Have a good read of this notice and inform your decision within a week. I have to contact the court for the next proceedings."
Vikram snatched the envelope from him to have a look at the letter. "What the fuck?" He snorted at the very first words, "A marriage arrangement?" He heard of love marriage, arranged marriage and live-in relationships. The term was alien and made his stomach sick.
"What does this mean?" Sooraj questioned the lawyer unaware of such a term. The lawyer explained to them, "Rajeev Rao, Vikram's granddad had promised Krishna Hegde to marry off their heirs some decades ago. Vikram fits the rules."

"Rules? I won't budge to anyone," Vikram protested to them.
The lawyer maintained his composure, responding to Vikram's protest, "I understand your frustration, Vikram, but this isn't a matter of choice. It's a legally binding agreement from decades ago, and the court takes it seriously. You might be stripped of your inheritance."

Sooraj, trying to find a way to make the situation less tense, asked, "Is there any room for negotiation or exceptions?"

The lawyer shook his head, "I'm afraid not. The only way to avoid the consequences is to comply with the terms of the agreement. It's a rare and unusual case, but it's still within the legal framework."

Vikram got irritated, "This is absurd. I can't believe I have to marry someone I've never met."

The lawyer added, "I'll give you some time to go through the notice, discuss it with your family, and let me know your decision within a week. I'll do my best to guide you through this process."

Sooraj sighed deeply, realizing the gravity of the situation, "Vikram, we have to consider the legal implications here. We'll figure out how to make this work, but it's a reality we can't escape."

Vikram reluctantly accepted the notice from the lawyer and mumbled, "I still can't believe I'm being forced into this."

The lawyer stood up and prepared to leave, "I understand it's a difficult situation, but remember, I'm here to assist you through this process. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need guidance."

As the lawyer exited the room, Sooraj turned to Vikram, saying, "We'll figure this out, Vikram. We have a week to decide our next steps. Let's consider all our options carefully."

Viktam chuckled, "I need to drink before anything!"

***********

The hotel room reverberated with her moans and his groans.
"Harder, Lokesh!" she ordered him in a sore voice. She was tired in their second round and panted for breath. The air conditioner couldn't help their hot bodies and sweat oozed out of them. He dug inside her, controlling her senses with his organ.
She moaned at the lost control, pulling her hair locks with both of her hands. The mixing of perfume and sweat gave their atmosphere the sexy vibe that she wanted. She wanted to move on the soft bed beneath her for another hour.
It might not happen as he was pushing himself for the past three hours without her asking for it. Though she wanted it to last for another hour, she wouldn't ask for it and Lokesh knew her attitude.
"Hmm," he moaned, moving harshly inside her. She shouted wildly when her hormones were sore. The harsh strokes built up her peak at a faster pace and she knew it would end within a few minutes.
"Don't come inside me," she warned him with a broken voice.
"I am taking it out," he informed her and released all of his sticky juice over her naked skin. Before she could climax, the pole was taken out of her.
"Fuck you!" She cursed him in anger. The farewell sex shouldn't end with disappointment. He broke up with her the previous evening, citing his relocation to London and she wanted him inside her one last time.
"Cheers to our last time," he smiled at her, wiping the beads of sweat from his face. "I will miss your curly hair, Madhu."

She snorted uninterestedly. That bastard walked over her relationship and she won't miss him for sure.

It was around seven p.m. and she would be grounded if she wasted more time with him. She shuffled the dress over her naked skin quickly and sprinted to the door without a goodbye.

He didn't deserve that.

It wasn't hard for her to get a taxi in Bangalore but the traffic made the night worse. She hated the slow parade of vehicles that prolonged her travel for more than an hour.

Her heart raced when she saw the gates of her house. Her father would strip her alive if he came to know her boyfriend's issues. She checked every corner of the dark garden for her father and wanted to settle inside her room till the next morning.

She kicked off her shoes at the entrance and walked on her toes inside the living room. The room was well-lit and empty. She was glad about it.

When she ascended the staircase, she met her father at the library door. He looked at his wristwatch and her face with a frown. She gulped her dry throat and switched her eyes to the floor and ceiling.

"Follow me inside," he ordered her abruptly without asking questions about her whereabouts. She followed him in confusion and stood before his work table silently. He passed her an envelope and looked at her silently.
"What is it?" She questioned him, accepting the envelope in her hands. He motioned for her to sit before him, "Have a read at this letter. You have to help me."
Madhu didn't talk further but gave a deep reading to that letter twice. "What does this mean?" She asked her father with a scowl.

"You have to marry someone to save our inheritance," he replied. "Damn it," she grunted and threw the letter to one corner of the room. She then had a doubt, "Do Mother and Madhav know this?"
He nodded negatively. He couldn't detonate the news to his family without hearing Madhu's say in that situation. She huffed her breath and scratched her head in tension, "I can't be doing this!"

"We don't have an option too," her father replied slowly. "You know my father gave me a loan to start my business."

Madhu knew that. She felt proud of her grandfather for helping her father but she lost her mind, learning the marriage arrangement.
"How on earth could I marry a stranger?" She gaped at her father. She couldn't divorce that guy. Her mind boggled with questions and doubts. Can't everything be a prank?

Tears were about to burst out of her eye sockets when he looked at Madhu with a sorry face.
The reality struck Madhu.
"I can't do this," she replied in a definite tone. No one she knew would accept such a deal and marry a stranger. She rejected the idea of another guy after the breakup.
"Then the business goes for bidding," he replied in a calm tone. She cut him off, "The court can't cease everything from us even though grandfather gave money to start this business."
Her father looked at her with a blank stare, ending all of her doubts.

"Isn't it ruthless?" She raised her voice. "How could he pledge the life of his grandkids?"
Her father couldn't accept a mere friendship to be the reason behind such an arrangement. What might have happened if he didn't marry or had kids? Those papers wouldn't have had value in that case. Madhu was furious with her father who put money before his heirs.

She had seen her parents toiling around the business for days and nights. They even missed many of her school events for meetings and conferences. Her father was a heart patient but never stopped worrying about the business. Their pompous life had some serious sacrifices.

She couldn't pledge her life for her family or backstab them. She couldn't decide. Losing the inheritance meant losing her family.
"You are free to deny this notice," her father consoled her. He couldn't look at her agony. Whatever the world might call her, he won't think of her as a traitor.

"Are you discussing a serious issue?" Her mother entered the library with a perplexed face, "It's around midnight and I heard your voices from here."

Madhu, still overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, looked at her mother and sighed, "We are facing a complicated situation. He just dropped a bombshell on me."

Her mother, equally concerned, moved closer to the conversation. "What's going on?" she asked, her worry lines deepening.

Praneet took a deep breath and explained the situation to her mother. "Our family's inheritance is at stake, and according to this letter, she needs to marry an heir of my father's friend to secure it. It's a difficult decision for her to make."

Revathy's eyes widened, "Marrying a stranger? That's a lot to ask."

Madhu scowled, "Who said I agreed?"