My eyes widen in surprise, slowly diverting to Diya present beside me. I stood on my feet carrying Ridhi in my arms as she was stubborn not to leave my side.

"Yes, Susmita had mentioned you being pregnant." His eyes planted on me. Much to my surprise there wasn't a sign of judgment or pity. Nothing displayed.

"How do you know Ma?" I questioned and shook my head in disbelief. "Are you the same... Tanmay Chopra?" Though I was questioning him I couldn't believe my own words.

"Yes," he winked at me that playful attitude was back. "You have a beautiful kid..." he was going to continue but Diya interrupted him.

"There is some misunderstanding. Though Aachal is pregnant but she isn't her child." Least affected that her words were shattering someone's hope. The soul tightened her grip around my shoulder. I could listen to her slight murmur. "Muma... Muma..." Her condition was indicating that it wasn't the first time she had heard those words. Maybe her father had attempted various times to erase her misconception but she was stubborn not to listen to him.

"I am not getting a word, misunderstanding?" Dhruv sounded curious as well as confused. Before Diya could open her mouth I nudged her elbow, eyeing the girl in my hand if she had forgotten.

"I will just come..." Both gave a nod in an understanding manner. Soon, I excused myself from them. Thousands of people were surrounding us but seemed least interested in the girl in my arm. Only if they knew it was Mr. Oberio's child! That mysterious, private millionaire had hidden a four-year kid from the world. I wasn't sure if should I be pleased or furious at his behavior.

Popularity! Fan base came with a certain set of disadvantages. Hiding Riddhi from the world surrounding her was a safe move but hiding her identity from the world also meant he didn't want the world to know about her existence. That was cruel! Such as his ex-marriage was hidden in the layers of the past.

I walked up to the receptionist, having no other plan in my head. "Excuse me..." the lady looked away from the computer screen. "May I know the room number of Mr. Oberio?" As I uttered his name, the uninterested lady suddenly showed a genuine interest in me.

"Sorry... Miss..." After scanning me thoroughly she responded. "Mr. Oberio... don't like to be disturbed." She was determined not to listen to my pleading.

"I am his wedding planner and I have an urgent matter to discuss." She passed me another glance. Her eyes scanned my set of pajamas to the disheveled hairs. I was nothing compared to the well-dressed woman surrounding me. I could understand her judging eyes.

"I apologize madam." She muttered getting busy staring at the computer screen. I huffed at her in annoyance. Mr. Oberio would again accuse me of kidnapping her daughter. I wasn't planning to allow that fashion queen to mock me and display as if she even cared about Riddhi.

Making my way toward the lift. I pressed the top button. VIPs stayed on that floor. There was a high possibility that I won't find his room but less percentage indicated that I would. Walking into the cold, silent hallway. Maybe the VIP floor was vacant but something in the surrounding yelled a tragedy. The uneven feeling in my chest was building anxiety.

My legs weren't ready to cast a step forward. The uneasiness spread in the surrounding. The tiny hand around my neck made me realize I wasn't alone and my mission was to reach her father.

"Riddhi..." I called her softly. She wasn't ready to raise her head from my neck. "Angel... which one is your room?" I inquired, hoping that she would provide me with some help. I wasn't sure why was I so desperate to hide her back in the room. I knew it was wrong! But something deep within me yelled it was the best option but I couldn't reason my feeling.

As I sensed no movement from her side, I attempted once again. "Riddhi..." but before I could complete my statement, a strong push landed me on the floor beneath me. My eyes were searching for the culprit, hands tightened around the soul in my arms. And before I could spy my environment thoroughly a loud thud on my head compelled a loud shout out of my throat. I could feel the Riddhi stirring in my arms. A sudden urge to protect her from the upcoming harm engulfed my heart.

Though I was experiencing the overbearing pain in my forehead yet I forced my leg to walk. I needed to protect the soul in my arms. My instincts shouted that the culprit was after her. Tears were rolling down my cheek, gasp left my throat. Riddhi was crying in alarm. She knew we were in great trouble. I wanted to shout out but I doubted if the yell could cross the thick wall separating us from the visitors in the room. One of them was of Shlok Oberoi so unaware about his child was in trouble.

My legs were barely managing to take a few steps when the attacker grabbed a bunch of my hair in its fist. The person hadn't voiced a word and I didn't have a moment to glance at his face. As my priority was to save Ridhi from the attack.

I loosen my grip on her. I knew there wasn't any way out. The soul in my hand looked at me in surprise. The attacker didn't make any move. "Fine..." I uttered sounding defeated. "You need this girl..." I waited for any response from the other side but the person loosens the grip on me as a hint. "I will give her to you." I voiced trying to act serious. Slowly I made the confused, scared Riddhi stand on her feet.

"I am sorry Riddhi, I couldn't protect you. But you saw that I tried... Run Riddhi, run for your life." With those words, I knock my elbow into the attacker's stomach. For the first time, I heard a growl, a deep, masculine voice. I found it similar but I couldn't pinpoint the person. Before my mind could process it, my hair was pulled again with fury. As if he was planning to grab it out of my skull. Soon he knocked me to the floor, and a sharp pain was experienced on my back.

"Muma..." I heard the cry, my eyes jerking at the soul. My heart accelerates at an extreme level. She was standing at the same spot, staring at me with wide concerned orbs.

"Move! Move! Run!" The attacker was going to run after her but I pulled his leg with all my might. He was trying to get out of my grip, pulling, kicking my face trying to rush after Riddhi but I attempted my level best. As Riddhi was no longer in my sight, I sighed in relief. My brain slowly registered the coat, the attacker was wearing.

"Mayur..." I choked as the flashes revolved around my head. Before I could move an inch and find the person under the coat, something hard hit on my head. The blurring surrounding made it impossible to glance at the attacker. I could see him moving out of my grip but couldn't clearly see his face. Who was he? And why was he wearing Mayur's jacket? It was the same as I had glimpsed in the airport. Maybe due to the similarity, I was mistaking it for Mayur's jacket. And soon the blackness surrounded my senses. I was just hoping that Riddhi was safe from them. It was two! He had another partner. The one that had knocked me to the floor.

___

I heard a series of grumbles happening around me. My eyelids felt heavy as it was hindering me from letting me open my eyes. Sounds of concern was surrounding me. Among it, one stood familiar.

"Sir, I apologize but I can't allow you to question her on it." Diya was requesting moreover pleading.

"You know, it is important!" The grating voice fell into my ear. I could recognize it as well. Shlok Oberoi! "My child is in danger and..." my heart accelerated at those words. Flashes of the latest event rewinding in my brain. A sudden urge to open my eyes and assure myself engulfed my heart. The fear of not being able to protect Riddhi made me feel defeated.

"Aachal..." a concerned voice getting into my ears.

"Shh! Don't move," came a warning from Mr. Oberio. I tried once more but felt a tight grip on my elbow. "Can't you listen for once! Stop, acting stubborn..." he growled, his grip not loosening around my arms.

"Please stay with her. I will call the doctor," Diya rushed in anxiousness.

I attempted to open my eyes once again to assure her that I was fine. But sharp pain halted me. "Haven't I warned you?" I heard his annoyed voice. "But no! You have to act courageous." I could feel his fury. Was he mad at me? Maybe Riddhi couldn't make it safe. I wanted to question him. I wanted to know her whereabouts.

"Is... Is... Riddhi... fine?" I slowly peeped at Mr. Oberio but the overbearing pain was making it impossible to open my eyes a minute longer.

"Damn! What a stubborn woman you are?" I could glance at him shaking his head in frustration. "It was great when you were unconscious." He muttered under his breath but loud enough that it could reach my ear. "At least there was none who could grant me a headache." His words triggered me. Rather than asking me if I was recovering, he was mocking me.

"Then... why are... you... wasting... ahh!" I screamed as due to the overpowering rage I had forgotten my condition. I had attempted to seat on the bed but that action made a shiver run down my spine.

"I... Is Ridhi safe?" My eyes darted to Mr. Oberio for an answer. I knew the answer yet my heart needed confirmation. He kept staring into my eyes, his set of orbs blank. Not depicting any emotion. My heart was beating loudly as if his silence had confirmed my doubt.

____

"Aachal... please speak a word. You are scaring me." Diya voiced her worry. "Should I call uncle? Damn! I tried all the ways. Please speak a word for God's sake." Her restless was indicating that she was losing her calm. I glanced at her. Her orbs shone in delight as if found hope in the dark sky. I was going to open my mouth when the door was pushed open. And a small soul rushed inside.

Her eyes scanned the room a little longer indicating that her blurry vision wasn't providing any aid. Her faint, continuous hiccups getting into my ears. Was she crying? And without wasting a second, she rushed in my direction. "Muma..." the fear was quite evident in that one word. Something within me was brought back to life.

"Muma..." Her tiny hands were wrapped around my shoulder. Her head nuzzled into my neck. As if she felt secure in my arms but I couldn't trust myself. No longer could I! "I was so scared..." she was muttering in between her sobs. "I felt! I felt, as if... as if... I lost you... once again..." She kept blabbering, her inner fear coming to the surface.

"I am fine..." those words rolled out of my tongue. "I am perfectly alright..." I wanted to assure her. Stop those tears rolling down her cheek. My weak hands slowly wrapped around her fragile body. Seeing her before my eyes without a wound touching her body. I couldn't be more pleased! Riddhi was safe.

"Riddhi, what have we agreed upon?" Came the exasperated tone of Mr. Oberio. My eyes glanced at the source; he had entered the room. His arms folded around his chest as he was leaning on the door frame. So unprofessional! The guy I met was perfect but the one standing before me wasn't bothering to look perfect or act perfect. He seemed an ordinary guy, not Mr. Oberio.

"Sorry..." came a slight apology and the soul withdrew from me. I wasn't pleased with her action. Staring at her in confusion. "Dad said your health isn't proper and I shouldn't stress you much..." she answered my confusion. I kept staring at her in adoration. How was such a small kid, so mature? So, understanding? I wished that her all dreams could be fulfilled. She could gain what she was craving, motherly love.

She sat on the bed next to me. Keenly observing me, I raised my brow but she didn't answer.

I glanced at Mr. Oberio who was providing Diya with a small nod. His eyes darted from her to me. Our orbs met each other. Those sets of black orbs were different. It wasn't cold towards me rather soft. As if his attitude towards me was changing, shifting. Was it due to my bravery to save her child? Could be! But my attitude won't ever change! He was an egoistic pig and it would stay the same. I glared at him in return, he was taken aback by my action but soon overcame the shock. Passing his famous smirk in my direction. As I said, arrogant ass!