A WEEK LATER.
Raghuvanshi Group of Industries [RGI]
Head Office, Jodhpur.

Aviram :

"THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE.", I whispered looking at the papers of Legal Termination.
"It has happened, Sir. Mehtas have terminated our deal permanently.", My assistant said, distraught.
"How can they?! We have been on this deal for decades now!", I snapped sitting up.

"Sir... I-I don't know..", My assistant stammered, sighing.
"And what about the Khurana deal?"
"Cancelled.", She said.

I looked up at her, taken aback.
"You are-"
"Yes, sir. I called you up so urgently to tell you something is really off. All our clients have started cancelling the deals and this.. this is really not good.", She spelled it out to me.

I gulped.
Nervous.

This business was what kept the estates intact. Our business ranged from real estate to food and health care. But clients withdrawing their orders was a major loss.

"How far does the loss stand?", I asked drawing in a deep breath.
"A staggering four hundred crores, sir.", She mumbled.

I took a sip from my glass of water.
"Any specific reason for these withdrawals?", I asked, trying very hard to not panic.
"Not exactly. They said they got a better deal.", She said.

"Fine. Leave.", I stated as she immediately strode out.

Better deal? A new shark in the market?

"Sir, today's business magazine is here.", I heard the assistant again.
"Give it to me.", I said as she walked in with the magazine.
She placed it on my desk and left.

I looked at the cover casually.

Akhilesh Vohra.
The New Shark.

I stared at the man in a blue suit on the cover. He looked young. Maybe Leela's age, twenty five.
I picked up the magazine and opened his column.

Akhilesh Vohra : son of late Mithilesh Vohra has finally taken over his father's billion dollars empire.

I read through his so called biography regarding his foreign education, dead parents and estranged family.

Wow. Very similar, aren't we?

Until I read the last line.

"He is re-staring his business in Jodhpur with Mehta and Khurana groups."

I immediately snapped out.

My clients. My kingdom.

I drew in a sharp breath as I kept the magazine back on the desk.

I called for Santosh.

"What is it Rajaji?", He asked bowing.
"There's a new Prince in town wanting to take over my kingdom.", I said handing him the magazine.
"And?"

"I guess it's time for beast mode on."

•

Devika :

I finally stepped into the cafe. The Mercedes drove off from behind me.
Aviram had been extremely skeptical of me joining this since my feet hadn't healed completely.

But well, I knew how to convince the Beast.

Here I was, wearing a baby pink silk saree, matched with pearl and diamond jewellery.
I knew it was a bit too much for a casual reunion but apparently the Queen should look like one.

I strode down to the booked table.
There was no one yet.

Friends having pathetic sense of time. Why is this even shocking?

I sat back on the seat and heaved a sigh.
Aviram was extremely busy today, I had called him once only to recieve a text saying, "Busy, will call you later."

"Hello Ma'am!"

I heard the male voice from behind me.
I immediately stood up and turned.

Akhilesh Vohra stood before me, beaming.
I knew he was the hot boy from college, a typical backbencher who apparently was interested in his dead Dad's business and me.

He was handsome, no doubt. Black eyes, wavy black hair, donning a blue suit with white shirt. He had this chocolate boy kinda look, which girls found cute.
Yet, I never found him appealing enough.

Maybe I was always into morally grey men.

"Hello.", I said forcing a smile.

Where on earth is Naina?!

"It's been such a long time.. you-you even got married.", He said as he walked down to the table and took a seat opposite to me.

"Yes. Married.", I said clearly.

"I heard your husband forced you to marry him in the temple. Sounds kinda brutal.", He said sitting back casually.

"My husband and my marriage are not yours to comment, sir.", I snapped quite instantly.
I heard the chair beside me being pulled back.
Naina sat down from out of nowhere.
"Obviously it's brutal, Devika.", She said in a matter of factly tone.

"You know Akhil, I met her husband. Dude has got serious temper issues.", She said.

I drew in a sharp breath.

Is it normal to get triggered in a normal conversation?

I kept mum for a while because, this was reunion lunch and I was to remember good times with them.

"I know Aviram Raghuvanshi from business. He is the man with ethics. A little too ethical, I'd say. I recently took over a few deals from his company with business tact.", Akhilesh said as if it was some kind of a flex.

"Akhil buddy, you were the topper in your batch. Always knew you'd ace business.", Naina said grinning.

I took a sip of water from the glass before me.

"I hope you're not minding Devika.. I mean you wanting to hang on with Aviram makes sense. He's got ancestral wealth and you are Queen.", Akhilesh said.

"Why would she mind, Akhil? Obviously Devika hates him.. I mean who can love a man with that temper?", Naina said casually.

Control Leela. Control.

I inhaled a sharp breath and said,
"I do not hate him. He is my husband and I expect you both to talk respectfully of him."

Naina looked at me in confusion.

"The flag bearer of woman rights in college likes a misogynist who legit force married you? Are you okay?", Naina asked looking half amused.

"He is not a misogynist!", I snapped at her.

"Naina, shut up now!", Akhilesh said immediately. Naina looked at him and nodded with a sigh.
"We are sorry, Devika. We misinterpreted your relationship. We won't mention him anymore.", He said smoothly.

I forced a fake smile.
"Let's order something, shall we?", He said beaming.
I nodded.

The afternoon went by talking about college and fests. Neither of them mentioned Ram again.

I appreciated that.
As we stepped out Akhilesh showed up from behind me.

"I hope you're not angry anymore.", He said grinning awkwardly.
"Ah.. no. Not anymore.", I said smiling back.
"You know I'm restarting business here.. although you haven't had a business course, I would still like to give you a partnership offer.", He said.

I drew in a deep breath.

And I forced a smile.

"Thank you, but I don't take favours.", I said.
My car stopped before us.
"It's not a favour, I appreciate your qualities. It's an equal partnership.", He said.

"Thank you, but I will see.", Saying so I walked past him to the car.

•

I walked into my bedroom to find Aviram sitting on the bed with his laptop before him.
He was working busily. His suit was off, he wore a white shirt with his tie loosely around his neck and office trousers.

I kept my bag on the desk near and bed and walked down to him.

"Don't disturb me now, I have serious work.", He said, not even bothering to look up.

As if I care about your opinion. Huh!

I simply wrapped my arms around his body from behind, resting my chin on his shoulder.
For moments I noticed him getting agitated. Then he shut his eyes and relaxed.

"What has happened to my Beast ji today?", I asked making my voice sound cute and childish.
I say his lips, remotely hidden by his annoying moustache, curve into a smile.

I sat back on the bed releasing him. He turned to face me.

"Beast ji is having a messy day today.", He sighed.
I cupped his face, lovingly.
"Haww.. who annoyed my Beast baby?", I asked, enhancing my cute baby voice.

He smiled a little wider, amused.
He edged closer and pressed his lips to my forehead, softly kissing me.

Forehead kisses were so our thing.

"There's this new business man who is snatching my deals.", He said sighing.
"Then slander the rogue Prince, O King! Make him bite the dust with your sword!", I said dramatically.

He simply pulled me to his chest, hugging me tightly.

"I had no idea you could be this dramatic.", He said, grinning. I knew his eyes sparkled differently, his smile around me was wider.

A beast, who was so in love.

I hugged him tighter, inhaling his cologne.
I looked at the screen of his laptop.

He was searching about Akhilesh Vohra.

I abruptly remembered what Akhilesh himself had said.

"Beast ji.. I think I know this rogue Prince."

•••

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