' Friend'

Nia

My buttocks had become sore from sitting in one place for hours. My back aches badly from the posture I was holding of a noble woman.

As my mother's saying, a good woman with the right upbringing knows how to sit properly.

Everything could be erased but not her lesson that I got since child on 'How to Act Elite'

I sighed out loud, their murmurs and shriek laughs already falling into deaf ears.

This meeting was taking longer than I thought. I had to meet with Adil today anyhow.

The papers I had to submit to the DM office could take weeks to process. But, thanks to Adil he said he will gladly run around the office plus he works there so it could take a few days if needed.

My deal with Raj Uncle was like the easiest thing I could do, all I had to show was my money. I paid him more than Viraj had offered and Uncle gladly took it without any hesitation.

Money is the strongest power a person can hold.

And I knew the moment I took a step inside the glamorous mansion that once I abandoned, my life would be doomed.

Because in order to get the power, one must sacrifice something dearest.

I sacrificed my choice to live as I want.

Being the only heiress to the Arora family, I was trained by my mother since childhood to act modestly. But that cost me my childhood and my innocence.

All my mother cared for was my character development as the heiress, she wanted a daughter that could stand strong and hold authority.

I could tell one thing, she wanted a son all along.

"Since it's been decided, we should take a leave." Mr. Malhotra said with a genuine smile. I noticed one thing since they entered, his wife doesn't speak much. Contrary to my mother, she's soft spoken and doesn't at all interact in business talks.

"Sure!" Mom and Dad got up, and in cue I too did the same.

I sighed and my gaze travelled to Viraj. He was silent too, but he seemed relaxed as if they weren't discussing our life changing decision.

He eyed me and tilted his head a bit. I frowned at his weird behaviour. He did it again. Again! And Again.

Is he telling me something?

"Uncle, can I talk to Nia..uh..Nilema. Just a few seconds."
Viraj spoke after clearing his throat, Dad was about to speak when mom interrupted him.

"Sure beta. Go on."

Does she have to speak? Now?

Viraj opened the door and waited for me to walk.

I huffed at his marvellous acting and walked straight out without glancing back. Once I heard the door being locked I breathed out exhausted by keeping my act.

"What do you want?" He asked me with utter frustration laced with slight anger.

"I told you, I don't want anything."

"Are you doing this intentionally to me?"

I frowned at him, he had a smirk plastered on his face. He leaned on the arms that were supporting his body, his other hand in his pocket.

"I mean, women throw themselves on me. I could understand pretty much why you would agree to marry me." He said arrogantly.

I swear if it wasn't for this place I would kick his head off his body.

"I am not interested in you at all in general." He didn't even budge from his place. "Move. I had to go to places unlike you."

I swiftly walked past him and went to my family who was now bidding their final good-bye to the Malhotra family.

"Uncle." I mentally rolled my eyes. When will this torture end? All the eyes were on Viraj now since he spoke right after I reached near them.

"If you don't mind, can I drop Nilima off? Actually we were discussing something." He said with confidence whereas my eyes went wide as saucers.

"Sure! Sure! This young generation's kids are faster than light." Dad chuckled and so did everyone.

Mom came close to me and whispered in a slightly stiff tone. " Behave nicely like I taught you. You didn't forget those lessons when you lived in that rathole, Right?"

I nodded hurriedly, suppressing the tears from spilling out. My gut twisted and churned and the need to puke intensified.

"Let's go."

Viraj held my hand and grabbed me with him. I let him drag me, a part of me relieved as I don't have to pretend anymore.

I could be me around him.
______
Viraj

I grabbed her and made her sit in my car, she was silent all along and didn't even fight me.

After settling myself I drove off from the building and from the sight of old hags.
The silence was too loud and uncomfortable. I glanced at her again and again. She was too immersed in some other world.

Might be too happy to ruin my life!

I clenched the steering wheel so tightly that even my knuckles turned white.

"Well?" I said loudly that she jerked up from her seat. She looked taken aback and suddenly realised her situation, I guess.

"You scared me."
She said, gasping a bit.

"You should be." I mumbled and a deep frown appeared on her forehead. "Nevermind. I guess our talk is finished either way. You won't back off from this so let's jump in hell together."

"If you have so much to complain than you back off." She shrugged as if it's not a big deal.

"I.WILL.NOT."

She again shrugged and looked out from the window.

"Take me to the Rise and Shine Cafe. I need to see a friend." She said without looking at me. I clenched my jaws at her nonchalant behaviour.

Does she take me for her driver? 

"I am not your driver"

"Well, you said you'd drop me off. If you have a problem you can drop me off here I will take a cab."

I didn't answer her, just pushed the pedal with full force, glaring at the poor cars in front of me.

We didn't talk afterwards, not until I parked my car in front of the cafe. The people were giving us looks and ogled shamelessly at my Bugatti, yup it's worth a stare.

Or is it her?

I admit that she's looking ravishing in that white knee length dress. I bet she turns every man's head around, Including me.

"Call her. I will be here" I announced leaning over my car. She stopped midway through scrolling her phone and stared right at me. All of her focus was on me now, she blew the hair from her face and started in a deadly tone.

"Why will you be waiting for me?"

"Cause I said to your father I will drop you off." I mimicked her and glared back at her with the same intensity. She rolled her eyes and sighed in defeat.

It's just a tiny bit of a sample of what it will be like living with me. I hope she enjoys it!
I snickered at the mere thought.

"Whatever, He's here."

She was about to take a step when I grabbed her wrist. Not tightly but in a firm grasp. No way is she running from me without a proper answer.

Did she just said 'he'

"Did I heard 'He'?"

"Yeah?"

Oh! So she got a 'boyfriend'. Hell then she should be ruining his life instead of me. Wait a minute! What if I blackmailed her into backing off from the marriage thing.

"Who's he? I bet your father knows about your 'friend'. "
I emphasised the word friend and smirked. She got busted.

Nia clicked her tongue in annoyance and glared at me with a newfound fire.

"For your information my father knows about him. My father himself asked me to give him a visit to handle the paperwork."

She willingly ran the words longer and emphasised more on each word. 

Dammit! he's just for work.

I frowned, disappointed at the failed plan that I didn't even get to execute. Why am I wasting my time?

"So he works for you and your father?"

"No.He doesn't work for us. He's a government employee. Why?" She said with a hint of proudness.

I snickered and held back a laughter that was bubbling to burst out.

A government employee!

And she's proud of her friend. Oh boy he must be double her age. A mid-thirty-something, half bald man with a huge belly ready to burst out from the shirt, filled my mind. I barely make the laugh die down in my stomach without rolling on the floor.

"Nothing. Are all of your friends old hags?" I said after taking a few breaths to calm myself.

"At least he isn't a jerk and a total douchebag."

The words went straight to my head. She was about to walk off but I grabbed her arm. She struggled in my grasp and as expected she threw punches at me.

But those punches were no match to my well built body-

The sound of knuckles cracking and a gasp was the only sound I heard before my neck twisted with force.

I hissed and grabbed my jaw.

"Oh my God!" Nia shrieked and that's when I opened my eyes to see a person standing protectively in front of Nia, like a stud.
An old-fashioned geezer, same height as me, well build frame, and ready to throw another punch. 

As if.

I clenched my fist and was ready to throw punches at him but a tiny body came in between and stopped me.
Good thing Nia saved his ass from getting kicked, I huffed the air out, ready to let it slide.
But he had to add an extra lumpy dialogue, getting on my nerves.

"Don't you dare touch her."

As if.

******______******

** Not Edited**

So what do you think?

Adil her best friend made *dramatic* entry in the story. And he DEFINITELY knows how to throw A punch

And for my dear readers, I love y'all. I really appreciate.