Dedicated to @neharika21sharma for the push :)

Ananya.

I opened my eyes and watched the ceiling.

Aryan dropped me back home yesterday. He even waited until I got Lucky from Nita's Place.

I insisted him to leave me at Nita's place but he forced me to go with him.

What made me bothered and uneasy is his words.

.........................

The car stopped in front of my house and Aryan came around to open the door for me while I was holding a still sleeping Lucky in my hand.

I stepped out and looked at him.

"I hope we will not meet again, Aryan, Please keep your word," I said.

"Do you want to stop here like this?" He asked back. "He caused you so much pain and you are willing to forget all of that?" he asked back.

We stared at each other's eyes.

"I have my son to protect," I said. "I like a quiet life," I added.

"Lakshya is a Niranjan, Ananya, Do you really think you can keep him as a secret?"

"He's my son, I intend to keep it that way," I raised my voice slightly and wrapped my hands around Lucky in defence.

"Jay will start looking for you, Now that he's back, it's only a matter of time-"

"No!" I exclaimed.

I can't even imagine him finding out about Lucky, I am scared.

"Ananya, the only person who can help you is me, you can come for my help whenever you need, I am more than ready to get back at Jaydev, think about it, you went through a lot of trouble because of him, This is your perfect chance to get back at him."

"No thanks, I am not interested in your game, Aryan," I said sternly. "In life, there are more things than getting back at the people you hate," I said firmly.

Aryan's eyes pierced to me and I tried hard not to flinch.

He took a step forward. "Things like what?" He asked me. "Like the way you are living now?" He asked me harshly.

"My life is messed up, Yes, But I have Lucky with me and I am happy with that," I said.

"What are you going to do when Jay finds you?"

"He will not!"

"As I said, It's only a matter of time," He said.

"Why did you take me to meet him today as your fiancée then!?" I asked back. "He will know that it's a lie," I said.

Aryan nodded his head.

"Sooner or later, Jay will find out, He will find out about his son too, Ananya, You better decide now, You don't actually have a choice, If you want to protect him, The only way is to work with me." He said confidently.

"I will protect my son my own way, Aryan, Let's not meet again," I said and walked to the house without any backward glance.

............

I shook my head.

No, I shouldn't get manipulated by Aryan's words...

Work with him? Ha! Like I am crazy enough to sell my soul to the devil!

"Mamma..."

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Lucky.

He was sitting on the bed near me and watching me curiously. He was still dressed in baby pyjamas and I smiled warmly.

"Are you sick, Mamma?" he asked me and placed his right hand to feel my forehead and put his other hand on his own face.

I took his hand lovingly.

"I am okay, Lucky," I told him.

Even though he is only 3 years old, he often surprises me.

He still looked doubtful and I sat up and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Mamma!" He said, trying to wiggle away from my grip as he guessed what I am going to do.

"I just want some energy..." I said in a haunting voice. He squealed and started to run away.

I wrapped my hands around him and pulled him back to me. Lucky laughed and I kissed him on both of the cheeks.

"Recharged!" I said and he stopped struggling.

I fell back to the bed and looked at the ceiling.

That's right, I should not get stuck in the past, I have my son to protect.

But now that he's back-

No, I can't think of him, I cannot let him find me too...

I have already blocked his contact number.

"Mamma, You are not well," Lucky said in his cute little voice and I turned to him.

I stilled as I watched his eyes... I am looking into Jay's eyes.

I always knew that Lucky looks more like Jay.

"I will stay back and take care of you," He told me.

"Mamma is really fine, I will take you to the school before I leave for work," I said.

He is going to the nearby play school.

"Can I not go to school?" He pouted.

I smiled.

"Your friends will be waiting for you," I said.

Normally he loves playing with his friends.

"Mamma," He said slowly. "I...I..."

I looked at him and he stopped. "Okay," He nodded his head.

"That's my boy!" I wrapped my hands around him and gave him another kiss on the cheek.

I frowned when I saw him looking not very happy.

"Is something wrong, Lucky?" I asked him.

"No," he said quickly.

I looked at him suspiciously.

"Promise?" I stretched out my pinky.

"Promise, Mamma," He said.

Aryan.

I hit the punchbag continuously when Tom, the gym caretaker watched me in silence.

I was sweating and panting like never before, I felt my energy draining from my limbs slowly.

"Aryan," I heard Ashok, My 'temporary PA'.

He is in his late forties and worships my dad.

What does he want so early in the morning?

I turned around and took the towel offered by Tom and started to wipe away my sweat.

"Your dad is angry about firing Pranay."

"Pranay? Who's that?" I asked.

He sighed.

"Your Sales Manager," He said.

I remembered the guy who was begging on his knees and eventually knocked out by me in the boxing ring.

"Oh, the traitor" I nodded. "Surely you are not here about him early in the morning?" I asked back.

"Aryan, Your father is really angry-"

"Tell me something new," I shrugged and started to walk back.

"He was an efficient one, He has a lot of connections with our clients."

"So what? He betrayed me and I fired him."

"Aryan-"

"And since you are already here, Tell my dad that I am the CEO of the company, I was elected with Majority's vote and I have a say in this matter," I said. "He may be the principle holder and the chairman, But it's me who takes decision for the board directors and the company," I added. "Firing that measly little traitor is nothing, I will find someone to fill the post soon," I walked back.

I pressed the button and waited for the elevator.

"We already shortlisted the candidates for your PA position, Do you want to look at the resume?" Uncle Ashok told me as he followed me to the elevator.

I have had more than a dozen PAs already, each time I get rid of one, they will find me a new one.

Uncle Ashok is the replacement PA whenever my assistants are fired.

"You must have already selected the person, Why should I even bother?" I said. "I am sure my dad would have already checked the resume," I added.

Translation; The PA posts are filled by my dad's spies.

I pressed the button "P" and the lift started to go up.

"Not everyone is sent by your Dad, Aryan." Uncle Ashok said. "Some were sincerely looking forward to filling the post and you drove everyone out," He said.

"Really?"

I chuckled and turned to him.

"Uncle Ashok, You are the biggest Spy My dear father sent to 'take care' of me, I know it, Do you know why I am keeping you close?" I asked and he looked at me in shock. "Because even if I turn to a monster in front of you, You cannot reveal it to the outside world because you already know how my father treated the people who have found out, Right?" I gave him a look and walked out of the elevator as I reached the penthouse.

My penthouse apartment is situated on the top floor of the company building.

Below me is the gym floor complete with a boxing ring, My favourite place in the building.

Ashok looked speechless as he walked with me inside the apartment.

I opened the door to my study and took the settee chair while Uncle Ashok lowered himself to the opposite side.

"So, What's it? So early in the morning?" I asked.

"Your Father wants to collaborate with Phoenix group," He said slowly. "We will be the strongest group in Asia if that happens," He said.

Phoenix group is a leading clothing brand for women while we are the biggest suppliers of Men's clothing and accessories.

"Whoa!" I said. "That's a really good plan," I said. "But tell my dad that I don't want a phoenix for a wife," I added. "Tell him to forget it."

Yes, That's right, I am already aware that my father is trying to use me. He wants me to get married to the heiress of the Phoenix group.

He was trying to set me up with her for a long time now, He even arranged a blind date once when I was in college.

Yea, I will marry her, Over my dead body!

The last thing I want now is to grant my dad more power by marrying his business partner's daughter.

"Aryan, think about it, It will do you good too, You will be-"

"Uncle Ashok, If there's nothing else, You can leave,"

"But-"

"I will see you from the company," I said and pointed my hand outside.

He took a breath.

"What about the resume? Are you sure that you don't want to check it out?"

"Ask him to join as soon as possible," I shrugged. "I don't have time to deal with resumes..." I added.

Whatever I do, I am sure that it will be my father's spy who is joining. Ashok took a deep breath and walked out, apparently displeased at my irresponsible behaviour.

I have more important things to do.

A certain someone is back and I have to make sure that he is taken care of "well".

I remembered my conversation with Ananya yesterday.

I really can't understand her, She is still puzzling me, Why can't she just join me and get her revenge?

I was deep in thought when my phone started to ring.

"Yes, Anita?" I attended the call. It was my secretary.

"Sir, I got a call from New York," She said. "Harshan sir said about some issues about renewing our contract," she said.

"What!" I was instantly angry. "The five-year contract is going to end soon, I don't want some other brand to replace us!" I said.

"I know, I already sent Harshan sir the new contract last week," She said.

Harshan is my cousin brother who deals with the overseas business.

"Okay, I will contact him," I disconnected.

Looks like I will need to visit him...again.

Jay.

I took the coffee cup and walked to the end of the room and looked down the glass wall of my hotel room. It was only 8 o'clock in the morning, but the city was buzzing with life already.

My phone started to ring and I take it out. I narrowed my eyes at the screen.

It was Aryan's dad; the last person I am expecting a call from.

"Hello?" I attended.

"Jay, I heard you are back," He said.

Yea, I am back, what do you want from me?

"Yea..." I said slowly.

"I need to talk to you about something, drop by my office when you are free."

"I don't think Aryan will be too happy to see me there,"

"It's something important," he said.

Of course...

"And Aryan is not here, It will take a few days for him to come back," he added.

My heart dropped.

Aryan already left!?

My insides turned unpleasantly.

"Okay, what do you want me to do?"

"I will explain everything directly when you are here, Aryan will be back when he has renewed the contract with the-"

"Renew the contract? What do you mean?" I asked. "Is he not going to Paris?"

"Paris? What for?" his dad sounded confused.

No way...

Don't tell me...

"What about Aryan's engagement?" I asked slowly.

There was complete silence at the other end for a moment.

"I am surprised that you already know about it," He said and my hope was crushed again. "you know him, he outrightly told me that he doesn't want to get married to anyone that is related to Pheonix group, He thinks I am using him for my benefit!" he added.

Which, I am sure, is true.

But more than that, I just realised something else.

Aryan is not engaged to Ananya!? His dad is trying to get another proposal for him!

"Thank you, Uncle!" I said. "I will surely drop by soon," I disconnected the call before he could say anything and lowered myself to the settee.

I was moping around for at least four days now, thinking about Aryan and Ananya.

The bastard! He was lying...

Now that I think about it, it's exactly like how Aryan will take his revenge. He knows what to do to hurt me...

For some reason, it brought a small smile to me.

Aryan Kashyap, I am glad that you haven't changed.

I looked around the messy room that was covered in beer bottles and wine glasses.

Okay, you managed to drive me crazy, but let me get back at you now...

I took my phone and opened it again.

"Jay, Come back to the academy,"

A simple message from my Dad.

I ignored it and scrolled down.

"Why are you not picking up your calls? You were back for 5 days and you don't want to visit us?"

The voice note was from Mom.

"Why are you staying at the hotel when you have a house and your family waiting for you here? Your grandma is angry with you" She said.

"Sorry Mom, I will visit both of you soon..."

I send back another voice note. It's always safe to send them messages instead of calling, or I know that they will start nagging me.

I opened the contacts and reached a particular one.

Anya...

I had resisted the temptation to dial her number the last couple of days.

I pressed the button.

The call didn't connect.

Very well... I will find you, Anya...

Sheetal Varma.

I swung the racquet and hit the ball again. There is nothing gratifying than a game of squash when you are irritable.

I could still here Maggy's voice in my head.

"Your Mom doesn't like this proposal, she thinks Kashyap sir is trying to force his crazy son on you," My maid said. "She thinks we can collaborate with the Kashyaps by other means, not through a marriage,"

I hit the ball harder.

"Who was stupid enough to bother you today?" I heard Gautam but didn't turn around.

"You have a package," He said again and that got my attention.

I hit the ball on last time and collapsed to the ground, Panting.

Gautam sits near me and I took the package from him.

"What's this mysterious package you get from time to time?" he asked me.

"I am... keeping an eye on my future husband," I said.

"Whoa! Who's the guy?" He asked me.

"Curiosity kills the cat," I said and got up.

Five minuted later, I was in my room in the academy.

I opened the envelope and arranged the photos across the table.

Aryan, Jay and Ananya from their college reunion party.

I sighed.

They are going in circles again, I need to step in, I cannot stay back anymore.

I took the next picture and grind my teeth.

Aryan is helping her to the car.

Why can't she just take care of herself? And Jay... What a moron he is to let his girl be guided by others!

My eyes snapped to Aryan again.

Well... it's time for me to break this love triangle for once and for all.

The very next day, I filled the application form and reached the department head.

"Sheetal?" Coach looked at me in surprise. "You just want to be a bodyguard!?" he looked surprised. "You are one of our best students and has a lot of potentials, I think you can work in the internal affairs of government branches like crime unit or-"

"I would like to Join Kashyap industries, Sir," I said firmly.

"I think it's a waste of your time,"

"I already thought it through, I want this post," I said.

He looked at me and I looked back.

"I guess I can't change your mind," he stated and I nodded.

"I should warn you well then, It's a post for their CEO Aryan Kashyap. He is notorious for firing his assistants one after another, he is rude and difficult to get along," he gave me the information I already have on him.

"I still want to try my luck, sir," I said.

He nodded slowly.

"I will prepare a recommendation letter."

When I moved out of his room, Gautam, my fellow trainer plus friend, was waiting for me.

"Aryan Kashyap, huh?" He asked me and I turned to him in surprise.

He smiled, "don't get hurt and come back here safely, Even though Aryan Kashyap is perfect in every sense, he has a bad reputation with firing his PAs..."

"Coach already gave me a recommendation letter,"

"If it's too difficult, Come back here," He said and I smiled.

"I am planning to stay, Gautam," I said. "Aryan Kashyap will have a hard time getting rid of me," I added.

That's right... I am not just anyone... I am the heiress of the Phoenix group.

I can beat all life challenges and defeat hardships... Just like the Phoenix bird.

I can win over anything, even if it is the infamous Aryan Kashyap...

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