I woke up at what I assume was 6:30AM but my room was dark due to the black curtains. I like black, and the darkness of life even though I hate the dark in general. It might sound complicated, but it makes sense in my head. I know I am twisted that way. I went into my bathroom, brushed my teeth, shaved and had a quick shower. I wanted to look neat and presentable for my video conference with the CEO of New Corp Inc., Luke. I went into my closet room and found a tailored black suit. I decided to wear that one with a black tie and a white shirt. I got ready in under 30 minutes, so I went back to my bedside to get my phone and check if I had any reminders or messages. Alarmingly, I saw 57 missed calls and 10 recorded messages from different members of my staff. I played the last one from my CFO "Manik Sir, where are you? We are all very worried! Luke called us and left a message that you missed your conference call. His staff also sent messages. We have been trying to contact you for the past seven hours." 

Wait, WHAT! Seven hours? Thats when I checked the time on my phone screen. It was 2:37 PM! I was unable to believe it, I checked my wall clock and my desk clock and all of them had the same time 2:37PM. I never oversleep. Whatever time I go to bed, I wake up by 6:30. What happened to me? Why did I sleep so much during the day and that too on such an important day. I exited my room and noticed that Nandini was nowhere to be seen. I called Luke to apologize for missing the call, but he wasn't answering. It was probably too early in the morning for him. This has never happened before, and I was stressed and worried. The deal with New Corp Inc. was huge for Malhotra Industries. I cannot let it go, because I overslept! I walked towards my wine rack. I like to drink half a glass of wine in the morning. Some people like coffee, but I like my wine and now I desperately needed the wine. As I was walking towards my wine rack, I noticed two mugs on the kitchen counter. The cook starts work later today and I don't drink coffee. Maybe Nandini made some for herself before disappearing. Then why were there two mugs? I wanted to explore further, so I went to where the coffee mugs were washed and kept. Nearby I saw a medicine bottle, which was not mine for sure. From what I know of her (through the information my team dug up) she doesn't take any prescription drugs. I turned the bottle and read "Sleeping Pills." Now I had my answers. That devil, that hellcat drugged me and made me miss the most important meeting/ conference of my life. She will have to pay for what she has done. I will not let her get away with this. Nandini, you will have to face the real Manik Malhotra, soon.  I will torture you till the last day of this marriage, and thats a promise. 

Just as I was thinking of ways to ensure she stays under my control, I got a call from my dear mother, Nyonika Malhotra. Dad and her separated a few years ago after that incident and somehow I managed to get the best of the divorce. Dad decided to give me his business and retire. Nyonika continues to try to regain my loyalty after what happened. I grew up in a household infested with lies, betrayal and lust for money, so you can imagine how she tries to do that. Its not me that she wants in her life, its the money, power and prestige that comes along with being associated with Malhotra Industries she really craves for. Well, S.P.A.C.E Academy is technically a part of Malhotra Industries, but its not our primary money making business. I don't see anything wrong with her intentions being a business oriented person myself, but its just that I cannot forgive her...

"Manik, please don't hang up, I might have something of interest for you." She said on the phone. "What do you want in return Nyonika?" I asked her sticking to the point. " I need a few papers signed by your dad. " She said as usual. "Nyonika, I am that foolish child you knew to keep doing as you say." I retorted. "Its about a girl called Nandini Malhotra who walked into S.P.A.C.E claiming to be related to you. Going by her last name, I think you might have hooked up some prostitute and given her your surname." My blood boiled. How dare she, the filthy Nyonika after everything that she has done,  use such terms do describe the most innocent girl I know, Nandini. Nyonika has had enough. "Nyonika, just shut up. One more word against Nandini, and you are done forever. Get it?" I screamed angrily.  " I haven't heard you sound this angry since that day, and all this rage for calling some random girl a prostitute" She said. I was fuming, but her words made sense to me. Why on earth was I getting so worked up about how Nyonika called that hellcat especially after what she did to me. "What information do you have about her" I asked Nyonika to which she said "She has joined S.P.A.C.E." The perfect place to take revenge... thats where I was myself, and now its time to show Nandini that side of me. " I will get your papers signed." I informed Nyonika before hanging up. 

Nandini came back home at around 3PM. I was mildly happy that she was safe and found her way back in a new city. Going by all the news around us, its not that safe, especially in a city you just set foot in. Just as I was thinking good things about her, she had the audacity to ask me "How was your meeting?"  Seriously! Like she didn't know already after she drugged me! Let her think that her plan failed, why should I give her the satisfaction of winning this round between us. "It went well. Thank you for breakfast." I said remembering the events of the morning before I went into the induced deep slumber. "I am not sure if I mentioned earlier, but I especially enjoyed drinking the coffee you made. After today, I think I am going to shift from drinking wine to coffee in the morning. Make some for me every morning." 

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I will be travelling this week and will not have internet connection, so I will update Timeless also by tomorrow night. 

What to look forward to...

*Nandini's first week at S.P.A.C.E

*Manik's revenge plot

*Surprise admission in S.P.A.C.E (Keep guessing and let me know!) 

Bye for now, enjoy reading and have a great week! Will be back with a bang next week and thats a promise. 😘

MaNanonymous