Chapter - 13
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Vihaan ~
Had someone asked me what I wouldn't do for her happiness, I would have to embarrass myself and say nothing. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her, for this smile she was currently giving me as she caught me showering her with rose petals.
"Mr. Raichand, do you not care about the reputation you've maintained about yourself for so long? Do you really think they'll keep continuing to consider you the hawk of the court if they see this side of yours?" She whispered to me as we stood aside after greeting the bride and the groom.
I couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
"Then you will have to help me serve them a reminder in court of the reason why they call me that in the first place, you wouldn't mind that, will you Shivanya?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she turned her gaze back to the crowd, but I could see the soft blush coloring her cheeks.
"I know for a fact that you absolutely do not need my help for that sir. I might have not seen you in court that frequently but it doesn't mean that I haven't heard what you're capable of." She replied, her eyes still averted from me.
After that, as the festivities continued, we engaged with some potential clients. By the time we finally stepped away from the last group of potential clients, she had secured six new accounts for the firm, all without breaking a sweat. I had let her take the lead, wanting to see how she would handle the pressure, and she did not let me down.
"You were impressive tonight," I said as we found a quiet corner for a minute.
"Thank you sir and thank you for this chance." She smiled a bit and tossed her hair back looking away again, her fingers gliding through the silky strands, I found my gaze drawn to the graceful curve of her neck. The soft moonlight cast a delicate glow on her skin, highlighting the faint sheen of perspiration that had formed from the warmth of the night, and I swallowed hard, feeling an ache in my chest that was both sweet and agonizing.
It was a moment of pure, unadulterated torture—the kind that seeped into my bones, making me want to reach out and touch her, to feel the warmth of her skin beneath my fingertips, to trace the path that the moonlight had so delicately illuminated. But I held back.
"You've more than earned it," I said, my voice steady, but there was an edge to it, a weight that I knew she would feel, which I wanted her to feel.
For a split second, I could see that she would give me her smile but then it changed, her expressions changed.
"What is it that you want, Mr. Raichand? I don't understand! You only asked for me to be with you on that case so you could just play with me like this, or what? You got bored with the last woman you were with and decided that I was interesting enough for some reason?"
Leaving me flabbergasted was one of her hobbies but today, she left me confused as she walked away, leaving me stranded to my spot.
Shivanya ~
I was being dumb. Vihaan Raichand had said some questionable things in that conference hall the other day and here I was, in a wedding, blushing like a schoolgirl at his words. I should have known better.
"What is it that you want, Mr. Raichand? I don't understand! You only asked for me to be with you on that case so you could just play with me like this, or what? You got bored with the last woman you were with and decided that I was interesting enough for some reason?" The words slipped my tongue before I could even realise and walked away from him, as far as I could, not looking back at all.
For the rest hour, I somehow managed to avoid him and finally when the other guests had started to leave, I decided to make my way out too, trying to book a cab.
Five minutes away. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vihaan striding towards me, his expressions unreadable. My heart pounded in my chest. Running would be useless.
"What do you think you're doing, Shivanya?" His voice was low, edged with irritation. "I brought you here, and it's my responsibility to see you home safely."
"I'm not a child, Mr. Raichand," I snapped, refusing to meet his gaze. "I am perfectly capable of getting myself home."
"A cab is not safe at this hour," he argued, his tone firm. "You're coming with me."
"I am not," I retorted, standing my ground.
"Either you walk to the car, or I carry you, Shivanya. The decision is yours." He leaned back against the wall, his expression one of casual boredom, as if the matter was already settled. I could feel my blood boiling. Who did this man think he was? Why should I listen to anything he says? He had no right to control me or my decisions. I most certainly hadn't allowed him that liberty with me.
" Mr. Raichand, with all due respect, fuck off. I quit." I gave him the sweetest smile possible and started to walk ahead and I could feel anger flowing within my veins. I was so, so mad at him.
" Now that you have made your decision, I am going making mine." He spoke up again and before I knew it, I was thrown over his shoulders in a jiffy as a scream escaped my lips.
" Mr. Raichand you put me down right now! I don't exactly survive on salads and water! I am a pizza girl!" I tried to tell him but his whole body vibrated with laughter, hearing my words and I was shocked to say in the least.
" Not the first time you have told me this Miss Chopra." He said, still walking.
" Will you please put me down now?" I asked him but he refused and continued to walk.
"I told you, I quit," I insisted as we reached the parking lot, and he finally set me down beside his car. My feet hit the ground, but my legs felt unsteady beneath me.
"You can't quit, Shivanya," he said, his voice suddenly serious, all traces of humor gone. "It's in your contract to serve a six-month notice period before you can leave." His words were a reminder of the reality I had momentarily forgotten.
Fine. You'll find my notice first thing tomorrow morning sir," I replied, my tone sharp as he opened the car door for me. He stood there, waiting patiently for me to get in, his expression infuriatingly calm. I continued to glare at him, hoping he might back down, but that didn't happen. With a huff, I finally slid into the passenger seat, knowing full well that he wasn't going to let me go.
"You won't be quitting, Miss Chopra. If you think I'm going to let my best employee walk away, you're sorely mistaken." His voice was so smug, so confident, that it took every ounce of restraint not to reach over and punch that ridiculously handsome face.
"I'm not the best you have," I shot back. "There are so many better lawyers working for you." The truth stung a little as I said it, but it was the reality.
"You may not be the best lawyer yet, but you are the most hardworking one, Shivanya. I know that for a fact." His voice softened slightly, a sigh escaping his lips as if he was tired of arguing with me.
Sweet words, questionable intentions.
"What games are you trying to play with me, and why are you doing this, sir?" I demanded, my voice sharp as I glared at him. His eyes stayed on the road, his expression unreadable, but my words seemed to strike a nerve and without a word, he slowed the car to a stop and then looked at me.
"Playing with you? Got bored with the last woman I was with? Shivanya, the last woman I was with was three years ago because the moment I laid my eyes on you, there could not have been another woman. It was you, just you." His voice was steady, unwavering, and the confession left me stunned. I gasped, feeling the shock wash over me, but I quickly forced myself to regain composure.
"I don't believe you, not for a second. You're literally known for being a woman's man. You probably have a script for moments like this," I retorted, crossing my arms and refusing to meet his gaze, staring out the window instead.
"I'm not here to convince you, Miss Chopra. I'm here to make sure you get home safely." His tone was resolute as he focused back on the road, driving, but the weight of his words hung in the air between us.
"I'm quitting, even if it means I'll never work at any law firm again," I said, determination hardening my voice.
"No, you're not going to quit," he replied plainly, as if the matter were settled.
"You're overstepping boundaries, Mr. Raichand," I snapped, my frustration bubbling over.
"It was high time I did, Sunshine." He chuckled, a deep, maddening sound that only fueled my anger further.
Did he just call me Sunshine? Now is not the time to think about that Shivi!!
"What exactly are you trying to achieve here? If you think I'm like the other women who've thrown themselves at you, you're absolutely wrong. I have no intensions of sleeping with you," I fired back, hoping to rattle him.
But instead of anger, all I got was a full-throated laugh. Not a smirk, not a chuckle, but a genuine laugh that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Shivanya, you will eat those words when the time comes. I have never manipulated women to come to my bed; they have done so of their own free will." he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper as he leaned slightly closer, the car seeming smaller with the tension between us.
"Screw you," I muttered, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck.
"If you think I wanted you on that case because I'm interested in anything other than your skills, think again. You've got the best win numbers in the past two years, and your negotiation skills are unmatched. That's why you're worked that case with me," he said, his tone softening just a bit, but it only confused me more.
"Whatever this is..." I began, motioning between us, but he cut me off with another look.
"You're going to eat those words when you find out that you have me wrapped around your little finger, Sunshine," he murmured, his voice like velvet, and I could feel the confidence drain from my body, leaving me vulnerable to the weight of his words.
"Sure, sir. Sure, that's exactly what's going to happen," I mocked, trying to regain some ground, but my voice lacked conviction.
"Did you just throw a taunt my way Shivanya?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he focused on me again. briefly before looking at the road and I rolled my eyes, defiant.
"I did. What are you going to do? Fire me? Go ahead, sir," I replied, leaning back in my seat, challenging him.
He smirked before nodding his head as if he couldn't believe me.
"I'm going to make a wager, Shivanya. In the next ten days, when you run into my arms and look at me the way I look at you, you are going to accept me as yours, and on the eleventh day when I ask you to be mine forever, to marry me, you'll look into my eyes and say yes." he said with such ease that it took me a moment to register what he'd just said.
"I will come running into your arms? A wager? What do I get if I win? Because I know I will," I shot back, trying to match his confidence.
"What do you want, Sunshine?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"For you to accept my resignation," I replied without hesitation, the first thing that came to my mind.
"You got yourself a deal," he nodded, that infuriating smirk returning as if he already knew he was going to win. I mirrored his confidence because I knew I was going to.
"In a month, Miss Chopra, you'll be my wife," he said smugly.
"You're out of your mind but in ten days Mr. Raichand, I'll be packing my things and leaving your firm," I replied, my voice as firm as his, trying to dismiss his words, but deep down, a tiny spark of excitement ignited within me. The idea of winning a bet against him, of proving him wrong, was so appealing.
The car came to a stop right outside my building just as I had unbuckled the belt and was about to step out, he called my name out, stopping me.
"Shivanya you can try to keep this simple," he said, his words sinking into me, "but we both know that's not who you and I both are. We don't do simple. We don't do easy and I sure as hell don't walk away from what I want."
He wasn't backing down, and it terrified me how much I wanted to let him have his fair chance, to let myself be pulled into whatever this was. But I couldn't.
"I'm not afraid of complications," Vihaan continued, his voice dropping to a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. "What I am afraid of is losing you because I was too cautious, too afraid to take this risk. And I refuse to hesitate anymore when it comes to you, Shivanya."
"Goodnight Sir, I hope you see your therapist tomorrow." I find myself saying before getting out and slamming the door behind me, letting my legs carry me inside my home.
As soon as I was inside my apartment, I leaned against the door, my hand resting over my racing heart. The rush of adrenaline and the lingering warmth of his gaze made it difficult to calm down. I took a few steadying breaths, trying to regain some semblance of control.
"Vihaan Raichand wants to marry me? Me?" I asked to the empty house.
"Of course I am not going to run into his arms in ten days, why would I, right?"
I decided to go to bed, hoping that sleep would help me sort through my thoughts. But as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a wager. This was something real, something that could potentially change my life forever.
The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and determined. I had a plan. I was going to prove Vihaan Raichand wrong. I was going to show him that I didn't need him and that there was no way I was going to run right into his arms anytime soon or anytime, ever.
When I arrived at the office, I was greeted by a pleasant surprise. On my desk was a small bouquet of my favorite flowers, lilies, and a cup of coffee. Attached to the bouquet was a small note that read:
Good morning, Sunshine. I hope this brightens your day. See you soon.
- V.
I stared at the bouquet of lilies, the vivid white petals seeming almost too bright for the office. The note, simply signed "- V," brought a mixture of warmth and irritation. No matter how much I wanted to dismiss his gesture as part of his manipulative games, I couldn't deny that a part of me was touched.
With a sigh, I picked up the note and tucked it into my drawer, grabbing the coffee as I went to settle into my work. My mind was still racing from the previous night. I had to stay focused if I was going to prove Vihaan wrong. He thought he had me figured out, but I was determined to show him that I was not the kind of woman who would fall for his schemes.
The morning passed in a blur of meetings and paperwork, but a certain someone's presence loomed large in my thoughts. It was almost noon when I heard his unmistakable voice echoing through the office corridor. He was in his usual commanding tone, but it was the underlying note of amusement that caught my attention. I steeled myself as he walked into the open office area.
Vihaan's gaze locked onto me from across the room, and he gave me a slight nod. I tried to ignore him, focusing on the files in front of me, but I could feel his eyes on me, their weight as palpable as the heat of the coffee still warm in my hands.
As if on cue, he strode over to my desk. I could feel his presence before he even reached me, the air around him crackling with his usual assertiveness.
"Morning, Miss Chopra," he greeted with a smile, leaning against the edge of my desk. "Sleep well?"
I glanced up, forcing a neutral expression. "Morning, Mr. Raichand. Yes, I slept fine. How was your night?"
"Oh, it was quite eventful," he replied, his smile widening. "I had a lot to think about." He said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to suppress a smile that threatened to break free. "You're confident, I'll give you that. But remember, I'm not backing down either."
His eyes sparkled with mischief. " I am counting on it, I did tell you about my love for challenges now, did I not?"
"Just because you love them doesn't mean you'll win them all sir. I don't like to lose." I said, tilting my head a little upwards to look at him, show him that I love to win.
He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "We'll see about that, Sunshine."
I rolled my eyes, "Stop calling me that sir!."
All he did was chuckle, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "Sunshine suits you, Miss Chopra. Your smile lights up the room, even when you're trying to hide it."
A silly warmth spread through me as he spoke and laughed and I looked away, lucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear before focusing back on the file before me, ignoring his lingering gaze on me before he finally left me alone, allowing me to work.
Shivanya's Look ~
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