I knew Karthik was waiting for me to get up so we could leave, but the problem standing proud in my pants made it impossible for me to even shift on my seat. I buttoned my blazer and crossed my knee over the other, waiting for it to go down.

"Sir?", He leaned down to whisper. I could sense confusion in his voice.

"Hmm?", I feigned innocence.

"Aren't we leaving?", He asked and I just shrugged. Fuck! I was never in this kind of embarrassing situation before. What am I suppose to do now? I can't just get up and walk out, the tent in my pants is visible to naked eyes.

"Go ahead, I'll come soon.", I said to him avoiding his dubious gaze. He nodded hesitantly before walking out.

"Are you waiting for me, Mr. Raichand?", A gentle voice pulled my gaze upwards and I saw Lavanya frowning at me.

"No.", I said and continued drumming my fingers along the smooth surface of mahogany table to pass my time.

"You can tell me if you've something to say.", She said as she moved along the side of table, her feet approaching me. Is she mentally unstable to get the gist of my words. Why the heck can't she leave me alone!?

"Nothing, Miss. Mehrotra. You may leave.", I forced out as the hard on started straining against my pants. Oh fuck you Rivaah! I'll definitely get you back on this!

"I really don't ge- Ah!"

I closed my eyes in embarrassment. I feel completely humiliated right at this moment. Can't this girl keep her eyes to herself! Damnit, Rivaah! Look what you did.

"Oh my God. I'm sorry.", She staggered back. Her cheeks flushing red as she breathed heavily.

I clenched my jaw.

"Is that because of me?", She asked lowering her gaze down to the floor.

Oh well, this is all that was missing! I resisted the urge to slam my face against the flat surface of table.

"No, Miss. Mehrotra. Now please leave!", I said petulantly.

"I really don't get why you're trying so hard? I mean, it is a visible proof that you do like me!", She said pointing at my crotch. I shifted awkwardly. She cleared her throat after understanding how obscene her action looked. "Fine. I can understand your situation right now. But at least I've a hope now.", I wanted to scoff at her face and scream my guts out but I shackled my temptations and just avoided looking at her.

When she left, I exhaled heavily before dropping my head on the table.

Think, Kabir.

Think about something gross and you'll be all fine.

I remembered how I once tried to have that type of thoughts for my best friend when I failed to feel attraction towards women after my accident. May be that will help again? I tried to imagine myself with him and I was ready to puke. Luckily I was free of the hard on and sighed.

Getting up, I straightened my back and nodded.

You'll definitely pay for this, Dove.

Once in my office, I dived back into the pending work. It was an hour later when Karthik came with my coffee.

"Sit down, Karthik. I've something to talk to you.", I said and he stared at me for a short moment before taking seat on one of the chair arranged across my desk.

"Yes, Sir? Anything important?", He queried leaning ahead.

"What do you think about starting up a new business?", I asked as I inclined back.

He seemed to be thinking for a moment before nodding slowly. "Whatever you do, it has always been a success.", He said with an encouraging smile.

"I know. But I'm not planning to overtake someone else's business. Something new. Of my own.", I said and his brows furrowed together.

"I don't get it, sir. You mean, you want to set up your own business. Separate from Raichand Industries?", I nodded at his doubtful speculation. He gasped softly before pursuing his lips. "May I ask why?", He asked, as if afraid of angering me.

"Whatever one may say, I know I'm not the rightful owner of Raichand Industries. This heritage, it belongs to Aarav and Ahana. And after them, to their kids. But what about Reyansh? Aarav was understanding and he loves me, so for him giving up on something so precious isn't a matter of concern. But his kids? Of course they'll have problem with this. And I don't want my son to carry the same guilt on his shoulders. Fortunately, now Aarav is on his deserved position. And I want him to stay there permanently. But for my son, I want to build something strong and unbreakable. I want to give him the monarchy of his own to rule. An entire empire belonging to him and only him. Something that I'll be proud to pass on to my son. That yes, I made it and now I'm giving it to you.", I said out my thoughts aloud. This was in my mind even before I remembered everything related to my past. The day when I learnt about my adoption and Reyansh said that he's mine even if I've nothing of my own, I knew the moment that my son deserves the world and nothing can stop me from laying it by his feet.

"I don't think senior Mr. Raichand will like this. And your mother, she'll be hurt.", He said, highlighting the point of my concern that's been bugging me since I thought about it.

"I know, Karthik. I know. But I don't want Reyansh to think that he's snatching someone else's belonging. The conflicts I've faced, I don't want him to go through the same.", I sighed, twirling the fountain pen between my fingers.

"I understand your point, sir. And believe me if I was in your position, I would have thought the same. Feeling like this is inevitable.", He agreed with me.

"I'm really thinking of going ahead with this. Should I?", I asked.

"Since when do you have doubts about self-made decisions, Sir?", He chuckled. "But starting from scratch may suck you off everything. Along with the money.", He added ceremoniously.

"I've earned enough. All my paychecks has always been saved in bank accounts. I've never used a penny of it. But now that I've a family to take care of, I think it's high time I make use of them.", I said sitting straight.

"Well, what are you planning then?"

"Cosmetics. Safe and I know profit will be knocking on the door within a year. When I first started working alongside Dad, he had always made me handle troubles related to our cosmetics production and marketing. I can do well there. And once the money starts flowing, I'll slowly enter in other fields.", I said and his brows shot raised.

"You say as if it's a piece of cake.", He shook his head.

"Don't you believe me?"

"I do, sir. Just one word and I'll follow you. Don't worry about that. I'm just scared. Already you've many problems to tackle and with this along, things may take a rough turn. You've just remembered everything, and adding onto so much stress already may not be in our profit.", He said, concern and worry creaming his gentle tone.

"I understand your point. But I'm already five years late. Any more delay and this may get out of hand.", I said as I got up and sat down on couch to relax a little. He turned the swiveling chair, facing me now.

"So, what after this?"

"Get into contact with Aaryan Vashisth. We'll need his help.", I said and he nodded curtly before getting up. "Also Karthik-", he stopped and waited for my next order. "Get whereabouts of Ishaan Malhotra. It's time that we end this chapter for good.", I said and he nodded before walking out.

I went back to my seat to resume work. Relaxing should not be in my dictionary right now.

I just hope everything goes according to my calculations. I already have a plan laid out in my brain and if Mr. Vashisth agrees, further process will be smooth and clean. The only problem is Mom and Dad. I've a gist that Dad is planning to make Reyansh the heir of Raichand Industries, and although that makes me happy beyond belief, I know it's not right. I can't be selfish anymore. Previously I thought to do this anonymously, but I've betrayed my close ones countless times and I'm not up for the same mistake again.

All I can do now is hope and not consider my devil side suggestions. They had always landed me in mass of mess.

My phone rang, thus breaking the chain of my thoughts. Grabbing the device, I sat alarmed noticing Taila's name flashing on the screen.

"Daddy!", The little bundle of joy in our house yelled.

I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Yes, Champ. What is so important that you couldn't wait until I come home?", I asked in a cooing voice.

"I- I wanna wear the new shoes that Mommy brought for me but I don't know where they are. I asked her but she said; you won't get them until your old ones are worn out.", He said and I imagined him placing his hand on hip, trying to mimic his mommy in the best way possible. Oh how I wish to see my sweet little pie right now.

"She said that?", I asked faking a gasp.

"Yes! Can you believe it? She's getting so strict nowadays. I mean, earlier my pout used to work on her, but now, all she does is roll her eyes at me. When she self- porclaims that rolling your eyes are bad manners!", He panted after rambling all that out.

"You mean proclaimed. Not porclaimed.", I corrected his small mistake. But I was proud of him for using such big words at this age.

"Yeah. Por-Pr- same!", He deadpanned and I laughed.

"What do you want, sweetheart? Tell me and I'll bring it for you.", I said gently.

"Really?", He squealed.

"Yeah.", I breathed out.

"A minute please.", He said before I heard some shuffling. "Okay, write it down, Daddy.", He said and I frowned but nonetheless opened the note pad on my glowing laptop screen. "I want Black sneakers of Louis Vu-Viu-Vutt- No. Hey Google! How do you pronounce, V-u-i-t-t-o-n?", I tried hard not to laugh at his antics. Believe it was the most difficult task to do.

"Vuitton.", I heard the telephonic voice say.

"That's right. Thank you, Google.", I smiled at his politeness.

"I aim to please.", The voice said in response.

"You hear that, Daddy?"

"Yes, Champ. You want black sneakers of Louis Vuitton. Am I right?", I asked and he hummed. "Okay, I'll tell Karthik uncle to order them for you. But the delivery might take some time. Are you okay with that?", I asked, I don't want to hear his tantrums later.

"No problem, Daddy! Thank you!", He cheered before hanging up.

I pressed the intercom to connect with Karthik's receiver.

"Yes, sir?"

"Order a pair of Louis Vuitton black sneakers. Shoe size 9.", I said before disconnecting the connection.

After the office hours ended, I grabbed my briefcase, glasses and mobile phone before heading out of office. Rivaah had messaged me that she's already home. I was confused to say the least, why did she left before me?

Karthik opened door for me after we neared my car. Gripping the edge of door, I turned to face him. "Karthik."

"Yes, Sir?", He stood straight.

"Dig out personal as well as professional information about this Lavanya Mehrotra. She's kind of weird and a little suspicious.", I instructed him.

"I'll see to it.", He nodded curtly.

"And about the shoes?"

"The order has been placed. And I've sent you the link. You can track the delivery status on your phone.", He added courteously.

"Great work then. I'll see you tomorrow.", I smiled and slid inside car.

"Of course, sir. Have a wonderful evening.", He smiled politely before closing the door and gesturing my driver to start the car.

I reached home shortly after fifteen minutes. The lights on the verandah were already switched on as it was turning dark outside. Thanking the driver, I moved towards the porch and entered in.

"Daddy, you're home!", Reyansh latched on my knee as he grinned at me. I practically melted at the sight of my son. How did I forget about him? How was my brain so stupid to erase the memory of me being a father.

Picking him up, I smooched his cheeks and he giggled. Murphy ran close to me, and I fondled his ears. Fortunately this guy has no problem with me now. May be because he doesn't know that I got my memories back. And I'm not planning to tell him. He's a great friend now.

"You came early today?", I questioned as I advanced further and put my briefcase on couch.

"Take the transfer order back, Kabir.", Rivaah said raising her head up and looking straight in my eyes.

Bending down, I placed Reyansh back on his feet. "Go play in study room. Take Murphy along with you.", I said patting on his small ass. He nodded before grabbing dog's leash and leading both of them to study.

When I was sure they were out of sight, I crouched down on my knees in front of her. "You don't need to worry about this.", I said softly stroking her cheek. Grabbing her hand in mine, I smiled at her.

"Kabir, Jiya was crying today.", She said, anxiety coating her tone.

"And what about you? Five years ago, didn't you cry? What was Reyansh's fault in all this? I was a stuck up asshole. If he had any problem with me, he should have faced me head on. But he involved you two and I can't tolerate that. Five years, Rivaah. Our son was deprived of father's love for five years. You struggled for five years. I lost my memory and couldn't remember you. You degraded yourself in front of me for this unborn.", I said placing my hand on her merely swelled stomach. "Believe me I'm being too lenient on him. He deserves much worse.", I said caressing her fingers.

"No, Kabir. No one deserves anything. And who are we to decide that. God will give him his punishment. We should work on our relationship and not damage someone else's life. Since the beginning we had problems, and who was to blame for that. Certainly not Ranvijay. It was us. He just added fuel to fire. He didn't force you to believe anything. You did because you had no trust on me.", She whispered, her eyes laddened with disappointment and sadness.

"I made a mistake. I agree. And I received punishment for that. I lost five years of my son's life. But the one who broke us, intentionally, knowing that you were pregnant and we had a future together. I won't spare him.", I declared before getting up. She grabbed my wrist, tugging at it gently.

"Please, Kabir. I don't want you to change. Please stop this revenge thing. Haven't that destroyed enough?", She spoke and I closed my eyes shut.

"I'm not taking the transfer order back.", I stated freeing my wrist from her grasp.

"Kabir-Ah!", Turning around, I noticed she stubbed her toe against the table's corner and sat down back on the couch with a yelp.

"Why do you have be so hasty sometimes!", I said as I went down on my knees and rubbed her injured toe.

"Kabir.", She caressed my head. Her hand brushing gently through my hair. I looked up at her and she smiled, a persuasive smile.

I don't want to stress her and I know we'll end up fighting if I continued my stubbornness. I've no plan in cancelling his transfer order and definitely no wish to start a fight between us.

"Fine.", I lied. "I'll ask the DCP to cancel the transfer order. Happy?", She smiled wide and nodded. "But not now. It's already late. I'll talk with him tomorrow.", I said and she nodded again. I'll definitely have a talk, not with the DCP though. But with the one who had initially started this pathetic game.

"Get fresh now. Dinner is ready.", She ruffled my hair.

Grabbing my briefcase, I headed upstairs. Just as I kept my phone on the nightstand, it rang.

"Hey, buddy! How ya' doing bro?"

"Bhai, I want to marry Pooja."

_______

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