My Dove looked so ashamed while asking for a chance. But she didn't need to be embarrass. On her one word I would have prolonged the meeting for more than few hours. Did something happen? As per my knowledge she had completed her work. I know because I've seen her working on her laptop. She looked so down and that doesn't sit well with me. I want to provide her with all the comfort and luxuries, but here she is, stressing over such insignificant matter.

If she has lost her presentation that means she'll work hard to complete it tonight. As per our gynaec, this time is crucial for her. I don't want her to worry over silly matters. God! I'm restless as a husband but tied down as a boss.

The knock on door startled me. "Come in.", Karthik entered and bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Karthik?"

"Mr. Vashisth called. He's ready to meet tomorrow. What time should I tell him?"

Great! I'll be busy in this meeting tomorrow so I'll have to prolong that one. This will give her more time to get her work done and some weight will be lifted off her shoulders.

"Tomorrow afternoon. Fix our meet up in some Russian restaurant. He likes Russian food.", I said and he nodded. "And also, inform the advertising department that their meeting is pushed to day after tomorrow.", I added. It was foremost important right now.

"Their meeting was arranged in morning, Sir. I don't think there's any-"

"Just do it, Karthik.", I cut him off.

"Sorry, sir. I'll do that immediately.", He nodded and walked out.

Later that afternoon, Lavanya Mehrotra was here. I swear that woman brings out my murderous thoughts. I feel like chaining her neck and pulling both ends until she stops breathing.

"Yes, Miss. Mehrotra?", I asked streanously. Resisting the urge to grab her throat and toss her in dustbin. She's desperate and kind of weird. I get bad vibes from this woman.

"My team is here to get the measurements of walls and ceilings. To- you know- understand better.", She was trying hard to sound honest. Does she think I'm that gullible?

"Well, then monitor your team. What are you doing here?", I asked leaning back on my chair.

"You won't ask me to sit?", She asked innocently.

I would like you to sleep instead. In your GRAVE. Forever!

"I'm busy.", I said flicking the pen between my fingers.

"I thought after last meeting we're progressing.", She was right. We're progressing. My instincts to kill her were growing heavy and strong.

"I don't know what you're talking about.", I said sitting straight and getting back to my work. The only reason I'm tolerating her is because she's best at her work and Karthik still hasn't delivered me the detailed information on her. Once I get a read over of her life, I'll be able to judge this lady better. If she's really desperate, I'll personally escort her out of my office but if she has hidden motives, then to graveyard.

"Do you want me to say it? Okay fine. You were hard for me, Kabir.", I stifled my laughter at her absurd claim. Did she really think I was hard because of her? Dumbass, my wife was right beside me.

"Sweet belief. Keep dreaming.", I muttered.

"You're hurting me.", Why do I have an intuition that she's trying to make me feel like I've broke up with her in the worst way possible?

"What are you talking about, Miss. Mehrotra. As far as I remember, I didn't give you any hopes. So stop trying. Because you're degrading yourself.", I said sincerely. If she is really into me, then I feel bad.

"I'm just asking for one chance.", She gulped.

"And I don't want to. I'm not interested.", I sighed.

"Fine. Then one lunch. I'll stop after that. Please.", She begged. Tiara's face flashed before my eyes, and although she doesn't deserve my pity after the lies she has fed me with, I feel chord of guilt striking me hard. I've always considered her as my sister. I don't know how I kissed her after my memory loss. Even remembering it makes me nauseous. Thank God I didn't take it further when she was all ready for me.

"Kabir?", She asked and I flinched.

"I'll think about it.", She smiled accomplished before strutting out with small bounce in her steps.

I lied. But I had no other choice. She couldn't take no as an answer and I was done trying to make her understand. She's too stubborn and I'm too tired to entertain her.

By the time it was evening, Karthik came in with two files in his hands. He placed them before me on the desk and stood back. I raised my brows at him after eyeing the files for few seconds.

"This one is Malhotra Construction. And this is Mehrotra Pharmaceuticals. Both the companies that you took over. Hideously.", He added the last word making me wince. I really was ruthless back then.

"Wait! Mehrotra?", Damn! Did I fancy these type of surnames?

"Hmm. Just after you took over their business, Mr. Naitik Mehrotra, the former owner had a paralysis attack and is bedridden since then.", He added making me uncomfortable. I shifted awkwardly on my seat.

"Is it under our ownership now?", I asked.

"Yes. Since last seven years.", He said.

"So Lavanya is his...", I trailed off, not knowing what their relationship is.

"Daughter.", He nodded.

Okay, so when I'm done doing revenges, it seeks me out. Great! Now that reminds me, I've to meet the bastard yet.

"What about Ranvijay? Is he not here yet? Didn't you tell him to meet me this morning? It's five now!", I snapped looking up.

"I'll try to reach him.", He said and I dismissed him with a scowl.

Fuck! What if his wife tries to get in contact with my Dove again? Of course she will side with her husband. How will she know the pain that her best friend has suffered because of her bastard husband. I know I was at wrong. Not believing my own wife and trusting that liar was my biggest mistake. But I think we all have endured enough. Now it's his turn to pay.

I was fuming the whole time. How dare he defies my words.

My phone rang and I glared at it. It was an unknown number. Yet I found it important.

"It's me.", His said the moment I answered.

"Didn't I ask you to me meet me this morning!?", I barked.

"My transfer order demanded me to report at the designated Police station within forty eight hours. I couldn't go against the authority.", He said and I felt his words dying down in defeat. Finally! He knows how it feels to lose something precious. Not as precious as mine, but I'm glad seeing him in pain.

"And what about your wife!? I don't want her rushing to my doorstep begging for you!", I spat out.

"Don't talk about her like that!", He warned and I snorted. "I give you my word, she'll never have any contact with your wife.", I don't want that. She's Rivaah's only best friend. My innocent dove will definitely suspect of something wrong if Jiya ignores her. Her brain works fast in these type of things.

"No. She'll be in contact with Rivaah. I don't want to stress my wife more. She has already suffered enough!", I gritted out.

"What do you want, Kabir?", He sighed.

"You need to pay for your deeds. But I don't want a shadow of your sufferings hindering my wife's peace. You deserve it and you know that. At least face something like a man! Tell Jiya to maintain a subtle friendship with Rivaah. I don't expect her to talk cheerfully but she can at least be civil and not ignore if Rivaah calls. Am I clear!?", I asked, losing my patience. Even talking with him feels like disgusting bugs crawling on my body.

"Okay. I'll not be the reason of your trouble anymore. That's my promise."

"It's a deal. Not a promise! Promise is for someone who's trustworthy enough and you are not!", I scoffed. "If you try to tell her anything regarding this, you'll be inviting worse than death for you!", I threatened him.

"Okay. I'm hanging up now. I wish you two a happy life. Sorry for whatever I did. Good bye.", He said and I hung up without responding to his ramble.

That must be easy for him. Sorry and goodbye. Did I forgive him? No. Am I petty? YES!

The mobile phone was already in my hand so I dialled Lavanya's number. Let's see what this woman wants from me.

"Hey, Kabir."

"Dinner tonight. I'll send you the address.", I said before hanging up.

I took the file of Malhotras from desk and read it. So he's in Vegas now. All married and happy with two kids? Good for him. But we need to meet. How I wish Ahana moves on soon. She doesn't deserve to go through all this.

I was about to call Rivaah to inform her about my dinner with Lavanya but my office door thud opened jerking me to sit straight.

"You scared me.", I said placing my hand on chest.

"That bitch is rattling like a parrot about her dinner date with you! If you're trying to betray me once again, Kabir, I swear I'll throttle you to death!", She screamed and I rushed closer to calm her. Angry tears spilled from her eyes and I cursed myself internally. How did she know about it? And it isn't a Date! It's just a meeting!

"I- I- you sit down first.", I said and she jerked her arm away, gazing angrily out of the window.

"Dove, it's not a date-"

"You're mine, Kabir! And the sooner you understand this, the better for you and the skanks flocking around you. I'm not the gullible and scared, Rivaah anymore! You belong to me and my kids. And the one who tries to take you away, will see hell!", She bared her teeth at me, like an angry lioness.

Fuck! She's looking so fucking hot! I want to slam ha- Bad, Kabir! Focus.

"I know. And it's a work related meeting-"

"Then why the fuck is she sounding so chirpy!?", She hissed.

"How do you know that?"

"I invited her for a coffee when she came to our department as her team was there. All the time she kept rambling about you and then you called. Confirming the date!", She spat out.

"First and foremost, it's not a date. Heck! I don't even want to meet her. But there's something fishy about her. I just want to dig in more.", I avoided the real intentions.

"You better be saying truth!", She warned me.

"I swear, Rivaah! I swear on Reyansh. Now does that work for you?", I asked and she sighed before nodding slowly.

"I'm leaving.", I grabbed her wrist and moved closer to her until I was nuzzling her hair, smelling her beautiful scent.

"You can't just leave after making me so horny.", I said and she turned. There was a mischievous smirk on her face and I cocked my one brow up.

"Oh fuck!", I doubled on my breath the moment she grabbed my excited shaft so boldly. I was gasping for air, my eyes wide as I stared at her. Damnit, I was a putty in her hands!

"Until the time rumors of you dating her doesn't stop, don't even think of touching me!", She said narrowing her eyes before her hold tightened and I panted. "Good bye. See you at home.", She said pulling her hand away and I breathed out in relief. "Ta ta!", She winked as she waved before sauntering out.

This woman will be the death of me someday!

I sat down on chair, trying to ease the pain between my legs. God! I hope you don't die because of the blue balls? That'll be the worst reason to tell my kids ever!

After the office hours ended, I texted Rivaah to go home along with Karthik and headed to the restaurant to meet Lavanya.

She was already present, fiddling with the napkin when I reached there. Noticing my presence, she stood up and smiled at me.

"I hope I'm not late.", I said as I sat down and grabbed the menu book.

"No.", She said and I nodded before demanding for the waiter with a flick of my fingers.

"What would you like to have, Miss. Mehrotra?", I asked and she told her order to the waiter. I made it two as I was not much interested in having dinner with her and asked him to leave us alone.

"So? Tell me why are you so interested in me when I keep rejecting you?", I asked and she stiffened.

"I like you. Isn't than enough?", She asked shifting her gaze down.

"Do you have no self respect?", I asked, although I know she's blinded by the rage of revenge to look past that for any good. I pity her.

"When it comes to you, no.", She said looking up. Meeting my eyes with her bright amber ones.

"You look familiar.", I said as I studied her golden eyes. They are eerily familiar.

"Do you remember the girl you were friends with in childhood, Kabir?", She asked as her lips pulled up in a small smile, as if she's talking about a distinct memory that has faded with time.

"I had no friends.", I spat out in disdain.

"I know. But you must remember the girl who offered her lunch to you? Do I need to continue, Mr. Kabir Sardesai.", My hand on the table curled up in a fist.

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