The next morning was peaceful for Manik until Nandini came downstairs and cleared her throat to speak.

"Mr.Malhotra what was yesterday?"
He gave her an uncertain look.

"Yesterday you dragged me out. Why?"

"Because of your non-stopping shit."

"Why don't you listen to what I say or rather why don't you even let me speak? What you have done yesterday is humiliation and you surely have to apologise," she spoke tartly.

"I won't ever apologize and to you? Like who are you to me? I repeat again that it's a forced thing. We are strangers and don't dare to claim rights as my wife." He spat back.

No, her hurtful face from yesterday night didn't flash when he closed his eyes and definitely, he didn't feel bad about it and of course, Manik didn't exactly dislike feeling sorry for her. And sure, he didn't hate the fact that she was making him feel.

Maybe he did hate it. Maybe that was why he hated her that moment.

"Oh Mr.Malhotra, I don't want to be your wife. You pushed me out of the mansion and you're here with zero guilt. Surely, you can't be more arrogant."

"Exactly! I guess I wasted much of my time on you already," he said, glancing at his wrist watch.

"Monster!"

He left for his office leaving her, while she muttered curses. And two weeks slipped by with their fights on petty things. They were equally frustrated by eachother's presence. Nandini wished to go to her Amms but was caught up with her work and also she didn't patch up with her yet.

                                 —• ☘︎︎ •—

It was a fine Sunday. Nandini woke up so late and decided to skip her breakfast. Well, she was a lazy queen. The sundays were absolutely boring for her as she didn't have anyone to talk and more to it Jeff was out of town making her a little sad.

Manik came in with his bussiness friend Mr.Khurana. Manik was very dedicated to his works and Mr.Khurana had no problem to visit his house and have a friendly meet with him. Nandini was sitting a little far from their sight and was engrossed in her phone. She was alerted when someone's presence was felt nearby. It was Mr.Khurana.

"Hey Beautiful!" He spoke giving her kind of dirty looks.

"Hi," she said faking a smile.

"Can we go on a date tonight?" he asked casually making her uncomfortable.

"No." She tried to get up to leave but he held her wrist, stopping her. She searched for Manik who was on the farthest side, talking on his phone.

"Leave my hand. What are you doing?"
She struggled to get out of his hold. He did let her but only to wrap his hand around her waist and that was it. She printed her five fingers on his right cheek.

"How dare you! Keep your hands to yourself otherwise I'll chop them," she warned making him furious. She came out of his hold and stood a little away from him.

"What's happening?" asked Manik coming towards them.

"Mr.Malhotra I don't think I can work with you anymore." Saying that Mr.Khurana walked out glaring at Nadini. The moment he went, Manik pinned her to the wall and glowered at her dangerously.

"What was that? What did you? You were spoiling my personal life and now professional life? No one has ever dared to say what he said now. How many times I warned you? You don't have ears right? Why did you fucking come into my life? I can't even bear your presence here. You're such— " Manik shouted at the top of his voice but she cut him off.

"Enough is Enough! Do you know what he did? He misbehaved with me and you want me to lean into him? Mr.Malhotra I know you are heartless and all but this? I don't want you to treat me as your wife and never I will. If anyone misbehaves with me like that then l'll show them their place."

A pause.

"Just what kind of a man you're," she snarled, giving him a disgusted look and marched to her room.

To say, Manik didn't expect this. His face paled, guilt flooding through him. And Manik Malhotra did something he didn't he would— he looked down at his feet. Ashamed.

Then, Manik called Mr.Khurana.

"Mr.Khurana the funds you are getting from my side will be stopped. Don't dare to reach my wife. Never cross our paths again or else I don't know how you will be alive without a single property, he warned him deadly.

                                 —• ☘︎︎ •—

Next morning was so peaceful for him or so he thought. Because, Nandini didn't utter a single word nor did she spare a glance at him. Manik cleared his throat to apologise, but words stuck in his throat. He backed off and the next week passed by with him trying hard to apologise and she avoiding him to the fullest.

In this whole week, he accepted that he missed her rants and their fights. Only a little but he did. Deep down, he was content to find some breathes except his in his lonely house. He felt good to have someone in his house which was almost like a haunted one before. Anyways he couldn't accept any of these feelings.

Nandini was concentrating on her works ignoring his presence because what he had told her and the things he had done was so bad and she had to maintain a distance from him in which she was successful. It was a Sunday, again. She woke up at 10 and came downstairs, switched on the television and watched some of her favourite shows. Her mobile rang with Darsh's call.

"Yeah Darsh?"

"So sleepy head woke up finally!" He exclaimed.

"Yeah. You know me right?"

"I do. Tonight there's a grand party in which India's top fashion houses are invited. Would you like to come?" He beamed.

"Ummm okay I'll."

"Thanks Nandini. Then I will pick you up at 8 and yeah wear something in black, please."

"Yeah okay Dharsh." She smiled.

"Bye! Will be waiting for you."

"Bye!" And with that she hung up the call.

Manik who was working on his laptop, became attendive to the call when she said Darsh. Though he couldn't hear them clearly, he figured out that she was going out with him and he didn't like this. He was invited to the party as well but he wasn't interested in attending many parties. However, he pushed himself to go as she was going with him plus he had to attend this party for his professional benefits.

                                 —• ☘︎︎ •—

It was 7.50 when Nandini descended down, claded in a Royal black dress looking ethereally beautiful and hot.

Manik who was fixing his tie was bowled over by her beauty. He was atounded would be an understatement. She walked past him smirking at his state and blushing a little.

Darsh was waiting outside and his mouth literally dropped seeing her. She giggled and clicked her fingers to bring him out of the trance. He asked her to wear black to match his own black tux.

"My god! You are stunning," he said dreamly.

"Haha, thank you. Let's go?" She asked oblivious to his feelings.

"Yeah come."

He opened the door for her like a gentleman that he is and she gave him a soft smile. They drove off to the venue. All this was noticed by her unfortunately-husband Manik Malhotra. He balled his hands into a fist when he saw him drooling over her, his wife. He wore a black suit which was fortuitously matching the two.

He sped off to the party in his Mercedes Benz.

                             (Manik's outfit)

The party was dazzling with lights sparkling. This would be the brightest place if seen from a fair height. Nandini was keenly noticing and admiring the elegant spot. People were formally talking and some gushing and else were flirting and romancing. She ofcourse attended many parties but this one was so lavishing. When she entered in, many praised her beauty and some were jealous and men were checking her out but she was least cared. She was mainly here for profession and to enjoy herself.

Darsh and Nandini walked towards Mr.Saxena who organised this brand party. They were articulating professionally when Manik made his entry and stood beside Nandini, gaining the crowd's attention. He seemed almost perfect and Nandini was in a daze checking him top to toe. This time was for Manik to smirk. She looked away seeing him smirk. Since their marriage was undisclosed, none knew about it. Darsh wasn't glad to see their exchange of looks.

"Tonight will be so beautiful if it's with you! It's time for the couples to show up with their dancing skills!" The host announced grabbing everyone's attention.

Darsh outstretched his hand to Nandini gesturing her to dance with him. She gave him her hand, glancing at her husband and he hid his anger behind his cold eyes.

The song played, filling the place with a romantic atmosphere. Nandini and Darsh danced smoothly. His hand was around her waist and the other was clasped in with her hand and her left hand was on his shoulder. They were pretty good together.

Here Manik was cursing Darsh and felt an urge to eject his hands from her. Darsh twirled her twice and made her back face him. They were swaying with the beat. The anger he felt moments before only fuelled.

Hysterically, he walked towards them and pulled Nandini's hand from his hold, his hand soft on her. Then, he closed the distance between them to a point where their breathes were fanning eachother's face.

She was suprised with his sudden movements while Darsh went out from there, not wanting to create any scene out of it.

"Mr.Malhotra what are you doing?" She whispered to him, trying to dance a bit.

"Dancing with you." And with that he clutched her waist, the touch too soft Nandini's eyes fluttered for a moment, and pressed her petite frame into his.

"Leave me," she breathed, the proximity affecting her than she'd like to admit.

"I'm sorry. Sorry for everything, he apologized, finally. Nandini was suprised, yet again.

She could feel the sincerity his voice held. After seconds, a sweet smile graced her lips which made Manik respond the same subconsciously. Manik didn't know why he felt good when she smiled for him. They danced almost capturing every eyes. He rubbed his hand over her waist as if erasing the one's touch whom she danced with earlier off. Their legs danced, their heartbeats synchronised and their eyes locked as if they had their own world of talks.

"Mr.Malhotra—" he cut her off.

"Manik. Call me by my name, he commanded absentmindedly.

"But—"

"Say Manik, Nandini, he whispered hoarsely. That was the first time he called her by her first name. She smiled inwardly. He drew his face closer to hers, making her heart beat erratic.

"Man—"

She stopped when everyone there applauded for them. They were pulled out of their trance. He reluctantly let go of her and they parted away. As soon as he left her, a pink shade painted over her cheeks, making him grin.

When everyone dispersed, Manik wondered what he had done. Did he want her to call him by his name? Did he want to be close to her? Why couldn't he see her so close with Darsh when he clearly claimed they share nothing? What was happening lately with him? Was it because she avoided him for a week? He himself had no answers.

                                 —• ☘︎︎ •—

Do tell me how this chapter was ;)