chapter 69 - The game of power
Morning at the Malhotra Mansion
The atmosphere at the Malhotra mansion was heavy with emotions. It had been six beautiful days filled with laughter, mischief, and endless bonding, but now, it was time to say goodbye.
Natasha clung tightly to Ira’s hand, her big doe eyes filled with unshed tears. “chachi, can’t we stay a little longer?” she asked, her voice small.
Ira knelt to her level, cupping her chubby cheeks. “You have school, sweetheart. But don’t worry, we’ll visit soon. And we’ll video call every day, okay?”
Natasha sniffled but nodded. “Promise?”
Ira smiled. “Pinky promise.”
Meanwhile, Ritvik and Nisha were standing near the car, saying their final goodbyes. Ritvik was hugging Vihaan, while Aarav stood beside them with a rare soft smile.
“You better take care of yourself, idiot,” Vihaan said, patting Ritvik’s back. “And don’t forget us after reaching the US.”
Ritvik chuckled. “How can I forget when you people will keep disturbing me with calls?”
Aarav smirked. “Of course. We need someone to complain to when Kabir gets drunk again.”
Vihaan laughed, and Ritvik rolled his eyes. “Please, spare me from Kabir’s love life dramas.”
Kabir, who was standing nearby, crossed his arms. “Hey! What do you mean? I’m the most interesting person here.”
Aarav raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, right. Anyway, have a safe flight.” He turned to Nisha. “And you, take care. If Ritvik ever annoys you, just call me.”
Nisha smiled warmly. “I will. Thank you for everything, Aarav.”
Natasha, still reluctant, finally let go of Ira and ran toward Aarav, wrapping her tiny arms around his legs. “Chachu, I’ll miss you the most!”
Aarav, caught off guard, softened and picked her up. “I’ll miss you too, my little troublemaker.”
After one last round of hugs and promises to stay in touch, Ritvik, Nisha, and Natasha finally got into the car. As it drove away, Natasha peeked out of the window, waving frantically. “Bye, everyone! Love you all!”
The family stood watching until the car disappeared from view.
Back to Work
After the emotional farewell, Aarav and Ira got ready for the office.
In the car, Ira noticed Aarav was unusually quiet. She reached for his hand. “Missing Natasha?”
Aarav sighed but smirked. “That obvious?”
Ira nodded. “You have a soft spot for her.”
Aarav chuckled. “She’s special. Just like you.”
Ira blushed but pretended to focus on her phone. “Flirting already, Mr. Malhotra?”
Aarav smirked. “Always.”
As they reached the office, Aarav’s CEO mode kicked in. “Alright, Mrs. Malhotra. Time to work.”
Ira rolled her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
With that, they stepped into Malhotra Industries, ready to take on the day.
As soon as Aarav and Ira entered Malhotra Industries, all eyes turned to them. Employees greeted them with respect, standing straight as the power couple walked in.
Ira, dressed in a crisp white shirt and high-waisted black trousers, looked every bit the boss’s wife. Aarav, in his navy-blue three-piece suit, walked with the confidence of a king.
Aarav leaned toward her as they reached the elevator. “Everyone’s staring at you, Mrs. Malhotra,” he whispered huskily.
Ira smirked. “Maybe because I look stunning today?”
Aarav’s eyes darkened with playfulness. “Or maybe because you’re my wife?”
Ira rolled her eyes but blushed slightly. “Oh please, Mr. Malhotra. I had a name before marrying you.”
Aarav smirked. “And now that name comes with a warning—‘Handle with care. Property of Aarav Malhotra.’”
Ira gasped. “Excuse me? I am not a property!”
Aarav stepped closer, pinning her to the elevator wall as it closed. “You’re right. You’re not just a property… you’re my obsession.”
Ira’s breath hitched, but before she could reply, the elevator doors opened, and they stepped into the executive floor.
As soon as they entered, Aarav’s secretary,manav, approached.
“Sir, there’s an issue with the new contract from the Singhania Group. They want to renegotiate the terms.”
Aarav sighed. “Set up a meeting in ten minutes.”
Manav nodded and left.
Ira, sitting across from Aarav’s desk, folded her arms. “Singhania Group, huh? Those people just love playing games.”
Aarav smirked. “Just like you love teasing me?”
Ira blinked. “I don’t tease you.”
Aarav leaned back in his chair. “Really? What about this morning when you pretended to ignore my kiss?”
Ira chuckled. “Oh, that? That was just fun.”
Aarav stood up, walking toward her slowly. “So, if I do this…” He leaned down, his breath fanning her lips, “You won’t react?”
Ira gulped but kept her ground. “Nope.”
Aarav smirked and suddenly pulled away. “Good. Now get back to work, Mrs. Malhotra.”
Ira’s mouth fell open. “You—”
Aarav winked. “Revenge is sweet.”
Before Ira could say anything, Vihaan burst into the office, laughing.
“Guys! You won’t believe what just happened!”
Aarav raised an eyebrow. “What now?”
Vihaan grinned. “Kabir just sent a text in the family group saying, ‘I’m never drinking again.’”
Ira chuckled. “Oh? Someone finally learned his lesson?”
Vihaan smirked. “Not really. He also wrote, ‘Unless it’s a heartbreak emergency.’”
Aarav sighed. “I’m going to kill that idiot.”
Ira laughed. “Let’s see how long his resolution lasts.”
Aarav shook his head but smiled. With his crazy family and his teasing wife, life was never boring.
Aarav and Ira entered the conference room, where the representatives of the Singhania Group were already seated.
At the head of the table sat Rajat Singhania, the cunning and charming CEO who always pretended to be friendly but secretly despised the Malhotras. Next to him was his younger brother Rehan Singhania, known for his arrogance and sharp tongue.
As soon as Aarav and Ira walked in, Rajat stood up with a fake smile. “Ah, Aarav! My dear friend. So good to see you.”
Aarav smirked but didn’t bother shaking hands. Instead, he pulled out a chair for Ira first, making it clear where his priorities were. Only then did he sit down.
Ira, picking up on Aarav’s mood, matched his energy. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs elegantly, a confident smile on her lips. “Mr. Singhania, let’s skip the fake pleasantries and get to the point.”
Rajat chuckled, though his eyes darkened slightly. “Ah, straight to business. That’s why I like working with the Malhotras.”
Rehan scoffed under his breath. “If only we actually liked working with them.”
Aarav’s sharp gaze snapped to him. “Something you want to say, Rehan?”
Rehan hesitated but then smirked. “Just wondering how you managed to keep this contract despite our better offer.”
Aarav smirked, completely unfazed. “Because unlike you, I don’t play dirty games. I win because I’m better.”
Ira hid a smirk behind her hand as Rehan fumed.
Rajat quickly stepped in to change the subject. “Anyway, we have some concerns regarding the new terms. The profit-sharing percentage—”
Aarav cut him off. “The percentage stays as it is. We agreed on this before, and I don’t entertain last-minute changes.”
Rajat’s jaw clenched slightly, but he forced a smile. “Aarav, negotiations are part of business.”
Aarav leaned forward, his voice calm yet authoritative. “And so is keeping your word.”
The room went silent.
Rajat sighed dramatically. “Fine. But let’s at least discuss the expansion rights. We think we should have equal say in—”
Ira, who had been silent till now, suddenly spoke. “Singhania Group can have equal say… if they match the Malhotra Group’s investment percentage.”
Rehan scoffed. “That’s ridiculous! You’re asking us to invest twice as much as before!”
Ira smiled sweetly. “Well, it’s only fair. If you want equal say, you need to have equal stake. Otherwise, accept the current terms.”
Aarav smirked, proud of his wife’s power move.
Rajat’s fake smile was now clearly strained. “I see Ira has learned well from you, Aarav.”
Aarav smirked. “Actually, I think I learn from her.”
Ira playfully nudged his leg under the table.
Rajat exhaled. “Fine. We’ll review the contract and get back to you.”
Aarav leaned back in his chair. “Take your time. Just don’t take too long. We have other interested partners.”
Rehan muttered something under his breath, but Rajat gestured for him to stay silent.
The meeting ended, and as soon as the Singhanias left, Ira turned to Aarav. “They hate us so much.”
Aarav chuckled. “Good. That means we’re winning.”
Ira smirked. “You enjoy this too much.”
Aarav leaned closer, whispering, “Not as much as I enjoy seeing you like this… fierce, confident, my queen.”
Ira rolled her eyes but blushed. “Let’s go, Mr. Malhotra. We have an empire to run.”
Aarav chuckled and followed her out, knowing that together, they were unstoppable.
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