Chapter 2
Next Day – Kushal’s Penthouse
Kushal cuddled the pillow harder, trying to ignore the insistent ringing of his phone. The sound drilled into his already aching head, a brutal reminder of last night’s drinks.
He hadn’t intended to get drunk. But he had needed something strong. Something to drown out the memories that had come flooding back the second he and Arundhati were forced to work together again.
Together in their marriage, when they had lived under one roof in this very penthouse for five months, the only thing they had truly done together was sleep on the same bed every night.
No intimacy. No confessions. Just two powerful, stubborn people steering an arranged marriage they hadn’t asked for.
They had kissed, though.
A couple of times.
And despite everything, despite the war they were fighting now, Kushal missed those kisses.
Not that he would ever admit it.
His ego wouldn’t allow it.
The phone kept ringing, the sound growing sharper, more impatient.
He groaned, shifting onto his side, blindly reaching for his phone on the bedside table. His fingers grasped the device, and he half-opened one eye to glance at the caller ID.
His chest tightened, but his lips curved into a lazy smirk.
Arundhati.
Of course, it was her.
He exhaled slowly, pressing the phone to his ear, still clutching the pillow with his other arm, and answered in a low, groggy voice.
“Hmm.”
He didn’t miss it.
The beat of silence from the other end.
That fraction of hesitation as if his morning voice had done something to her.
The hell it had. Arundhati Nair was too hard, too unshakable to be affected by something as trivial as that.
But the thought still amused him.
Her voice finally came, but it wasn’t soft.
“I can’t believe you’re still sleeping.”
Kushal smirked, keeping his eyes firmly shut as he replied lazily, “What about me have you ever believed?”
There was a sharp intake of breath from the other end. Not because of the words, but because of the way he had said them. Her anger snapped back instantly.
“I didn’t unblock your number for this, Kushal. Get to the office. Now.”
He chuckled, turning onto his back, his free hand resting on his bare chest.
“I don’t recall agreeing to take orders from you either.”
“I’ve called Anant too. He’s already on his way,” she snapped, irritation crackling in her tone.
Kushal exhaled dramatically, as if she was torturing him with her words. “I know what I have to do and when. I’ll be there when I have to be there.”
A smirk tugged at his lips, even though his eyes remained closed, knowing exactly how much what he said next would irk her.
“Is there anything else you want to say to ruin my day, Mrs. Nair?”
The silence that followed was deafening.
He could practically feel her seething.
“Spare me from calling me that,” she hissed. “We have filed for divorce, Kushal.”
He opened his eyes, but his smirk didn’t falter.
“Which you are never getting,” he replied. “No matter how hard you try.”
And before she could respond, he ended the call and tossed his phone onto the bed, running a hand through his hair.
Damn her.
Damn her for thinking she could walk away.
Damn her for making him care enough to stop her.
Urgh.
His day was already ruined.
With a sigh, he tossed the blanket off his body and got up, stretching his sore muscles before heading toward the shower. It was going to be another long day of war.
***************
Verma and Associates Office
The large conference room at Verma we’ll make sure she knows she’s being investigated. Let her panic. Let her make a mistake.”
He moved behind Arundhati’s chair as he spoke. She felt the chills, not just from his strategy, but also from the way he moved, his presence looming, suffocating, intoxicating.
Even the air-conditioning had been on full blast, and her sleeveless satin top did little to keep her warm. She instinctively rubbed her arms, trying to suppress the shiver.
And then, before she could react, something warm and heavy draped over her shoulders.
Kushal’s coat.
What the!
Her head snapped to the side, her lips parting in shock as she felt him press the coat in place, ensuring she didn’t shrug it off.
Their eyes locked, the silent exchange louder than words.
Don’t be stubborn.
Anant is watching.
Just go with it.
For once, Arundhati didn’t argue. She held his gaze, silently conceding.
Kushal turned back to Anant, continuing as if nothing had just happened. “And finally, we expose her. We let the media do that job for us. Once the right rumours spread, Sadhna will be left defenceless.”
Anant nodded, impressed. But then, he hesitated.
“Sadhna never had any legal battles in the past.”
Kushal didn’t even blink.
“Then we create them.”
Arundhati snapped her head toward him, her eyes burning with pure fury.
“Are you out of your mind?”
Kushal sighed dramatically, as if she was the one being unreasonable.
“We won’t lie,” he said smoothly. “We’ll simply... suggest that there were past legal issues, ones that you, as her husband, Anant, chose to keep out of the limelight. Out of love, of course. Out of respect for your wife.”
Anant looked hesitant. Arundhati looked murderous.
“You’re talking about twisting the truth, Kushal,” she argued.
“I’m talking about winning, Arundhati.”
Her fists clenched on the table.
“You can’t just fabricate scandals.”