CHAPTER 7
MAAHI
Leela Mahal
I'm here - at the illustrious Leela Mahal. This elite members-only club has always enchanted me from the outside. I never imagined being granted entry to such an opulent, VIP establishment. Yet here I stand before the imposing entrance, unsure if I'll even be allowed inside without the requisite access card.
“Miss Awasthi?” A smartly dressed young woman approaches.
“Yes,” I nod, thrilled that she recognizes me.
“This way, please.”
She leads me through the entrance, and I can't help but marvel at the pristine silence blanketing the grand interior. For a club renowned for lavish parties hosting politicians and billionaires, I expected...more noise, more revelry. My modest maroon dress suddenly feels dreadfully underdressed amidst such staggering elegance and luxury.
“Mr. Grover is waiting for you through those doors,” the woman gestures to an imposing set of black double doors, flanked by two brutishly built guards.
“Thank you.”
As I approach, one of the guards moves to pat me down, but a stern command from the other side of the doors stops him in his tracks.
“Back off.”
Vikram emerges, dark eyes blazing a warning at the guards, who instantly retreat into rigid deference. With a curt nod, he pushes open the door, silently ushering me inside.
I slip past the threshold, already intimidated by Vikram’s domineering presence and this opulent setting. Plush red leather couches encircle the dimly lit, intimate space - clearly an exclusive VIP enclave amidst the larger club. A sleek bar runs along the far wall, and two additional doorways hint at even more extravagance lurking beyond.
“I expected you sooner,” Vikram remarks, checking his watch with a hint of impatience.
Snapping out of my awed observance, I turn to face him with a defiant lift of my chin. “I wasn't going to come at all, so you should be glad I'm here.”
He brushes off my retort, already stalking toward the bar. “Then I must say you enjoy following my commands.”
The arrogance in his tone sparks a flare of irritation. “In your dreams, Prince Pompous.”
Ignoring the barb, he gestures lazily at the bar's impressive array. “Drink?”
I shake my head. “I don't drink.”
“Even better,” he rumbles, a wicked glint in his eyes. “I want you fully conscious tonight.”
A shiver trips down my spine at the veiled implication in his words.
“And why is that?” I demand.
“So that you make some sane decisions, Cub.”
Vikram's teasing smirk doesn't waver - he knows exactly the effect his sinful innuendos are having. But before he can elaborate further, his gaze locks onto the red rose I've been clutching since leaving my dinner date with Shyam. In two strides he's towering over me, snatching the rose from my hands without warning.
“You bought me a gift?” There's an edge of challenge in his query that prickles my defenses.
“It's for me, not you! Give it back!” I lunge to reclaim the trampled rose, but he holds it maddeningly out of reach.
“Shyam Trivedi gave this to you,” he states flatly, making me freeze in my frantic attempts.
“Who else would it be from? I was on a date with him before you so rudely interrupted.”
His fingers loosen just enough for me to pluck the crushed petals free. Cradling their mangled curves, I glare at him in worry.
“You like gifts, don't you?”
There's an unmistakable bite in his tone - mocking, almost cruel.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Devki Estate,” he snaps.
A knot forms in my stomach as the implication sinks in.
“Oh, so this is about Devki Estate?” I sigh. “I should have known.”
Of course this would come up eventually. When Daadi bestowed that precious inheritance upon me, I knew the Grovers wouldn't take it lying down. But I never expected such naked bitterness from her own grandson.
“Well, now you know. Daadi made a mistake. She doesn’t realize how priceless that estate is. I have plans for it and I want the estate back.”
My blood boils as the audacious words leave his mouth. Even though I never had an affinity towards the Grover property, I won’t let him bargain away Daadi’s dreams for that land.
“Don't misunderstand me, Cub...I am not buying it for free. You can ask anything else in return.” His smile cuts like a razor. As if I would ever consider his offer! I know he's a typical business magnate, always angling for the best deal.
Not wanting to waste any more time, I give my decisive answer. “I think you are mistaken, Vikram. I am not selling.”
He strides toward me with that long, agile gait and I brace myself, knowing he won't let me go until I agree to his demands. But I couldn't care less about his pompous royalty act - I'm not giving up Daadi's gift so easily. He leans in dangerously close, his breath hot on my ear.
“Everything has a price. Tag yours.”
“Not happening,” I say firmly, taking a step back. “Devki Estate is now a part of me. I am not selling it at any cost.”
His face turns to stone. “I said I have plans, Cub,” he reiterates sharply.
“I have plans too,” I shoot back. “Devki Estate is part of me now. You can't have it. Not at any price.”
I turn to leave, grasping for the door handle, but it doesn't budge. Fear grips me as he shouts, “You can't leave this door until you agree.”
Outrage courses through me. “I came here of my own free will and I'll leave the same way. You don't own this place, Prince Pompous.” But the beastly smirk stretching across his face makes me falter. Does he...does he actually own Leela Mahal?
“You own Leela Mahal?” I stutter, realizing this place would cost even a billionaire a fortune.
“Just because I stay in the US and haven't set foot in India for nine years doesn't mean I don't do business here. You're talking to Vikram Singh Grover, Maahi. I don't go shopping, but I do know how to buy fortunes.”
His arrogant pride does nothing to amuse me as he opens a drawer and removes some papers. “Sign them.”
“What are these papers?” I ask warily.
“Property transfer papers. You transfer Devki Estate to me and take anything else in return. My lawyer will ensure you get a fair replacement within 24 hours. Anything...you name it.”
I'm utterly offended by his ruthless business tactics. “Is this how you sign big deals with clients? By pushing them into a corner?”
“It's my way or no way,” he says coldly, sipping at what I assume is a glass of vodka
“Devki Estate might be just business for you, but it's Daadi's soul and she gave it to me. I will not return it to anyone, especially you. And one last thing, Mr. Vikram Singh Grover, this is the last time I'll obey your commands and come see you, skipping my personal life. Next time you threaten me, I will...”
“Drag me to court?” he taunts with a smirk. “Sue me? Or complain to Daadi?”
My fingers curl into fists, itching to wipe that arrogant look off his face.
“Grow up, Cub,” he says, setting his glass aside and closing in on me again. “Do any of those things, I don't care. I want Devki Estate and I will have it from you. Give it to me easily or I don't mind using more...complex measures.”
“Keep your threats to yourself,” I snarl. “Open this damn door right now!”
He watches me, surprise etching his features, as if he's never met someone willing to fight with him to this extent before. But he can't scare me. Pulling a small remote from his pocket, he clicks a button and the door swings open. I storm out without a backwards glance, but I can feel the heat of his gaze burning into my back.