CHAPTER 5
Back at Navya’s House
Navya stood with her arms crossed, quietly listening to Aanya’s rant the moment she returned from the Malhotra office.
“They weren’t wrong, Aanya. You did ruin that meeting,” Navya said cautiously. “You can’t expect them to sit back and smile after the stunt you pulled.”
Aanya clenched her jaw. “So, you’re blaming me too now? God, Navya! Why does everyone expect me to carry the burden of everything? If those damn papers had been ready, I wouldn’t have had to barge into their holy meeting in the first place.”
Navya exhaled and stepped closer. “Aanya, paperwork on such sensitive matters doesn’t happen in a snap. It takes time.”
Just as Aanya reached for a chilled beer to cool her fury, Navya snatched it out of her hand.
“First fix the mess you created, baby. Then drink as much as you want.”
Aanya shot her a death glare. “What the hell? You’re sounding like my parents now.”
“I know,” Navya replied, unflinching. “But only because I care. You want to get out of this country, right? Well, until you sign those papers and secure your monthly share again, you can’t.
So, if speeding up the process means playing by Kyle’s rules for once, just do it.
Go apologize to Reyansh. Convince him to go forward with the Malhotra deal or your dream of flying out of here will stay just that. A dream .”
It took Aanya a few tense moments to digest Navya’s words. But deep down, she knew what had to be done.
“Fine,” she muttered, slamming the beer bottle back on the counter. “I’ll go tomorrow.”
She turned and headed to her room in silence.
Next Morning
When Aanya came downstairs, dressed in a casual yet red top and black jeans, Navya let out a whistle.
“Ooo la laaa!” she teased. “Someone looks all set to charm the man.”
Aanya gave her a sly grin. “Exactly the plan. No way am I walking into his office in denim shorts and a tank top again. He’d probably throw me out.”
“True. Good luck, babe,” Navya said, flashing a wink.
Aanya’s plan was simple. Walk into his office, smile politely, request a meeting, deliver a soft apology, and convince him to restart the venture.
If that didn’t work—well, she had other persuasive weapons in her arsenal.
A kiss from a willing wife had never failed before.
With that in mind, she set off for Chopra Group Office.
Chopra Group of Companies Office
“Good morning, ma’am. How may I help you?” Sonya, the receptionist, asked pleasantly as Aanya stepped into the sleek office lobby.
“I need to see Reyansh,” she replied with confidence.
“Do you have an appointment?”
Aanya chuckled, leaning in. “Wives don’t need appointments to meet their husbands, darling,” she said with a wink.
Sonya’s expression froze. She scanned Aanya from head to toe before her voice turned frosty.
“Ma’am, a lot of women claim to be Mr. Chopra’s wife. But we don’t entertain fantasies here. If you don’t have an appointment, I suggest you speak to his assistant Sunny.”
Aanya’s jaw tightened, but she swallowed her pride. She wasn’t here to pick another fight.
“You’re making a mistake, Sonya. But whatever. Where can I find Sunny?”
Sonya pointed to a nearby cabin, still sceptical, while Aanya strode in confidently.
Sunny looked up and the shock on his face was almost comical.
“Ma’am?”
“Relax, Sunny. I need to meet your boss.”
“Uh… Sir is in a video conference.”
For a second, Aanya considered barging in again but she couldn’t afford another outburst.
“I’ll wait.”
“Of course, ma’am. Please make yourself comfortable. I’ll let you know as soon as he’s free.”
He gestured toward the lounge area across from the reception. Aanya followed, but before she sat down, she turned to him again.
“Sunny, I need one more favour.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Introduce me to your receptionist. She needs a little reality check.”
Sunny blinked, baffled, but complied. “Sonya, this is Aanya. Mr. Chopra’s wife. And Ma’am, this is our receptionist, Sonya.”
Sonya’s face paled.
“I—I’m so sorry, ma’am. I didn’t recognize you.”
Aanya smiled sweetly. “What was it you said earlier?” she asked, feigning recollection. “That there are plenty of women out there who wish they were in my shoes?”
Sonya looked down, guilt washing over her.
“Maybe,” Aanya continued. “But don’t get ahead of yourself next time. You work in such a big company. You should know who your boss’s wife is.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’m very sorry again,” Sonya said, nodding rapidly.
Sunny who was still unsure of what had transpired between them earlier, escorted Aanya back to the waiting area.
“Would you like something to drink, ma’am?” Sonya asked meekly.
“Do you serve beer here?”
“Uh… no, ma’am. Alcohol is not permitted in the office.”
“That’s boring. Fine, just get me a coffee. No sugar.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As Sonya scurried off, Aanya sank into the plush leather couch and began surveying the lavish interiors. Chopra Group office screamed power and elegance. Reyansh had spared no expense.
**************
One hour passed.
Three cups of coffee. One fashion magazine. No update.
Frustrated, Aanya approached Sunny’s cabin again. “Is he done?”
“I’ve informed him you’re here. He said he’ll call when he’s free,” Sunny replied politely.
Aanya narrowed her eyes. Of course. This was payback. He was making her wait on purpose.
“Fine. I’ll wait,” she gritted, and stormed back to the couch.
Another hour crawled by.
By now, she was bored out of her mind. When Sunny passed again, she intercepted him.
“Reyansh is in a meeting with the Finance Head now,” Sunny informed her, somewhat apologetically. “Might take another hour.”
Aanya sighed, her patience thinning fast. She leaned back and drifted into a light nap, only to be stirred by Sunny again.
“Ma’am, he’s now with the HR Manager. Some critical updates. I hope you don’t mind waiting some more.”
Aanya sat up, glaring. “He’s doing this deliberately, isn’t he?”
Sunny scratched his head. “I… I wouldn’t know, ma’am.”
That was the last straw.
“Where’s his cabin?”
“To your left. But he’s not there right now…”
“I didn’t ask who was there. I asked where it is. I’m done waiting.”
Sunny hesitated, but ultimately led her to the corner suite. She stopped him at the threshold.
“I’ll manage from here. Thanks.”
Alone now, Aanya stepped into Reyansh’s office. The space was spacious, sleek and commanding. A statement of power.
She scanned the room, then settled into the plush couch at the far end. Pulling off her heels, she propped her feet up and grabbed the remote.
If she was going to be treated like a guest, she might as well enjoy the damn hospitality.
She flipped on the plasma screen and found a raunchy comedy. Volume up.
Let Reyansh Chopra walk in any time now.
His wife wasn’t leaving without being heard.
Some Time Later
“What the hell are you watching?” Reyansh’s voice boomed through the cabin as he strode in, only to find Aanya sprawled on his office couch, eyes fixed on the plasma screen flashing a sultry romantic scene, complete with lip-smacking sound effects echoing in the room.
Aanya jolted slightly at the sudden intrusion. She hadn’t expected him so soon. But instead of flinching, she composed herself and tossed him a cool, unbothered look.
Reyansh snatched the remote from her hand and switched off the television.
“That was my favourite movie,” she barked.
“Then watch it at home. Not in my office,” he snapped.
“Which home?” she retorted, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “My father’s mansion or yours where you never let me live in?”
His brow twitched, but he didn’t reply. The bitterness in her tone hadn’t gone unnoticed. Her subtle jabs about being abandoned was always there now in every barb, every glance.
“By the way,” she added, surveying the cabin with a mock-appraising gaze, “your office is sexy. Really. I like it.”
Her wink was infuriating, but strangely… calming.
“But,” she went on, “I think the glass panels should’ve been on the south wall. You’d have a better city view. And that vase?” She pointed with her chin. “It’s totally blocking the walkway to the couch. You should move it to the west corner.”
Reyansh folded his arms. “Are you here to critique my interiors now?”
She shrugged. “Just a few free tips from your wife,” she said with a smirk, biting her lower lip playfully.
“Stop doing that,” he snapped. “The winking. The lip biting. It sends the wrong message.”
“What message?” she asked mockingly. “Please, I know how to handle myself in high society. I belong to this world too. I’m not some outsider and I don’t need a crash course.”
“Consider those as free tips from your lawfully wedded husband,” he shot back coolly.
She grinned, but something shifted when their eyes met. For a brief moment, they just… looked at each other. A silent tug neither of them acknowledged but couldn’t quite avoid.
Aanya blinked and cleared her throat, breaking the silence.
“Well,” she said, pulling her walls back up. “I won’t waste your precious time.”
“You already have,” he muttered, checking his watch.
“Whatever,” she scoffed, waving him off.
“‘Whatever’?” he echoed, walking toward her. “Do you even understand how valuable a single minute is to Reyansh Chopra?”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Name your price.”
His laugh was sharp, mocking. “You are bankrupt, Aanya. You can’t pay me a penny.”
Her face paled. That stung. And yet, it wasn’t wrong. She had no financial independence. Just a rich father and a richer husband, neither of whom gave her any control.
She inhaled sharply. “Fine. I’ll get to the point then. Dad wants me to convince you to continue the venture with Malhotras. Apparently, they think I botched the meeting with my ‘arrogance’.”
Reyansh crossed his arms. “ They think that? You don’t?”
She bristled. “You pushed me into reacting that way. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
“You barged into a conference, insulted your father’s prestigious client, that’s me, and disrupted a deal months in the making. Patience, Aanya. Ever heard of it?”