Chapter - 34
I reached my office, and as soon as I stepped inside, Rohan was already waiting for me. He started updating me on my schedule, listing meetings and appointments. I listened in silence.
Then he mentioned something that made me pause. "Sir, I looked into Jay and Priya Rajput's background. They died in a car accident."
I frowned. I already knew that. But what he said next made my blood run cold.
"It wasn't just an accident. It was planned."
I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on the pen in my hand. Planned? Someone killed them? Why? Who?
Before I could ask, Rohan continued. "And there's one more thing, sir. Mrs. Priya Rajput belonged to the Rajvansh family."
My eyes snapped up to him. "You mean Veerendra Rajvansh?"
"Yes, sir."
I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. Siya is a Rajvansh by blood? Why did they never contact her? Why did they let her suffer all these years?
I narrowed my eyes. "Who was behind the accident?"
Rohan shook his head. "I don't know yet, sir. But I'm trying to find out."
I exhaled sharply. "Find out everything. Every damn detail." My voice was low, controlled, but laced with authority. Whoever did this will pay.
"And about Veerendra Rajvansh," I added after a moment. "I'll handle him myself."
Rohan nodded and left the room.
I sat there, gripping the armrest of my chair. Too many questions. Too many loose ends.
And just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, the idiot walked in.
Raghav walked in like he owned the place and sat down comfortably, as if this was his cabin, not mine. Typical.
He leaned back and smirked. "A guest has arrived. Don't you think you should ask me if I want water or coffee?"
Without even looking at him, I replied coldly, "If you want guest treatment, go to Rathore Palace."
His smirk widened. "Oh, brilliant idea! I'll go in the evening and ask Siya Bhabhi for coffee."
I turned to him, my voice sharp. "Don't you dare."
Raghav raised an eyebrow, pretending to be innocent. "What? You told me to go. I'm just following the orders of the great King of Rajasthan. I love my life, how can I ignore the king's command?"
I exhaled slowly, already dealing with too much, and now this idiot was here to irritate me further. No matter what I say, he'll do whatever he wants.
Instead of wasting my breath, I pressed the intercom and ordered coffee. He wouldn't leave without it, anyway.
A few minutes later, Rohan came in with two cups of coffee, placed them on the table, and left.
Raghav took a sip and finally got to the point. "Chopra is the one who tried to hack your system."
I scoffed. "He doesn't have that much brain."
Raghav nodded. "Maybe he's not working alone."
I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping against the desk. "I know that."
Whoever was behind Chopra thought they were being smart, acting from the shadows, assuming I wouldn't find them.
They were wrong.
Raghav placed his cup down and leaned forward. "There's more."
I didn't react, but my fingers stilled against the desk.
"Chopra received a huge sum of money a few days before the hack attempt. Offshore account. Untraceable source."
I clenched my jaw. Someone was funding this. Someone powerful.
Raghav continued, "If they're confident enough to attack you directly, they're either stupid... or they have a backup plan."
I smirked darkly, my voice laced with cold amusement. "Then let's make them regret it."
Trisha and I reached the mall in her car. As soon as we stepped inside, she started roaming excitedly, while I just followed her.
Then, she spotted a clothing store and before I could say anything, she dragged me inside. "Come on, Siya! We need to find a dress for my birthday."
She started picking up dresses one after another, holding them in front of her and asking, "How does this look on me? This or that?"
After checking at least 20-30 dresses, she finally found the one she liked. I sighed in relief, thinking we were done. But then she turned to me with a mischievous smile. "Now, let's find something for you too!"
I quickly shook my head. "No, I don't need anything. I have plenty of clothes, and I don't really like these kinds of outfits."
Trisha narrowed her eyes. "You have to buy something for my birthday! If you won't choose, then I will find something that looks good on you and is comfortable too."
Before I could protest, she started searching and then pulled out a black gown with full sleeves.
"This! This will look perfect on you. Go and try it!" she said excitedly.
I hesitated. "Trisha, I don't think—"
She didn't let me finish and pushed me toward the trial room. "No excuses. Just try it!"
I sighed and stepped inside.
Just as I was about to change, my phone rang. I checked the screen. Aarav.
I felt nervous for a second and quickly opened the message.
"I will be happy if you buy something for yourself, Angel."
My heart skipped a beat. He knows I won't buy anything unless someone forces me.
I stared at the gown for a moment. Should I really buy it?
I sighed and decided to at least try it on.
Once I stepped out, Trisha's face lit up. "Oh my God, Siya! This is perfect. You're taking it!"
I smiled shyly. Maybe it really did look good.
But then I checked the price tag—?10,000. My heart sank. This is too expensive...
Just as I was about to say no, my phone buzzed again.
Aarav's second message:
"Don't think about the cost of the outfit before buying it. If you like it, just buy it."
I stared at the screen for a long moment.
Aarav always thinks about me, always makes sure I don't hold myself back.
And maybe... he was right.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I am not just Siya anymore.
I am his Angel.
And maybe... just maybe... I can do what I want, too.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Okay, let's buy it."
Trisha clapped happily. "Finally! Now, let's go before you change your mind."
We went to the counter, paid for our things, and started walking out of the store.
Just as we were about to leave, my eyes landed on a small stand filled with keychains. One of them caught my attention immediately.
I stopped in my tracks, my heart tugging toward it. It was a couple keychain—simple yet adorable. I couldn't take my eyes off it.
I had never given Aarav anything before.
Before Trisha could say anything, I quickly said, "Wait here, I'll be right back."
I didn't give her a chance to ask questions and rushed toward the keychains. Without thinking twice, I picked them up and bought them. One for me and one for Aarav.
When I came back, Trisha gave me a questioning look. "What did you buy?"
I tucked the keychains into my bag and smiled. "Just... something small."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but thankfully, she didn't push further. Instead, she grabbed my hand—again—and dragged me toward the food counter.
"We're already late for the lecture, so let's enjoy some good food," she announced happily.
I sighed. She never really asks. She just leads the way.
We reached the counter and ordered two burgers and coffee. Trisha, as usual, started taking pictures—of the food, the mall, even me.
She loved capturing moments.
"Why do you take so many pictures?" I asked, watching her pose with her coffee.
She grinned. "Because these are the moments I'll look back on when I'm 60 or 70, sitting with my grandchildren."
I raised an eyebrow. "You're not even married yet, and you're already thinking about grandchildren?"
She rolled her eyes. "Obviously, I'll get married first, then have kids. So why should I think about children when I can think ahead?"
I blinked. Sometimes, I really don't understand her logic.
We laughed and chatted while finishing our food. Then, we stepped out of the mall.
I had already messaged driver Kaka to pick me up at the exit, so I stood at the mall exit, waiting for driver Kaka, while Trisha kept talking about something excitedly.
My fingers brushed against the keychains in my bag, and I smiled softly.
Just then, Trisha's car arrived. She turned to me and said, "I'll drop you home."
I quickly shook my head. "No, no, it's okay. Kaka is coming."
She gave me a look but then sighed. "Okay, take care." With that, she got into her car and drove away.
A few seconds later, my phone buzzed. It was Kaka's message:
"Beta, just two more minutes. I'm almost there."
I nodded to myself, clutching my bag tightly.
Then, suddenly, I heard someone call my name. "Siya."
I turned and saw a familiar face. What was his name again? Vicky? No... Vivaan? No, no... Veer. Yes, Veer.
He walked toward me with a smile. "Hi, Siya. How are you?"
I gave him a small nod. "I'm good."
I glanced at my phone, silently wishing Kaka would hurry. I didn't like talking to strangers.
Veer spoke again, tilting his head slightly. "Oh, you came shopping alone?"
Why does he care if I'm alone or not?
I shook my head. "No, I was with my friend."
Before he could say anything else, Kaka's car pulled up in front of me. I immediately took a step back. "Bye, I'm getting late." Without waiting for a response, I got into the car and shut the door.
Veer didn't say anything wrong. He wasn't rude or mean. But still... I didn't like talking to him.
Or maybe... I just wasn't comfortable talking to boys.
Even Karan, never really spoke to me. We only talked when Trisha was around.
Maybe... I just don't know how to talk to them.
After attending the meeting, I walked into my cabin and checked my phone. There was a message from Siya—sent two hours ago.
"I'm going with Trisha to the nearby mall."
I leaned back in my chair, thinking.
I knew about Trisha Shekhawat. Her father worked with me, and I was familiar with Karan's family as well. I had no issue with them. But I had already told Siya to take a driver with her whenever she went out.
For a moment, I considered messaging her again. She should have listened.
But then, I stopped myself.
She was getting comfortable. This was her first step—going out with a friend. I didn't want to stop her. And besides, no one knew she was my wife.
Still, her safety was my priority.
I'll talk to her later or arrange bodyguards around her. She won't even know.
She was just going to a mall, that too nearby. It wasn't a big deal.
So instead of questioning her, I sent a message.
"I will be happy if you buy something for yourself, Angel."
I already knew her response.
She won't buy anything. She still thinks too much.
We had made a lot of progress in our relationship, but she was still hesitant about spending money on herself.
I smirked and sent another message.
"Don't think about the cost of the outfit before buying it. If you like it, just buy it."
Now, she would definitely buy something if she liked it.
Just then, Rohan stepped in. "Sir, Mr. Malhotra is here."
I looked up, my expression turning cold. "Send him in."
After dinner, I changed into my nightwear and sat on the bed, waiting for Aarav. He had gone to the study room for work.
How much work does he even have?
Shivji, does he ever take a break? Can't he rest for a while? Or at least finish his office work in the office itself? This is not the time to do office work!
I glanced at the small keychain in my hand. I wanted to give it to him, but he was taking too long.
I pouted, staring at the clock. Should I wait? Or should I just go to him?
A better idea came to my mind.
I'll go to him! Otherwise, he will keep working the whole night.
Without thinking more, I put on my slippers and walked toward his study room.
Just as I reached the door and was about to knock, his voice echoed through the room—loud and angry.
"I don't care how you do it, but I want that presentation ready by morning! Otherwise, don't show your face to me!"
I froze.
His voice was loud. Too loud. And filled with anger.
My heart raced. My hands turned cold.
I stepped back immediately and turned around, rushing back to my room.
Throwing myself on the bed, I pulled the blanket over me, trying to calm down.
No, no, Shivji! I am not going to him now.
He sounded so angry! What if he scolds me?
But... he never scolds me.
Still, I'm not taking any chances!
I was lost in my thoughts, hugging the blanket close, when suddenly, I felt a pair of strong warm arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. My breath hitched.
I immediately blurted out, "I... I didn't do anything!"
Aarav's voice was soft now. "What didn't you do, Angel?"
I peeked up at him, feeling relieved. He's not angry anymore. He won't scold me.
Before I could say anything, he asked, "Why didn't you come inside the study room?"
I hesitated before mumbling, "Because... you sounded too angry."
His lips curled slightly. "So?"
I looked at him, unsure. "So... what if you scold—"
Before I could even finish, he pressed a soft kiss on my forehead.
I froze.
His warmth lingered, and my mind went blank.
Shyness took over, and I quickly looked down, feeling my cheeks heat up.
Aarav gently cupped my face, tilting it up. "What happened, Angel?"
I swallowed, barely managing to whisper, "N... nothing..."
He studied me for a moment before asking, "Are you scared of me?"
I immediately shook my head. "No! But... I was a little scared of your anger."
He sighed, brushing his thumb against my cheek. "You don't have to be. My anger is not for you... and it never will be."
His words made my heart flutter.
"Hmm... so never run away from me, okay?"
I nodded. "Okay."
Then I suddenly remembered!
"Oh! I want to give you something. Wait here!"
I quickly moved aside and opened my bedside drawer. Carefully, I took out the keychains and turned toward him.
Holding them up, I smiled shyly.
He looked at the keychains curiously as I explained, "See, this yellow one is mine—it's innocent and harmless, just like me." I giggled. "And this black one is yours—all serious and scary, just like you. And you like black, so it fits."
I smiled proudly, waiting for his reaction.
But instead of saying anything, he simply raised a brow. "So... am I scary?"
Oh no.
I panicked. "No, no! I didn't mean it like that!"
He leaned closer. "Then what did you mean, Angel?"
I opened my mouth to explain but got flustered. "I... okay, if you don't like it, give it back!"
I tried to snatch it from his hand, but he moved it away, smirking.
"No," he said firmly. "It will stay with me... just like you stay with me, Angel."
I froze again.
My cheeks burned.
Shivji... this man!
I quickly looked away, biting my lip to hide my blush.
Aarav leaned in a little. "Are you blushing because of me... or because of me?"
I stammered, "W-Who said I'm blushing?"
He smirked. "Your face says it. And I like that I am the reason."
I couldn't take it anymore.
I quickly hugged him—because now, I couldn't handle his gaze!