"Ma'am are you okay?", Navya asked as she saw me shifting on my chair restlessly.  I hmm'd without looking at her. I was too busy scribbling on the files that she had got to get my signatures.

Navya forwarded another file, "Are you really okay Ma'am?", she stressed on the question again trying to generate a genuine reply from me and this time I gave her a stern look and she  fixed her inquisition immediately,  "I know the last few weeks have been very rough on you please take care of yourself", she stated with real concern.

"When do we have the board meeting today?", I made sure to divert the topic so that she would stop enquiring about my health.

"In an hour ma'am"

"Okay you can leave this file with me...I will go through it and let you know my feedback...you can get back to your work just give me a reminder 15 minutes before the meeting"

Navya nodded her head in agreement and left the cabin leaving me alone to ponder over the recent happenings of my life.

I pushed my back against the chair to sit in a more relaxed position. As the pregnancy was culminating my health was going downwards. I was bereft of the care that I was supposed to have at that time and I couldn't blame it on anyone either. I had to bear the brunt of hiding the truth from everyone mostly Manik. I was hopeless myself, one day I  would feel I should just see the doctor and get it aborted but on the other day I would try to find excuses to take some more time to decide.

In the process of deciding whether to keep the baby or not I was growing used to it inside me. I would often talk to the baby in my alone time, at times it would listen to me patiently and the other times it would just twinge inside me especially whenever I said anything against his dad. One thing was for sure if I ever had this baby he was going to his Daddy's advocate. And the Daddy was another impossible man, he had gone back to his monster mode not that he ever behaved nice to me but that glint of softness between us was lost with my lie.

One important thing that happened was the oldie bid a forever goodbye to us. The doctors had declared him brain dead, he was still kept on life support for sometime but finally the doctors put the flag down. Mr. Malhotra's Will had his last rights wishes too. He wanted to be cremated in the Catholic way, apparently he was half Catholic. We respected his wish and the same was done.

Honestly Mr. Malhotra's death didn't bring about any major change in my life. I had hardly ever accepted him as my husband, it was just for namesake so I was pretty much like how I was. Infact my concerns now were a little different.

A lot was happening around me. Now the Will had to be implemented officially. Though there was still some other formalities left and it would take some more time but I was ready to wait. What had taken so long could be stretched a little further too.

But for the time being it was Synox and its functioning. There would be fresh elections for the top notch positions and if I wasnt wrong then the board meeting today was concerning this only. I didn't have much reasons to worry though. I was pretty sure I would be re-elected as the MD. I had fared well in my job and there was no reason I should be worried about that infact the worries now were different.

So far I had been able to keep the big secret to myself. But how long could I possibly hide it. My baby bump was starting to get visible and I had to be extra careful. I changed my whole damn wardrobe. Now I had only fluffier and easy going dresses than the skin fit ones. I guess it irked Manik a little to see the sudden change in my dressing style. I had caught him looking at me with suspicious eyes but men were a little slow in interpreting these minute things.

My phone beeped. It was Navya's reminder about the meeting . I quickly went to the washroom and freshened a little and came back and picked my files and headed to the conference room. Just as I was about to push the door of the conference room open someone bumped into me from the opposite side.

"What the hell!!", I snapped roughly holding onto the door knob to balance myself. All my senses by now were used to sniffing his presence around.

"For once can you just watch and walk", Manik barked back in an equally rough tone as mine. He brushed his suit that he thought might have got dirty by bumping into me.

It was then that I noticed he was actually dressed in a black armani suit. If I just put our differences aside for 2 seconds then there was no two ways about it that he looked drop dead handsome in it.

Goshhh why did this guy look so tempting at times??

I shunned the admiration streak in me. But why on earth was he so decked up?

"Aj birthday hai tumhara?", I asked sarcastically.

"Huh!!!"

"Then why are you dressed up like..tum andar jate hi cake katoge and we all will clap and sing the birthday song for you", now my sarcasm streak was on a roll.

Manik rolled his eyes and gave a wide plastic smile, "Can you stop getting smitten by me?I am sure there are better surprises waiting for you inside", he chuckled cunningly and made his way inside while I stood there confused for a while.

The meeting kick started as all the board members took their respective seats. Mr. Mathur read out the agenda of the meeting which more or less all of us knew. We began with prayer for Mr. Malhotra and then discussed the ongoing projects and it's progress. We had been lagging in our work, 2 projects under my supervision that should have been started by now were still in their initial stage of planning. With the way things were off late work had taken a back seat and was bound to suffer. Manik also added his 2 cents and informed that there was a lock out in one of the sites and how I hadn't even bothered to visit the site even after continuos reminders. Harshad's dad too took a dig as to how difficult was it for a women to function in this man's business.

I knew what they were trying to do. I kept a straight confident face and countered to all their questions and objections. Manik sniffled and smiled every time I failed to convince making me want to break his head but the scary part was that the other members of the board were more or less agreeing to whatever these set of jerks said.

"Mrs. Malhotra we really understand your situation right now...we know that you are not in the right frame of mind with the past course of events but I guess business is business...it requires our whole and soul which at the time being you are not able to give"

"No Mr. Mathur it's not that...I am very much committed to my work and you all know...", I retaliated trying to hold my calm.

"Mrs. Malhotra we all are aware of your capabilities but now that Mr. Malhotra is no more to guide  you, things are a little different...our shares are at an all time low...investors are skeptical for about pumping in more funds and our competitors are keeping us at the bay...it is high time that we have to take some stern decisions", Mr. Sharma dabbed the nib of his pen some what thoughtfully  given me a clear indication what he was going to say next.

"So there is something we all have decided jointly...", he paused again

"What is it?", my eyes were only at Manik who had spread himself on his seat like he owned it.

"The board of directors have decided to give you a break for sometime"

"Break??Really??so how is this break like", I knew now there was no point in trying to convince them. They will do what they had already decided.

"You are re...removed from the position of MD with immediate effect", Harshad added with a nervous smile may be he was expecting me to pounce on him the very moment.

"We will have a fresh set of elections in the next board meeting next month...till then we have to elect someone from us to act as the interim MD of Synox to not affect the smooth running of the business...I propose Mr. Manik Malhotra...he is young, talented and have recently handled situations at sites and office with great ease", Mr Mathur gave an encouraging smile at Manik and he acknowledged.

The other members glanced at each other and nodded in agreement to the propsal. Harshad and his father looked constipated. Probably Harshad was hoping them to select him.

"Dad young aur talented toh main bhi hun...why did they choose Manik then...he was not even contending", he whispered to his Dad sitting by his side.

"Calm down son...this is the smaller sacrifice for the bigger gain so have patience and flow with the tide", he mumbled to Harshad and joined the gang of morons by giving his nod to Manik.

"I am done with this nonsense", I stood up and muttered angrily and left the room closing the door with a loud bang.

My sudden exit did scare them a little but they stuck to their decision and as the majority agreed with it so Manik became the ruling king now. Everyone came forward and congratulated him and he couldn't beam less at his achievement which mostly meant at getting even with me. He had to see my face, he couldnt miss the lost dejected look on me so he wrapped the meeting asap.

I was fuming now and wanted to fire up anything that came my way. The news engulfed the place in split seconds and everyone gave me helpless looks. Navya looked nervous and apologetic at the same time. I couldnt stand those looks for a second more and went straight to my cabin which was not mine anymore to pick my stuff.

***

I threw my stuff one by one into a box without even bothering to look if it filled it either. I had never felt so insulted, this was my biggest failure with no fault of mine. Tears pricked my eyes, subconsciously reflecting what this position meant to me. I don't know if it was hurting that I just lost it or lost it to Manik.

"I can sniff heartbreak somewhere", his sudden voice startled me but I didn't look back. How could the jerk miss this opportunity. So he left his new found achievement hanging and followed me here to taunt me. I couldnt let him see the mess that I was right now. I won't let him enjoy at my cost.

I continued picking my things this time in a more patient and controlled manner. He pocketed his hands and roamed around the cabin which was his now, eyed the chair that was mine until an hour back. A victorious smile embellished his face as he occupied that with great authority and looked at me for my reaction.

"The tigress doesn't seem to be in a mood to fight??", he taunted again to evoke a reaction from me. But I remained quiet and of course he hated it when I didn't give into him.

I couldnt do this anymore and turned to leave and Manik leapt out of the chair to stop me. I tried to cross him but he shifted a little to obstruct my way and when I tried to move further he grabbed my arms and pulled me to him roughly and my body dashed against him and he felt something new.

It was almost 2 months that we had stayed away from each other physically. He was not aware of the new developments in my body and I had taken much care to hide it too. Though he was touching me after a long time but he was aware of the details and volumes of my body. He tried the look for the changes that his eyes couldn't see so far.

"Manik leave me...it's hurting", I struggled to free myself as well as to distract him from his hunt.

"There is something different...", he cringed his brows and tried to inspect. He loosened his grip on my arms and attempted to check somewhere else when I jerked his hands off me and pushed him back.

"Don't you dare touch me again Mr. Manik Malhotra...you can manipulate everyone else but not me so just stay away for your own better", I warned him only to see an even more indifferent and uncaring smile flicker on his lips.

"Abhi maine manipulate kia kaha hai...it's just the start darling", he made sure that he made the last word sound pathetic.

I minced a few abuses and walked out instructing Navya to have my things delivered to my house.

***

The feeling of defeat was so unnerving especially from someone upon  whom always I had have the control. Fate had indeed played a dirty game with me. I knew now that Manik had basked upon the unexpected authority he was going to use it to screw me to the maximum extent.

I called Mr. Luthra like a sulking child and complained about Manik's latest deed. But it was of no use. He clearly stated decisions regarding Synox will be taken by the board of directors in majority and he didn't have a say in it.

I had not come out of my room after coming back. I didnt want to face anyone for that matter, the feeling still had to sink in that I was powerless now. I cried a little, cursed a little but nothing gave me the desired peace.

"It's just the start darling..."

His words echoed in my head making me feel all the more disgusted. I tried sleeping but even that didn't work. What could I do that would give me some peace. The baby atleast had been a little generous on me and had not troubled me since his father did the honors.

Manik had almost found out had I not stopped him in the nick of time. I don't know what would he have done if he came to know that I had lied to him. But nothing could be worse than what he had already done to me. I was busy swearing on him in my thoughts when I heard a few voices from downstairs. I laid a good ear, one of it was Manik and a few other familiar ones.

I quickly wrapped my elaborate night gown and headed downstairs. As I moved ahead their giggles and laughter became more prominent. I stood at the edge of the second last stair to see Manik, Harshad, his Dad and a random girl clinging to Manik raising a toast to each other.

A smirk played on his lips as his eyes met mine and he dragged the girl closer to his chest.

"There comes the lady...the lady of the house...please welcome Mrs. Nandini Malhotra", Manik rose his glass towards me and brought his fellows attention on me.

It was a little surprising though. No not that random girl, she was probably one of those pick up girls from the bars and she could barely hold my attention for a second. What irked me was Manik' presence with the Saxena father-son duo. As far as I knew he had never liked them infact had confronted them on several occasion once for me and a few other times over work. Harshad was always envious of Manik for his say in Synox. So how come they were all together that too drinking together?

I fastened the laces of my gown tighter as I saw that loser Harshad gawking at my cleavage and walked to them.

"What are these people doing here?", I asked sternly looking at Manik.

He sipped his drink casually,  flirted with the girl a little and then got his attention towards me, "They are here to celebrate my victory"

Harshad's Dad sniggered cunningly and raised his glass towards agree with Manik. Manik put his glass on the counter left the girls side and walked to me.

"Why?? Are you like surprised to see me like this?? You shouldn't be though didn't I warn you it is just the start...there is so much that you are yet to know", he swayed his face closer to mine smelling of alcohol but here he looked pretty much in control of himself. I was still tryind to read him when he broke into fits of laughter and the others joined him in a tandem.

I don't know why but it felt so scary, the look in Manik's eyes wasn't just his usual hatred for me. It was something else, something that I wasn't aware of, something I wanted to comprehend but couldn't, something deep. I gaped at his devilishly angelic face to get some answers but he seemed to enjoy the perplexed look on my face.

"What?? Confused??", Harshad strolled closer to us and placed his hand on Manik's shoulder for a friendly side hug, "Dad Nandini looks very confused..don't you think we should help her a bit"

"Yes we should son...but firstly we should thank her...thank you Nandini without you this plan wouldn't have been anywhere"

I didnt know what they were talking about. Ofcourse the language I knew but apart from that nothing was making sense. What plan were they talking about?

"We know everything about the deal umm the dirty deal between Mr. Malhotra, Manik and you...the deal to give the Malhotra empire an hier but what you dont know is about the deal between Manik and me", and he dropped the bombshell on me" Aanhann the deal between us", Mr Saxena bore an evil smile.

I immediately looked at Manik hoping he would deny all the allegations against him. But he didnt, he just stood there composed in himself not showing any sign to defend himself infact the lop sided smile on his face vouched otherwise.

"Yes the deal...according to which I had to win Mr. Malhotra's trust and be his best confidant...so I did that I became the most obedient  and reliable employee an employee on whom he could rely completely not just his business and property but his wife too...from sites, to office well you did that part then, to his house, to his Will, to the board of directors and finally the MD of Synox...it was a long but an exciting journey"

I looked at him dumbstruck

"Tumhe kya laga? Main ye sab aaise hi kar raha tha...come on Nandini I thought you were smarter than this but you were clearly not...you made Harshad hire goons to beat me up..like really??"

Now I knew how he was so sure that I had sent the goons. He went on with his list of fooling me and Mr. Malhotra. I felt a string of loath struck my nerves but I remained quiet just gaping at Manik's face.

It was again the senior Saxena's turn to do the talking, "I had hogged for Synox all my life but what did Malhotra give me...just a position in the board of directors that too for namesake...I never had any say in his decisions...when he fell ill...I thought I would have my chance but the bloody fool married you and made you the MD too...he had assured me he would give Harshad a chance but the smoothly backed off his words...huh!! That bloody hag was looking for an heir but I knew he wasn't capable of reproducing"

"It was then Dad who chalked out this plan...Manik though was already working for Synox but had not made his presence felt...Dad saw the zing in him..he was young, ambitious...wanted to achieve success at any cost.. he made Malhotra notice Manik's work and then spewed stories about how he needed money to treat his ill mother and would do anything for that..."

So all those talks of self righteousness, self respect was all a lie.

"Malhotra thought he could take advantage of Manik's miseries but he himself walked  into the trap..and then you were there...ready to warm his bed all the time...that was the perk of the deal...hai na Manik? "

I looked at Manik to meet the betrayal in his eyes. How could he just tell them? He made me feel nothing less than a whore.

"Dude did you f*ck her every night? Like every night??", Harshad asked Manik with an amazed tone  but his lustful eyes were only at me.

"How dare you??", I raised my hand to slap the jerk but Manik caught it.

"Come on Nandini...galat kya bola usne...we used to umm..you know f*ck each other every single night...Ahh those nights were really something"

I felt so hollow for even letting this jerk touch me. Tears streamed down my eyes God knows for what. I had never had any expections from him but still I was hurt. Somewhere I had always believed our intimate moments meant something more than the deal to him. The way he would touch me, he would kiss me, the way he caressed me and made me sleep implied something else. It wasn't just sex according to his boss's instructions. But today in this moment he proved me wrong and how.

Manik inched closer to look into my eyes that were looking down to hide the dismay. He held my chin and made me look at him. My eyes screamed

Why???????????

Probably he read the question, "What?? Don't tell me you were expecting something else from me", he whispered on my face.

With the kind of equation I have always had with him I should have pushed him back and punched him hard. But here I couldnt help move myself. He brutally broke the image that he himself had created and there was just one thing that I could mumble in that shaken state of mine.

"What was that concern about the baby then??"

Just the mention  of the baby made his eyes flare in rage and he whispered back,"That concern is gone along with the baby"

Harshad and his Dad felt a little skeptical about this mute conversation inbetween us and made a pretty disturbing comment

"But thanks for not getting pregnant and increasing our trouble", Mr. Saxena sighed in relief and Manik shut his eyes for a moment to keep his fury in check.

"She did actually", Manik spoke again making their spines shiver, "But then she aborted it as well", he informed them curtly and the morons heaved a sigh in relief.

"Manik come na...you promised we will have some good time..come I will make a drink for you", the unwanted girl finally made her presence felt and tried to pull Manik along with her. Manik gave me a look and reluctantly allowed himself to be pulled to the bar counter.

Harshad took the opportunity to hover close to me. I was so lost in the head that I didn't notice his proximity infact looked in the direction where Manik sat facing his back to me.

"Nandini..I think we should have some fun too...you have done it so many times with Manik so I deserve atleast one opportunity...I promise I will treat you better", that pest had the audacity to say it on my face. I gave a death glare at him but that shameless jerk crossed all his limits when he grabbed my hand and tried to force himself on me. Manik sipped his drink clutching the glass tight. The girl tried to distract him but his eyes followed me through the glass.

I protested helplessly and used all my strength to push Harshad  back and awarded him with a tight slap on his cheek.

Mr. Saxena ran to his son's side and Harshad stood flabbergasted at the sudden slap holding his cheek and Manik snorted loudly. He found it amusing that I fought back like that more so because of the look on Harshad's face. He was well aware of my fighting prowess and chuckled to appreciate my move and that triggered the bas*ard more. Harshad grabbed my hair and pushed me towards the bar counter and I collided into Manik's chest. He took a moments time to separate me from himself.

"You bi*ch!! How dare you slap me now I will show you your rightful place", Harshad raided towards me and grabbed my a bunch of my hair. I yelped in pain.

"Harshad stop!!!", this time Manik pulled his hand out to guard me from Harshad.

Manik's sudden interference didn't go too well with the father son. They expected him to take their side instead of me. Mr. Saxena tried to counter Manik and he silenced him too.

"I will handle her...leave it to me ", he didnt wait for anyone's approval before tossing me over his shoulders.

Everyone looked at us somewhat shocked by Manik's sudden move.

"Manik leave me I said....put me down", I screamed in my loudest tone before Manik to me upstairs and shut the door behind.

The evil duo gaped in the direction that we went. The girl stomped her foot out of irritation and walked out hurling curses at me for ruining her one night stand.

"This is not done Dad...why do always let Manik have his edge...I would have taught her a lesson today", Harshad gritted mincing his jaws.

"Patience son patience...slowly and steadily things are going in our favor...we have to be very careful in our moves before I take over Synox as the CEO and Manik is our trump card now..we can't mess with him..we still need him but once his need is over he will be over too"

The evil father reminded the useless son about his ultimate vicious motive and just then they heard loud sounds from the room. They immediately hurried upstairs to check.

I stood at a feet's distance from Manik and he picked the glasses, jugs and vases one by one and smashed them on the floor making harsh brittle noises. I let out a few shrieks out of fear.

"See I told you na...Manik is quite capable of handling her...did you see how he is teaching her a lesson", Mr. Saxena rambled proudly standing outside.

"Even I could have done this", he made a face at the lost opportunity.

"Yeah right I did see that...chaanta kha k aa gaya...had Manik not interfered she might as well would have beaten into a pulp...now  come on let's get out of here...we have lots to plan"

They left and Manik stopped as he heard their receding footsteps. The whole room was a mess now. Manik had pretty much thrown everything on the floor except for me. I was still confused what was happening? What was he trying to do.

"Sleep!!", he ordered roughly pointing towards the bed and turned around to leave.

But I couldn't let him walk away without having my answers. I marched towards him and grabbed his shirt to make him face me.

"Why did you do this to me?", my tone was outright helpless almost pleading. I had thought I would shout and howl and blast him but I didn't infact i couldnt. I had never thought I would talk to Manik in that tone but I don't know why but I had suddenly started feeling vulnerable. Those glasses on the floor mirrored what I was feeling right now.

Broken!!

I had never confided on anyone, never let anyone come so close to me, never let anyone affect me as much as he did. We never had a trust pact neither any expection equation but somewhere I felt let down. My unsaid faith in him was broken and I needed to know why.

Manik released my grip on him and attempted to leave again only to be obstructed by me again , "I do not owe any answer to you Nandini..."

"You do Mr Manik Malhotra...you do owe me an answer and you are not leaving before I get that"

"Huh!!! Really?? I dont understand why are you so surprised...you did what you did for money so did I so how does it make a difference...tum ambitious ho sakti ho toh main kyun nahi"

"No this isn't about just money Manik...had that been the reason then Mr Malhotra always could give you more than those morons infact he did...unhone tumpe itna trust kia..he included you in his !Will...how could you do this to him"

"Tumhe badi fikr ho rahi hai apne swargwasi patidev ki...when the oldie was alive you never showered him with so much love and concern then what happened suddenly or are you upset that I shared our bedroom secrets with Harshad ", he taunted ruefully.

"You are disgusting"

"Less than you ofcourse...you are not upset about that I teamed up with the Saxena's you are upset because I defeated you in the worst possible way but you know what I do not regret one ounce of what I have done...I hate that old bas*tard and I hate you too", he spoke in utmost detest, "Yes I hate you both...I hate him...he has given me all the possible reasons of the world to..."

Suddenly Manik's voice was getting vague. I couldnt concentrate on his words, I felt a strong catch in my lower abdomen. The sudden stream of pain was so intense that I couldn't help but yelp in pain. I clawed on Manik's chest and screamed out loud. Manik was a little surprised by my sudden behavior. He couldn't understand what was wrong with me all of a sudden and then he saw my other hand clutching my tummy.
The pain was too much to bear. I felt I would collapse any moment. Manik quickly grabbed my arms to look at my face, I was sweating profusely and breathing hard.

Manik tried to feel by body but I jerked his hands off while clutching him tight with one hand. He tried once again and yet again I pushed his hand off and now Manik was starting to get irritated. By now he was almost sure what I was hiding, he just needed to confirm that.

My protests were getting on Manik's  nerves now.  He swiftly blocked my rebellious arm and used the other to unfasten the laces of my night robe. He got rid of it in a split second. Now I was clad in my mid thigh night dress and my bumpy tummy peeked out of it. He felt my tummy over the garment and got all his answers. Finally.

Although I was whimpering in immense pain but couldn't miss the deadly glare that built on his face.

"You lied to me...you..", he was probably ready to strangulate me and I was not in a condition to protest.

I was about to slide down and thump on the floor when he swiftly held me and swept into his arms and carried me over to the bed. He slowly lifted the hem of my dress and finally saw the baby bump. His face muscles loosened and looked at it with dreamy eyes. It was difficult to decipher if he was happy to see it because his face didn't show any.

"How dare you lie to me? How dare you hide it from me?", he asked in cold hollow voice enough to run a shiver down my spine. I hiccuped looking at his face. Manik yelled again this time pretty harshly without bothering that just had started crying out of pain.

"Ma...Manik!!", I was trying to hold him again, "Manik!!! Please ease it", I begged him while trying to get his hand touch my tummy but he didn't cooperate.

He was furious that I had lied to him, had hurt him intentionally with a false news and probably wanted a payback.

"Manik please it's paining", I whimpered like a headless chicken rubbing my heels on the mattress frantically. Manik let me suffer for a while and just stared at my slightly bulged stomach

"Gussa aa raha hai Mommy pe?", he was talking to my tummy, "Daddy ko bhi bahut gussa aa raha hai Mommy pe...", he glared at me again.

My eyes softened to plead Manik but he didn't want to budge. He looked away and shut his eyes in despair

And finally when he opened them he went back to my tummy, "I know you want to punish Mommy that she hid you from me for so long but now I know and I promise I will protect you...it's pretty late baby...you should sleep now..okay", he bent down and tenderly rubbed his cheek on my tummy, "Please let your Mommy sleep now...please", he kissed it softly and caressed it with feather soft touches.

I continued looking at Manik's face in awe and be amazed about the fact that how obedient this baby was to him. Despite all our hatred and differences it was surprising to know what connection had Manik built with this unborn little being.

"I am not done with you yet"

Manik glowered with a last warning at me before leaving me alone for the night.

Phewww!!! Longest chapter till date..
Sorry for making you sleep...😪

I know half of you must be cursing me k ek toh 3-4 months mein ek baar update deti hai wo bhi aaisa😝😝

Lol who wants to pull their hair out at thus MaNan equation 😂😂...Both MaNan are flawed  and to a great extent negatively flawed. What ever may be the reason they both are and have been wrong on several occasions.

How would they redeem themselves out of it?

I would love to hear your feedback, your take or may be any question or anything that you would want to see. So please grace me with your comments(the lamba d better😝)...I shall be waiting for them😆