Written and edited by Mahima Rathod

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One week after Armaan and Shruti's wedding-Thursday

Mrs. Verma started crying as soon as her whole family arrived at the Airport. Reason? Only that her son and daughter-in-law were leaving for Canada for their honeymoon. That's what happened every time Armaan left India for work. So, he mostly avoided taking his mother with him to see him off. But this time he was taking his wife with him, for the first time, so, even if he wanted to, he couldn't deny his mother to tag along to the airport.

"Call me when you reach there, Okay? And if you feel sick in the plane tell Armaan to call to help. And don't be afraid since this is your first flight, Armaan will take care of you- ", Mrs. Verma kept going with the instructions, and Shruti listened as an obedient Daughter-in-law.

Armaan, who was leaning against the hood of their car, looked at his wrist watch, and sighed in annoyance, they were getting late. He looked at his father and made a pleading face to help him get rid of the annoying conversation. His father nodded and walked over to his mother who was now whispering something into Shruti's ear. Armaan frowned when he saw Shruti blush and gasp, but she stifled it quickly when she saw her Father-in-Law coming to stand beside them.

"Come on, Ridhima", Mr. Verma put a hand on his wife's shoulder, "Enough now, they are going to be late. You can give her all the instructions on the phone tomorrow". Mrs. Verma never ignored her husbands word, so she shut up.

Armaan exhaled when he saw that they were finally making their way towards where he was standing. He looked at his father and grinned thankfully, to which his father nodded and raised a thumb. He couldn't ask for a better father, he already had.

Shruti walked to Armaan's side with a smile on her face and stood beside him still not meeting his eyes. Armaan knew it was something that his mother had said since the blush from initial conversation was still present on her face. He put a hand on her back and turned to his parents for the see-off.

In no time they were strapping themselves in their seats for the take off. It was Shruti's first time travelling in a plane and Armaan thought she would be afraid. But instead, she looked exactly the opposite. She was very excited and giddy for their vacation. No trace of nervousness or fright was visible.

There goes my plan of being Knight in shining armour, Armaan thought and turned away from his wife, who was busy looking out of the window. He wanted to hold her hand and sooth her, exactly like a cliché, but his wife was too busy to notice his wearing off mood.

They held short conversations, like when will they land, where were they going to stay, what type of clothes she should wear, and so on.

Sometime around, the flight attendants provided the dinner and they started eating it silently. Then Armaan suddenly asked the question reeling in is mind for some time, "What did my mother say to you just before dad interrupted?"

Shruti froze with food in middle of air, she didn't move, just peeked from under her eyelashes to see Armaan looking at her curiously, and then suddenly put the food in her mouth and started chewing. The blush on her face didn't escape Armaan's eyes but he didn't say anything, just kept staring at her.

Shruti shook her head when she finished her bite, "Nothing...".

Armaan's eyebrow raised when he clearly spotted her trying to dismiss the question. Instead of looking up, Shruti reached for another bite, and Armaan thought, how does she even like eating the plane's food. He had never liked eating food from any airlines. But it was a long journey so he somehow always managed to eat it.

Shruti looked up to check if Armaan was still staring, "What? I said it was nothing", she said again.

She was startled when Armaan suddenly smiled, not the gentle nor the evil smile, but I-have-another-way smile, and reached for her hand. She held her breath and allowed him to show his 'another' way. Armaan started caressing her hand with his thumb, and she inhaled deeply.

On the outside she seemed as she was shy to all these advancements from her husband, but inside her mind, she was already in their hotel room tearing off each other's clothes. Her thoughts embarrassed her more and she tried to think about something else, like her cheap 200 rupee shoes, or the seeds of a tomato. Yuck!

She tried not to look at Armaan but couldn't help herself as she looked into his eyes. She coughed lightly and tried to pry her hand away but Armaan held her hand and kissed her knuckles. Shruti's eyes widened as another visual popped into her mind, visual of him throwing her on the bed and climbing on top of her.

She coughed louder this time, which wasn't at all fake, but it only made Armaan shift closer to her and brought a glass of water to her mouth. She drank the water, glass in her free hand and other hand still in the clutches of her 'devious' husband.

Armaan's free hand landed on her knee, but she didn't acknowledge it as a seducing threat. She thought it just casually landed on her knee, but she sputtered the water back into the glass as his hand started moving up her thigh.

Another image flashed through her mind, him massaging her bare thighs and further up, and up, and-

"Stop! Stop goddamn*t!", Shruti shrieked as slowly as possible, and put down the glass of water.

Armaan tried to keep in his bubbling laughter as he saw his wife getting riled up.

"Sorry, what happened? Is there a problem?", Armaan asked her, pulling away his hand from her leg.

Shruti narrowed her eyes at him, "Stop touching me, we are in public! It doesn't look nice! And leave my hand", Shruti said and snatched her hand.

Armaan would have felt hurt when she snatched her hand back, but he was too busy controlling himself from the laughter.

"Sorry, Sorry. Why don't you just tell me what mother said to you, and I will stop."

Shruti thought it was better to get embarrassed in front of her husband by telling him what he wanted to know then embarrassing herself in front of whole plane, when she would stand up with a wet stain on her legging.

Gosh! My husband is a conniving b*st*rd, she thought, and yes, she had no problem in cursing someone inside her head, only problem was speaking it out loud.

She made a face and started, "Your mother asked me whether I have regular periods or not", She felt good when her husband's surprised face started turning red, "And she asked me if we already...you know...did it...on our wedding night", Armaan's hold on her hand slacked and his mouth hung open, so Shruti nodded smugly and gave him another shock, "and she told me that we should...plan for a baby soon". Of course, she refrained herself from telling him that his mother had already made the plans for making her pregnant by sneakily poking holes in every condom packet Armaan was carrying and told her not to reveal anything to Armaan. She was angry and embarrassed at first, but then she realised her mother-in-law was just an innocent oldie, who wanted to see her grand-daughter.

She knew she would have to tell Armaan sooner or later, but the mama's boy Armaan was probably in much more shock than she had anticipated. She would have to tell him later, and also stop at a medical store.

Armaan smacked himself on the face and wished that he had never asked her about their conversation. Leave it to the mothers to embarrass their kids. And this wasn't the first time he was hearing about the 'baby' talk. His mother had tried to tell him how babies were blessings of the god, and how they made every one's life happy and cheerful, silently hinting that now that he was married a baby should already be on the way.

Armaan looked at Shruti, who was now hiding her lips, but he knew she was trying not to laugh. She suddenly spurted laughing as much as slowly she could so as not to attract attention.

"It's not funny!", Armaan grunted, but managed to straighten his face. Shruti couldn't stop laughing, even when she raised her hands and turned to pick up her food. When she put the food in her mouth after sometime, she suddenly sputtered and the food blew out of her mouth disgustingly, which made Armaan laugh.

And that's how they reached Canada, laughing at each other's embarrassment.

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Next day-Friday

"Sir, your car is ready", the bodyguard and chauffer, Dan told Brandon.

"Okay", Brandon replied and deleted the message he was typing just before and stood up to exit the house, picking up his duffle bag on the way to the door.

As he was exiting the door, Dan said, "Sir, paparazzi alert".

Brandon stiffened a bit and let his face bare of emotions or expressions. He put a pair of sunglasses and hood up his head. As soon as he got out of the door, the cameras started to flash and most ridiculously personal questions were asked, but he didn't stop to reply.

Is it true that Miss Stanford has finally broken up with you?

Is Olivia pregnant?

We heard that she has filed a case against you, how much is true?

Is it true that your relationship was abusive?

Abusive? That was new and it also captured Brandon's attention. Correction, Brandon's angry attention. All the above he had heard before, and there was nothing new about those rumours, but why would anyone spread anything about him being abusive? Brandon was about to open his mouth to retort, but Dan put a hand on his shoulder, and slightly pushed him inside the car.

Swallowing the anger, he sat down in the backseat and took off his hideous covers.

"How did they even know that Olivia has left again?", Brandon asked Dan who was just pulling out of the drive way.

Dan shrugged keeping his eyes on the road, "You never know what information these people will find out, from where. They might even know which soap you use for bathing".

Okay, that was true. The paparazzi can find out anything. But still, making assumptions and accusing either of them being in an abusive relationship? It was really out of line.

"How much time till we reach the set?", Brandon asked Dan.

"An hour, more or less".

"Okay, wake me up. It's still early for me", Brandon told him and got himself comfortable in the backseat.

Before closing his eyes, he contemplated messaging Olivia. But he couldn't find the words to say.

Hi, how are you? should he say this? Or,

Hey babe, you good? should he say this? Or,

Just call her and ask her whether she is coming back this time. Yes, that seemed a good idea. But it had only been two days since she left, and her mind never opens up until a week later after their fights. Every time Olivia would leave their house, Brandon would go to Landon's house every day and try to talk to her. But she wouldn't see him until at least five days. Every previous time, when he went to persuade her to forgive him, he knew what mistake he had done, so, he went there willingly to apologize. This time, Olivia just left in middle of the evening, only saying, 'I am leaving', nothing more. It took Brandon a moment to understand that she was leaving the house, since her suitcase was packed with her.

What Brandon couldn't understand was why would she leave him again without any reason? Just because he had not called her Olie? Or because he didn't kiss her? Or maybe because she finally didn't want to be with him. What else could the reason be?

And he had decided the moment she left, he was not going to apologize, for anything. He was nowhere in fault, instead she was, and then she had to show him attitude and leave the house. Did she expect him to run after her every time, even when it wasn't his fault? Wasn't it time for her to grow up? how much longer did she expect every one to handle her tantrums that she threw like a brat?

Even Landon had told Brandon to not drag him into the mess they were making. Although Brandon knew that his friend was very sensible in terms of behaviour, and no where near his sister, he had clarified it even before they Brandon and Olivia moved in together, that this relationship could either form a very close family bond or crack all the relations that were associated with them. And that was what seemed like was happening.

Deciding against everything, Brandon opted to put his phone on silent and close his eyes until they reached the set.

His show, 'Beauty & Gossips', was running successfully for past two years, and currently he was shooting for the second last episode of the show. The show only invited the ladies of the celebrity world, including the politicians, business women, and also wives of popular celebrities. The main theme of the show was to promote the Lady's current works and success.

Brandon had been into the television industry for almost six years. In the beginning, he was cast in some television ads and junior artists' role. He had wanted to become an actor from his early teenage years and his inspiration was his uncle Steve Wellington, who was a popular actor and comedian of his own time. Brandon always admired the work his uncle did, after all, he was an award wining comedian. When Brandon reached his young adult phase, his uncle's health began to deteriorate, and he got retired for the rest of his life.

Brandon wanted to make a name for himself, not with anyone's recommendation, so he went through all the levels of audition and photoshoots for his commercials and junior artist's role. Gradually, people began to notice his work, his outspokenness, and his charming looks which could easily gain him a lead role.

The show 'Beauty & Gossips' got him on a ladder of movie offers that he was receiving now. He wondered if he would get a chance to work with Olivia on screen in future.

His eyes snapped open at the thought. Even in his unconscious thoughts, he couldn't keep her out of his mind.

That's what happens when you love someone more than yourself, he thought, running his hands on his face tiredly.

It wasn't long until they reached the sets of 'Beauty & Gossips', and Brandon was getting ready in his makeup room. This time he was given a white shirt and a grey vest along with black branded jeans. He wanted to wear sneakers to the show but the designer asked him to wear dress shoes. He was re-reading his question cards when he saw the hairdresser who was working on his hair glancing at his chest that was visible from the two buttons kept unbuttoned. She was so mesmerised looking at his muscled chest line, that she didn't even notice Brandon was staring at her with his eyebrow raised. When she continued to do so further, Brandon had to cough loudly to pull her out of the trance.

The girl was embarrassed unlike Brandon who was used to having this kind of attention. He then understood why the designer wanted him to wear that outfit. The guest invited to the show today was Alicia Beckett, a 25-year-old famous model and public figure, owner of modelling agency 'Beckett', and a total perv. Okay, maybe we could call her...Flirty? Yes. She was actually one of the most beautiful person that had ever arrived on the show and him wearing that outfit indirectly becomes mandatory.

In next hour they were all ready to start the shooting. Alicia had already arrived and hour ago and was sitting ready in her makeup room, as Brandon and the director went over with the script. The director had specifically told him to not to be bothered with her flirting, which made Brandon wonder whether he was talking from experience, because he seemed extremely serious. And even if she started flirting with him he wouldn't be bothered to reciprocate, after all, he had a-long term relationship waiting for him at home.

I guess...

"Hello and welcome to another episode of Beauty and Gossips! I am your very handsome and favourite host, Brandon Wellington, and today we have an exquisite guest pleasuring us with her presence. She is the youngest entrepreneur of her age, and a very successful model. From the age of fourteen, she has been only climbing up on the popularity ladder. So, without further ado, I welcome...Miss Alicia Beckett!", Brandon said looking at the camera with cheerful voice and a smile that would have all the female population drool.

The cameras from various directions focused on the young beauty that was entering the set looking hot and elegant at the same time. Her red and white short dress embodied with intricate lace showed her figure and her long legs appreciatively. Her back was fully exposed up until her hips. The junior artists that were sitting in the audience cheered and clapped and whistled as she walked gracefully, almost seductively and reached to where Brandon was standing. Brandon was doing his part, smiling and waiting for him to join her, and then he would have to hug her and kiss her cheek as was the unwritten gentlemanly trend now-a-days, and then take her by her hand and make her sit comfortably on the sofa chair. But when Alicia reached Brandon, something entirely different happened then Brandon had anticipated. Flirting? Touching hands? Kissing cheeks? Wasn't it enough flirting for her? No.

Brandon saw her putting her hand in his as he outstretched it to welcome her, and then suddenly she kissed him, on the lips. Brandon's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't comprehend what he should do next. If it were any other woman in front of him he would have yanked her away and sternly told her to stay away, but this was a famous model and her fan following was more than his. He definitely didn't want to make the fans, hers or his, hate him for disrespecting the lady.

He cringed internally, as her injected lips almost bruised his bold ones. By the time she was done, Brandon's state, physically and mentally, was upturned. His hairs were ruffled, much to hairdresser's annoyance, and red lipstick was smeared on his lips. He hadn't even realised that she had managed to pop a button off his shirt. He was trying so hard to compose himself and even though the director was shouting in his ear piece to say that it was awesome, he had just one thought reeling in his mind.

Olivia...

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Same day - noon

"Have you read the magazine yet?", Marissa asked Brenna as they both were enjoying their coffee and snacks in Marissa's balcony, "The young entrepreneur?".

Brenna bit the cookie in her hand before she shook her head, swallowing she said, "I didn't know it was already out. When did it come out?", She asked.

Marissa stood up and walked over to the table where the magazine was laying, "It came out today, 8 o'clock. Would you believe if I said that at that time in morning, Landon arrived with this in his hand?", she said waving the magazine in her hand and handed it over to Brenna, who laughed in surprise.

"That would be the first for Landon to be on time", Brenna said and took the expensive looking magazine 'The Young Entrepreneur'. She turned the pages and found Landon's picture and she was confused. She didn't just show it yet, and she began reading the interview and reviews.

-when we asked Mr. Stanford about the rumours, specifically about his sexuality, he finally confirmed it with us, for the first time. He said, "Yes, I would like to finally confirm all the rumours about me being Gay. Although I have to deny all the rumours for having any freaky relation with Mr. Flemington here." He finished it with a laugh.

-we asked him to tell us more about their journey, from common college students to budding entrepreneurs, and how Mr. Stanford adjusted with his sexuality so long without revealing it. He told us that he had been shy about his sexuality from his teenage because of his family who still had old mentality. His friends had supported him as long as he knew, especially Mr. Flemington and his wife. So, they managed to avoid any pre-revelations and accusations.

-on asking about his family's reaction, he said they had yet to know about it. We just hope that his family could look beyond his sexuality and accept him as a successful business man.

-when we asked him if he had kept inside closet because it may cause the female shopper's attention to steer away, he gracefully denied it. Mr. Flemington added, "even if we lose the female clients, I bet we would gain more male clients, given Landon's good looks". It seems hard to believe their words, maybe they just didn't want share their business tactics. Maybe they want to Launch a new line in Men's clothing and purposely gave into the revelation...

Brenna closed the magazine in disdain and looked at Marissa.

"This is really..."

"Bullsh*t, I know", Marissa completed her statement before sipping her coffee.

"No, I mean, this isn't really how we all expected the interview to be. I bet Landon isn't going to like it", Brenna put down the magazine and leaned back on her straw chair.

"He didn't, but neither did he react in his usual ways, throwing tantrum or over-reacting. I think he is waiting for people's reaction. And his family's", Marissa said as she recalled the look on Landon's face when he had arrived early in the morning, which only made her feel sad.

Marissa had been his friend from the moment she had met Tristan, and he had become a part of her family. But what really matters to Landon would be his actual family's reaction to this. He might not express his emotions openly, but Girls know what the verdict of family is, and how much it matters.

"And what did Tristan say about this? If you don't mind me asking, why is there so much about Landon's personal life and not the professional life. Frankly, it seems like it is Landon's biography and not Pearl&Amber company's interview", Brenna said and took out her phone to text Joel about the Interview. He might be able to give some advice about Landon's reaction to this.

"Tristan, is very much disappointed in himself. I think he is feeling guilty, because he was the one who persuaded Landon to allow the magazine to use his picture as the host of company and it seems to have backfired", Marissa told her. The tone of her voice clearly showed how much she was affected by the new disaster in life of the two people she loved so much.

Brenna stood up and pulled her into a hug, "I am so sorry this happened Mary", she pulled away and said, "But don't be upset about it more, we will figure something out, okay?", she asked and Marissa nodded.

"That's what Tristan said before going after Landon. They need some bro time, I suppose", Marissa chuckled, "Come on. I need to feed the girls, and you need to feed Bryan", she said to which Brenna agreed and they both gathered the coffee mugs and dishes before walking into the kitchen. They had both been chatting outside for not more then fifteen minutes, since they couldn't leave the kids alone for long time.

Brenna and Marissa had met through their husbands who have been friends for almost all their lives. They were still not married at that time, but they had become friends very fast since Marissa needed a girl friend other than Olivia to have something normal in her life, and Olivia was far from normal. Then they got their special moments when they both got married in the same year and got pregnant in the same period of time. This only brought prosper to their friendship.

Today Brenna had come to check on Pearl's health which was back to normal. She couldn't come sooner because they wanted to be cautious about the fever spreading to Bryan too. The fever Pearl had was gone completely a day before and it could be clearly proven because the trouble twins were completely enjoying the painting they had been doing, on Bryan.

"Babies... it's time for your Lunch-", Marissa gasped and halted in the doorway with two bottle of milk in her hand, when she saw her daughters with paint brush in their hands and Bryan holding a small barbie mirror in his hands.

"Wha...Whoa", Brenna came up with bowl of food in her hand behind Marissa and her eyes widen as she saw the scene in front of her.

Pearl was poking a Paint brush into Bryan's ear and Amber just now handprinted Brayan's cheek with Black colour which just dripped down his face and fall on his shirt. Instead of annoyance, this just made him laugh.

"Oh my god, holy-", Marissa shrieked loud enough for Brenna and herself and began to fuss. She ran over to the kids and pulled Pearl's paintbrush away from Bryan's ear before she wouldn't hurt him accidentally, but thankfully she hadn't been painting inside his ear, only outside it.

Pearl began to whine about the loss of Paint brush and reached out to it while her mother raised it over her head. Brenna also rushed to Amber's and Bryan's side, and picked up Amber to put her away from Bryan who was now reaching his small palm with pink paint on it towards Amber, but his mother had already pulled her away. Once she set her down far away-not that it mattered, because she started crawling towards the paint again-Brenna picked up Bryan, who started whining in start but then planted his paint filled palm on her cheeks. It surprised Brenna and surprised more when Marissa started laughing while putting Pearl beside Amber, away from the paint boxes.

Soon the twins started laughing too and attacked their mother, now it was Brenna's turn to laugh.

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"Sir, do you want me to bring you some coffee?", the humble receptionist, Sara, asked while leaving Landon's office. All the while she had been reciting her notes about the recent enquiries for new collections, she had noticed that Landon's face looked tired and older all of the sudden. He had been quiet for the first time in entire time she had spoken, which wasn't normal. Of course, she knew the reason was the magazine article, but respecting his privacy she didn't speak of it.

"No, thank you. I think you should check with Tristan for more information", Landon said straightening up in his seat and engaging in his laptop.

Sara didn't say anything, just nodded and started to leave the office. When she walked out of the door, she realised Tristan was walking towards the cabin.

She quickly greeted him and told him that she needed more information about what to tell the local dealers. He told her to check his schedule with his assistant and then meet him in his office after lunch and then stepped ahead to enter Landon's office when she called him from behind.

"Yes?"

"Sir...", she hesitated, "is he going to be okay?", she asked Tristan still jumbling between the thought whether or not she should have asked the question, after all, it wasn't her business and maybe they wouldn't like if they felt she was getting more personal.

She was relieved when he replied, "He will be alright, don't worry about it."

Nodding to her, Tristan smiled and turned to enter Landon's office. He almost didn't want to enter the cabin since he could practically feel the tension in that room. When he entered he saw Landon staring at his mobile phone. Tristan realised that he was probably thinking about his family considering the way he was staring at his phone's wall paper, which was his family picture.