It was early morning when like usual manik woken up and went to have shower. He came out while rubbing his hairs with towel. After drying them he went at front of dressing table. While setting his hairs His eyes caught the glimpse of nandni who was engrossed into few papers. He was curious after seeing her all ready in early morning.

“Being ready, are you going somewhere....?” He asked moving his hungry eyes at her from top to bottom and then again back towards her eyes. Every time she caught him staring at her, he have a devilish smile and his eyes looking at her very keenly.

Observing her each move, gesture and her expressions. His every glance was like he was reading a very interesting book, where each page is mixture of black and white, like grey, shady yet soft, having many untold mysteries, deep scars, pain, strength and confidence all at once written on them. 

“Yes, I am going for interview at two places for my job...!” She replied placing necessary things in her hand bag. She bent down after setting her bag and her long hairs fell at her face, hiding from his stiff expressions. He sat at couch opening his laptop.

“No, you are not going anywhere....!” He said simply looking back at his laptop. She didn’t want to reply but she knew it he would pester her until he gets satisfied reaction from her.

“You can’t just stop me for doing whatever I want to do....!” She protested angrily while arranging her documents in file. She looked up and found his sharp jaw tightened and his eyes flashing a warning. Then something clicked in his mind and his lips twitched into a smirk. 

“I don’t think so you will get any professional job, I mean you know you are not capable...!” He said while having devilish grin plastered at his face. Witnessing her blazing gaze he knew, he touched the paining vein.

“How dare you, I’m much capable to do job in any multinational company....!” throwing her file at bed she huffed in pure rage when his remarks left deep stab inside. For a moment he simply gazed into her eyes and then he drew a deep breath.

“Ok then try it, I’m sure if I ask any company to not let you have trouble of giving interview then I’m sure they won’t refuse my request....!” He said controlling his smile, enough to throw fuel on her anger.

“Nooo, You won’t do anything...!” She said stomping her foot like a petulant child. His eyes shifted back at her face, after pacing from her eyes to her lips. He seemed absent minded and occupied with what was before his eyes, his breath taking lady. Nandni felt conscious about her dressing, about her body and about everything he was looking at. Raising her hand up she tucked in a stray lock of hair. Complete gesture to cover her nervousness.

“I will not stop looking for job until I get one....!” nandni stated in a final determined voice.

“Hmmm. Best of luck....!” He said digging his eyes into hers. His devilish smirk was telling her that taking his threat lightly was just like fooling around. If she hated his smirk then she liked his eyes, which were scanning every detail of her face.

“Do whatever you want, I don’t care. I’m going for interview and it’s final....!” She pulled away her file from bed, all the time firmly fixed her eyes on his smiling face.

       --------------

Do you remember anything about your marriage....!” cabir asked when he noticed manik’s continuous stare at their wedding picture.

“No....!” manik shook his head, looking so frustrated about his misfortune.

“You both had a blasting fight before your marriage. That’s why you both looking quite grumpy in every picture....!” cabir laughed showing him their wedding album.

“I can expect, she’s a wild cat at the name of wife....!” manik chuckled slightly when he noticed her angry expressions in pictures.

“She’s tigress by the way you need wife like her. She Keeps you on your place....!” cabir laughed when manik gave him glare.

“How dare you. How you can do this....!” suddenly nandni’s voice stopped their laughing session in the middle.

“She’s saying some thing to you....!” manik told cabir looking back at album. He knew it very well what she was saying and whom she was talking to.

“Not him, I’m talking to you Mr malhotra....!” nandni pointed her finger towards manik who was still having most innocent look at his face.

“Me...? What I have done....?” manik asked looking totally satisfied at her response. She stomped her way towards him.

“Oh fuming, damn she is hot….!” Cabir whispered to Manik, earning killing glare from both Mr and Mrs Malhotra.

“Interview is long gone matter they didn’t even let me enter in the company....!” She threw her file at table.

“Oh really...?” Manik said having innocent look at his face, when inside he knew it what he have done. He already called in that companies to refuse her. He was trying hard to suppress his smile.

“They must be aware you are going to waste their time so they already saved themselves from this trouble and send you back home....!” manik replied while crossing his arms against his chest.

“Wait wait someone would like to tell me, what’s exactly happening....?” cabir asked looking between both husband wife’s fighting stares.

“It’s personal...!” manik winked at cabir making him rolled his eyes and left to give then some private time.

“Ok I’m not capable of doing work in multinational companies. I will do any other job. At least I can do cleaning in multinational companies. For that I don’t need to be more brilliant or even i don’t need any degree. I will apply for that. Right....!” She said greeting her teeth. Suddenly a wave of emotions overcame her and she felt like she was going to cry. Her weak broken look wiped his smirk away.

          --------------

She changed her dress and splashed cold water to cool down her burning face. She was already having trouble to find job and finally when she got chance he made sure they don't select her. She was standing in the middle off the room thinking what she will do now when door was opened gently.

He stalked forward, closing the gap between themselves. Her eyes digging into his like a prey under the murderous gaze of lion. Any one could tell he was getting under her skin. Coming closer he stopped few inches away.

He raised his hand up and before he could touch her She darted for the door and tripped over rug. Before she could stabilised herself, two thick arms went around her waist to save her from a worse fall.

She lifted her head up and looked directly at him. Instantly her eyes shifted from shocked ones to blazing red. Looking at her face which was burning red cause of the embarrassment.  A low chuckled rumbled in his chest.

“Well, how about we talk later, when you will be calm...!” He whispered softly,she simply rolled her eyes at his audacity

“There is nothing to talk about. Congratulation You got succeeded to make my life hell.....! Her eyes went cold and emotionless. She pulled her arms from his grip but his hold wasn’t easy to break.

“What’s your problem, why your hands don’t remain in their limits....!” She said wriggling in his arms.

“so you want me to leave you, think little wisely Mrs Malhotra because if I left you, you will fall really badly….!” He said holding her more securely in his grip. She looked up at him, his eyes were sucking her in.

“Your hairs are really beautiful...!” He whispered ever so softly, with one hand moving his fingers lazily in locks which were falling at her shoulders. She pushed his hand away and tried yanking her arm from his hold.

“Stop grovelling, we need to talk....!” manik said gripping her arms tightly. But she jerked her arm again to let herself free from his grip. There was fiery rage burning inside of her. She taking deep breaths but still it wasn’t helping.

“Why you did this. Why....!” She yelled while pushing, hitting his chest.

“Nandni...!” manik called her name lowly.

“I hate you for bringing me at this situation...!” She kept on hitting, pushing and fisting his shirt in her death grip. He held her both wrists against his chest to stop her aggression. Holding her both wrists in one hand, he wrapped his other around her waist to pull her closer.  Their foreheads were touching and fast breaths fanning their faces.

She kept struggling against him and once again, found herself getting nowhere. When she became still he left her wrists. Like a natural thing he held her chin and raised it up so that she can look at him. Truly he saw tears in her blazing orbs.

“What’s going on….!” Manik asked her gently. He hated it when she closed her eyes, shutting him out. She didn’t want to show her vulnerable side. May be that weak girl died, the same day he left her alone to fight with each struggle.

“Are you crying because you are not so brilliant…!” And here once again his punching lines were back. He didn’t want to miss the chance to annoy her again. At that time he preferred aggressive lioness instead of a broken hopeless kitten. She slapped his hand away, making her chin free from his hold. Again she started struggling to get free from his arms, and it made him laugh.

“Leave me, you....!” before she could say something spicy in her anger, ignoring her protest he pulled her in tight hug. Her face was pressed into his chest, completely silencing her voice. All defeated she let her arms flop down at her sides and just stood still in his tight embrace. Both were silent, only noise falling on their eardrums was of their heart beats.

“So what I said wiffy, you won’t get any job....!” Manik chuckled placing his chin on the top of her head. This time she took his words more seriously. Her shoulders slumped down defeated.

“No one can say No to me...!” He stated in seductively smooth voice. He placed a light kiss at her head. She couldn’t sit at home, doing nothing when after two days she needs to pay next instalment of bank.

His constant warnings about she won’t get any job, was crushing her hopes mercilessly. Her hard work was nothing when Manik Malhotra will ask every company to not hire her.

She wasn't the same girl, years before who was totally dependant at him. She never felt need to ask for anything because he provided her everything even before asking. But now when he remained away he isn’t aware about many things she needs money for. Asking him for money was new and totally embarrassing for her.

When she finally realised, she can’t do anything. When her heart sank hopelessly she did what every emotional girl could do on such time. She started crying like a little girl.

“I... need a job. I need to pay bank instalment. I need job for my baby....!” She sobbed out. Her tears wetting his white shirt. He was taken back after listening why she was so stubborn to do job. His body got stiff and he seemed speechless.

Holding her shoulders he pushed her little away to look at her. Her eyes were pleading and in a heartbeat his expressions softened.  “Come...!” Holding her hand he brought her towards bed and made her sit.

“Please let me go. I'm tired...!” She once again stood up when he held her wrist like she is fragile beautiful crafted glass doll. One wrong move and she would shattered into pieces. He pulled her down gently.

“Ok I will leave myself then you can have little rest but first you have to listen to me...!” He asked politely. Heknew it his forceful acts making her more irritate and angry so he needs to handle her delicately. After making sure she won’t run away he sighed deeply.

“I have paid everything and money also have been transferred into your account. Still if that money isn’t enough I will transfer more. I will make sure you never need to ask me for any thing....!” listening him her eyes got widened. She was stunned, overwhelmed, speechless. When she digested what exactly he said a fresh wave of tears flowed down her cheeks. She can’t believe it he already have paid for everything.

“You already have done so much. You couldn’t give proper time to Aaron. You couldn’t feed him just because you needed to do jobs. Don’t you see when you leave him with any one, how he gets panicked. Our baby doesn't deserve this. What you think don't I earn enough for us for my baby for my family.....?” Manik whispered gently and now everything made sense that why he was determined to not let her do any job. 

Listening his promise her bottom lip began to quiver, tears brimmed in her eyes. She felt her heart swelled with hope. Finally she felt to let go her resentment and felt light. Like a heart crushing burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Seeing tears in her eyes once again he wished to have feisty Nandni instead of that broken, weak and sad one.

“Promise me one thing you won’t waste other’s time for job. Because they need bril…..liant people, I mean you know….!” Wiping her tears, Manik said stuttering dramatically. Her eyes popped out when she realised he once again taunting her. She pushed his hands away and abruptly stood up. She took two step away from his reach.

“You are so arrogant, heartless, self-centred monkey Malhotra…!” She said before wiping her tears harshly. As she left the room his priceless expressions were a scene to watch.

“Manik Malhotra, the billionaire, owner of multiple companies all around the world being called monkey by his own wife. What the hell...!” He face palmed, just recalling her outburst.

        -------------

She came out of room and running down She bang into cabir.

“Hey hey, where are you running like this....?” cabir chuckled but seeing her face he knew it’s time to keep joke at side and be a serious gentleman.

“Manik...!” She said angrily looking other side.

“What did he do now...!” cabir asked while suppressing his laugh.

“He have been so changed. It’s no more like old manik. He wasn’t this much arrogant. He loves to mess with my brain...!” She told cabir controlling her annoyed tone.

“Wohhoooo...! Calm down. Calm down. My sweetheart he was always like this. It’s you who changed not him. With feisty and stubborn ladies he always like this. I mean totally like pain in aaa....!” ha didn’t even finished his line when nandni yelled at him.

“Cabirrrr. Mind your language....!” She whining like a child.

“Nandu my dear listen, first you were innocent, sweet, emotional, totally dependant at him, his baby girl. So he always gave you special treatment. He never troubled you. But this manik is original piece. Now when you so stubborn to stand against him, He will make you scream, in every sense of this word SCREAM. You know....!” as cabir finished her jaw was touching the floor and eyes all ready to drop out of their sockets.

“Ewww cabirrrrr. You are gross. Why I’m even talking to you...!” She left from there while stomping her feet.

“What gross. I just told her, he will make you scream. What’s gross in it...!” He laughed doubting at his own innocence and left.

         ----------------

It was almost night. Manik was sitting at couch watching a movie. Aaron sleeping at manik’s chest. Manik’s hand moving gently at his back and silky hairs. Nandni came out after shower, drying her long hairs with towel. As if feeling the heat of his gaze on her, nandni raised her eyes up and found him looking at her. She stared, unable to look away, realising that here sitting the most breath taking man she had ever seen. His dark hairs falling across his forehead and his chocolaty eyes dazzled her.

“Usually girls don’t keep themselves so covered up when they are around me....!” manik said looking at her once again wearing shalwar Kameez and dupatta. A crooked smile began to quirk on the edge of his lips and she felt her cheeks grew hot.

"I’m not like them...!” nandni scoffed while placing her towel at side. She never in her entire life had experienced such attraction towards someone. It was unbearable, out of control and terrifying, all at once.

Manik coolly stood up and placing Aaron gently at bed, he walked up to her. His dark eyes warm and bright. She could feel something intense rising and falling inside him as he stopped few inches away from her.

“It’s going to be fun. I like to control feisty and wild things...!” familiar seductive smirk formed at his face as he raised his hand up. He moved his finger softly from her temple to her cheek and then at jaw but she pushed his hand away, before it goes further down. She moved her dark lashes down when she was sure that, he made her totally fail to stop the blush from spreading across her cheeks.

“Do you hate me....?” he whispered in his husky tone, making her heart stop completely. She was really working hard to think, she really did want to answer for this question or not.

“I’m mad but hating you is something I could never do...!” Her voice was soft when she did mistake to look up. His sparkling eyes were secretly planning to kill her, after causing her heart to bang against her ribs.

“So do you love me…?” Manik asked moving little closer, now his shoes touching her toes. She felt best solution is to move away, from his unstoppable hands and searching gaze. She slipped her feet little backward, hoping that he didn’t notice it.

“Why will I love you. Who are yo…!” Suddenly she was cut off mid sentence with Manik holding her wrist. She looked down at his hand and felt how hard he was gripping her. She felt first time power and authority in his grasp.

She saw him always like a man who have dominance in his blood. But now looking at his fierce gaze and tight hold, she felt control, the control which is more dangerous. She pulled her wrist and without protest he left her.

Smirk at his face was showing that she felt exactly what he wanted to show her. And that thing was His rights, his aggression. Suddenly seductive moan made both of them to jerk their heads towards Tv where steamy make out was going on. Nandni felt all the air leaving her lungs. It can't be more awkward. She looked back towards manik who was smirking at the visible tint of blush at her face.

Ignoring that bitter sweet soreness at her wrist, unable to stand still under his gaze, impatiently she walked over to the window. She went to open the curtains, at totally opposite direction from him. Best way to avoid him.

Suddenly she felt heavy steps coming in her direction. Then it stopped closer to her. She couldn’t run, she couldn’t move and she tried hard to not flinch when his hard chest gently rubbed against her back. All compromising moans of the couple in the movie were making atmosphere more hot.

“Look at them and learn how a wife should take care of her hubby....!” manik asked placing both hands against the glass of window, totally caging her body into his arms. Hair at the back of her neck raised as shiver ran down her spin.

“Because she loves him and gives him every right to do anything....!” she gave most pathetic reason about that romantic scene to cover the warmth spreading over her features.

“Do you want to say that If she loves him it means he have every right on her....!” He asked, and she inhaled sharply when he slipped his hands closer to each other. Now his inner biceps were pressed at the side of her ribs.

“ye...yes...!” She still tried to hold ground under her feet which was slipping away. Listening her answer manik pushed himself against her back, pressing her front against the glass of window. She pressed her palms against glass from preventing its chilli coldness, which was seeping through thin fabric of her shirt. Her breaths fell at glass making it foggy as she felt his whole body pressing against her.

“Many times I listened you are madly in love with your Manik Malhotra. So it means he’s also allowed to do whatever he wants to do to you....?” as he finished, his warm tone forced her to hold her breath. His every word sounded like he was daring her to deny. She never thought that he will use her own silly words against her.

“Yes only if I love him…!” When she couldn’t answer with more strong comeback She simply denied her love for her Manik. She saw how his knuckles turned white when he pressed his palms hard against glass. She could feel aggressive rise and fall of his chest against her back. Compelled she glanced up and saw his reflection in the glass, looking directly at her.

“Very soon you will scream your love for your Manik and then he will show you, how he uses his legal rights and I’m sure keeping your words you will cooperate....!” She closed her eyes when She felt a feather-light kiss was placed at the crook of her neck.

“Stay away. I’m telling you last time. Stay away…!” She just whispered with greeted teeth in anger. She felt his smirk against her skin. Holding her waist in his tight grip he turned her around. He pushed her back, banging her against palates of cold glass.

He gazed down at her lips while lightly pushing her hairs off her shoulder. He enjoyed her those expressions, when she was stunned after seeing a mixture of dazed desire and amazement at his face.

Shrinking herself back as away as possible, she tried to maintain the reasonable distance which he covered in the blink of eye. He pushed himself into her. Holding her chin He raised her face up. His eyes were endless blazing pool of amber swallowing her whole. She tried to move away when She knew it he won’t let her go that easily.

She tried hard to keep herself collected at front of him but she knew it Manik Malhotra is the least person to win against him. She squirmed, slightly feeling nervous and endangered all of a sudden. She shifted from one foot to other uncomfortably, and thinking deeply that how she was going to get through this.

“Purposely dressed up in this seductive dress of hell, making your body’s gentle shape a sinful thing to stare at. And then asking to stay away It’s not fair....!” His compliment threw her heart into mixed emotions, bashfulness, anger and a unbearable wish to kick him where sun doesn't shine. Her jaw tightened, hated the way he was controlling her, it was heart stopping torture.

“Keep your eyes and hands in control....!” She greeted her teeth looking down at his arms which were slowly getting wrapped around her waist without warning.

“And I’m going to tell you first and last time, I love to play hard.…!” he mumbled seductively. He’d been looking at her with heated eyes. When he found her tongue-tied his lips turned up into a victorious smirk. Surely after seeing how this angry tigress turned into a kitten with shade of pink at her cheeks, was quite amazing thing to witness.

Next minute she gasped when he took her into bone crushing hug. He buried his face into her hairs, tightened his arms around her. She stood still just trying to digest what was exactly happening. Her hands still falling freely at her sides. She stuttered in his arms when he nuzzled against her neck. Placing a soft kiss at her shoulder he finally decided to let her go.

He took two steps backward leaving only space that she couldn't run away without rubbing herself against him. As she reached at door she looked back last time. He winked at her before Nandni left the room, banging the door with loud thud. 

               ---------------------""""""------------------------