*Mr Ivan Wilson on the side.(That's who I have casted, you can imagine anyone)*
*Hold on tight ladies and gentlemen, this chapter is gonna blow off your minds.*

Avni's POV

It's 2:35 pm and my heartbeat is racing not due to the fact that there will be a press conference at 4 pm but due to the fact that it's him who's going to handle the press.

Right now I am sitting in Mrs Nina's cafe thinking about Mr Khanna's words. 

"Be ready at 4 pm Miss Mehta, there's a big announcement awaiting you.", his words were disturbing me. But more than worry about what he'll do I'm feeling angry, not angry, I'm raging right now. What does he think he is huh! How can he make all the decisions himself? Doesn't he have any sense that it's me who is involved in this case to the root? I know definitely, it's because of his chauvinistic nature.

Damn this male chauvinist!

Talk about the devil and his call shall come. I frowned looking at my phone's screen-'DEVIL KHANNA'.

"Yes Mr Devi", I bit my tongue to stop myself otherwise he'd have started acting like a devil right at this moment.

"Yes, Mr Khanna. What can I do for you now?"

"Leave these pleasantries and come to the mansion, now."

" I can't, I'm busy right now. Not everyone unlike you is free.", I snapped at him, what does he think he is? I asked his help doesn't mean I'll do whatever he says. I still remember where we started.

"Miss Mehta?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't test my patience and come to the mansion right now or I'm coming to take you.", so now he's threatening me. Back to square one, I see.

"Mr Khanna with due respect I told you I can't come but you don't seem to get the idea so let me rephrase. Do whatever you want I'll not come.", I stated and ended the call .

'Avni in fury and stubbornness, you said more than you should have.'

'You think that.', I said to my conscience, worry started to swarm in my head.

"Avni... darling can you please get a coffee for table 7?", Mrs Nina yelled from behind to which I nodded and indulged in my work.

Just when I was going back to the kitchen, shiny cars blocked the entrance of the café. I sighed People these days, acting all, as they belong to Mafia and gangs.

'Maybe they are from Mafias. Haye Avni you know I've heard Mafia men are quite an eye candy and if they are Italian then there's no competition.'

'I can't believe you are my conscience.'

' I know I'm incredibly amazing, unlike you boring girl.'

'Shut your mouth and let me concentrate on the cars out there.'

'You always do this, always ordering me to shut up... You see Avni one day there'll be someone who'll shut you up and I'll laugh then.', my conscience said confidently and I rolled my eyes at her statement. 

All my life men have come and destroyed me, I won't let any other man get close to me because they just go leaving me all ruined.

I got close to the window and that's when the car's door swung open. It was him.

Mr Khanna in all his glory standing outside a small coffee shop.

'Who in the world comes with a whole army of bodyguards, in an Audi R8 to a small coffee shop?'

'Are you thinking the same?'

'Duh! Avni you and me we are one.'

He marched inside the café, James and Charles following him like his shadow and I quickly ran to the kitchen and ducked down behind a cabinet.

Oh my stars save me and, I'll talk to you for two hours today, promise.

'You are speaking as if you won't talk to them, they would turn into triangles.'

I chose to ignore her sarcasm because my sole attention was Mr Khanna who was standing right outside this kitchen.

"Miss Mehta, I know you're hiding there so stop your childish acts and get out here now.", his cold voice froze me at my place.

I chose to stay silent because honestly I didn't have any other option and in no world, I was going to accept my defeat because hey here our opponent is Mr Khanna.

What followed next was silence, awfully icy silence.

Has he gone?

I slowly got up in order to see if Mr Khanna had left but my eyes met widened when they met a pair of cold ones. 

Uh-ho.

Now I have two options. 1-Go silently to his Mansion. 2. Stay tall and argue with him more on his chauvinistic tactics.

Thinking more I concluded option 1 is too cowardly and option 2 is too brave.

"Done with this stupid hide and seek game?", he asked and damn those perfectly plucked eyebrows.

"Okay okay I'll come with you but first tell me why?"

Before he could come up with an answer a third voice came."Hello Miss Avni.", Mr Wilson waved at me. I looked at Mr Khanna and then Mr Wilson. 

Call it a lady's gut feeling but something in me knew this is gonna be awkward.

'I so knew you were a witch Avni.'

'Haha, nice one.', I stated sarcastically.

Mr Khanna who was originally facing me turned to see the owner of the third voice and his eyes narrowed infinitesimally.

"Neil my son, you here?", Mr Wilson said, his eyes lighting with amusement. Do they know each other? Was I missing something?

He came forward and hugged him but Mr Khanna stiffened, this reminds me of how he hugged me last time, don't think much... it was just to calm me so that I don't hyperventilate, nothing else.

"Mr Wilson?", Mr Khanna said, his face emotionless.

"Shut up you piece of ice," Mr Wilson slapped Mr Khanna's arm and my eyes widened. Goodness Gracious what was happening.

"Mr Wilson, behave."

"Wow! So now son will teach his father, how to behave?", he said in a mocking tone and I couldn't help but laugh at Mr Khanna's expressions because there were none. Mr Wilson's gaze shifted back to me.

"My apologies Miss Avni, I didn't mean to ignore you but this bas- ahem I mean this man here, he's my best friend since diaper days and whenever he calls me 'Mr Wilson', I lose my senses and start scolding him forgetting everything."

"No-no, by all means, carry on you two, this is quite entertaining.", I said but quickly corrected myself when Mr Khanna sent a death glare towards me," I meant you two look pretty close."

"What are you doing here?", Mr Khanna interrupted us.

"Someone has got a short memory but lemme remind you this is grams' cafe, which reminds me what are you doing here?"

"I had some personal work with Miss Mehta, right Miss?", he asked, his voice absolutely cold and his scrutinizing gaze right on me the whole time.

Mr Wilson's eyes lightened up in mischief.

"Personal work I see...Neil, my boy you have some serious explaining to do, but for now I don't want to be a third wheel, carry on you two.", he said with a small smirk. But to me, his words didn't make any sense.

He turned to leave and I gasped in realisation- Mr Khanna didn't throw any tantrum for 10 minutes straight. Well, only Mr Wilson can shut him up, I will definitely request him to teach me how to do it.

All of a sudden he turned and threw his arms around me. I stiffened at the sudden physical contact. But before I could say anything, Mr Khanna spoke," What pray tell are you doing Ivan?"

He pulled me back by my wrist and sent an icy glare at Mr Wilson to which his smirk only widened.

"Just checking, just checking.", he muttered and went off leaving me confused.

"What is up..hey.", I yelled at Mr Khanna who had suddenly started practising selectively deafness and was dragging me out of the cafe.

He shoved me inside the car neither harshly nor gently, I could say it was Mr-Khanna-ly.

"The Mansion.", he stated and we took off. The ride to the mansion had three stages 1. awkward 2. anticipation where I expected this ice of block to speak and lastly third which you may have guessed Icy cold silence.

Once we reached the mansion, he ordered me to follow him to his study. I'm darn sure he was a Principle in his last birth, my eyes literally glisten with tears thinking about the students studying in his school. Poor innocent children.

As soon as he pushed the door open, my eyes widened and I wished I had never turned up here. Miss Mali was standing there with her father, her eyes glistening with tears. Her eyes met Mr Khanna's and then mine and the temperature of the room rose 200 degrees, of course, that was not possible but the way she was glaring at me if looks could kill I'd be 6 feet inside already.

I don't blame her, If I were in her place, maybe I'd react the same.

"You heartless backstabbing woman.", she yelled and rose her hand to slap me, I flinched back.

"BEHAVE, Miss Shekhawat, you are in my mansion.", Mr Khanna voice was so cold that for an instant I shivered. He gestured for Mr and Ms Shekhawat to sit. I stood there awkwardly gazing at something or the other.

"Ms Mehta... sit.", I followed his line of gaze to a sofa which was away from Ms Mali. Not to be insensitive, she's feeling cheated but if she loves him she should trust him too.

"Mr and Miss Shekhawat I thought before I attend to the press, I shall have a talk with you.", Mr Khanna said directly coming to the point skipping all pleasantries whatsoever.

"There's nothing to talk Neil baby, it's all this b-," Miss Mali started Mr Khanna glared at her and rose his hand stopping her midway.

"Don't.Interrupt.Me.", his voice held a dominance, a dominance that leaves you no room to argue. "Miss Shekhawat I expect you to behave in a civil manner, a fine lady like you shouldn't curse.", he continued and I scoffed.

'Bloody Chauvinist.'

"Now where were we?", Mr Khanna asked.

"You were being a chauvinistic apple that's it.", I thought but when all eyes centred on me I realized I didn't think I spoke that. Uh-ho. Mr Khanna sent a glare towards my direction which I ignored royally.

"Miss Shekhawat, I recollect your problem is that newspaper, isn't it?", to which Miss Mali nodded frantically.

"Before we talk about that I'd like you to answer my one question.", he said and looked at me if I was paying attention or not.

"Who's Vidyut Dwayne?", he asked venomously and my eyes snapped at Miss Mali. Her face had suddenly lost the anger and was now turning pale.

"He's your biggest rival and the second .." but before she could finish Mr Khanna interrupted her.

"Let me rephrase Ms Shekhawat what connection do you have with Vidyut Dwayne?", he asked, his voice cold and hard and his eyes set on Miss Shekhawat's face.

"What do you mean?", she mumbled lowly.

"What I mean is that If I run a quick investigation I won't find it was you who was involved in the psychotic plan of Vidyut, would I?", he asked in a cool voice. 

"What plan?", she whispered.

"Don't play the innocent here Miss Shekhawat, I know how you knew that it was always Miss Mehta and not Mr Joshi. I very well know you invited her due to Vidyut's command."

"What do you expect Neil, I was insecure about how a girl was around you so when Vidyut told me that he was head over heels in love with her, I agreed."

The level of my anger was so high it couldn't be expressed in words.

"Miss Shekhawat I took you for a friend and you did this with me... You knew Vidyut was a psychotic crack still you helped him. You know I feel pity for you, being a woman you couldn't feel my terror, my paranoia. How could you stoop so low? Are...I would never snatch Mr Khanna from you because I knew you were in love with him..", Mr Khanna interrupted me instantly.

"SHE NEVER LOVED ME.", his voice was cold and freezing.

A deafening silence engulfed the room.

"What?"

"That's right, she never loved me, it was all an act, am I right Mr Shekhawat?", Mr Khanna asked to which Mr Shekhawat stayed silent.

"That's what I expected. You see Mr Shekhawat, I have not become the richest person just like that. Neil Khanna always keeps every single detail about his enemy, then how did you expect me to not know every inch about you and your beloved daughter?

I knew from the very first moment you brought this wedding proposal to me just for the sake of a deal, a compromise kept till the engagement. I knew that the Italians were ready to strike a huge deal with you once they had an assurance that you are somehow related to me. I know you have gone bankrupt and this venture was the only way to keep your business afloat.

You couldn't be a good businessman at least you should have tried to be a good father. I know Miss Mali has amorous affection towards someone else and it was you who forced her to agree to this engagement.

I was just waiting for the right time to strike and you would be appalled to know that all your shares have been bought by NK Industries yesterday. Let's get back to the evening of the ball for a moment, shall we?"

Flashback

"Salve, signor Khanna, è un piacere parlare con lei. Cosa posso fare per lei?", The Italian man spoke from the other side

(Hi, Mr Khanna, it's a pleasure to talk to you. What can I do for you?)

"Ciao, signor Gianni, voglio che tu sappia che non sono coinvolto in alcun modo con il signor Shekhawat e la sua compagnia, quindi se vuoi dare loro una possibilità assicurati di non considerarmi in alcun modo.", Neil said in a monotonous tone.

(Hello, Mr Gianni, I want you to know that I am not involved in any way with Mr Shekhawat and his company, so if you want to give them a chance make sure you don't consider me in any way.)

"Ok, signor Khanna. Se vuoi possiamo concludere questo accordo con la tua azienda. Sarebbe un onore.", the man's thick Italian accent didn't bother the fact that Neil knew he's smirking on the other side.

(Okay, Mr Khanna. If you want we can conclude this agreement with your company. It would be an honour.)

"Certo, sarà un onore per la tua compagnia, ma non ho a che fare con persone dalla doppia faccia. Non è nella mia etica aziendale.", Neil said curtly and ended the call.

(Sure, it'll be an honour for your corporation, but I'm not dealing with double-faced people. It's not in my business ethics.)

Flashback over

"So how does it feel to be defeated? I would like to know because Neil Khanna doesn't lose.", Mr Khanna asked in a threatening low voice.

"What do you want us to do now?", Mr Shekhawat asked.

"I want you to announce a statement that the alliance was broken by mutual discussion right after the ball.", he commanded.

Miss Mali and Mr Shekhawat gaze was zeroed to the floor due to shame, I couldn't hold but heave a sigh of disbelief, I thought she loved him. They were just using him for his money? How pathetic.

"You may leave."

Mr Shekhawat turned to leave but Ms Mali looked at me and Mr Khanna," What relation do you have with her anyway?", she asked angrily.

"Watch what you're saying Miss Shekhawat and that's none of your concern.", Mr Khanna said and first time in the whole period I saw actual anger in his voice.

"I knew it...Vidyut was right, you have feelings for her, don't you?", she asked and I frowned. What is up with this woman? 

"Miss Shekhawat, be respectful and leave."

"What will you tell the press about her? Hmm? I'll tell them about our alliance being broken but what about your relationship with hers?"

"That's my business, you don't worry about that.", he said curtly. Miss Shekhawat stomped her foot on the floor like an angry child and sauntered off leaving me and Mr Khanna alone.

But the question was right what will he tell the press about me? Who am I to him?

"Come here.", Mr Khanna ordered me and once in my life, I obeyed.

"What's running in that devil mind of yours?", I asked him but in response, he just lessened the distance between us and stroked my cheek lightly and that's when I noticed, some traitor tears had escaped my eyes when I was arguing with Miss Shekhawat. She was a backstabber, not me.

A silence rolled between us but was soon broken by Mr Khanna but his words shocked the living daylights out of me.

He can't be serious.

Not now, not ever.

~

"Marry me.", he commanded.

"What?", I shrieked in disbelief.

'Avni go and see an ear specialist right now. I'm afraid the expiry date of your ears has come.'

"Mr Khanna, I'm afraid this drama and yelling has taken a toll on me and I'm listening to irrelevant things."

"Let me rephrase Be my bride.", he emphasized on the last word.

"Y-You are kidding right?", I asked trying to step away from him but he held me tightly by the waist.

"No, I'm not. I'm perfectly serious. Marry me, Miss Mehta.", he commanded coming closer.

"You can't be serious because you are an incarnation of Satan, Hell! calling you Satan will be an insult to Satan himself.", I yelled at him.

"Call me anything but right now believe me this is right."

"No, it's not, it can never be. You and I are like ticking bombs, if we come together, the explosion is definite."

"I don't care. You have to be my wife.", he said in a cold voice.

"Why??", I whispered to him, a tear escaped my eyes, followed by other and another. His cold eyes softened for a millisecond and then again turned hard.

He opened his mouth to say something but my words were left unanswered because of a stupid knock.

"Sir, the press is here. Please come.", he said and went away.

"I can't answer you that but I'll not let anything happen to you.", his voice held a promise, a determination and a commitment.

"Come with me.", he gripped my wrist and started moving down to the hall but I was still in a trance.

What 

Just

 Happened?

______________________

Woah! 3160 words!

That's the longest I've ever written. Archita100 I promised I'll provide with a double update but I just didn't want to break the flow of the unfolding drama, hence I made a single chapter equal to two chapters. I hope you like it

aksharaakkuz as promised the update is here, right after two days.

ShreyaRaj511 thank you so much for tagging your friends.

mk_happysoul I can't thank you o/w you'll throw tomatoes at me, but I really am grateful to you for sharing the book on your mb.

 Muskan_az my encouraging chidhiya.

Now let me take a moment to thank each one of you for voting, commenting and sharing. The book has completed 20 chapters and by the grace of God and your continuous support, it's doing amazing. All your comments and your small appreciative gestures make my heart bloom with happiness.

Thank you so very much. You people are the best.

I want to write more A/N but I have maths class :( 

I hope you enjoyed reading it and I hope you'll keep supporting me. 

Love love

Aapki seva mein sadev tatpar