The next morning Bani wakes up with chaos outside her bedroom. Bella is banging on her door nonstop. Bani groggily pulls herself out of the bed and open the door only to get blown by Bella.

"Dude...what on Seattle's ass have you done yesterday??? Why didn't you tell me you were with him last morning???" Bella bombards her with huge eyes holding excitement.

Bani's just woke-up brain can't process what she's blabbering about. Last morning after leaving that room, she has locked herself inside her bedroom and didn't talk to anyone asking for some privacy. And now everything flies over her head whatever's ass Bella is talking about.

"What....were you going to keep this a secret??? You're not too smooth, you know!!!" Bella exclaims with grin on her face.

Frowning at her Bani moves past to go towards kitchen to fill her stomach. She's extremely hungry. To her surprise she finds everyone by the kitchen, sitting on dining....and more surprisingly everyone has this weird look on their faces. Vikrant and Vishakha looking at her with wide eyes, Mahir crunching his toast with a half curious gaze while Veer has his stoic look sipping on his coffee, eyes hard on the coffee mug. But Bani's years of experience says he's angry. Thankfully the other female is not here anymore. Bani relaxes to her relief.

Then ignoring everything else she sits on a chair facing Vishakha and mumbles in sleepily, "What's the breakfast, Vish??"

but before Vishakha, Bella comes sitting opposite of Bani, "First you tell me what's the tea???" and asks banging her hand on the table loudly.

Mahir makes a bitter face at his coffee and comments, "Wish that was your head!!"

Bella shoots glare at Mahir but keeps her focus on Bani. Bani squirms in her seat to sit comfortably then yawns, "What tea, girl??? I just woke up and now super hungry. Haven't had anything since yesterday. And now I'd like to do my morning with some good uneventful breakfast. Can you bring me something to eat, Vish.... please!!" She smiles at Vishakha sweetly.

"You really are going to act this obnoxious, are you???" Bella pouts.

Bani looks away but to her luck or bad luck, Veer's eyes meet with hers. She sees how hard those grey orbs are staring at her. Veer gives Bani one top to bottom check out making blood rushe to her cheeks. Bani again looks away quickly and stares at the fingers on her lap.

"You really don't know what happened??" Mahir asks at the end genuinely curious.

"God!!! What Happened???" Bani groans in frustration, "Tell me what happened I also would like to know now!!! I mean...man I'm trying to ignore the looks you all are giving me...." she glares at Veer who still has his brows furrowed at the coffee mug, "but really...what??? What is it??? Just another morning, No???"

"You didn't check your phone this morning, Bani??" Vikrant asks biting his lips.

Bani frowns, "Uh-No. I don't normally check my phone first thing in the morning. Why???"

"Because of this!!!!" Tapish barges inside out of nowhere and is heaving breath right now, "What the hell is this, Bani???"

He holds up his phone high facing Bani. He looks and sounds worked up. Bani stands up from her sit in confusion to see his what Tapish is showing more clearly and as soon as she sees the screen, her feet turn cold.

There it is written in big bold letters on India Times page:
𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙞 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙎𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙙𝙖 𝙎𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙊𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩 : Another Love story Blooming?
[.... The couple were seen walking closely down the lane in Seattle last morning and having a cosy breakfast in a cafe and seemingly comfortable. Those foreign Fans claim they are in relationship and must be enjoying vacation together as both were seen in their house attire. Both Bani Sharma and Siddharth Chopda's agencies are silent till now. So the confirmation is yet to be wait. However needless to say fans and audience would be head over heel if the rumor comes true. Both the celebrities have been seen on working.......]

Bani can't read anymore. She feels like her breathing has stopped.
Reason 1: This viral picture of her and Siddharth both laughing brightly while walking in a alley.
Reason 2 and Most important: The viral picture of her and Siddharth both laughing brightly while walking down the alley and SHE IS WEARING HER DINOSAUR PRINT NIGHTWEAR!!!!

THAT FUCKING DINOSAUR PRINT NIGHTWEAR!!!

"This is all over the internet, Bani...!!! Damn why don't you inform me before doing such blunder???" Tapish exclaims in panic, "I've been getting calls after calls from the media since the midnight!!! I don't even know what to tell them!! You tell me first....what is this???"

"Exactly...what is this...???" Bani exhales breathing shakily, "ARE YOU TELLING ME MY FANS SAW ME IN THAT WEIRD UGLY DINOSAUR PRINT SHIRT??? OH MY GOD!!!" Bani shrieks dramatically grabbing Tapish's arm, "Do something, Tapish!!! Take down this whole damn thing right now!!! No makeup....hair tango...and that foul printed suit!!! OH MY!!! I LOOK HORRIBLE!!! I LOOK LIKE A HAG!!! TAPISH DO SOMETHING BEFORE I SEE THIS PICTURE ONCE MORE AND KILL MYSELF... PLEASE!!!" Bani shudders with dread in her eyes.

Bani is nowhere in the state to realise the six pairs of eyes that are boring into her right now with their mouth agape.

"Among all this damn blunders you found only This one to be your headache??? Your dress and makeup???" Vikrant chuckles at her incredulously, "Dude...are you for real???"

"Shut up!!! This is not funny!!!" Bani hisses at him but ends up whining again as if remembering her misery.

Bella hauls into laughing patting Bani's back, "Well....as funny as it is to witness the scene but yeah...I feel you bestie!!! No matter how adorable are looking in that outfit, it's still foul dinosaur print. Even I would want to die myself if my fans ever got to see me like this...!!! So yeah...whine as much as you want, bub. You heart deserves it!!!" She adds tilting her lips sympathetically.

"So...was this a coincidence or have you been double timing on me all this while, peach??" Mahir stretches his neck staring at Bani mirthfully.

"Lol!!! Says the one who himself was ready to bite like a snake on his boss's order!!!" Bella snorts.

"And no one asked you to open your pissing mouth!!!" Mahir hisses back.

"Why??? It stings???" Bella sneers back, "then listen you filthy dog, anyone is a better choice than you....so she might as well do double timing and you don't get to say shit in it!!!"

"Oh I won't, trust me..." Mahir grimaces wickedly, "I don't waste my time shit talking like you frenzy people. In fact I would rather use my bullet down your throat so you don't get to utter anything rubbish at all!!"

"You..."

"Stop it!!! Is this your bickering the main issue right now???" Tapish snaps raising his voice, then he turns to Bani pissed, "You. You talk now. Leave your wardrobe scandal behind and talk about the real scandal. What is it? What do you say about this news?"

Bani fumbles a little. She glances once at Veer who has his stone face back, then again looks at Tapish in confusion, "Ok....I went out last morning and met him on the road. Then we decided to walk for a bit. That's it. We didn't think anyone would film us, here."

"You're more famous than you think bestie!!" Bella pops up.

"Right. Keep that in mind. Also Siddharth Chopda is not an unknown name either", Tapish sighs, "And...? What do you want to do about this? Do you have anything in mind to answer the paps there?"

"Why would I??" Bani frowns, "Tapish, this is not the first time I'm getting indulged into such rumours. We're from Big Screen industry, things like this is common in our way you know that right? Why should I even think what I should reply to the paparazzi??? Why are YOU fretting so much about it??"

"Because..." Tapish takes a step towards Bani and Veer's fist coils into a ball seeing that. Tapish ignores his burning gaze and continues to Bani, "because whatever you say on this matter, can...no, will have an impact on your career after this?! Bacause it won't be easy to convince the outside that it is nothing but a mere coincidence of you two meeting in the middle of a foreign city. You wearing Siddharth Chopda's signature jacket over your nightsuit, laughing at him, him holding your hands in some photos...you understand what these things imply for, right?? Everyone who's seen this is thinking you two are dating. This is going to be the tea of gossip for a long time. You understand that, right? That's why I'm saying, is there any confirmation you want to make??"

Bani's jaw ticks, "I don't. I don't owe a shit to the industry or the outside people for my personal life. All I resolve to do about this is that, I will talk to Siddharth and apologize to him for getting his name dragged into this scandal. Then you and his company both can just deny the rumor and state the truth. That simple. Now get me Siddharth's number. I would like to talk to him."

Tapish sighs deep, "It's not that simple, Bani. I have talked to Chopda's agency. They have decided to keep quiet about the matter and eventually forcing us to take the responsibility."

"What...." Bani stares blankly.

"Yeah. Don't act like you don't know how these things work. Siddharth's new film is coming out next month. He needs hype and his PR wants to use this opportunity. Getting involved with the Hot-Shot Supermodel of India is definitely a high pick in his career. So is yours. People will want to work with you two now. I've already got few of the big  brand producers' calls since morning. And one of them is from Khan's...can you imagine??? They want YOU!!" Tapish's eyes glaze in aspiration.

Bani stares at Tapish shaking her haed in almost disbelief. Her throat stings as she says, "I should have known that nothing better can come out from you when you are HIS man." She glare at Veer for a second, "Throughout my career I have never let myself stoop any low for success. I have struggled...fell...stood again still never let my ground shake!!! Neither gave myself or others any reason to disrespect me or my effort. And out of all people you know that best. I've never compromised with my self-respect and I will not use anyone's name to-"

"You haven't before doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't now!!!" Tapish cuts her, "I know Bani what you are saying and trust me I have all respect for your morals. What I'm saying is there is nothing wrong if both of your careers get benefit from a false rumour. You said yourself just now..." He throws his hands in the air, "...that the paps or others don't owe any confirmation about your personal life..!! So...? What's the problem if you two keep mum on this specific topic or just pretend to be on the public eye for a time being. The media doesn't need to know what's happening inside. It's a win-win situation for both parties and I would suggest you take it."

"Also.... whether you want or not your name has mingled with quite few people before also...!!! And some of those names DID help you to rise in the path of your career, you know...!!! One of those Big names belongs to your ex-husband, my boss as you call him!!" Tapish adds shrugging.

Bani opens her mouth to something but nothing comes out. Her face reddens in humiliation and at the gravity of the truth. Others are watching her in silent... waiting for her next reaction.

She sighs sagging her shoulder and holds her gaze firm at Tapish, "I....by any means refuse to let my principles loose. But yeah...I also can't control everything or others opinion. So I will first talk to Siddharth, do my apology and ask him what he thinks of all this. By what I've seen him, he's not the type of person who would mingle with rumors for clouts. Still if he decides to keep the rumor on surface, then I will keep my silent till his film release. Otherwise you know...what you have to do. Also..." Bani thunders glaring at her manager, "I refuse to accept any offers that will come threaded with this scandal and not for my hardwork!!! So you better bring the paperwork to me wisely!!!"

"Deal." Tapish huffs in relief, "now, I'll send the actor's number, you talk to him first."

Bani turns on her heels to back to her room when Vishakha calls, "Your breakfast, Bani?"

Bani's jaw tightens as she looks at Veer, "No need, Vishakha. Had enough since morning. I'm full now." Saying this she turns to her heels.

To be continued
Happy Reading Everyone ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️