Ishita's POV:

"Is it only me or do you also think something going on between the judge and the contestant?" Ritika mentioned reviewing a file with the fashion editor's top articles. I looked up from my computer lowering my specs, "Why does it concern us?" she shrugged, "Well it doesn't but possibly what we were trying to do will not flourish much if only one person stayed in highlight.". I nodded in agreement. The publication house running under me proposed the idea to collaborate with fashion icons and in Delhi, I did convince the sponsors for it.

But after reviewing the top-notch models of the fashion industry one name is ruling in this industry, Veronica Jain. Pearls Entertainment Industry has been favoring her a lot considering the other female models. We wanted the top supermodels from the last five years who have been nominated for International Fashion Icon Awards. As part of the magazine, we chose to feature them, which would provide future companions with an insight into the experience of their favorite supermodels. But the thing is in the last five years Veronica has been nominated for three years back-to-back which leaves us with only two other models.

"How will we gain exposure with only three supermodels?" Ritika placed the file on the table with pictures of the supermodel. After thinking for a while, I suggested, "Get the names of other models in Pearls International who weren't nominated as per their company guidelines, we will feature them as well." Her forehead creased, "They will start throwing mud at each other and it will create tension between the models in their company." I shrugged my shoulders, "I have nothing to do with it moreover it will be good for my magazines' promotion with the hype in the market." She nodded understandingly and checked my schedule, "Hey... you have a dinner thing at 8 pm..."

"I forgot about it crap... fine I will handle he's such a sweetheart I don't think he would mind..." Ritika gagged, "He's scared of you nothing else..." I rolled my eyes and called him but no answer. On the way, I got a call from Aadesh while driving to the restaurant "Don't tell me you want those documents back?" he scoffs, "I don't care... it is about Armaan..." he explained that he left his office angrily and they had a fight. "So, what do you want me to do buy him an ice cream and say oh baby big brothers are pigs..." he took a deep breath, "No... I want you to meet him and stay by his side and accompany him because he doesn't want me to interfere in his personal life but I want someone to be with him at his lowest". Possibly, this overprotectiveness makes Armaan feel crushed and that could be a reason for their fight.

"Fine but my generosity isn't free... I want forty percent stakes of Galaxy Apartments Complex." He chuckles amusingly, "You think I will give you a percentage just to meet my brother" I stayed silent and let him understand it wasn't a joke  he sighed and suggested, "Ten percent stakes and worth fifty lakh shares." Nah still not good. "I think I will visit a good friend of mine today." He thinks for a while and huffs, "Fine... last offer, twenty percent stakes, and worth twenty lakh shares." Twenty percent shareholder sounds good. "Done... just for you to know I don't have any friends," I smirked and ended his call. Calling Armaan again he answered the call and I threatened him without listening to him because I can't lose this deal I just made, it is a good opportunity and I have no intentions to let it slip out of my hands.

Sitting at our booked table I ordered myself a drink and waited for that moron to appear. After a good five minutes, he rushed inside the restaurant and sits in front of me panting for breath as he came here on his feet. "You're five minutes late and your penalty is to pay for the amount we lost in the pharma company because of your news outlet." He rested his head back on the couch, "Fine..." he does look exhausted and isn't feeling great or he would have argued with me on it. Yeah, that's my way to know a person's mood. 

I stood up and gestured for him to shift as I wanted to sit on the same couch, he raised his brows then gave up letting me sit next to him. "What happened?" I asked him taking his hand in mine, he looked up at me, "Aadesh Bhai called you right..." I chirped and nodded, "I got twenty percent of his Galaxy Complex just to meet you well technically I was meeting you it was a golden egg for me..." a small smile crept on his face, "You can make a deal out of anything..." I whispered, "Try me...".

He placed his head on my shoulder, "I want to tell you something..." I hummed in response. His hot breaths were spreading on my neck tingling me with hot sensations. It was a blessing that I booked a private booth in the restaurant. When he raised his head, his eyes looked into mine. He looked flustered, and his hair was all messed up, but, no matter what, he looked handsome as hell. "Did it never cross your mind to know about my past?" I smirked at his mention, "Don't take it personally but I don't care...".

"What if I had a wife and two children with her but still sitting with you here?" he smirked this time. "That won't be much of a problem simply I will kill the mother and put the children for adoption." He raises his brows amusingly. "Don't you wanna be the angel godmother?" his comment made me laugh. "I'm better as a devil but tell me do you really have one?" he shook his head and chuckles lowly. "Of course not... I... I don't know from where, to begin with..." I suggested, "From where it ended..." his eyes turned serious maybe I pinched his pain unintentionally. "Oh, just to save time..." I added with an awkward laugh.

He told me everything about his ex-fiancée that too Veronica Jain who I don't like already but doing business for my profit. Their dreams of watching Disney channel together and building Lego houses are seriously what I am getting married into. "So... it just crossed your mind today to get back to your ex or she crawled back into your life." He looked up at me and smiled at what I don't know. "I thought you were going to storm out of the restaurant as I didn't mention it to you before the engagement..." scrunched my nose, "Not until I get my Italian food served..." his grin widens.

"I don't know where she is or what her intentions are but I just don't wanna hurt you by keeping it from you." He explained to which I raised my palm and pointed at the ring, "I'm not giving up this expensive ring..." to which I meant I am not giving up on him, I don't know but surely, I don't wanna dump him for such a silly reason. "Neither am I..." he lifted his hand pointing at his ring, lowering my head I grinned happily for no specific reason.

A waiter served the food and I concentrated on it and then mention to him about Veronica, "I have met her before and maybe she will be featured in my latest magazine." He was stunned, "You have met her before... where? When?" I shrugged, "Yeah... in Delhi when I was on a business trip for my latest fashion magazine." He lowered his head, "I haven't seen her in the last two years the last day I remember was when at the airport I was pleading with her not to leave but she did anyway...". I admired his handsome face he had a hint of pain in his eyes.

He added, "I'm so confused I don't know if should I meet her or not. It's not like I want to get back with her just my heart wants to see the face I loved with all I had. If my family would have supported this marriage then neither would you have to face the downfall of your career and I would have been with her happily living with lots of kids...." digging my fork into the Fettucine glared at him with a poker face. "Armaan I personally don't care what you two have but the way you mentioned she was with Nayantara aunty isn't good. Seriously tell me Armaan did she ever try to talk about her career perspective with Nayantara directly? Because I strongly believe she wanted you not your family because you're the golden key of the Goel Family. If she would have suggested this to Nayantara aunty then she surely would have personally accompanied her to New York."

He looked down, "Mom wouldn't have... she wanted to bind the family together and wouldn't have let me leave." I put my cutlery down on the table, "Really Armaan... you're going to be blinded for that girl and lower your mother's grace. Let me give you a demo..." he raised his brow, "What do you mean?" I slipped my phone out from my purse, "Just keep your mouth shut...." Calling Nayantara I put it on speaker after two rings she answers the call, "Ishita... all good beta...." She replied.

I looked up at Armaan who was confused about what I was trying to do, "Yeah very much... Maa I wanted to ask you for permission." She chuckles, "Why do you want my permission I would never stop you from doing anything?" Armaan looked between the phone and me. "Of course, you wouldn't but I thought to let you know. After marriage, I want to run the business from London like I used to do before. You all can visit me that won't be a problem." To which she replied, "Sure Ishita that wouldn't be a problem till London is on earth. But I doubt Armaan would be able to stand the winters of London as he catches a cold easily, you would have to take care of him." I chuckled and replied, "I would hire a nanny for him..." she followed laughing at it. I ended the call saying I had some work, lifting my eyelids I glimpsed at Armaan.

"Take it all in..." I commented and let him absorb the reality. When Nayantara didn't have a problem with me leaving London why would she stop Veronica, she knew Veronica will further manipulate him to do things her way and Nayantara didn't want to lose her son to a girl who will eventually damage him. She cares so much about him but this crazy nutjob doesn't appreciate it and thinks his mother is the problem. I wouldn't have a problem if it was between Veronica and Armaan but I do have a problem if they hurt Nayantara because that lady is a goddess with such a pure heart which is rare. I respect her as I do my mother, my phone buzzed with Ritika's message as she also got to know about Veronica's past through the models in the company.

"This is not good..." I mumbled as Ritika mentioned that if she publicly mentioned her past affair then it would be bad for my magazine's launch. We have already signed a contract with her and if the first edition got disgraced then the rest of the history would have the taint that the magazine's owner published about her husband's ex's achievements. "What..." Armaan asked and I explained to him. "Yeah, she might have many close pictures of us from college..." he mumbled "Don't worry we will make our own sex tape..." he choked on his drink.

After finishing our dinner, we walked out of the restaurant and stopped in front of my car in the parking lot. Armaan holds my hand gently, "Thank you... you really made me recognize the problem all these years I was obsessed with her neglecting that she could be the problem. I can assure you I wouldn't go back to her because she didn't look back even once after leaving me. But... what will you do if she tries to get back to me..." he grins at his own words, moving forward I cupped his jaw and mumbled close to his face, "Let her know about this..."

My lips touched his soft peach lips he instantly responded to the kiss and pulled me close to him. My fingers glide through his hair pulling him into the steamy kiss. He bites on my lower lips seeking permission and I let his tongue swirl exploring the insides of my mouth. With panting breaths, we looked at each other. He touched his lips and kept staring in confusion, shock, and happiness it was a train of emotion running down his face whereas I was stunned by my actions. With a small smile, I hopped inside my car and drove away from the place running like a coward.

"Fuck..." hitting the steering wheel I huffed angrily at my actions, I don't know he's attractive and the fact that his dark soul could possibly love someone the deepest is making me feel things for him. I had some spark of affection burning inside me but listening to his past and understanding the person he used to be just blow my mind. I know well I need to stay put and not fall for him or it would be hard if he chose someone else or got tired of my bullshit.

I'm not an easy-going charmer girl every man would like to keep as his trophy, not everyone can stand me and these facts make my heart heavy. But the last time I cared for someone and tried to change myself for didn't care for me at all. In the end, it was me and myself from that day I started caring only for myself. But Armaan is something his every kiss has so much passion that it feels like a promise of eternity. 

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