This update is dedicated to everyone whose name starts with letter "M"
...

If looks could pull hair, then Cabir would be bald by now. I so wanted to pull all his hairs for complaining against me to Manik. Why must everyone make me seem bad infront of my Manik?

"We shall discuss that later, Cabir." Manik brushed him off.

"That later is now, Boss. We need justice for all the guards who were dead because of Princess Nandini Murthy. What shall we say to those families?" Cabir paused. "She even caused havoc with the security by leaking the map and causing your attack."

Manik released me from his hold and my heart dropped it's pace. Will Manik punish me? Will he send me far away from him?

"She is innocent and has no reason to tamper everything." His words comforted me. He still protects me.

"Well ask her yourself, Manik. Ask her if she stole the map or not?"

"I didn't know..." I started to speak but Manik stopped me.

"Let me handle it." He said and I nodded.

"Cabir, the map which Nandini took is just a route map. Any person with a authorised vehicle could roam around the Empire and know the territories. That map did no harm to anyone. The harm was caused by the leaking of the trench map which was done by the laundry man." Manik paused. "He was punished for his crime."

Woah! So, that laundry guy stole another map but pretended to be innocent. I thought Manik was a monster who killed that man without investigating the scene. I was blaming myself for his death and even tampered with Manik's gun as a revenge.

"He got his punishment now what about the Princess? She must be punished as well for giving the entry to the locker." Cabir added his point.

I shook my head. "Manik, I really..."

I was cut by him once again as he stood infront of me shielding me from Cabir.

"Harshad manipulated her and her case is an exception."

How did Manik know that I was manipulated by Harshad?

"Exception? In what way, Boss? According to the Malhotra Empire's law, the exceptions are provided only for insane, minor or intoxicated. What category does she fall under, huh? As far as I remember, she isn't a minor nor was intoxicated at the act, so only insanity is remaining." Cabir paused. "Denounce her rank stating that she is mental and I shall rest this case."

"Cabir!" Manik roared which vibrated in the room.

Cabir sighed.

"As a friend I can see that you will go to any measure to protect your girlfriend. But now I am questioning as an AUB. So, Boss of Malhotra Empire, I would accept anything you say, as the the entire Empire's wellbeing is dependent on you." Cabir saluted his fist over his chest.

Manik took a minute to think before plastering a smirk on his face.

"There is also an exception which you have missed, Cabir. It's the supreme rule, and that is me." Manik folded his arms over his chest with confidence radiating his face. "I declare, Princess Nandini Murthy, not guilty under the Supreme Rule."

Cabir gasped, so did I.

I was speechless. Did Manik use the Trump card to protect me?

"I can't believe you used the Supreme Rule over such a trivial matter, Manik." Cabir rubbed his face with both of his palms. "You. You have changed. You have become a love sick puppy. The Manik I knew would tear anyone in two pieces for a suspicious activity. But now, you are doing everything to protect even if you know she is at fault."

Cabir rambled as he walked out of our room and Manik rolled his eyes at him.

"She is a sheltered princess, Cabir." Manik answered following Cabir leaving me alone in the room.

"It's not about her, it's about you." Cabir yelled and ran away not letting Manik to speak another word with him.

As the men disappeared I turned back into the room and looked at Manik's painting. I didn't know what to do. Manik's actions always makes me speechless.

I was not harmed. I was not punished. He defended me. He protected me.

Does loving someone means being selfless?

I have to thank Manik for defending me and using his supreme rule to protect me. Actually, I have to ask his forgiveness for messing with all his business.

I was almost saying him my sorry but got distracted with Manik's apologies.

Ah! Nandini, you have to stop getting distracted by every little thing.

I made my mind to follow him and ask his forgiveness. It's okay, if he doesn't want to forgive me as I will think about it later. But first, I have to say it before I forget or get distracted.

He was no where to be seen. I searched for Manik everywhere, living room, hallway, his private garden. Where did he go?

Finally, my eyes spotted him near his jeep. Standing tall and strong next to his black jeep. Why is he looking extra  handsome? I still took my steps further with rosy cheeks but they turned green as I saw Alya walking towards him.

It's okay, Nandini. Alya is just talking with Manik.

I said to myself and couldn't take another step as Alya forwarded her hand for a handshake.

Handshake? Really? Are they meeting for the first time? What's the need for a handshake? Why can't they just hifi each other or just say a normal hello from 1 million miles away?

It's okay, it's just a handshake. It's just the area between five fingers and the wrist touching. That palm organ touched the walls, chairs, and even guns. So, it's okay.

I consoled myself with a great explanation.

The last nail in the coffin was when she touched Manik over his abdomen where the bandage was placed.

I immediately turned back not wanting to witness that scene.

But it's just a external organ.

Shut up! No more excuses. That external belongs to Manik and only Manik. Nobody must touch it.

If necessity arises it must be only me who can touch Manik. Because.... Because... I am a fashionology surgeon. Only I know about treating internal and external organs not the lady boss.

Lady boss? She is Alya, my best friend. Also, she still thinks that they will marry if not for the attack. No. I have to stop that from happening.

I turned back once again to look at them but they were already sitting on a jeep and zoomed away.

I opened my mouth wide.

Did they just left me here and zoomed off without even saying a goodbye to me? What am I? A light bulb? I always say goodbye to my ducks but not the the light bulb so are they treating me like one?

Sorry, best friend. Manik is mine. Only mine. Nothing more or nothing less.

Wait for the dragon, lady boss.

I paced around the house and waited for them for many hours. Literally, hours! What are they doing anyways? Can't they let the subordinates do the work? Why must the Boss get into the scene?

I hugged Mr. Pillow Malhotra after having a little boxing session with him.

Especially, Manik isn't healed completely. How can she just tag him along to the work? Can't she have a bit of sympathy for a fellow oxygen breathers?

All my thoughts came to a halt when I saw their jeep entering into the mansion gates. Finally. It's around 8 at night and they are here.

As they approached closer my eyes were only on Alya. "Ah! You guys were here so fast. I was thinking it would take atleast two days to come back."

"Ah! Well, Alya was fast and the completed in no time." I could sense Manik's smirk but I did not look at him. Alya is my target.

"Anyways, why are you standing out in the cold?" Alya questioned me.

"Waiting for you. I have things to speak with you." I said holding Mr. Pillow Malhotra tightly. "And Manik, I am so hungry and the dinner is ready. Let's have dinner as soon as I finish my deal with Alya. Okay." I said every word only looking at Alya.

Alya and I walked towards the garden area for much needed privacy and Manik walked into the mansion to get ready for our dinner.

I have to show my superiority as a dragon. I must not fall weak infront of this lady boss.

Afterall, it's matter of Love.

And everything is fair when dealing with love and ducks!

"Is everything alright?" Alya questioned me as soon as we reached to the garden.

"Yes. I am perfectly alright. Why wouldn't I be? I am more than alright to be honest. I am not at all confused or getting weak while speaking. I am standing on my feet confidently and my legs are shaking because of cold and not because of what I am going to speak with you." I don't even know what I was speaking.

Someone help me. Please.

"Well, if it's not important let's talk later. I have things to deal with Manik." She said standing up from her chair.

Manik's name brought me to action. It's Boss for everyone and Manik for me. Only me.

"Leave Manik for me." I said in a go.

"What?"

"You heard me, Alya. I love Manik and leave him for me. Don't plan your marriage. Don't be close to my Manik. If you want I can give you Mr. Pillow Malhotra in exchange. He is a good listener and comfy cuddler." I spoke trying to gain confidence by clutching Mr. Pillow Malhotra tightly.

She chuckled. "My Manik? What tricks are you playing now?"

I didn't hesitate to speak. "Nothing. Leave Manik for me. I want Manik for myself."

She stopped laughing and became serious now. "Are you serious? Do you think you have any quality to be the wife of the Boss?"

"What do you mean?"

She gave me the same answer as Manik when I proposed to him. What qualities are they looking for that I am not suitable?

Alya looked at me from top to bottom. "Look at yourself, Nandini and then speak. You are a walking mess and The Boss needs someone who is organised like me to run this Empire."

"Then apply for a position like AUB or assistant to run the Empire. You guys don't love each other to get married." I tried to bring some sense into her.

"Love? Love brings nothing in this Mafia world, Darling. The best example is Vivek and I. Things must be calculated and I find this relation sustaining the odd than your stupid love story."

"You are stupid and your calculation is stupid. Did he let you touch his hair? No, right? I pulled it. Did you make him laugh? Did you make him defend for you? Did he massaged your feet when you slept with fever? Did he do any of that with you? The answer is no. But for me it's a yes and that enough to marry him." I put out all my points.

She took a step further. "These stupid reasons are enough to be in love but not for marriage. Manik will never marry someone like you. I am telling this to you so you would not get hurt."

"I will not get hurt when I have Manik on my side. Manik will marry me." I said with confidence.

"That's impossible." She rolled her eyes.

"Well, I am famous for doing impossible things. Mark my words, Manik will marry me."

"Is that a challenge?" She questioned me.

"Yes. A challenge from the dragon to the lady boss." I said challenging her.

"Dragon?" She chuckled. "You just make things easier to lose the challenge yourself. "Many women around and out of the Empire desires to be with the Boss but he never gave them a chance. So, don't get your hopes high."

I smiled.

"You don't need to worry about it, Alya. I am not the many women. I am the unique piece created by myself. I will get what I want by hook or crook." I said with a confidence which surprised me as well.

Where is this coming from?

"All the best. Don't say I didn't warn you." She said walking away from the garden and sat in her jeep to drive off to her territory.

I got blessings from my opponent now it's time to get into the action.

...

How is the update?

How will Nandu try to make Manik marry her?

Suggest some scenes to make Manan get closer.