Hey Pearlies, Thank you so much for voting, commenting and adding this book to your library. A big shout out to theonlycoconut Vinnie_Vuriti BBbiggestfan ashuban PriyankaBhati4 VeenuDhawan mayamadhuvanthi KusumLataMalik AakritiArya8 isharai16 dishtaniya ISHIKAGUPTAanShu for your lovely comments. 

...

Niyonika gasped. "Manik, are you even in your sense? How can you be shameless and go after such a stupid woman? What about the promise we made to Alya?"

By this time Cabir understood the situation and dismissed the guards from the dining hall and shut the door. Now only Niyonika, Manik, Harshad, Navya and me were present in the room. Did I say this dining hall was the same size as mine earlier? Well, strike that. As people left leaving us in this tense atmosphere I could see this room being endless. I really feel sad for Niyonika who was trying to speak with this stubborn Manik.

Manik frowned. "What exactly is your problem? I will marry Alya Saxena. There is no change in that statement. Your promise will be intact. And regarding her," He pointed at me. "She is my personal and I don't think I need to explain about such things to you."

"You are a worst son, Manik. Learn something from your brother. He was brought up in the America but still he values our family traditions. He is ready to marry a woman his late father arranged and you on the other hand ignored your living mother's promise." I looked at Harshad and he looked like he was enjoying everything happening here. I understand he is happy getting praises from his mother but why can't he stop his mother from lashing on his brother? It's the least he could do now.

"Well, congratulations for having the best son. Unlike him, I was raised around murder and bloodshed so don't expect me to behave like a gentleman. And for the last time, call me Boss or stop speaking with me." Manik's voice started getting colder.

Niyonika cried. "What sin must I have committed to have a son like you. Both Vivek and Harshad turned out to be the best while you are like a piece of shit." 

Vivek? Who is he? I haven't seen him.

Manik left an evil laugh, "And still Vivek was dead, isn't he?" Niyonika raised her hand to slap him but Manik stopped her in the mid air and threw her hand back. "I am not a six year old kid, I am The Boss of Malhotra Empire, mind it. You still have one of your ideal son alive so you better get your dreams fulfilled by him." 

Vivek is dead already? That's why I couldn't meet him. I don't know him but still rest in peace Vivek, Manik's brother. Is he elder one or younger one? Manik is Harshad's elder brother so Vivek could be elder or younger one. My thoughts halted hearing painful words from Niyonika. 

"I wish you were dead instead of Vivek. My house would be a heaven with everyone except you." She cursed her son. "Anyways, I can't mend your behavior. All I can do is to remind you again about the promise we made to Alya. Don't tell me The Boss will break his promise and marry this servant along with Alya." 

"When did I say I will marry her?" He questioned. "I am repeating this again, she is just mine and nothing else."

"You are filthy! You are openly announcing that you will continue your affair even after your marriage with Alya?" Niyonika questioned one final time to confirm and Manik did not respond. 

Wow! Dude is really planning to make me his side chick. He also promised someone named Alya Saxena to marry and he wants me by his side all the time. How immoral! I need to escape this family drama as soon as possible. I don't plan on being his girlfriend or Harshad's wife at this moment. This is a risky business. I need to remind them about my offer of 50 million. If not I will run away from this house hiding in the vegetable barrels.

Oh vegetable! Oh vegetable! Where art thou? 

"Ma, please don't stress. You know Manik, he is like  this from childhood. He will listen to you now or later. After all, he is your favorite son too." Harshad consoled Niyonika. 

Finally, Harshad made his entry. Navya is blushing like a madman because Harshad reached Niyonika passing above her hands rested on the table. She did not dare to look up during the entire scenario since Manik is here but it is evident from her red cheeks that she is living in her own world. 

Manik scoffed. "Favorite and me? Harshad, why don't you ask her to replace you as the mafia leader while I get to study in America?"

Harshad was dumbfounded and Niyonika took the lead, "It was harsh decision to make you the mafia leader but now I wish you would stay alive to watch us die one by one with your behavior." 

"Enough!" Manik threw the entire table set up to the ground. His eyes now bright red and his nose flared waiting for a wrong move from anyone to lash on them. I don't want to be that scapegoat nor anyone in the room. All of us shut our mouth and stared at this tall man. 

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A disembodied voice filled the room. 

All the heads in the room turned towards the lady dressed in black suit standing at the door of the dining room. She took confident steps towards Manik as her black hair tied into tight pony tail swayed. She placed her hand on Manik's closed fist and released it and interlocked her fingers with his. 

"Looks like I have missed some action, Manik. Shall we continue?" She questioned and surprisingly Manik was calmer than before. She literally called him by his 'FIRST NAME' and he got no problem with it. 

"Alya, my dear." Niyonika proceeded to hug Alya but Manik dragged Alya aside preventing both of them to hug each other. 

Okay, so this stunning face, body, hair, walk, smile, voice lady is Alya, soon to be wife of Manik. I must say Manik has best taste but sadly Alya has bad taste. If I looked like her I would be running away with that 50 million, which I still wish even now but nobody is cooperating with me. 

Manik shot an angry glare at me and dragged Alya with him, "Let's speak in my private garden, Alya."

 They both left the dining hall with Navya and Harshad consoling Niyonika for having a son like Manik. A second later Manik shouted from the living room, "Lock her in my room, Cabir."

Lock Alya? Why? She just came into the house and he is already locking her. How many women do the Malhotra brothers need? I stopped thinking further when Cabir came towards me and asking me to come along with him. Oh, Okay. Manik asked me to lock me inside his room, not for Alya. 

I followed behind Cabir and he scratched his head looking at the door. "How did you come out of the room when its locked from outside, Princess Murthy?"

I grinned realizing no body except Manik and me know about the secret door. "It's magic." 

"No. We need to discuss with The Boss about this, you must know some path to walk outside." He began touching the wall inspecting any secret path. 

I rolled my eyes but got shocked rewinding his words, "Did you just call me, Princess Murthy?"

He looked uncomfortable. "I have work to attend."

I held his arm preventing him to walk further. "You are not going anywhere. You are the underboss which means you clearly know all the plans. Now announce my identity to everyone."

He tried his best to dodge the question and his eyes glowed with happiness seeing Navya walking towards us, "How may I help, Princess Murthy?"

He literally called Navya with my name. "What the hell was that? Why are you calling Navya with my name?"

"Navya, who? I am addressing everyone Princess Murthy who are claiming themselves as Mr. Malhotra's wife." He answered innocently. 

I laughed knowing that he is trying to escape. "You are well trained by Manik. Keep it up."

Navya annoyingly asked Cabir to leave us alone which he obliged happily. She gave a fake pout at me. "For a second I thought you beat me in the race by becoming the Boss wife. Poor, Nandini! Now you are servant for the Boss as well. This actually suits you, Nandini. Now stop fighting me accept your fate." 

I want to pull her hair but I don't want to create a scene here. So I did what I can best do right now. "I actually have something to say, Navya and I am afraid if someone might hear us." 

"Really?" She swooped her hair to one side and lent her ear to me. 

I whispered as softly as I can so that she would move more closer. I gathered all my energy and screamed into her ear, "Piss off, Bitch!!!" 

She fell on the floor and covered her ear in pain. Satisfied with my work I jumped inside the room and locked it from inside. It would take minimum two days for her to fight me back. Well done, Nandini. More power to you. 

My eyes went to the Manik's painting on the wall and my thoughts went to the earlier scenario with Alya and Manik. They both are in the garden speaking about something. What if they are planning on how to kill me like my family? What if they are planning to kill Niyonika for her words against Manik? Or what if they are doing something else? Maybe she got hurt on her lips and Manik would be tending for her. After all he is a great healer. 

Most importantly he will be marrying Alya sooner so he has all the rights to do everything with her. Eww! Why am I feeling sad? My plan is to be free with the 50 million. 

I fell on the bed with a happy feeling. Since my mind is my enemy I got another thought which made me restless. "What if they end up killing each other?" 

Of course, Manik has enough temper to kill anyone and Alya doesn't look like a lady with patience. I need to save them. Please stay alive till I come. I don't want to get stuck here.

They were in the private garden which means I can enter from his secret door. I unlocked the door and looked for two dead bodies or at least one alive body. My eyes wandered through the garden and finally landed on them. Both are safe and sound. I hid from them and secretly sat behind the bushes just exactly behind their chairs. 

"... that's how it works, Manik." Alya spoke.

"Manik? I am no longer The Boss son, Ms. Saxena. I am The Boss, so it's better if you get used to it." 

What's his obsession with the hierarchy? I agree it's a sign of disrespect to use wrong titles but this is too much considering she is his would be wife. 

Alya laughed. "My little admirer grew up a lot, huh? What about the Manik who would go crazy for my touch?" She said trailing her well manicured fingers over his arm as he took a deep breath tightening his jaw. 

...

Precap

A new trouble for Nandini enters as Alya.

What do you think about Manik and Niyonika bond? 

How will Manik deal with both Nandini and Alya?