Hey Pearlies!!!! Thank you very much for your votes, comments and adding this book to your library. A big shoutout to  PriyankaBhati4 Taareyians BBbiggestfan  mayamadhuvanthi JeganathNallathambi KusumLataMalik VeenuDhawan isharai16 AakritiArya8 MeryJane044  ISHIKAGUPTAanShu  dishtaniya   for your lovely comments. 

A special shoutout to Day_Dreamer023 user91967340 Vani1211 umerghafoor1122 sarameena MounikaGottimukkala avninovember23   for binge reading this book. 

...

Manik neither resisted the touch nor enjoyed it. He sat there sipping his tea in his porcelain cup while Alya trailed her fingers playfully over his broad shoulders. 

Putting his cup down Manik said, "Things change, Alya. You are no longer the daughter of Boss Saxena nor I am the son of Boss Malhotra."

She nodded her patting his shoulder, "True. We now have the responsibility to run our own mafia."

Are they a thing in the past or are they dating now? It's so confusing. 

"Now what brings you at this hour?" He questioned her.

"A little bird informed me that you are diverting your attention. Trust me, Manik, I would not like sharing my things with others." Alya said crossing her arms on her chest. 

Wow! They even share the same attitude. 

"Remember you are questioning The Boss. The last time I checked we never promised of exclusive relationship. It's better if we stick to what we discussed." Manik stood up and kept his hands in his pockets. 

Alya laughed. "I can't believe we are discussing this even before we get married." She stood up and continued, "Since, we are here why don't we get engaged. After all, it was your only dream before acquiring this position."

This time Manik walked towards her and stood a feet away. His eyes were emotionless but a smirk played on his lips. I could smell something burning and I don't want to admit it's me. I mean they can go to hell and have a happy married life. They look so compatible, after all.

"We joined forces for one reason; to get hold of Vikram Rathore. Concentrate on important issues first, Alya." His voice got colder at the end.

Alya stepped back, "Having the White Tiger den under us is my priority too, Boss. At the same time I would not tolerate if by any chance you would drop the idea of our wedding." 

"Manik Malhotra does not promise easily, if promised it will be fulfilled by hook or crook." 

So they will be married for sure. Thank you all the stars for saving me. Mr. Whoever you are please get caught to them and I can escape from this drama and live my life. 

"In the meantime, why don't you leave your side chick or get engaged to me? It's an reasonable offer." 

Did she call me side chick? Her punishment is to get married to Manik. Let her suffer. 

"There is clear line between us, Alya. Do not cross that." He warned. 

Did he said that in defense of himself or for me?

"Being smart are we?" She placed her hand around his neck matching his height. "You are not my true love and will never be, Manik. You are my obsession. My pride and my craze." Her hand getting tighter around his neck with every passing word. 

Manik took a moment to inhale air and freed himself from her while uttering, "Surprise! I have an exclusive obsession too," he paused and looked straight into my eye. "Come out."

How on earth did he find out my hiding spot? Did he knew it from the beginning? Am I hiding for nothing? Effort successfully wasted.

He pulled me from the bushes as I hadn't made an attempt to walk towards him. His grip was strong and I didn't resist either as I stood between Manik and Alya. I was shorter than these two Bosses and I struggled to meet their eyes which were busy staring at each other forgetting my presence. 

"Can I go," I tried to sneak out but was pulled back by Alya and they both shouted together at once. 

"You are not going anywhere."

Alya scanned me from head to bottom and a permanent frown was plastered on my face. She shook her head in disappointment. "She is not even worth it, Manik."

What the hell is wrong with everyone not finding me enough for their standards? Just let me out of here and I will show everyone who is the boss. 

She held my mopped hair with her left hand and immediately dropped it. "At least give me a strong competition, Manik. You are insulting me by choosing such thing."

Manik pushed me behind him. "You really have to understand that not everything revolves around, Alya Saxena."

"Manik!!" She screamed but calmed down with his glare. "I mean think practically, you own the Diamond Mines and trade them in the underworld. Meanwhile I design and manufacture the diamonds. We are a perfect match." She spared a glance at me and continued, "it's  nonsense to stay with a maid of no use!"

I confidently stood in front of her and spoke even before Manik could speak, "Excuse me, Miss. Just to clarify, my family owns the diamond factory too. I hope Murthy Mafia rings a bell. I am the Princess of Murthy Mafia, Nandini Murthy."

Manik tightened his grip as I spoke and it started hurting now. But why is he stopping me?

Alya rolled her eyes. "Ah the infamous Nandini Murthy. Aren't you all tired of playing imposter?"

"I am the real Nandini Murthy. You have no right to speak about me without knowing-" She cut me short.

"I don't care about your past. Your wing has been destroyed to nothing, isn't it? Which means you own nothing. So save your energy to build yourself something worthwhile instead of running after The Boss."

Manik's grip now loosened hearing Alya's response. 

Running after Manik? Really?

I faced Manik and gritted my teeth. "You monster are you happy now? You killed my family, wiped my identity, destroyed my life and now people are calling me side chick. I will pull your hair if you do not speak in my favor right now."

All of a sudden there was a slight smile appearing on his face. Oh save me! My blood is boiling in anger. 

"Don't you dare smile at this moment." He cleared his throat as if he snapped out of his thoughts and put on his angry face. 

"Look Miss Saxena," I faced Alya. "I have no interest in your craze, pride and obsession. He is the one chasing after my life. You better use your brain."

Very good Nandini. Not bad. 

"Really?" I head Manik from behind and I can feel his naughty smile in his voice. 

"Yes. I am very practical woman. I do not fall for such crushes or infatuations. I believe I deserve the best. Your kiss has nothing to stop me or my dreams." I said and I seriously wish I had the power to shut up. 

"Kiss??" Alya yelled. 

"Technically not a kiss, but still his mouth shaping organ was on my mouth shaping organ so we can consider it a kiss. Even then you need not worry as he did it only to heal my wound." I explained with my chatterbox mouth. 

Who speaks about the kiss in front of their would be wife. Of course me and my overthinking mind. 

"Manik tried to heal you?"

"It is nothing in front of my healing. I tried to stop his internal bleeding even when I had no surgical instruments. Point to note, he tied me to his bed and slept with me. But still I chose peace over violence. Now tell me who has the top hand here." 

Manik is now facing the other side. He decided not to show his face to us. I don't know why!

"Manik! What is actually happening between you both? Did you really do all that with her?" Alya pulled her hair.

Finally Manik faced us, "Did you think obsession means stalking and writing secret letters? Of course, there is more to it."

What's with the dictionary?

Alya shook in rage. "Fine. I will be back with Vikram Rathore's head. You will not get enough time with her. So enjoy as much as you want only for limited period." She stomped her feet and walked away as he infamous pony tail swayed along with her. 

As Alya vanished from my view my concentration was on Manik. "What's wrong with you dude? Your tongue works very well in front of me but as soon as a third person enters you go dumb. I need you to make everything clear as soon as possible. I can't be someone's chick. I am the princess of Murthy Mafia and I deserve some respect. Are you getting what I am speaking?"

These days he is getting lost as I speak. Please pay attention dude. I can't repeat every time. 

"I did a mistake showing you the secret passage to the garden from my room." He shook his head.

Wow!! All of this happened and this is all he have to say.

He dragged me back into the mansion from the main entrance and Cabir's mouth gaped. I am pretty sure he is trying to connect dots on how I escaped from the locked door once again. I will tell him the day he will support my truth until then good luck to him and his brain. 

As the day settled and the sky got darker the mansion lit bright with lights. It looked magnificent but sadly no body here seems to enjoy the beauty of this mansion. 

Navya has her bandage around her ear while Niyonika petted her hair. With my presence they both shot a disgusting glare and honestly at this moment their glares stopped affecting me. Am I turning cold towards them? 

Contrast to the bright living room Manik's room was dimly lit indicating the time to bed. He went into the shower room and I sat on the bed leaning on the bedrest. My thoughts went towards Alya Saxena and her promise to Manik. 

What are they planning? Who is Vikram Rathore? Looks like it was a condition for them to get married. Should I help them in finding this guy? But they just want to kill him which I really don't encourage. Then how shall I escape everything. 

All the mafia and other important stuff is discussed within the closed rooms of my home and the ladies would just stayaway from such matters. Our hierarchy was different from Alya's. She introduced herself as Lady Boss which means she is the head of her den where as in my family we are secondary and my father is the boss of the den. 

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt seeing Manik in his loosely tied night robe wiping his hair with the towel. His fresh smell filled the room from a mile away. It only got stronger as he took steps closer and stopped in front of the mirror to look at his reflection. 

I have a great memory of his torso that as soon as he moved I can say where his muscles get flexed and where it twists. Our eyes briefly met from the reflection and he questioned with raised eyebrows. My cheeks heated in embarrassment. 

He threw the towel in the laundry bin next to the shower room and proceeded to walk towards the bed I am sitting. NO!!

"What are you doing?" I questioned standing on the bed. I am a bit taller than him now.

"Surgery maybe?"

"Very funny! What are you doing in my room?" I rephrased. 

"Your room? Interesting!"

"This may be your room but after your stunt it will be mine. The guards won't let me stay in the quarters and I can not share my room with others." I said tightening my lips. 

"Well princess Nandini must learn to share."

"Look at him calling me Nandini within the closed room and feigning ignorance in front of people. You are such a manipulative monster." I stomped the foot as many times as I can to express my anger. 

The soft mattress didn't like my harsh behavior unlike the floor so it didn't hold my weight. My leg slipped and before I could fall down I took Manik's support. But instead of falling on the floor we both fell on the bed. 

I moaned in pain and looked back at Manik to warn him about his strong body only to get lost in a set of caramel brown eyes already staring at me. 

...

Precap

What are your thoughts on Alya? 

Do you want Manan moment in next update or Navya Niyonika? I mean family is important right? :D