Sorry for the late update Pearlies. A big shoutout to muskanrishi08 sanuranie muskanrishi08 fathimasafy mayamadhuvanthi VeenuDhawa dishtaniya Midnight_lib its___V samab28 heartfollower28 Taareyians isharai16   for your lovely comments.

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As soon as Manik came out of the bathroom I ran into the bathroom almost pushing him without hearing or looking at him. I need to hurry. I took a quick shower, luckily I took one last night so there is no need to put more effort into exfoliating my skin or washing my hair. I hardly took five minutes and immediately wrapped myself in the bathrobe. 

I opened the door and saw Manik still in the room and I sighed in relief. I can not wait to miss this chance. He was putting on his shirt as he looked at me peeking from the bathroom. 

"Are you planning to stay there all day?" He questioned. 

Not now, Nandini.

I stayed mum and waited for him to dress completely. He combed his hair perfectly and sprayed his signature cologne. 

Okay, now I must get ready.

Satisfied with his look he walked towards the bedroom door to unlock and begin his Boss life. 

"Manik." I called him.

He paused going out and looked at me. A devilish grin appeared on my face confusing him and within a second I pulled out the mug I was hiding and poured it on him.

Yes!! Mission Possible. He is now drenched and I guess he must start from the beginning. Well, he will learn not to mess with me again.

"Boss, the shower is welcoming you." I said earning a grunt from him as he disappeared into the bathroom for round two. 

I walked into the closet for some clothes and looked at the locker. Oh cleaner, when will you come? I need to unlock this and get the map. I pulled out Manik's blazer and put it on me, it reached till my knees but it was baggy on my frame. I tied his belt around my waist now creating a sassy look. To complete the look I put on the sunglasses as well. Now, I look like a perfect boss. 

While I was looking at my reflection in the long mirror Manik walked inside to pull his clothes. Spotting me inside he began to warn but instantly stopped and left his mouth ajar. He dropped the shirt he was holding in his hand to the ground as he looked at me. 

I clicked my fingers snapping him out of his trance. "Why would you walk into this place while you are still wet? You must wipe yourself completely and step into this closet."

He rolled his eyes and began pulling out fresh clothes from the closet ignoring me. "The last thing I need is to get lectured by you. Thanks to you I need to hurry now."

"Ah, it's okay, Manik. The person will live for a few more minutes. You can handle that much, right?" I said and he tightened his jaw. "What? Don't say you have work other than killing people? That is the last thing I want to hear from you."

"Wow! For starters, why don't you get your own dialogues? I see you stealing words from others these days." Before I could reply him, he pushed me out of the room and locked the closet from inside. 

I need to get out from here as early as possible. Hearing the grumble from my stomach I walked out of the room towards the dining hall. Niyonika, Navya, Alya and Harshad left their mouth ajar in the same way Manik did earlier. 

Yeah, bring it on baby!

I flipped my hair and swayed more towards the dining table. To maintain my confidence I did not look at other dishes and served myself the first thing in front of me. It was round, brown, and stacked up one on other. I picked one and kept it on my plate and began eating it. It tastes bland but I must lose my expression so I gulped as much as I can.

"Why don't you add some syrup on your pancakes?" Harshad said pouring some brown water on the brown thing on my plate. Pancake? But it is a plate. I don't care. 

He tried to speak something but stopped as soon as Alya walked into the room and begane serving the Platecake with brown water. 

"Nandini." Niyonika called from the living room. 

"Yes," Navya and I answered in union. 

Everyone looked at each other's face and sighed with disappointment. "We need to end this mess." Niyonika said sipping her tea served by Navya.

Alya responded. "I have a solution for that, we can chose the real one by testing their cooking, and craft skills."

I stopped eating and scoffed getting her attention. "You think women are all about cooking and cleaning? We are strong enough to move mountains so better up your game, Alya."

Alya rolled up her sleeves and smirked, "that's my favorite game. Why don't we have a fight?"

I looked at her strong arms and gulped. It's no guess she would smack me down in a second and I regret opening my mouth. "Chill, Sistah! I mean instead of just cooking or cleaning why don't we put a level like who can sleep the longest, who can eat the most without knowing it's name etc."

"First of all, why are you wearing sunglasses indoors?" She questioned me, I shrugged and resumed eating. "Secondly, nobody orders the ladyboss. Do as I say!" She said wiping her mouth with the napkin.

Really? But I am the Boss today, and nobody can order me too. "Then play your own game, Alya. I am not interested in joining your stupid tests." I continued eating the Platecake. 

Harshad dropped his spoon on the floor and kept staring at me. Is he a kid? He don't know how to eat with a spoon? That's surprising. What's surprising me more is he is not picking up the spoon on the floor.

"Why don't you pick up the spoon and hand it to me?" Harshad said in a gentle voice.

I raised my eyebrows. "I am the Boss here, dude. Nobody can order me." I said with an attitude. 

He shook his head. "I mean the spoon is closer to you, so please pick it up." He stressed the last words pressing the wrong buttons.

"Mr. Malhotra, I understand you are the prince of your house and have been pampered. Same here, I am princess Nandini Murthy and have been a princess all my life, so don't expect me to be a maid. Go ask your Malhotra army to pick this spoon not me."

"For heavens sake pick it up." He said loud enough for me to hear but was still low that other's would not hear. 

"Chill, Bro!" I raised my hands in the air and bent to pick up the spoon but he bent down to help me give directions. "I can do it."

"Shut up for a second and listen, Nandini. You need to participate in whatever they are asking you to play. You need to buy as much time as you can till you find the map, got it?" He said as fast as he could and sat upright.

I slowly got up and handed him the spoon, "Toss it." All the hard work just to toss the spoon? I have no chance except to participate in this game which I am pretty sure will lose but at least I can buy some time. 

"Fine, I will join this game." I said and was surprised to see Alya giving a soft smile looking at me and Harshad. 

"Cute!" She said and rested her head on her palms. "Let's start it from today, I need to sort the mess as early as possible."

What's cute here? Some one please save me or at least find me the key for the locker. 

"You are not joining anything." I heard Manik's voice as he walked into the dining room and took his chair while Harshad and I were sitting on his left and Alya on his right. 

"Why? That will help me prove my identity." I said with a pout. 

He glared at me and I stopped speaking.

Harshad butted, "Why can't she join, Boss?"

Manik took a moment before answering, "because I said so."

"And why is that? She has the right to prove her identity just like everyone in the Empire, so why only her?" Harshad questioned again walking near Manik and standing next to him.

Manik dropped the napkin from his neck to the table and stood up facing Harshad while tightening his jaw. "You tell me, Harshad. Why only her when you have dozens of women wanting to be your wife?"

If looks could kill both of them would be dead by now. The brothers stared at each other gritting their teeth and closing their fist tight.

I walked in between them and I tried to push them away from each other but they were strong and did not budge. I hardly reached till their chest and could barely see their face in this close. "Stop fighting for me, you both!" I slightly smacked both of their arms.

"We are not fighting for you." They yelled in union and stormed out of the room in their own ways. 

Alya stood in front of me with a smile, "Get ready for your first round."

...

Precap

What tasks shall we give for them?

Are the men really not fighting for Nandini?