*Maheshwari Pov*

I glanced to my left the moment stepping into the cabin and sighed in relief for the curtains otherwise I would definitely go mad with his looks he recently acquired from the past two days. I sat in my chair and leaned back feeling mentally tired for sure.

Why all this is happening in the first place? How can he even love me and that too from the beginning? How can he not love Di at all?

I thought he was attracted to her when he called her by the name she said close people do and then he crazily accepted marriage proposal and wedding within two weeks.

Wait! I thought sitting straight in my chair and rewinded the questions. He wanted to marry Di and would have if not for our intervention.

Does he think I am so stupid? I thought, fuming but sat quietly. Maybe... maybe like James said that time, the company he would have acquired was important.

He must have realized if he marries Di then he would get the company and decided to marry her. What a business minded, he is?

And from these two days he is acting as if he got everything he want. I snorted and controlled my anger. Next time if he will say he loves me or does any of the things he was doing then I will ask him this.

With that thought, I continued with my work, leaving all the thoughts about him and walked into his cabin after knocking only to see him smiling at me.

"Clients will be here in a few minutes as per schedule, Mr. Singh. I have arranged everything and please check if it is fine or anything is missing." I said placing the file on his table.

I nodded at him while he continued to stare at me and turned around before walking to the door. However the moment I opened the door, he said, "Okay, Mrs. Singh!" and I stiffened with his words.

I recovered immediately and left the cabin holding the extra file. I reached the reception knowing well the clients are important and didn't want them to give any objections because of the hospitality.

"Thank you, Ms. Guptha." One of them said when we walked into the meeting room where Mr. Singh just reached.

He opened his mouth, but I shook my head at him, hoping this meeting will not end up with this declaration of marriage and everything.

"That went well." He whispered when the meeting finished and I nodded at him.

I again walked with the clients along with him when they were leaving and we both returned back in silence.

"Is everything okay? You seem to be too occupied?" he asked, holding my hand when we reached his cabin.

I wish I can ask him the main question right now, but this is work place and I can't step out of professionalism even though it seems he doesn't have any thoughts like that with him moving his other hand to my cheek.

"Mr. Singh!" I said, moving away and walked into the cabin.

I ignored everything from my thoughts and concentrated on the work he gave but pushed it away when it was time for lunch and my phone is blazing.

"Hello?" I asked, lifting the call not looking at the caller ID.

"Maha! I hope you are not busy." Came the reply.

"Di? Is everything okay? I knew something was wrong. You were very quiet today. What happened?" I asked, frowning.

"So, you know your sister then?" she asked, trying to lighten the tone but I know she is disturbed.

"Fine! I need to ask you something." She said when I didn't comment anything.

"Ask anything, Di." I said, hoping nothing is wrong.

"You know James so I am asking you this. Does he have a girlfriend?" she asked and I froze in shock.

"What?" I asked not believing her words.

"I heard him talking to someone on the phone saying darling and laughing and also promising to call every day." She replied.

"It must be his Grandma." I said, confused with her inquiry.

"Don't lie to me, Maha. From where will he talk to his Grandma? Unless he has a habit of talking to ghosts." She scolded me and I frowned.

"What are you saying?" I asked her not understanding her words.

"His Grandma died, Maha. He told us didn't he?" she asked and I frowned.

"I... I don't remember." I replied honestly.

"You don't remember? Maha! I remember him, saying that after he said his parents were dead due to car accident." She said and I frowned realizing why I would have not remembered it.

He talked about it and added, saying it is not in India as if hinting something making Di more suspicious. I frowned, still not remembering his words other than that.

"You always forget the extra words when your mind struck at one point. I know, he was talking to his girlfriend. I will kill him today evening." Saying that she hung up.

I stared at my phone thinking is she right? Do I really struck to main one and leave the others? Did James really say his Grandma died, but then whom was I talking to?

I picked up my lunch box and left the cabin before walking into the elevator, hoping Nakul will not catch with me. As he got lunch with him, James would be here only and if he left for lunch I will go there.

"Maha?" James asked when I walked out of the main gate.

"You are going for lunch?" I asked and he nodded frowning.

"I need to talk to you." I said and we both walked to the restaurant.

"I have my box." I mumbled when he asked whether he should order for me too.

"So, what do you want to talk to me about?" he asked frowning.

"Is your Grandma alive?" I asked him frowning.

"Of course! You talked to her last week, right?" he asked with a confused look.

"You said she died when you came to my home." I said and he nodded.

"I expected this question last week but you were more than fine with everything." He said frowning.

"Because I didn't remember this over everything else. I can't believe you lied about her like that." I said, giving him a disappointed look.

"You don't know her, Maha. I know your family was suspicious and would have even asked me to talk to her and make them talk to her right then to believe us. However, if she had got even a slight wind of me dating someone and her parents talking to her then she would be here with the wedding dress. So, I lied about her. In the end it doesn't seem to matter only with me being ended up married." He said shaking his head.

"Oh!" I mumbled and he nodded.

"Why are you suddenly thinking about this? Don't you have enough things to think about? For suppose your husband?" he asked, smirking and right then I decided not to tell him what to expect when he reaches the house.

"Trust me, James. I will laugh at you by the end of the day." I replied with confidence, making him frown but he shook his head.

"You know, he never loved your sister." He said and I nodded.

"He said that, but I don't believe him. I mean, why would he be ready to marry her. The company must be really important to be ready to marry someone he doesn't love." I said shaking my head.

"I don't think Nakul is like that. Anyway, now he is happy and I don't know what he would have done if he had realized who was sitting beside him during wedding time. All the credit goes to you." He said smiling.

"How?" I asked him, frowning and then his food arrived.

"Well, your sister was not that particular about hiding her face properly so I saw her face while putting that red powder." He replied shrugging.

"You mean Sindhoor? But I... I was also not thinking much about that. I mean I just sat there and was in daze while everything was going on." I said frowning.

"Maybe we were lucky somehow he didn't find out." He said smiling and lifted his call grinning.

"Yes?" he asked and stared at me.

"Yes!" this time he replied, leaning back smirking.

"Lunch date!" he added and I somehow can guess who was on the call.

"Deciding to elope together." He said and I glared at him.

"Sure! She will be there after our date." Saying that he hung up.

"I think I will laugh now only while you have to wait forever." He said laughing and I fumed but finished my food.

"I thought you would rush hearing the call." He commented when we started walking back to the company.

"Why? This is my lunch break and I can go with whomever I wish and mainly with a person who knows me so well and who wished to marry me but had to sacrifice for his friend. Wow! I am sure your friend will feel so much concern for you." I said and his eyes widened.

"Look, he recently covered up for his behavior. Don't make him go back to that." He said frowning.

"I will try." I mumbled and walked off.

The moment I sat in my chair, I heard the telephone ringing and lifted it up saying, "Yes, Mr. Singh?"

"Come into my cabin." He ordered and I did in the minute to see him standing near the glass walls behind his chair.

"Where were you?" he asked and I frowned.

"Was there important work, Mr. Singh? I was just having my lunch." I replied and he suddenly turned around.

"Come here!" he asked forwarding his hand, which I wished to ignore, but finally reached it not knowing why did I even take the first step near to him.

The moment my hand touched his, he held it in a tight grip before pulling me into his embrace making me still.

"I will not lose you. Do you understand? I can't believe I nearly did and I will never let that happen again." He said, shivering a little and at that moment my hands went around him.

"He was joking and I had something to talk to him." I said in a whisper.

"Talk to me, Maheshwari. You never talk to me." He accused and I smiled a little but controlled it.

"We will have a long talk today." I said, assuring him and he released me to stare at me with a frown.

"Got another question?" he asked and I nodded.

"The main one?" he asked in a strained voice and I nodded again.

"I will after reaching home." I replied and he smiled.

"Fine! We will talk at home and I was anticipating it. More for to know what explanation you had for that question for yourself without my reply." He said and I frowned, but he pressed a kiss to my cheek before releasing me.

"Now, go and do your work." He ordered and I shook my head before walking away feeling confused inside.

I glanced at Di's car the moment we reached the house and got down before smirking at James. He looked at me confused along with Nakul but I chuckled and walked off.

"Ask me!" Nakul said the moment we walked into the house and he closed the door behind him.

"Well, why were you ready to marry Di? If James and I didn't step in, you would have been married to her." I pointed out and sat on the couch while he shivered.

"Thank god for that." He said, shaking his head and sat beside me.

"Do you remember what did your sister say the moment I stood up?" he asked and I nodded.

"That we are Sathish Guptha's daughters." I replied and he smiled.

"I know about the rivalry my Dad had with Maheshwari group of Industries. Then you introduced yourself as..." he trailed off with raised eyebrows.

"Maheshwari!" I whispered and he nodded.

"So, I ended up thinking you are the elder sister. And Mr. Sathish must have named his company after his elder daughter." He said and I gasped.

"How could you think that based on names? I mean, didn't you see us?" I asked him frowning.

"That's the problem! I was busy looking every detail of you and the way you were scolding James and smiling and so much. But then when I glanced at your sister all I saw was a teenager. She was behaving the same way I saw many teenagers behave in any foreign country I went to. So, of course I will think her the same. And you were so modest which I believed as an elder sibling trait." He replied frowning.

"Then you were serving the drinks and I felt like anywhere elder ones take care of such things. Then you were sitting with your Mom and were again modest while Sweety was again with her shy looks and all. You were having a happy face while her's was something else. I even heard your Dad saying as the company is in his elder daughter's name, I would get it. See? Again with the names and he just used elder daughter and nothing else. What else should I think? There when I was scolding myself for a few days fro falling in love with a person whose father is rival and will never be mine. But here she was being given to me without any objection. So, why would I think about anything else except to jump into it?" he asked in an accusing tone and sighed.

"What if? What if you ended up being married to my sister?" I asked with wide eyes.

"I mean, both of your lives would have been ruined and if my Di actually liked you. Oh god! That's why no one should presume." I said frowning.

"Please! I already told you I observed every detail of you and would have known who was sitting beside me. I know you were a little taller than her and also your hands are long. And mainly I saw your face while applying Sindhoor and the necklace." He said shaking his head.

"You knew... you knew you were getting married to whom?" I asked feeling shocked and he nodded.

"And if suppose your sister was sitting beside me and I missed the details, then you would have stood with your parents by which I would have known. And if you were actually marrying James with you both loving each other than I would have left from this place only and even James not being able to see both of you together." He replied closing his eyes.

"I was thinking all these what if's during these five weeks, Maheshwari. And you don't know what was going through my head." He added sighing.

"When James said he loves my fiancé sister I was little worried as I thought she was very young and not at all type he usually dates. But then I was busy in my own world anticipating to share my life with you." He said turning towards me opening his eyes.

"But... but you were angry at James and me for ruining your marriage." I said remembering the scene.

"I was happy that you are mine, but then had to see your Mom's shocked and Dad's angry face. Then your sister asking James why was he in my place which turned the event to realize if I should be in his then she should have been at mine which means you both were supposed to get married. I didn't care who got married to whom and how but all I cared at that moment was he was dating you... I mean you, the person I love and immediately showed my anger at him. Until you all left and we were travelling to your place I didn't thought about the exchange or marriage or anything except you both loving each other." He explained and I opened my mouth in shock.

"After reaching your place and with the conversations, I just knew the person I loved didn't love me and didn't wish to marry me. Then I heard your sister saying about money and all. She was shouting and upset making me feel guilty. I was somehow the reason for this confusion and then was angry at both of you. All these days I felt guilty for her thinking she must have really liked me, but that was false which made me feel relief." He added sighing.

"Now, tell me what explanation did you have for my behavior?" he suddenly asked and I gave him a reluctant smile.

"I need to cook." I said and moved to get up but he held my hands before pulling me into his arms.

"I said too much without leaving anything." He pointed out and I closed my eyes.

"Okay! I thought you decided to marry Di because the company was in her name. You went through with the thought of marrying her for the company and letting go of any other feelings if you had." I said honestly and felt him stiffen before the release from his hold.

"I..." I couldn't say anything else.

"I have some work." Saying that in a very blank tone he stood up and I opened my eyes before holding his hand.

"You said I was behind a married man." I mumbled hoping based on that he will let this go.

"Because I was told you love each other and dated, but ended up being married to different people. Because I know I wouldn't have lost my feeling for you just because you were married to someone else if that had happened." That's all he said and walked away while I slumped.

I finished cooking and waited for the other two before calling for Nakul. However, those two were like two hot coals and I felt anyone would get burned if they even touch them. Nakul joined their group with the same expression.

I suddenly felt guilty for the situation at present. I should have explained James what Di was thinking and about Nakul... but I don't know him.

None of us had the food properly and they both left while Nakul walked off to wash the plates before leaving for his study room.

I will not feel guilty... I... no... I said what I felt and didn't hide it. It is not my fault, but I don't know why it did hurt a little.

I shook my head and walked into my room to freshen up. As usual, I walked to the door to reach his room, but stopped in my tracks.

I decided to stay here only and maybe he wouldn't have cared about it. But, somehow I continued to walk to his room and lay on his bed feeling this as the right thing to do in my heart.

I woke up startled when I felt a kiss on my cheek to see his face very near to mine and feel his embrace. I stared at him, frowning and blinked my eyes to see him smiling.

"You are smiling?" I asked him frowning.

"I went to the other room thinking you must have stayed there only. But imagine my surprise when I found that room empty and you are here in our room." He replied caressing my cheek making my eyes flutter.

"I can't stay angry at you and I know how the mind works with nothing to think. Our mind always goes for worst like mine did. If you can forgive me, then I will forget." He offered and I don't know why I smiled.

"Did Mr. Singh really apologized?" I asked and he laughed.

"No! But kind of." He replied and I shook my head.

"Okay! I will let it go but anytime you hurt me then I will just point out how you were going to marry my sister and I was going to marry James." I said and as expected he shuddered.

"Then I have to make sure that I never hurt you." He whispered.

"I don't love you." I said and he closed his eyes.

"Damn! You could hurt me, right?" he asked and I moved my hand to caress his face.

"Would it have been fine if I lied to you?" I asked and he shook his head.

"I feel attracted to you though and you are the first person. Does that count to remove hurt?" I asked, feeling bad again to be responsible for his hurt.

"That's more than enough for me and I can live for a few years too with that." He replied opening his eyes.

"Really?" I asked, frowning.

"No!" he replied, kissing me and immediately moved back before I can react and in his hold I drifted off into sleep along with him and also a smile which I couldn't stop myself.

*Swathi Pov*

Why? Why am I this angry? I thought, fuming while pacing in the living room and stiffened hearing the car sound but felt the anger increasing.

"What? Waiting to be kissed?" his teasing voice reached after a few minutes and he closed the door.

I turned around not hiding my expression like in the morning and he frowned immediately before glancing around to see all my work disappeared.

"Where is your work?" he asked and I just stared at him.

"What is that doing here?" he asked, gesturing to the cot I got delivered today.

"I ordered and I removed my work to be able to put it here." I replied and he frowned moving near to me.

"Our arrangement became too much for you?" he asked, frowning and moved to hold my face but I stepped back.

"I never let any cheater's hands to touch me." I replied and he gave a confused look.

"I don't understand!" he said and I laughed without any humor.

"Yeah? You understand only your girlfriend's words?" I asked and he froze.

"What girlfriend?" he asked frowning.

"I asked you one thing, James. Can't you do even that?" I asked fisting my hands trying to control every emotion.

"You have gone mad." He stated and that was the end point.

I immediately pushed him back and moved along with him throwing punches wherever I can while he held my hands away in a second.

"Stop it!" he shouted and I stilled.

"Now, tell me." He demanded.

"I heard you, James. You were talking to your girlfriend today. How nicely you thought I was sleeping and was so confident about it." I said tugging my hands.

"Is there any normal brain cell in your head? You could have asked me right there." He said, pushing me away releasing my hold.

"Okay! Who is that?" I asked, folding my arms.

"You should have asked then, but I will not tell you now." Saying that he walked into the room and I followed him.

"Tell me now! I asked Maha and she said it could be your Grandma which is a complete lie. Does she know you have a girlfriend and is hiding it?" I asked him frowning.

"At least trust your sister, Swathi. Otherwise, you will be all alone for sure." His reply made me take a step back.

"Do you think you will be happy by being this suspicious? Always thinking worst and acting and everything. And yes, she is my Grandma and yes, I lied to you people saying she passed away not wishing to let you guys ask about her and try to talk to her." He added.

"I am not always acting." I said and he snorted.

"Really?" he asked and I fumed at him, brushing away the slight guilt for thinking worst.

"Stop acting like a jealous wife then." That's all he said and walked into the washroom while I walked away leaving the house.

I roam around the garden, ignoring the alert from his team member who ever saw me. I don't expect them to be normal with me with my actions, but their boss is the culprit, no matter what and my Dad will make sure to prove it.

Walking into the house during dinner time, I sat without looking at anyone, suddenly feeling hurt and guilty. I shouldn't have thought wrongly about Maha but my mind just runs wild when I am angry.

After dinner, I again roam in the area even though it was dark, not wishing to be in his presence and sat on the bench hugging myself.

I don't always act, but yeah, maybe I did, but... but I had the purpose and now how can I act when there is no need for. He too acted right?

After sometime feeling a little cold, I walked into the house to see him nowhere in the living room. I placed the cot properly and lay down on it, not wishing to bring any pillow or blanket which would make me go near him.

I drifted off into sleep feeling cold, but ignored it. I groaned, rolling around only to blink feeling a warmth beside me.

I sat up, but immediately felt dizziness in my head before I felt someone to bend my head a little making the dizziness to reduce.

"Should have known before to stay in the cold outside for a long time." This comment made me blink and I turned to see James and also made me realize I am in the bedroom instead of the living room.

"I... I hate you!" I said and felt pain in my throat.

"Yeah! I made you stay out." He said, shaking his head and passed a bowl to me.

"Eat it!" he ordered and I did before glancing at the clock to see it is past midnight.

"You have a slight fever." He said, frowning and I frowned back.

"Did you disturb Maha to bring this?" I asked him and he rolled his eyes.

"I made it!" he replied and I gave him a disbelieving look.

"Eat it or I will throw it inside your mouth." He threatened and I finished it soon to which he chuckled, but when I glanced at him he gave a blank look.

"It is nice!" I said and he shrugged.

"My Grandma made sure I know how to survive myself. So, she taught me to cook too, along with so many things." He said and I frowned at him.

"It was your Grandma." I stated and he nodded.

"If you know how to cook, then why did you make me cook that day? Why did you never say?" I asked him with irritation and felt my head may explode any second.

"You are hell bent to feel irritated, right? If not one thing, then the other." He said, shaking his head and made me lay back down before covering me with the blanket.

"Stay!" I said holding his hand when he got down from the bed.

"Then what will happen to the poor thing, you bought today." He said and I sighed.

"Shut up and stay." I ordered and he shook his head before moving away, making me frown.

I closed my eyes still frowning, but then felt a tap on my shoulder. I opened them to see him holding a glass of water and a tablet.

I took it and drank some water. After placing the glass below the bed, he lay beside me, but I pushed him, saying, "Go!"

"God! If you were president or prime minister, the remaining countries would have been confused thinking whether they are rivals or friends in your country." He commented but stayed beside me before pulling me in his arms.

"Why this suddenly?" I asked, gesturing his hold around me.

"You are shivering." He pointed out and I am because of which I snuggled in his hold.

"I am not a jealous wife." I mumbled and he kept silence.

"If I ever see you being with another woman before the divorce, then I will really never let you hold me or even stay near you and that is for sure." I said and glanced up to stare at him.

"I don't have any time to make some new girlfriends here, but I can't say the same thing about old ones." he commented and I immediately punched on his chest to which he laughed.

"However, they all are far away from here. So, you are safe from feeling jealous." He continued.

"You forgot one thing." I said and he glanced at my face frowning.

"What?" he asked and I smirked, but coughed before clearing my throat.

"All my Ex-boyfriends are here in this city only and some I even meet in my work. Some I even get collided with if I go somewhere. They all are not far away from here." Saying that I closed my eyes and snuggled in his hold.

"How many for having some here and some there?" he asked, but ignored him, to which he sighed, but held me like that before we both drifted off into sleep.

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here it is the main ones being answered and i know late one but i started a little late and then there was no power too to update...

anyway, how is the chap???

comment plz and vote...

p.s-- i am going to say thanks for all the comments in the previous chap... i dont think i can type the replies but if there is time i will definitely... but must say i had this big grin while reading the comments and thanks moon_dancer05 for explaining it to everyone and i know you must have found relief finally to say it out loud :P and also smiley020 who guessed it and then everyone who guessed it but hey there is still the main plot :P