Celebrity Castaway | COMPLETE | MaNan Fiction

3| Superstar Manik

A/N: Hello Readers, firstly, I would like to thank each one of you for giving this story such an overwhelming response! Words are not enough to describe how incredible I felt, when I saw the amount of love and appreciation you poured in for this story. In return, I can promise you one thing, that is, my best effort to make this story worth your time!

Okay, I won't chat more! Not when the chapter is titled, Superstar Manik! I am sure, you are crazy excited to read through this! On that note, happy reading! :)

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"According to sources, evidence has been provided to the police that acquits Manik Malhotra of the heinous crime Soha Khurana had charged against him this morning. If witnesses are to be believed, an hour back, Manik Malhotra was seen exiting the premises of The Royal Orchard Hotel in Chembur in his car, followed by his manager Cabir Dhawan & his legal team. So Manik-ians, time for you to celebrate! Your Hero is indeed a Hero & not a Villain!..Next let us take.." the voice of the news anchor died out as Manik switched off the TV with his remote, and threw it away in frustration. He had never been so filthily insulted by anybody, and even though the charges against him were dropped, Manik Malhotra was seething in anger at the attack.

"Calm down, Manik" Cabir tried, but one glare from Manik and he knew it was best to keep quiet.

"Manik, next time you're up to something, at least learn to cover your tracks! You won't get lucky everytime." sneered Shrikant Malhotra from the couch by the study and old Shamsher Malhotra nodded his head in agreement.

"Just stop it, both of you. The charges were dropped because of proper evidence! If the police can believe Manik is innocent on that basis, why can't you both? Dad, Shrikant, you really think our Manik would molest a girl?!" snapped Nyonica Malhotra as she came to her son's rescue and patted his back to show her undying faith in him. Manik smiled a little, but it didn't reach his eyes. It stung him to see how his own father & grandfather had so little faith in his character. When has he ever disappointed them to deserve this?

"Of course not, Nyonica beta, we don't blame him. The industry is so full of beautiful women, it gets a bit overwhelming sometimes. I just want him to be careful. Have all the fun you want, but that shouldn't tarnish the Malhorta reputation, that's all" replied the senior most Malhotra, with greedy eyes. Manik's mother shook her head. What was new in this? Who knew it better than the Malhotra's that the squeaky clean reputation was all but a sham?

"Manik, our PR just sent me the forecast report. Soha Khurana will take a hit on her brand value because of this news going against her & her rank will drop from top three. Innaya Forbes is most likely to step up, but Alia Saxena & Jeff Irani will still hold rank one & two respectively. So in order to encash this news, you might want to be publicly seen with Alia & Jeff more & maybe we could do a PR cleanup between you & Innaya where you both are made to bump into each other at some awards night and you two hug out the old differences? In that way, every movie where Innaya will replace Soha, you will get the lead. After all there will be curiosity amongst fans to see the exes working together, nah?" Cabir spoke deliberately to topple the previous conversation. He was Manik's childhood best friend. He knew, even though Manik never showed it, he held his father & grandfather in high regard & their inconsequential passes at him, hurt him.

"Yeah, makes sense" he muttered, although it hardly seemed like he heard anything.

"Actually take Alia out for a vacation or something. It will be a positive story for the press to cover. Mukti beta can take care of the airport looks & Cabir, you can arrange the press. We can have a write up on how Manik took time out to spend some romantic time with his beau, after Soha Khurana's jealous dig at his character. This will also strengthen the brand MaLia. We can expect a couple of millions worth of endorsements next year from the brand" suggested Shrikant Malhotra enthusiastically.