𝐀 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲. (ON HOLD)

4

Chapter 4:
The Mutual Agreement.

Sejal's palms were clammy as she stepped into the opulent conference room. The grandeur of the setting did little to calm her nerves. Rishabh Chavan, sitting behind a massive mahogany desk, regarded her with a cold, piercing gaze. His presence was imposing, and his silence weighed heavily in the room.

“Ms. Jaiswal, I trust you understand the gravity of our situation?” Rishabh’s voice was as frosty as his stare.

Sejal’s heart pounded as she shifted uneasily under his intense scrutiny. “Yes, Mr. Chavan. I’m fully aware of the circumstances and the expectations placed upon us,” she said, her voice quivering slightly.

Rishabh leaned back in his chair, his gaze unwavering. “Then enlighten me. What’s your proposal?”

Sejal swallowed hard, summoning every bit of courage. “I... I believe it would be beneficial for us to... to get married for one year. The deal between our companies has been made, and this arrangement would allow us to honor our commitments.”

Rishabh’s eyes narrowed, his silence stretching out, making Sejal's anxiety grow.

“I... I could attend business parties and events for you, Mr. Chavan,” Sejal continued, her voice faltering. “It could help to improve the public image of our companies. I assure you, I’ll never interfere in your personal matters, nor do I expect you to intervene in mine. We’ll just need to get along for this year.”

Rishabh’s expression remained inscrutable. “And after the year?”

Sejal took a deep breath. “After one year, we can proceed with an amicable divorce. We’re being forced into this marriage, so this seems the most pragmatic solution. We don’t have to change our behavior for each other. We just need to put on a convincing show.”

Rishabh’s silence was heavy, and Sejal felt her anxiety intensify. She stared at the floor, feeling increasingly small and vulnerable.

Finally, Rishabh spoke, his voice cutting through the tension. “Your proposal is... practical. It does offer certain benefits to both our companies.”

Relief washed over Sejal, and she looked up, meeting his gaze. “Thank you, Mr. Chavan. I believe this arrangement can serve our mutual interests without causing undue distress in our personal lives.”

Rishabh nodded, his tone firm. “We’ll proceed with this understanding then. A marriage of convenience for our professional interests, nothing more. Our personal lives remain separate.”

Sejal sighed quietly, her anxiety easing slightly. “Agreed. We’ll make this work for the next year and then proceed with our agreed divorce. Our successful professional partnership will be our priority.”

“But,” Rishabh said, his tone suddenly serious, “I have two things to mention.”

Sejal braced herself. “Go ahead.”

“First,” Rishabh began, “while neither of us wants this marriage, it’s clear we have to live together for a year. It’s not going to be easy.”

“Straight to the point, I see,” Sejal replied, her tone sharp. “If, by some chance, we start to... like each other, should we then give this marriage a chance?”

“That’s never going to happen,” Rishabh said flatly.

Sejal’s eyes flashed with irritation. “I said ‘if.’ And if I happen to like someone else during this time, I’ll focus on our marriage instead.”

Rishabh’s gaze hardened. “You’d like someone else, huh?”

“Yes, I’m a woman, Mr. Chavan. I can be attracted to others, just like anyone else,” Sejal retorted.