Unwanted Arrangement

7.

Ishika Ahuja

"Are all your ideas this outrageous?" Daksh asked while they waited for Ayush Malhotra to finish his conference meeting. Daksh was ready to barge in, but I barely stopped him, completely embarrassed.

Why would the nut head believe it's a good idea to barge into the country's most powerful CEO's meeting?

"Calling me outrageous as if you're a perfectly sane person." I scoffed, miffed with the guy. I couldn't stand him for more than 2 hours, I really was outrageous for suggesting that marriage. I wished the Kulkarni's had another son she could marry.

"Atleast I do whatever I want. You're just a coward."

"Running from your responsibilities is also a form of cowardice." I snapped back, fuming at his audacity.

Daksh sighed in defeat, dragging his chair closer to hers so as to bring his face closer to hers.

"We'll achieve nothing if we fight amongst ourselves. You want this arrangement to work, right?"

"We don't have a deal yet, but yes." I nodded albeit reluctantly.

"Cool. Let's pretend to date. Throw in a little public appearance here and there, like we were caught accidentally and boom. Our families will truly believe us. The press had already gotten our photos in the cafe, so we'll be good with a few more to completely convince them."

I didn't have a great plan coming here, the idea alone occupied my thoughts and I didn't think this through at all. But what Daksh is proposing seems like a way to break the news.

"We should control the narrative." I said firmly, remembering the advice Ananya di drilled into my mind on my first day as the CEO.

"Exactly why we're here." Daksh looked over shoulder at the conference room. "The Malhotra's are in every damn business, they also own a media house which is always in the top three channels in India."

I see where he's going with this.

"Do you think he'll help us with no strings attached?"

An evil smirk sparkled on Daksh's face.

"He just might for an Ahuja." Daksh stood up, dusting off the invisible dirt on his clothes when the conference room doors opened. "Even if he does, I doubt we'll be the one he'll collect dues from."

I frowned at that cryptic statement. I clenched my jaw and then bit my cheek, worry eating at me. I don't know Ayush Malhotra. Every deal or proposal where we've had to compete with Malhotra Inc; Badi Papa sent Ananya Di instead. I was so fucking glad I didn't have to deal with Malhotra Inc ever since I became the CEO.

"Come, he's free now." Daksh lend me his hand, squinting at the translucent glass of the conference hall. "He's gone to his office now, let's go."

I whirled around on reflex and sure enough, a lean muscular figure in a suit flashed into the room beside the conference hall.

I swatted his hand away and pushed him forward, urging him to hurry.

"If he's mad, I'm leaving you and running away." I threatened, tucking myself completely behind Daksh.

Daksh tutted with a hand on his chest. "Such little faith. You're cruel."

"I'm not dumb enough to believe you're actually his best friend. Atleast to believe he would meet you without an appointment."

I've heard so many horror stories about the terror blessed upon people by Ayush Malhotra for daring to interrupt him. No thank you. I would like to live a few more years.