𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒: 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

20. TAXI

RAJVEER SINGH RAJVANSH'S POV

I step out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around my waist, lost in thoughts of Prashi. As I enter my room, I'm surprised to see Ruhan sitting on my bed, his expression grim.

"Rajveer," he says, his voice low and serious.

I sense something's off, but I have no idea what. "What's up, Ruhan?"

Ruhan's eyes seem to bore into mine. "Dad's announced your engagement to Maya Raichand."

My world stops. I feel like I've been punched in the gut. "What?!"

Ruhan nods, his expression unyielding. "Yeah. He's called a family meeting to discuss the details."

I'm furious. How could Dad do this without even asking me? I'm seething with anger, my mind racing. "This can't be happening," I growl.

Ruhan's expression turns sympathetic, but I don't want his pity. I want answers. "When did this happen?" I demand.

Ruhan shrugs. "Just now. I came straight here to tell you."

I'm livid. I can feel my anger boiling over. "I won't do it," I snarl. "I won't marry her."

Ruhan's eyes narrow. "You might not have a choice, Rajveer."

I wore my clothes and drive off to my company. I storm into Dad's office, my anger simmering just below the surface. He looks up from his desk, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Rajveer, what's wrong?" he asks, but I can tell he knows exactly why I'm here.

"You know exactly why I'm here," I spit out, trying to keep my temper in check. "You announced my engagement to Maya Raichand without even asking me!"

Dad's expression turns cold, his eyes flashing with anger. "Watch your tone, Rajveer," he warns.

But I'm beyond caring. "How could you do this, Dad? You know I don't want to marry her!"

Dad slams his fist on the desk, making me jump. "Enough!" he thunders. "If you want to rule this empire one day, you will do as I say. And that includes marrying Maya Raichand!"

I'm taken aback by his ferocity. "But why?" I demand. "What's so special about her?"

Dad's expression twists into a snarl. "She's the key to our expansion into the Raichand market. And if you want to be the future Chairman of this company, you'll do what it takes to secure that deal."

I'm horrified. "You're sacrificing my happiness for the company's gain?"

Dad's eyes narrow. "I'm doing what's best for this family, Rajveer. And if you're not on board, then maybe you're not the right person to take over the company."

The threat hangs in the air, and I know I'm at a crossroads.

My anger boils over, and I slam my fist on the desk, matching Dad's intensity. "I'm not going to do it!" I shout. "I'm not going to marry some girl I don't love just to further your business interests!"

Dad's face turns red with rage. "How dare you!" he thunders. "You ungrateful son! I've given you everything, and this is how you repay me?"

I stand my ground, my voice shaking with emotion. "You've given me nothing but a gilded cage!" I retort. "You've suffocated me with your expectations and your greed. I won't do it, Dad. I won't marry Maya Raichand."

Dad's eyes bulge, and he takes a step closer to me. "Fine!" he spits out. "If you're not willing to do what it takes to lead this company, then maybe you're not the right person."

I laugh, a bitter sound. "You know what? I don't want it. I don't want any part of your empire. You can give it to vikram or whoever else you want. I'm done."

Dad's face turns purple with rage. "You'll regret this, Rajveer!" he bellows. "You'll regret the day you crossed me!"

I turn and walk away, leaving Dad's office and the toxic legacy he's built.
I could hear my father screaming my name behind me.
I don't know what the future holds, but I know I won't be a part of this empire's destructive cycle. I'm finally free.

I rolled inside a taxi and went towards the mansion. As i reach there.
I rush to Prashi's room, my heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear. I knock on the door, and when she opens it, I can see her eyes swollen, the tension and fear on her face.

"Rajveer, what's wrong?" she asks, but I can see the hint of hope in her eyes.

"I've had enough," I say, taking her hand. "I'm leaving the empire, sunshine. I'm leaving my father's toxic legacy behind. And I want you to come with me."

Prashi's eyes widen in shock, but then a smile spreads across her face. "You are leaving this empire for me?," she says, with hesitation. "Sunshine, there is no empire within you."

I pull her into my arms, feeling a sense of freedom and joy that I've never felt before. "We'll start a new life," I whisper. "Just us. No empire, no expectations. Just us."

Prashi nods, her tears of happiness mingling with mine. "Together," she whispers. "We'll face whatever comes next, together."

I take her hand, and we walk out of the mansion, leaving behind the opulence and the toxic legacy. We step into the unknown, but we're not afraid. We're finally free.

"So where are we going now?"
Prashi asks me with softness in her voice.

"We will go to states in few days to my friend's house for now,
We'll be staying at your apartment until we get the tickets," I say, taking her hand in mine.

We hail a taxi in front of the mansion and i load Prashi's luggage into the trunk. As we drive away, I feel a sense of freedom and joy that I've never experienced before.

But as we hit the highway, I notice the driver glancing at us in the rearview mirror, a sly smirk spreading across his face. I feel a shiver run down my spine, but I brush it off as paranoid.

Suddenly, the driver slams on the brakes and jumps out of the moving taxi, leaving us stunned and terrified. The car skids to the side of the road, and I quickly take control of the wheel, steering us to safety.

Prashi looks at me, her eyes wide with fear. "What just happened?" she asks, her voice trembling.

I'm trying to process what just occurred. "I don't know, but we need to get out of here. Now."
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~to be continued