Slanting a sidelong glance at Madhu, Rishabh smiles sardonically. He shrugs his shoulders and casually states, "I assure you, I am not kidding at all. Admit it, the idea of us getting married has its merits." He holds up his hand and interjects quickly as Madhu opens her mouth to rebuke him, "And the marriage doesn't even have to be permanent. You get to save your reputation and peacefully retain your new position and I don't have to deal with the hassle of explaining away the pictures and not to mention the shit I am going to get from my family. I just inherited my father's business and I would much rather they not question my decisions based on our carelessness last night. After a year of marriage, we will quietly part ways amicably. It's a win-win for both of us." He adds smooth, "And I will of course pay for all the legal fees along with settling an amount that both of us will find acceptable for you to play the charade as my wife for the year. It's a rather simple business transaction really, one that will be profitable for both of us."
Madhu chews on her lips thoughtfully. Rishabh has caught her attention with the mention of a settlement for the marriage of convenience he is propositioning. She hates to admit but his rationale to go forth with the marriage has merits. Madhu gives Rishabh an assessing glance as she contemplates the pros and cons of getting into a business arrangement that has the potential to create major complications in their lives. She does not wish to be sleeping with the enemy; not that Rishabh is her enemy and she is contemplating having sex with him! It would be marriage, granted it would be more of a business arrangement, but it would be natural for sex to get into the equation. And as with everything, sex will complicate their strict business relationship.
Madhu notches her chin upwards determinedly as she glances up and finally meets Rishabh's bemused eyes after much deliberation. Her forehead furrowed into a frown, she declares, "Alright. I will marry you."
Rishabh smiles knowingly, his eyes beaming with satisfaction. He gingerly picks up Madhu's right hand and bends his head and kisses the back of her hand softly. He pulls back up slightly and brings his lips to her ear, brushing against her skin in a deliberate, feather like touch as he whispers, "I knew you would agree. I can have my lawyer draw up a contract today and arrange for us to get married tomorrow in a quick, quiet ceremony."
Madhu wrenches her hand away from Rishabh and steps back. Quirking her brows, she holds up her palms and interrupts, "Hold your horse Mr. Kundra before you go too far. I did say I will marry you BUT only if you agree to my stipulations. I must insist on setting down some rules that WE MUST follow for this proposed business arrangement of ours to be successful. If you are willing to agree to them, then and ONLY then will I marry you."
Rishabh stares down at Madhu thoughtfully. With absolute certainly, he knows she is about to set down rules that would prohibit him from doing husbandly things with her, like having sex. He quickly assesses the situation and decides, despite his reservations, to listen and agree to her terms. Plus, he knows if it needs be in the future, he can always work around the stipulations. He smiles lazily, after all, where there's a will, there's a way. And one way or another, Rishabh knows that he can use his charm to easily make Madhu forget her beloved rules.
Madhu glares at smiling Rishabh and snaps, "And why are you smiling like an idiot, may I ask? I am very serious about setting down some rules and if you can't take it seriously then we don't need to go any further."
With difficulty, Rishabh wipes the smile off his face and solemnly says, "I am ready to hear your conditions."
Madhu nods her head in satisfaction and holds up her index finger, "Rule number one - as this will be a marriage strictly for business, you and I will not share a normal husband/wife relationship. As in, we will NOT have sex. It would be better for both of us to not add sex to the equation which would make it much more difficult to dissolve the marriage in the future."
YOU ARE READING
Games of Deception
RomanceA relationship borne out of necessity, Rishabh and Madhubala come to mutual understanding and enter into a marriage of convenience. They come up with a set of rules for their marriage and all seems well. But is it really? Read to find out!
