Arranged marriage was an age-old story that Khushi, the youngest of the infamous Gupta family, who revolutionized and dominated the trading market for generations, knew well.
For it was the only thing she heard growing up.
But that neither prepared...
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Arnav couldn't help but smile as he saw Khushi collect her things and depart the room, grumbling to herself and looking quite adorable in the process. As much as he wished otherwise he couldn't have her in the room for what he wanted to do next.
"Everything looks good Mr. Raizada," Ved said coolly, signing off on the reports and pretending as though he didn't just have a heated argument with Khushi. "I will arrange your discharge papers for tomorrow."
Arnav ignored that. He didn't send Khushi away to discuss his discharge arrangements. So clearing his throat, he said seriously: "You need to let it go."
Ved looked up from the reports. "Excuse me?"
"You need to let it go," Arnav repeated without any ire. "It's not her fault."
Ved stared at him for a few seconds, his eyes hardening.
"Sorry to say this," he answered icily, closing the file in his hands with a snap. "But that is between Khushi and me."
"It would have been," Arnav agreed. "If the two of you didn't cause a ruckus just now. You left me with no choice but to interfere by treating Khushi like that Dr. Arora."
"Right, I almost forgot about your choices," Ved retorted. "Should I also be expecting a termination letter in my inbox like Dr. Dayal? Or will you have the guts to fire me on my face?"
Arnav grimaced. This was not at all how he had envisioned the conversation to turn out. Ved's hurt may be justified, but his anger was not. It was simply one of those odd scenarios where no one was at fault, and it was high time he understood that.
"I think," Ved continued. "I'm finally starting to get why Khushi hesitates to accept that her husband is a trustee... if you go around firing people like this, it will only be a matter of time before everyone is scared of even speaking to her."
Arnav sighed, the reminder of Khushi making him realize why he had decided to step foot in these murky waters in the first place. Ved was not like Alok, set in his ways, nor was he like Dayal, insufferable. He was Khushi's friend, a well-wisher, and Arnav couldn't afford to destroy that with his interference.
So changing his stance, he said earnestly: "Look, I apologize if I seem rude–"
Ved snorted.
"–but I'm just trying to understand... I really don't think you enjoy being pissed at Khushi. Her speech last night should have told you how important you are to her."
Ved softened, silently agreeing with him.
"Fair enough," he muttered with a sigh. "What do you want to understand?"
Relieved, Arnav gestured him to sit on the stool Khushi had vacated a few minutes ago.
"I'm not going to bite Dr. Arora," Arnav said, when Ved hesitated. He wasn't used to people being weary of him. Only his father and father-in-law had those talents.
