Love At Last Sight ✔

Epilogue

Nandini Murthy

"What the hell did you do this time?"

My glare is narrowed, breathing fury with my hands on my hips as I look down at Manik, who sinks lower and lower in the sofa. His attempt to hide away is definitely not as successful as he'd have thought. Clearing his throat, he sits straighter, looking at me with fake enthusiasm.

"Why don't we go out for dinner tonight? You know, a romantic date—"

"Manik!"

"—at a beautiful place. We can also probably go to that beach and—"

"What. Did. You. Fucking. Do?"

"Uh," his faked antics go straight to fall face-first in a garbage bin. "Kinda lost my job?"

"I figured that. I need the why."

He stares at me expressionlessly. "I called my boss dumb. And dumbass. In front of the whole staff."

"What the—" brows stretched, I stay speechless.

He dramatically widens his eyes as if trying to prove his innocence. "In my defense, he was actually acting dumb."

"You don't call your boss dumb, Manik—"

"I told him what the right thing to do was. He was making a dumb decision!"

"—no matter what they do," I breath out heavily. "That's your fourth job in six months."

It has been easy for Manik to get a good job, given to his excellent resume and unbeatable confidence, but keeping that job is difficult on a different level altogether. Reason: Manik Malhotra is used to being the boss, the firm voice outlasting every other.

And the other bosses don't appreciate that.

A lot didn't happen in the past six months but Mahesh Khurana is now free of charges and Wesley has been in jail ever since. I and Manik both believe that Wesley is able enough to get himself out of the prison but till now, he hasn't done so. We don't talk about any of it often as Manik doesn't like talking about him nor about Nyonika, who is more content with ruling from the top than being with her son. There is no news about Ahona either.

"Actually, I was wondering to not get a job at all," hesitant, he gestures me to sit beside him. I keep patience and listen to him. "I was thinking of a startup."

I nod slowly. "That's risky."

"I know. But I have experience. I know how the market works. I know the flaws and I know the advantages." He grips my hand as if trying to assure me. "What Gran left behind were the stores. Only half of 'em actually. Not to brag but the casinos, the exponential growth of Malhotra industries—it was me. And I'm ready to do it all again."

Nyonika didn't really deserve Manik's hardwork.

"I've always supported you, Manik. I'll still stand by you." I interlace our fingers, hoping it conveys the assurance in my words. "Some years will be difficult but that's fine."

"Thank you, Nandini."

"But what about the required funds? We don't have anything but this house to take a loan on."

"The Mercedes," he speaks up immediately. "I'm planning to sell it. The car will provide me with enough money to actually start a business."

"Since when are you planning all this?"

"Third day of my first job. I have the plan and estimate plotted out."

"And you didn't even tell me? You fuckin—fuck! I'm not going to cuss you today." He looks at me with a sexily raised brow, knowing enough that my foul mouth doesn't necessarily mean harm. I blow out a breath. "Because you're fucking intelligent to have me gifted all that."