"Manik Sir! Is it necessary to collaborate with Dhawan's? I mean they don't have a good reputation in the market."
Ayan places his point hesitantly as he knows how Manik is possessive about his friends. Manik completes the last signature on the last page of the contract and stares up.
"I know, Ayan and exactly for that reason, I want this collaboration. Because I know neither Cabir nor Dhruv will ever ask for help from me. This is the smartest way to help my friends in their crisis. Don't worry I will take care of everything. By the way, what about Nandini's family? I hope you are taking care of them. I mean from every aspect."
Manik utters the last line in a perilous cold tone. Ayan's every pore gets alert. He replies in an assuring manner,
"Yes, Sir. Ummm...SP Bhosle is keeping in touch with them but as anticipated, Ma'am's parents aren't entertaining his questions. Sir...?"
Ayan halts as he wants to share something important. Manik's eyes squint in query.
"They want Ma'am to go over there. They want to meet their granddaughter."
Ayan's words make Manik's eyes blaze in a sinister emotion. He mutters in a low dangerous tone,
"It will never happen. Nandini will never leave me. Not for a month, not for a day or not for a second. She is safe in my paradise. Understood? Then make them understand this too."
"Ma'am can't go over there but they can come over here, Sir."
Ayan sounds unsure. He knows how dangerous it is to suggest something to Mr Manik Malhotra. Manik stares up and pins him with his cold penetrating eyes. Ayan gulps to moist his dry-up throat and replies in an alert voice,
"I am not suggesting it, Sir. Ma'am's father I mean Mr Venkatesh Murthy told this. They want to come over here. They want to meet their daughter and son and of course, their granddaughter."
He finishes the line in a low tone. Manik's arctic eyes are still piercing him.
"That is also not possible. I don't want that SP to come here to chase after them like a sniffer dog. You know right Nandini has murdered someone and police can easily find out the killer's name. How can I let the police so easily reach Nandini? No...never. For that, if she has to live the rest of her life without meeting her parents then she will. Convince her father that his daughter's safety is more important than his petty emotions. And it's not like they can't see or talk to their daughter and son. Video calls and phones are enough for them. Tell them to not expect more than that. Otherwise,...."
Manik halts for a moment and smirks.
"Otherwise, you know how to panic someone to refrain from their obstinance. Now, let's focus on the business. Send a copy of this contract paper to the Dhawan industry office. I want to start the project as soon as possible. Anything else?"
Manik's tone is flat. It's evident that he wants Ayan to leave right now. Like a veteran obedient, Ayan takes the file from the desk and gets up.
"No, Sir. It will be done. Sir, as per your instruction, Bob is keeping an eye on Ma'am Nandini. He informed that Ma'am went to visit Rishav's doctor. Any further instruction for him?"
He asks in a professional manner. Manik throws the pen at the desk and reclines on his chair.
"Just tell him to give me every single piece of information about her every movement. Tell him to act like her shadow. My angel should be protected from everywhere in my paradise."
Manik utters with a relaxing smile. Ayan nods and exits the cabin. Manik sways on his chair while murmuring,
"You are my priceless possession, Angel and I know how to protect it."
.....................................
Cabir gives the last jolt into her and collapses on her upper chest after a satisfactory climax. Navya's fingers run through his sweaty wet hair. His hot exhausted breath is still lapping on her bare skin.
"Happy?..."
Navya asks in a mocking tone. Cabir lifts his head from her chest valley and meets her inquisitive eyes.
"Aren't you?"
He counters questions while lifting himself from her naked body and sitting on the bed. He grabs his discarded clothes scattered on the bed corner and starts putting on them. Navya covers her unclothed body with the duvet and replies,
"It doesn't matter that much. Anyway, Malhotra company has sent the contract paper to your office. Manik Malhotra's manager Mr Ayan Agnihotri requested you both to sign it. After that, I will resend it to Malhotra Office."
Meanwhile, Cabir has clothed himself properly. He bends to put on the shoes and asks in a sarcastic tone,
"Do you know anything other than work?"
In reaction, Navya only looks at the ceiling with a pale smile. Getting no answer, Cabir gets up from the bed, fully dressed to leave and turns at Navya.
"I will sign and will tell Dhruv to sign it too. In any case, Manik has called all of us the next Saturday at his party. I will discuss other things at that time. Anything else? I got to go."
He shows a hurry. Navya smiles at him and wobbles in denial. After uttering a small formal bye, Cabir leaves. Navya keeps on looking at the closed door for some time and mumbles in a raspy voice,
"I know so many things other than work, Cabir. Loving a heartless person like you is one of them."
She blinks to control the treacherous tears.
....................................
"Look, Mrs Malhotra. I won't suggest you move Rishav from Manhattan at this stage of his treatment. For the last one and a half years, a remarkable improvement and changes have been noticed in his actions and behaviour that even we didn't expect. And fortunately, he is improving and progressing day by day. For this growth, regular counselling and special activities are very important. Do you want to stop this growth and progress at this stage?"
Dr Rowan Morgan meets Nandini's eyes above his glasses while asking in an authoritative tone.
"Definitely not, Dr. For that reason only I got him to the U.S.A. But...."
Nandini pauses for a moment as she is hesitating to reveal something. Then she says,
"Actually, our parents want to meet him. Even Rishav is getting restless to see them in person. So, that's why I asked you if we can visit India for some days..."
She slows down her voice. Dr Morgan places both hands on his desk and sways his head in disapproval.
"Wait for some time. In any case, I am increasing his counselling time from today. Now, he has to come thrice a week. I am changing his medicines too. It will soothe his nerves and reduce his agitation. Don't worry."
He starts prescribing his new medicines. Nandini gets all the other instructions and exits Dr's cabin. She has to pick up Rishav from the activity room and after that, she has to visit Manikya's Dr. But before that, she will be back at Angel Villa to drop Rishav and pick up Manikya. As she left, Dr Rowan taps a number.
"Hello...yes, I tried to convince her to not move Rishav from Manhattan."
..............................
"Yeah, but what can I do? She is adamant."
..............................
"Okay...Okay...I will. For now, I have changed his medicines. He will sleep more of the time. Meanwhile, let me plan something.
...............................
"Don't worry, Mr Malhotra. I won't let her go anywhere. After all her brother is under my treatment...ha...ha...you just keep the amount in your mind. He...he...okay. Bye."
He cuts the call and mumbles in a sly manner.
"I am okay, Mr Malhotra till your obsession for your wife is beneficial for me. Money can buy everything. Even trust. Ha...ha.."
Author's note: So, Manik is trying his best and pursuing every possible way to cage Nandini in his paradise. But will he be able? We will meet some new people in the next chapter. Until then, keep reading. 🙏❤