The touch was so addictive it made one feel like they were being possessed. Moksh pushed Pratiksha down on the sofa and began to unbutton her white shirt; this was something he had been dreaming about doing for a long time...
"Moksh ..."
Pratiksha cried shyly, "It hurts a bit..."
Moksh stopped trying to push past her boundaries and instead returned to her lips. The two continued to be intimate in the living room for some time before Moksh finally released Pratiksha from his embrace.
"Tomorrow is an important day for you. Sleep early tonight."
In the bathroom, one of the maids helped her bathe while another dried her hair - all Pratiksha had to do was close her eyes. Thanks to Moksh , she had been sleeping well lately.
The next morning, Nancy and Sudiksha arrived at Suntower Residency to pick up Pratiksha for her event. However upon arriving at the venue, to their surprise, Vikrant was also there. On the surface, he appeared to have attended to support his artist, but in reality, he was only there to make sure Pratiksha would remember to clear Payal's name.
"How could I forget?" Pratiksha replied.
" Pratiksha, I know it is hard on you, but...what we have between us is already over. You don't have to be envious towards Payal, she is innocent."
It turned out, for Vikrant, completely ending a relationship only took a few days.
"And I'm not innocent?" Pratiksha responded, "My years of youth and all my sacrifices are worth nothing to you? Even a dog would wag it's tail thankfully when I play with it!"
"Pratiksha, watch what you're saying," Vikrant warned Pratiksha in anger. "We both did it willingly. I never asked you to be so good to me, it was something you wanted to do."
Pratiksha was silent because, at this moment, the makeup artist knocked on the door. She no longer wanted to see Vikrant, so she immediately got up to let the makeup artist in.
Vikrant was also pretty angry as he turned around to leave the room. As he passed by Nancy, he ordered, "Keep an eye on Pratiksha, don't let her do anything wrong."
"I will," Nancy nodded.
The event was scheduled for 9am and Pratiksha's appearance was to be at 9:30am. It was customary for the company to send out a representative to start off the event before the guest would be introduced.
At this moment in time, the event had already started and Pratiksha was prepared to go on stage. Pratiksha was wearing a silver deep v dress and her hair was brushed to one side with soft curls. Her look wasn't extremely eye-catching, but Pratiksha was born with the perfect body, so she complimented her clothing, no matter what she wore.
"Pratiksha, be prepared, you will be going on stage soon," Nancy reminded her anxiously.
"Pratiksha, don't be afraid, we will be here for you," Sudiksha cheered.
Pratiksha nodded, why would she be afraid? Today would be the day she'd initiate the first fight with Rastogi's. Right now, in her heart, apart from hoping for success, she also had to remain calm.
"Go!" Nancy escorted Pratiksha out of the waiting room.
The venue for the event wasn't very big - the actual hall only fit roughly 200 seats. But, Pratiksha knew, apart from the people present here today, there would also be plenty of people watching her through their screens. Why? because they wanted to see her endorse this cheap brand and find something to gossip about. But, too bad, they were about to be disappointed.
With a loud introduction from the host and encouragement from Nancy, Pratiksha stepped up to the front of the stage. It had been a long time since she had stood in front of the spotlight, so Pratiksha appeared to need some time to adjust.
"Our Pratiksha sure has a pair of enchanting long legs!...Come, let's begin by allowing Pratiksha to give her greetings."
The host handed the microphone to Pratiksha before she calmly faced the almost 200 people in front of her, "Hello everyone, I am Pratiksha."
"Welcome Pratiksha, we are very honored to have invited you because we all know your popularity has been on the rise recently. We are also very thankful for you to have come here specifically to support us. May I ask you a question?" The host tried his best to liven up the atmosphere.
"Please speak."
"I believe you have used our product. Could you please describe your feelings towards it?"
The host jumped straight to the main point.
Used it?
Pratiksha slightly frowned...
It was at this moment, onlookers watching the live stream online exploded, everyone wanted to get their opinion out.
"Cheap model! If you recommend this product, you are finished..."
"I just photoshopped a GIF of Pratiksha, does anyone want to see?"
"I wonder how many people will be fooled. Pratiksha, why must you help them?"
Pratiksha knew, at this moment, the internet would be filled with an ocean of complaints, so...after she received the question, she took a glance at Vikrant, Nancy and Sudiksha, then located the best position in front of the camera before she opened her mouth to speak.
"First of all, I need to thank my agency, Rastogi Entertainment, for helping me accept an event for a product...I had never even heard about."
"Secondly, even though I was forced to step out onto this stage, as a model, my morals are intact. In regards to a product that consumers can not rely on, I will also boycott it. So this product...I have not used it."
"Lastly, I want to thank everyone for their attention. Even though I've lost my fame, I will not lose my bottom line."
Three simple statements. Pratiksha was so quick that she didn't even give time for anyone to respond. By the time everyone realized the change in her attitude, Pratiksha had already finished talking.
"I...Pratiksha, will take advantage of this opportunity, to announce that I am officially making a comeback. In a moment, an even bigger scandal will be revealed. Thank you for your support."
After speaking, Pratiksha bowed to everyone while they were still stunned before walking off the stage elegantly...
The atmosphere became stale and Vikrant's expression changed. Meanwhile, Nancy and Sudiksha cheered on the inside.
The internet was in chaos.
"OMG, what did Pratiksha just say? I didn't hear it properly, I need to rewind it and listen to it again. How can she be so cool?"
"Me too, me too! I was already prepared to scold her, but then she actually did something like this. That was a major slap in the face!"
"Apart from Pratiksha, who would be brave enough to slap her agency and client in the face at a live event!"
"Cool, cool, cool! Pratiksha is so cool! If she's making a comeback, our eyes are in for a treat!"
"Hahaha, I saw the host was completely stunned..."
"Pratiksha is amazing! I'm so touched. I'm so glad I didn't judge her incorrectly. From now on, amongst the models, I will only acknowledge her!"
The internet was filled with cheers - not only fans, but even popular social media personalities edited Pratiksha's brief 2-minute recording into short clips and spread it around like wildfire. In an instant, all traces of Pratiksha's negative news was swept away.
However, Pratiksha who had just stepped off the stage was not in a good position as Vikrant and her client approached her directly to complain.
"Pratiksha, is there something wrong with your brain? A measly model like you, actually had the nerve to cause a commotion in front of so many people?"
The client pointed at Pratiksha and scolded her, "Do you not want to live? Did you want to turn our event into your personal press conference?"
" Pratiksha, I'm warning you, if you still want to survive in this industry, you better get out there and apologize. Or else, I will make you regret ever existing,"
the angry company representative yelled at Pratiksha arrogantly.
Pratiksha laughed gently as her expression remained calm - like she had just witnessed a joke, "The words have already left my mouth, how am I to apologize? On top of everything, if I was to apologize, who would apologize to the consumers?"
"If you don't apologize and help us eliminate all the negative responses you have created, then we will have to use extreme measures,"
the representative warned threateningly. After speaking, he glanced over at the event security guard and gave him a look. Understanding the hint, the security guard immediately started walking towards Pratiksha.
Seeing the scene unfolding, Sudiksha and Nancy quickly formed a human barrier in front of her. Sudiksha pointed at the client as she asked angrily, "What are you trying to do?"
Vikrant, whose face was pale, normally wouldn't deal with companies like this, but because he was in a rush to clear Payal's name, he did not prepare himself against Pratiksha.
An outdated model actually had the nerve to announce a comeback?
Did Pratiksha really think, after leaving him, she could start all over again?
Vikrant sneered before pulling Pratiksha over and throwing her to one side, "Pratiksha, I know you hate me. But by doing this, you aren't hurting Payal, you are hurting yourself. A model that has broken the industry rules, no matter how proud you are, will not be hired by anyone."
"Really?" Pratiksha raised her eyebrows slightly, "I don't think so!"
"I don't care why you did this. I also don't care how envious you are of Payal. Now that the event has been completely messed up, you will need to explain things to the client and you will have to pay the compensation for breaching the contract. Don't even try to throw the blame on Rastogi Entertainment,"
Vikrant yelled at Pratiksha heartlessly. "Also, in relation to clearing Payal's name, since you won't cooperate, I have no choice but to release a statement on your behalf. When that time comes, you will just have to suck up any negative comments."
"President Rastogi , it seems you have not fully understood my words. My announcement for my comeback was to show that from now on, I will comply with whatever parts of the contract I should comply, but at the same time, I will enjoy what I deserve to enjoy."
The look in Pratiksha's eyes at this moment were cold, without even a trace of warmth, because towards the man in front of her, all she felt was disgust,
"President Rastogi , no need to be impatient, my lawyers will arrive this afternoon and run through each section of the contract with you. They will clarify every part of the contract that I should have enjoyed over the years which I have not received."
Seeing Pratiksha like this, Vikrant was stunned, he never thought Pratiksha had this side to her. He couldn't believe she could force someone into the corner so aggressively that they couldn't even fight back.
No, it must be because she received a shock , Vikrant comforted himself. A woman that had usually been weak, how could she suddenly become so powerful?
She must be trying to gain my attention , Vikrant told himself. Oh, Pratiksha, must you really cheapen yourself to this extent? Why can't you just let go?
As a result of Pratiksha's sudden announcement, the scene of the event was in total chaos. The company representative saw that the two had not come to a resolution yet, so rushed to their side impatiently. Looking at Pratiksha threateningly he spoke, "If you don't give us a satisfactory explanation, then don't expect to walk out this door."
"Pratiksha, don't force us."
It felt like a showdown was about to take place, but Vikrant simply stood back and observed the scene playing out in front of him. He had no intention of helping Pratiksha, because he wanted Pratiksha to know, the consequences of betraying him shouldn't be taken lightly. However, never did it cross his mind, that he himself was the one to betray first.
Sudiksha protected Pratiksha anxiously as she watched the 3 security guards closing in on them. Within the industry, there were plenty of artists without a high status that had experienced all sorts of abuse. Sudiksha, at this moment, hated the fact that she was not a man.
Seeing they had nowhere to run, the security guards' eyes smiled slightly - it was impossible for them to escape. However, at this time a loud 'PANG' echoed through the room as the waiting room's door flew open.
A man holding a briefcase entered with 3-4 bodyguards. Scanning the room with his eyes, he asked, "Who is in charge here?"
"May I ask who..." the company representative stepped forward.
"I am the lawyer of Khurana Entertainment, my name is Sharad ,"
the lawyer responded sternly as he pulled a letter out of his briefcase and handed it to the representative.
"The advertisement you shot last month illegally used a photo of one of our artists. This is a serious violation resulting in damages to Khurana Entertainment. This is a letter of notification, we are confident we can sue you until you are bankrupt."
After speaking, the lawyer took big poised steps out of the room while leaving the bodyguards behind - the reasoning was simple, they were to protect Pratiksha.
The representative looked like he had just been handed a bomb as his hands began to tremble. He never thought he would attract the attention of the famous entertainment empire, Khurana.
Small companies exploiting loopholes to increase their companies popularity was not uncommon. But, no one had ever had action taken against them by Khurana Entertainment.
Was it because they were having a run of bad luck?
No one knew the real reason, but Pratiksha was well aware, this was Moksh's way of finding a chance to help her take revenge.
Out of everyone they could offend, who told them to offend Moksh's precious wife?
Sudiksha snickered on the side, realizing the situation. This small company was so arrogant without knowing Moksh had already instructed his men to lie low until the time was right. It was clear how thoughtful he was towards Pratiksha.
At this moment in time, the client was no longer in the mood to care about what Pratiksha said at the event. Inside, they knew very well, getting on Khurana's bad side meant they were watching their own imminent death.
Vikrant was also frightened by this sudden turn of events. In order not to be implicated, he immediately left the waiting room. His cowardly face was so shameful it did not deserve a second glance, not even from someone like Nancy.
"Pratiksha, let's go!"
Because their motive had been achieved, Nancy treated everything like a stroke of good luck. She knew luck was very important in this industry, and Pratiksha, obviously had luck on her side.
Announcing a comeback meant everything would have to start afresh. But, Pratiksha believed, as long as she didn't give up, she could still get back to where she was 3 years ago and even surpass it.
The internet was cheering while the name Pratiksha, was once again revived. Everyone started to see Pratiksha in a new mysterious light.
Sudiksha was so excited she started reading some of the comments to Pratiksha with a huge smile across her face,
"I can already imagine Payal must be so angry right now. She must have thought, the mistake Pratiksha made just now would be enough to end her career."
"She probably also thought she could have had the opportunity to bad-mouth you even more in front of Vikrant as well as request him to punish you."
Pratiksha didn't take note of Sudiksha making fun of Payal, she just turned her head to question Nancy, "The contents of the scandal, have you already organized everything?"
"Of course, it is going to be amazing," Nancy replied.