While he was still contemplating, the door opened from the other side and the innocent face came into his line of sight, who was still holding the now half-open door. Making his decision to falter even further. No, he can't do this. He shouldn't do this. He has no right to do this to her.
Yuvika stared at her boss, who was staring back at her but with a deep, impenetrable, hard to decipher, contemplated expression on his face. She gave him a confused look.
' Boss, do you need something? Did you find the bride?' Yuvika asked gently, though the concern was clearly visible on her face.
Ah! She is one among those people, who loves to do whatever it takes to achieve perfectionism in her each and every work, every project.Since she was handling this matter, then she doesn't want to fail in it, either.
' Can we talk?' Ashutosh finally said, after gathering all the courage he could.
Yuvika nodded, then opened the door, fully. While gesturing to him to enter inside, so that they can 'talk'. He enters with some hesitation inside, knowing he was about to shatter this girl's bright future. Knowing full well, he is about to ruin this girl's life.
After all, in this country, the idea of divorce might be old and common, but the society as a whole is still the same, who blame the girl fully for the failure of the marriage, who make the girl's life a living hell, without any man supporting her.
Typical male dominating society.
~~
A long silence prevails. Ashutosh has just explained with the utmost difficulty, what his mind was suggesting.
'Be my bride.' He had said.
The girl was sitting dumbfoundedly. The shock was clearly evident on her face. If someone explained the situation clearly, then it would be like, a girl's soul left her body.
'B-But... B-Boss…' She finally uttered, the shock, the bewilderment still not leaving her alone.
' I know, I know. I am being selfish here. But, I am left with no option, no choice, nothing. You are my last hope.
Or we can just go to the brideless wedding of the century. I know, I understand everything that you are thinking about. That's why I didn't want to even try to think about this.
But I am left with nothing. I neither want to pressurize you nor want to make you guilt-stricken. I wish I would have some time so that we could come up with an alternative. But, we don't even have time.
I know, what I am asking of you is a huge deal, a huge sacrifice. But, I ran out of time and ideas.' Ashutosh said, feeling dejected and hopeless.
He really didn't want to do this. But as if he had a choice.
Yuvika stares at the guy she admires, after her role model, her boss, Kirti Rajput, looking hopeless and dejected. Sometimes even the great people got their bottleneck point. But, what he was asking from her was way too much.
She has always been a believer in love, unlike the person standing next to her, who only focuses on work and making money. They are poles apart. He is like fire, while she is like water.
They definitely won't make a good match. Not to mention, it would be a contractual marriage. She could already think about the implications the divorce will create in her life.
People will see her as weak, as a failure. She will never be able to love someone. Her future would be as good as ruined completely. Unless she is planning to live abroad and find love in some foreign country and a foreigner.
Her Boss is asking way too much more than what she can offer. Yet, she couldn't put herself together to say it to the person, whose all hopes lies on her, whose hopeful, almost pleading eyes, whose dejected, the crumbling figure was in front of her.
Damnit. Just why can't she be strong enough to say no? It's just a single word. Two letters. Yet, she can't say it. No. She can't say no. She knows how treacherous this weakness of hers is.
'Boss.' She said, still struggling with herself and with the invisible pressure she was feeling.
What could be considered the worst phase of one's life? The answer would surely be, to see the person you idolize, admire in their most defeated, broken phase.
Yuvika was currently facing that.
' Yes, Miss Chauhan.' Ashutosh replied, staring in her eyes, looking for the answer, and the last of her resolve of saying no crumbled down, just like that.
After taking a deep sigh, she asked; ' How are we gonna do this?'
Bringing a tight lip smile in Ashutosh's face. He knows very clearly, he is taking advantage of her weakness, but he promised himself not to let her suffer any loss. He will give her all the respect, love, and care she deserves. For howsoever shorter a period of time, they will spend together, he will show his best version to her in that.
' Let's start with drawing out the contract. You can pen down all your requirements, expectations and wishes and I will do the same, in order to avoid any future clashings.
Let's discuss each and everything, from the wedding, till the… the..' Ashutosh paused since he couldn't utter the word which is more or less still considered a taboo in this country.
' The divorce.' She finished for him, with an encouraging smile. She knows he is suffering. So, she decided not to increase his suffering and guilt more.
He avoided eye contact with her. But nodded, nevertheless.
' Then, we should start it right away. It's already 9 in the evening. If we keep dwindling, then we might end up staying up all night, which won't be advisable.' Yuvika said with her sweet smile.
Thus, Mr. Pratihast, Miss Chauhan, and Mr. Dev Ranaut, the head of the legal advising team stay up, discussing and penning down every single thing that comes to their mind.
After a few hours, finally the pre-wedding to post-divorce contract was drawn. Both the parties signed the contract and bid their farewell to each other. When Yuvika came out of the building, the sky was all starry, surrounding dark. It wasn't something new, working as Miss Rajput's assistant, she was used to getting off from her work sometimes even at 5 in the morning.
She checked her mobile and yawned lightly, the time didn't help either. It was already 1 am. She has 7-8 hours left before her so-called wedding and yet all that she could think about is sleeping like a bear in hibernation.
The valet brought her car from the parking area. She opened the pilot door and fastened her seatbelt. Soon, she was driving back home. Half sleepy, half stressed, half confused, half shocked and the list goes on. Her favorite playlist, playing in the background, was the only thing that was keeping her awake and sane at present.
But soon she felt something strange, she felt the sharp chill running through her spine. Her senses get heightened, despite the lack of sleep and proper diet. She checks her surroundings and finds out that a blue car was chasing her.
She even tried the four right tricks to confirm her suspicion, but since the car kept following, her heart started beating wildly, her adrenaline rush taking the best of her. Soon, she increased the speed of her car and started driving towards the nearby police station.
After all, some people only fear the authorities. Besides, she isn't just anyone. Even the Deputy Commissioner of Police has to respect her and prioritize her safety if needed, personally. Not to mention she can even afford The Z plus security. That's the power of The Raj.
She picked up her phone and was about to inform The Security Team of The Raj, since they are more quick and effective than Police of this country, related to these matters, but before she could call, she saw her screen flaring, showcasing the call coming from the other side.
' Yes, Boss!' She said, trying to be as calm in such a situation as possible. After all, she understands the fact that her personal and professional life is completely different and she shouldn't mix them up.
Not to mention, tomorrow will be a big day for him. Besides, she has dealt with far worse situations alone.
' Stop your car, Miss Chaudhary.' The voice ranged in her ears, confusing her more than before.
' Pardon!' Yuvika ends up saying, not knowing how to react, for the first time.
' Miss Chaudhary, no fool with ill intention, will chase a girl driving a Ferrari, at 1 in the morning. They know their limits. So, stop your car. I am not as good of a sports racer as you.
It's getting difficult to stay in touch with you, at this pace.' Ashutosh explained while inhaling a sharp breath. Damnit. Only if cursing and swearing were allowed.
Why didn't he know, this little assistant can drive so furiously fast? He was having a rough time chasing her. It has to happen today of all time when his driver was on leave.
' Boss, it's you.' Yuvika asked, half confused, half shocked. But her foot pressing the brake paddle was already acknowledging this as a fact. The car stopped while creating a loud noise and skitting on the road.
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