XV. Press meet

Avni

"What can a woman do in the business? Her handling the family and looking pretty in our arms is more than enough I think." Everyone laughs at that. I clench my fist and spoke the words.

"So you are saying that you do not respect women. You say the same things to your daughter that go and marry a person to look pretty on man's arm, am I right Mr. Patel?" He looked down embarrassed by my question. I was on roll and could not stop my mouth, and I cared less about it now. It was about my dignity as a woman.

"And all the men of this room please answer my question. If you treat women like this then why is does this company have 42 percent female?" All of the members who laughed bent their heads flushing. "And why this company is providing scholarships for female students? Why are you supporting female entrepreneurs?"

They did not answer my question. Mr. Bhatt, Nihal's father, looked proud and asked me a question. "Why don't you answer that question for us? Please explain it properly Avni Arya Rajput." All the members looked at me surprised.

"Of course, Mr. Bhatt. I would love to enlighten the board members. As you can see we have more female workers because they work hard in some situations compared to men, I am not degrading men over here, they both have their expertise areas. We support female students and males if they seem profitable for the company. We accept female entrepreneurs because of their unique ideas and while men are always a little hesitant to make us collaborates. I would like to point that we earn our company's profit of 20 percent from female products like clothes and accessories. We even have three women as board members. My mother and grandmother established their own business. Do the board members still have doubts regarding this issue?" Not a single person spoke all were looking at me with shocked looks. I smiled at them.

"Mr. Patel, I was not asking you to appoint me as CEO, I am not interested in that position and I think Abhi is more capable of handling this position better than I can. I want to be part of this company, even though I have a right to be a board member, I am not going to do it. I will prove my worth to this company and you can elect me as a board member. This is the reason I wanted to have this board meeting, I request you to grant me 6 months to prove my worth by my work." I waited to hear their answer, I started feeling nervous as they were taking so much time and looked up to see everyone looking at me with awe in their eyes.

Mr. Bhatt started slapping the table in appreciation for me. I felt proud of myself, I got confidence that I can achieve in this field.

Abhi

I felt anger consume me when Mr. Patel spoke about Avni in such a degrading manner, Avni did not give me a chance to speak either. She took a stand and showed them their places, she was authoritative and looking hot. My respect for her grew and I was looking at her in awe with others. She surprised me, I know she was fierce but she was strong than I expected. I was proud of her. I gave her support.

"Mr. Patel if I hear you disrespect a woman in your life again, it may not be good for you. This is for the members present here." I tell them glaring when the applause died down. My father stood up and started speaking.

"I have some news to share with you, there will be a marriage between Abhi and Avni in 10 days. And I would like to request that you all give respect for Avni, she may be young but she knows about our business more than you can expect." All the board members started congratulating us and I pulled Avni towards my side. All the women in the meeting thanked her for standing in women's support. Mr. Patel came towards us.

"I am really sorry Ms. Rajput. I should not have said their words, please forgive me," he bent his head in shame.

"It is okay Mr. Patel. And please lift your head you shouldn't bend your head. And please address me as Avni I am small than you." Avni said. She shocks me, she forgave a person who insulted her. I shook my head. All the board members left congratulating us except Bhatt's.

"Uncle." Avni hugged Raghu uncle. I did not know they have a strong relation.

"Avni, it has been a month since I have seen you. Are you good?" He questioned her and kissed her forehead. "You were awesome today, I am proud of you. You showed them that your mentor taught you well," he said haughtily giving my father a look. My father chuckled and raised his hands in surrender.

"I never said that you were a bad mentor," my father said. Raghu Bhatt was Avni's mentor.

"Wow, uncle. I begged you to mentor me but you never did. I am wounded." I tell him. I requested him to mentor me when I came to the company, but he refused and just advised me in some areas. I admire him for his business skills. He is the owner of an entertainment company, which is number one in the world. My father, Arjun, Raghu were best friends and started their own companies, my father and Arjun uncle joined their companies and Raghu uncle did not join his company but it is like Meevin's sister company. They may not be together but we do business together and help in times of crisis.

"What can I tell, I knew Ani will be a good student compared to you and Nihal", Raghu uncle answered. We chatted some time and left for my cabin.

"You were giving Karthik a hard time baby," I said observing Karthik as he stretched his back standing up.

Diya pouted, "I bored. You are late dada." She scolds me pointing a finger.

"Yes, Diya. We were late because of your dada. He is always late," Avni said keeping a sad face. Diya glared at me.

"Dada, you mama sad. I angwry at you" she squirmed trying to get down from my arms, but I tightened my hold and glared at Avni who was giving me a smug look. That girl, trying to make me look bad in front of my daughter.

"Sorry Diya, dada will never do that. Please forgive me." I pleaded with my daughter and started kissing her until she giggles.

"Ok, dada. Now kiss mama. She sad." Diya pointed towards Avni who had a perplexed look. I smirked at her evilly. I went near Avni and she was glaring at me.

"Come here Avni, I will kiss you so you can forgive me."

"No thank you, I am good."

"Diya, mama is not accepting my apology. Mama said we should forgive others right." I smirk at her glare. My innocent daughter nods her head.

"Mama, angwy no good," Diya said to Avni and Ani nodded her head showing me her cheek. I let my daughter down and bend down I stared at her rosy-pink lips, they looked delicious and I wanted to taste them. When my lips were about to touch her cheeks and kissed her almost touching her lips. I lingered there for a second longer and stood up. Diya cheered and Avni stood there shocked with her eyes wide open.

Avni

He just kissed me. I was dumb folded after his act. I was trying to cause trouble for him but it just backfired on me. I will teach him a lesson when possible. He even supported me in the board meeting, I was glad he did. His support made me more confident. I remember Rahul uncle giving me tips on how to handle a board meeting, I worked as an intern in his company and he was the great mentor I got.

I shook my head and came out of my thoughts. I followed the father and daughter duo. We sat on the couch and Diya came and sat in my lap.

"How are we going to tell the press about Diya?" I asked him the question that was bothering me from the morning. Abhi sighed.

"I do not have any idea how to do it. I will just get into facts I think. Be confident in giving the answers". He advised me and gave me some pointers. We spent some time going over some points. Diya started fussing and we gave her attention.

"Dada, what u speaking?" Diya asked innocently, she did not know the storm entering her life. We assured her everything was fine. It was time for the press meet and we decided to introduce Diya after our marriage announcement.

Abhi and I went to the conference room leaving Diya in Karthik sir's care. The press was present and was waiting for us. I followed Abhi timidly feeling intimidated by the crowd, Abhi saw that I was not following him, he held my hand, and squeezed it. I felt confident just by his hold. We sat in our chairs, Papa and Vinay uncle were there waiting for us. And the press swarmed us with questions.

"Who is the lady with you Mr. Goenka?"

"Is Ms. Rajput present?"

"Did Meevin make any big deal?"

And the questions went on, Abhi held his hand up and they all stopped instantly. Abhi took control and started giving the statement.

"Thank you, everyone, for attending on short notice. We have an announcement to make, we would like you to meet Ms. Avni Rajput." He nodded towards me and I went and stood beside him. The press went ballistic after seeing me, I held Abhi's hand and squeezed it. Abhi stopped the press and continued his speech.

"Your questions will be answered, let me complete. Ms. Rajput and I are getting married in few days. We met in an event and started dating which led us to this marriage and our PR will release will issue a detailed statement about it." Abhi nodded at me to speak.

"Hello everyone, my identity was kept hidden as it was my parent's wish. I will be joining this company and work here. As for marriage, I wanted our relationship to be quiet. We did not want attention so Abhi kept acting like his previous self. I hope all your questions were answered. The wedding date will release soon." I completed.

Abhi ordered Karthik to bring Diya to the press meet, while I answered some basic questions in my life. As the press saw Diya they fell silent.

Abhi took Diya from Karthik sir and she kept her face hidden in his neck feeling shy. I held her hand.

"Meet my daughter, Diya Goenka." The question the press asked after the announcement, I was not going to forget it in my life.

"Is she an illegitimate child?"

Abhi handed me Diya and caught the reporter collar and started shouting at him. I tried to hide Diya from the scene.

"What did you call my daughter? You bastatd."

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Heya guys, sorry for the delay and it is a small chapter.

Omg! They used that word. All hell is gonna loose in the next chap.

Abhi protecting Avni isn't it romantic. Tell me about it. My baby is learning good things( wiping tears of happiness).

Abhi kisses Avni's cheek, isn't it amazing.

Any thoughts?

Vote and comment it makes my day.