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Rudra

"Can you drop me off at Veer Mahal?"

I shoot Taranya a look of exasperation. After staying out overnight in Ratangarh of all places, the last thing she should be doing is finding more reasons to stay out late.

"I thought I told you the Chairman doesn't like it -"

"Fuck him. Janet is back in India. I gotta go meet her." She cuts me off.

Dropping the conversation, I veer to the left at the next intersection. She'll always do what she wants. There's no point in arguing with her over something she has already set her mind on. After dropping her off at the Veer Mahal, I headed to Rajawat Motors.

"What's the update?" I ask Shailja on my way to the office.

She shoves an iPad screen in front of me. I take it and play the video she has put on for me to watch. "Were all test drives successful?" I ask as I open the door to my cabin and stalk inside.

"Yes, sir," she follows me.

"Any response from the legal team?" I sit down in my chair and look up at her in question.

She takes the iPad from me, holding it to her chest as she shakes her head.

I lean back in the chair, bracing my elbow on the arm rest, my gaze darting towards the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyline most prized view of my office.

"I might be speaking out of bounds here, but considering our relationship with the Chief Minister, I don't think he's going to approve our request." She shares her opinion. "Shouldn't we drop this idea and move on to our back up already? I mean, we only have two months in our hands-"

"Shailja," Stopping her blabber with my hand, I motion the same for her to leave. "Let's do what we get paid for, okay?"

"Sorry, sir." Keeping her head low, she exits my office and closes the door after her.

She's right.

But she's expressing her concern to the wrong person. I don't give two hoots about what happens to this company. That's what I'm aiming for anyway. Its destruction. I was never in their team. I always acted like I was, but ever since the beginning, I was playing my game and they were getting played.

Once Rajawat Corporation goes down, they're going down as well.

It's not their fault. They did nothing wrong. The subjects don't choose their King. They are unfortunate in the sense their King cannot be dethroned. So for him to go down, the Kingdom has to go down as well. Their King's collapse, is their collapse, like what they teach you in domino effect.

By the end of the day, I'm served with several alternatives we can go with if our request isn't approved until tomorrow morning. I discard them all in the dustbin. The officials sigh and return to their cubicles and offices looking torn down, perhaps thinking their boss is an ambitious fool.

I'm ambitious, yes.

But they're the fools.

At seven in the evening, I leave the office and abandon my car in front of a casino, texting Amir to get it from there before sitting inside the one Yuvraaj drove in to pick me up.

"He's at the club, waiting for us." He tells me while I climb to the backseat and strip down to my briefs. Our eyes meet through the rear view mirror. "Where were you last night?"

"Ratangarh," Grunting as I put on the fitted black trousers, I lift my butt off the seat and zip up. "Rana Singh Rawal practically abducted my wife," I snort, sitting down and slipping the belt through the loops. "What the fuck is that family?"

He rolls his eyes. "They're good people."

"Yeah, right," I wear the shirt and button up. "Where the fuck did you get these clothes from, man? They're tight like a God damn latex." I yank at the sleeves to get them past my biceps.

"Bodyguards usually wear tight clothes." His eyes flicker to the rear view.

I huff. "You're bisexual, aren't you?" I climb back on the front seat, my question stupid, not even an arrow in the dark. But it hits right on point.

Because he doesn't answer.

"Fuck, you are." I drop my head on the seat. "So Taranya was half right?"

"Me liking men or me liking you?" He glances at me playfully.

I smirk. "Are you flirting with me, Yuvraaj?"

He chuckles.

"You're in good mood tonight." I acknowledge.

He nods. "I am in good mood tonight. Things are going right for once in my life."

"If this meeting goes well, we are closer to our first win."

"And all the remaining ones." He swerves the car into the parking lot and cuts off the engine, stepping out from the driver's side. I get out as well, catching the mask he throws my way. "Ready, Rajawat?" He looks my way over the roof of the car.

"Since ages, sweetheart." I wink.

Yuvraaj smiles cockily, pocketing his left hand and taking the lead. We slip into our roles immediately upon entering the flashy club. The sea of people scatters as the buff bouncers make way for us. He looks out of place with his pristine blue suit and a macbook in his hand. But that doesn't mean you'd want to change him, it's the place you'll end up changing. I like that about my brother-in-law. He fucking owns the place when he walks in.

"That's my bodyguard, let him in," he commands when the bouncer barricades himself in front of me. The mountain of a man moves and assuming my role, I step past Yuvraaj to open the door for him. He steps in ducked, and I follow, then we stretch to our full heights and the Chief Minister's commandos straighten up, puffing out their chests like fucking peacocks. I close the door and stay there, watching Yuvraaj walk ahead. The Chief Minister gets up, they shake hands and then they settle down across from each other.

"I thought Rudra was coming with you?" The Chief Minister, Harman Chaudhary says, his eyes straying back towards the door where I stand. "Who's he?"

"My bodyguard." Yuvraaj replies. "And yes, Rudra is with us." Saying that, he sets the laptop down.

Despite having confidence in my own innovation, I feel the anxiety creep in. Because what if the graphic glitches? What if Yara fails to hold a human like conversation? What if he blows up our plans by doing something very AI-ish? What if the server in the office crashes? What if internet slows down? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. There are so many flaws in this plan. Why did I even suggest an idea so absurd? It has zero chances of working -

"Hello, sir,"

I flinch hearing my own voice. My eyes shift to the men sitting in the room and I hold my breath as Mr. Chaudhary scrutinizes my Yara under his watchful, keen gaze.

"Rudra?"

"That's me," Yara owns confidently.

We have played multiple simulations with him where he had to act like me and Yuvraaj played the role of Chief Minister. He did well there, but who's to say he won't fuck up here? After all, it's a technology. One mistake and it's all over.

To my surprise, the Chief Minister breaks out in a huge grin. "You are- You are just what I imagined."

"Is that a compliment, Sir?" Exactly what I'd say. Good job, Yara.

"No wonder you are what you are." Mr. Chaudhary chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. "Why are you not here? I wanted to meet you personally." His brows snap together.

"I'm not in India." Yara answers.

I nod subtly.

"So, do you ever come to India?"

"Sometimes. Rarely. Haven't found a good reason to keep coming back."

"Is Esther Industries not enough?"

Yara chuckles. "Esther Industries is me, Sir. There's no need for two Rudras in one place."

Pride surges into me. He's doing so good. So fucking good. Sarcasm and narcissism is my language.

"True," Mr. Chaudhary simpers. "So, what is it? What do you want?"

"You know what I want."

Mr. Chaudhary sighs. "I've held back their approval request for the race, is that not enough?"

"No, in fact I want you to approve it." Yara answers.

Mr. Chaudhary frowns. "Are you sure? The race insures their success. Delhi government is breathing down my neck to approve the request but I've been holding it off for you."

"Don't." Yara replies. "Let's make things easy for us. Our benefits lie in mutual agreement. Approve the request. I'll also need your help with the ED department."

"With issuing summonses and all?"

"Yes." Yara answers. "And I want my choice of prosecutor and judge to be on the case."

"Okay," the man nods. "In return-"

"You'll sit on the same chair after the next elections." Yara states.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Once Rajawat Corporation goes down, who'll support the opposite party with funds and rallies?" Yara counters.

"And if they don't go down?"

They will.

"They will. I've spent twenty years of my life creating this opportunity. Nothing I do is in vain."

That's right. I haven't learned to win, winning came to me as naturally as breathing did.

"Alright, I'll approve the request for the international race, and I'll see what I can do-"

"Don't see, Sir, make it done."

He sighs in defeat. "Okay, I'll get it done. In the mean time, can you please get your partner off my back?" He looks up at Yuvraaj. "He has been taking down my men like chess pieces." Frustration seeps through his tone.

"The moment you approve their request, they'll stop."

"Fine," He looks back at the screen. "It was good to finally meet you, Rudra."

"The pleasure is all mine." He replies courteously.

Getting up, he fixes his kurta and looks at his men, nodding at them as a gesture that they're leaving. Yuvraaj gets up as well. The men shake their hands and the younger one escorts him until the doorstep. I shift aside, stiffening at the Chief Minister's attention.

"He doesn't show his face?" The man asks, pointing at me.

"It's burned. He's ugly." Yuvraaj answers.

I glare at him through the mask.

"Oh," Mr. Chaudhary winces, then leans forward and pats my arm sympathetically. "It's okay. Things happen. It's life. Move on." With that, he walks out with his army of bodyguards.

I slam the door close and go to remove my mask when Yuvraaj closes the distance between us, wrapping his hand around my wrist to stop me. "Don't." He hisses. "There can be cameras in this room." He adds in a whisper.

"I'm not ugly." I growl out.

He smirks and walks back to the table to gather his laptop.

"I'm not ugly!" I repeat.

He nods, smiling in amusement as he walks past me, opens the door and leaves. I inhale a deep breath of patience, following him out.

We sit in his car and I slam the door close. I shouldn't be this angry at his comment. Maybe it's the fact that he does like men but finds me ugly irritates me. It's not that I want to be his type, ew no, but I'm good on the eyes. Even a straight man knows that. Oh, who am I kidding? Even a fucking blind man knows that.

"You might want to change," he juts his thumb towards backseat.

"Of course. Wouldn't you want that? A free show." I scoff and climb on the backseat.

"I don't go for kids, Rudra. It's nothing personal."

"I'm not a kid." I snap.

Yuvraaj nods, but doesn't say anything.

"Whatever. I don't like uncle dudes either."

Still nothing.

Frustrated, I drop the topic and go on a war with my clothes as I struggle to remove them. Wearing my old ones, I return to the front seat and strap the seatbelt on.

"He's waiting for her."

Taranya's words ring back in my head. I glance at Yuvraaj. Is he really waiting for her? Unrealistic, if I say so. Why would you waste close to two decades of your life over a woman you were married to for less than six months? Unhealthy and problematic on all ends.

And I may not consider Sara as my sister, but she is my sister. While I fancy Yuvraaj as my teammate and brother in law, I don't want him as her husband. He's too complicated. He doesn't have it in himself to settle down and love someone devotedly. She has spent half of her life protecting my secret, she deserves someone way better after all this is over. She deserves a normal life.

"Why are you still single?" I ask him.

He shows me his wedding ring. "Isn't it obvious? Should I wear a broader one?"

I snort. "That's not what I mean. You're divorced. Throw that ring and move on."

And just like that, his whole demeanor changes. Vanishes the rare playful side of him, in place remains a storm encased in a man, self destructive and diabolical. His knuckles coil around the steering tightly, and the veins in his temple throbs.

I sigh. "Why are you still waiting for her?"

"To see if she's happy,"

"Why?"

"She said marrying me was the biggest misfortune of her life, and that's something to say considering everything else she went through was fucked up on all levels."

"So you're hoping she's happy?" I ask softly.

He chuckles darkly. "The opposite, actually."

"You're unhinged."

He flashes me a crooked smile. "I'm aware."

Shaking my head, I shift my gaze outside the window.

And Taranya wanted me to tell him where Sara is. He must want the woman back, but for all wrong reasons. And that's shocking since he was the one to fuck up their marriage the last time too. I don't expect him to be heartbroken, but you'd at least think the man is sorry for his actions.

The car enters the large gates of Veer Mahal, drives down the gravel road under the canopied trees, passes the multiple gardens and fountains before coming to stop on the porch. I step out and close the door, making my way inside. Chatters and giggles fill the living room. I see my wife and Janet curled up on the couch as they go through something on her phone. Ayush sits on the adjacent chair, his eyes never deterring from the girls, specifically Janet. My brows shoot up.

Him and Janet? I didn't know that.

"Esther?"

Tara's head springs up and a smile lights up her entire face. "You're here! I missed you!" She hops off the bed and hugs me tightly.

"Hello, Williams," I greet the woman.

"Hi, Asshole."

I clench my jaw. "Stopped at a bookstore on my way, didn't see your book there. You're still writing it?"

She holds up her middle finger at me.

"Miss. Williams, please refrain from making obscene gestures in my house." Yuvraaj arrives.

Janet rolls her eyes.

Taranya leaves my arms to take her brother's briefcase and jacket. Never did that for me. "Bhai, I missed you," she leans in and kisses his cheek. He smiles. It brightens my wife's day, because she grins, and moves to put his stuff on the couch.

"Shall we, Tara? It's late."

"Stay for dinner." Janet mumbles, looking at Tara hopefully.

"I wish, babe, but I've been out for two days in a row now. The old man will have my head for dinner." Tara tutts annoyedly and grabs her trench coat, leaning over to hug her best friend loosely. Then she waves bye to her brothers, calls out good night, loser to Agastya, who very gracefully returns it with, fuck off, bitch before we make our way out, ignoring Yuvraaj's incessant scolding that begins right off the bat.

Amir brings my car to the front and I open the door for my wife. She slides in, moves to her right and I sit in after.

"How was your day?"

I nod. "Great. What about yours?"

"I had fun." She shrugs and scoots closer, dropping her head on my shoulder. I press a kiss to the crown of her head, resting back relaxed.

An hour later, the Rajawat Estate comes into view. I pull away from Taranya and watch the enormous palace standing proud and strong, cloaked in the night, even the sun cannot help wash away the darkness it has sunk in.

"What's wrong?"

"It has gone so down deep into the darkness, the only option is to bury it."

She looks back at the palace and watches it with me.

The next morning, I was welcomed into Rajawat Motors' office with congratulatory bouquets and a round of applause. They couldn't believe the Chief Minister who was adamant on not giving us the race permit changed his mind overnight. Sure, they've me to thank for, but I did nothing for their benefit. However, I basked in the way everyone fawned over me. As I said, I love attention. After a short, motivational speech that was enough to pump their blood and raise their adrenaline rush with a shot of small success, I sent them back to work.

For the next two months, I was drowning in work. I could barely find time to go back home and change, let alone sleep. Luckily, Taranya didn't complain. She found it stupid that I'm working towards a success I'm planning to make sure fails, but that's the kick. You take someone so above the skies they find home in that high and then you bring them down so fast their entire life comes apart. Don't they say? The higher you reach, the harder you crash.

"FIA is all over the news." Taranya says when I make it back home for a shower.

I drop the towel on the bed and watch the news with her.

"The ship with their cars reached the dock this morning." I say, putting on fresh briefs, followed by trousers.

"You didn't fly them over?" She cocks a brow at me.

I shake my head. "Safer this way."

Taranya sighs. "Can't believe they invested so much money in this."

"Because they are planning to get back double the profits."

"Will you be coming home tomorrow? You've been spending awful lot of time at the office."

My heart stutters. She has no idea what's awaiting tomorrow. "Perhaps?"

She nods and looks back at the tv screen.

I go back to office. We work on overnight strategies, any last minute changes, and get in touch with the FIA before they board the flight.

And the same night, I give Yuvraaj a green signal.

So it's no surprise that as soon as the sun rises, men and women in uniforms file through the doors.

"Hello, excuse me-" the receptionist gets up, halting when the man shoves his ID in her face.

"Income Tax," he states and the entire office comes to a standstill.

"Mr. Shourya Singh Rajawat?" I look down at the petite woman in front of me. She wears a crisp green saree, her eyes hard underneath those thick frames, and she holds up her ID in my face, the other showing me the search warrant. "We're here to seize the property."

"On what accounts?"

"Fraudulent money transfers and tax evasion." She states. I step aside and she motions her subordinates to enter my office. "If you have any plans to leave the country, I'd suggest you postpone them. This is going to last a while." Her smirk widens.

"Am I getting arrested?" I tilt my head to the side, mocking her.

She grits her teeth. "Not yet." Then she follows her team inside, commanding that no corner of the office should be left untouched.

Here we go....

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.