CHAPTER 47

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Meera walked into Vedansh Raychand's office, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The space was the epitome of power and sophistication sleek black furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the bustling city, and the faint scent of expensive cologne that seemed to linger in the air. Vedansh, as always, was the picture of composure, his sharp suit impeccable, and his aura commanding. He looked up from his desk, his piercing gaze meeting hers, and gestured for her to take a seat.

"Mis Mahi"

He said, leaning back in his chair as she settled into the plush seat opposite him.

"We need to discuss about the venue for the exhibition."

Meera crossed one leg over the other, her posture relaxed but her mind alert.

"I'm listening."

Vedansh clasped his hands together, his expression thoughtful.

"The venue I've shortlisted is one of the Rathores' properties. It's perfect prime location, historical significance, and exactly the kind of grandeur we need for the event. But there's a catch"

At the mention of the Rathores, Meera felt a slight tightening in her chest. She kept her expression neutral, her fingers lightly gripping the armrest of the chair.

"What's the catch?"

She asked, her tone steady. Vedansh sighed, his brow furrowing.

"The Rathores are known for being... selective. They don't let just anyone use their estates. I'm concerned they might not agree to this, no matter how lucrative the deal might be, and we need a venue to be ready as soon as possible"

Meera raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly.

"Selective is an understatement,"

She murmured, her voice almost too quiet to hear. Vedansh's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more behind her words, but he didn't press her. Instead, he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk.

"If they refuse, we'll have to scramble for an alternative. And frankly, nothing else matches up to this venue. We can't afford that kind of setback."

Meera let his words hang in the air for a moment before speaking, her tone calm and assured.

"You don't have to worry about that,"

she said, her eyes meeting his.

"I'll manage it."

Vedansh's sharp eyes locked onto hers, his curiosity evident.

"Oh? And how exactly are you planning to manage it?"

He leaned back in his chair, studying her intently.

"Do you hace your connections?"

Meera hesitated, the briefest flicker of emotion crossing her face before she masked it. Her mind raced as she considered how much to reveal. Finally, she spoke, her tone even but firm.

"I know Vidyuth. Let's just say I'm in a position to handle this situation."

Vedansh raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued.

"You know Vidyuth?"

He repeated, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Well, so do I. but he is not a man who take decisions based on his personal life?"

Meera met his gaze, her expression unreadable.

"Let's just say I have my ways,"

She replied coolly. Vedansh didn't look entirely convinced. He leaned forward again, resting his chin on his clasped hands.

"Mis Mahi, you're being unusually cryptic and about your connection to Vidyuth?"

Meera's heart skipped a beat at the question, but she didn't let it show. Her tone was light, almost dismissive, as she replied, Her hands clasped tightly in front of her as if to keep herself grounded. Every word she spoke was calculated, her demeanor calm but unwavering. She couldn't afford to let the weight of the situation affect her composure.

"In that case,"

She said, her tone firm but polite,

"can you share Vidyuth's contact number with me? It'll save time if I reach out to him directly."

Vedansh leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. He rested his hands on the desk, tapping his fingers rhythmically, a habit Meera had come to associate with his moments of contemplation.

"Mis Mahi"

He began, his voice carrying the weight of authority,

"I can't just hand out Vidyuth Rathore's personal number. It's not only unprofessional it's also a breach of privacy. You know how he is. If I overstep, I'll have to deal with the fallout, and trust me, it won't be pleasant. If you know him why dont you have his contact number?"

Meera exhaled softly, her mind racing. She knew Vedansh was right. Vidyuth was fiercely protective of his personal boundaries. Still, this wasn't the time for protocol; it was a matter of urgency.

"I understand your position,"

She replied, her voice calm but edged with persistence.

"But this is important. If you can't give me his number, then call him yourself and let me talk to him. The sooner we sort this out, the better."

Vedansh's expression didn't waver, but his fingers stopped tapping. He studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers for something she wasn't willing to reveal.

"You're unusually persistent about this,"

He finally said, his tone laced with suspicion.

"Why? Are you that confident you can convince him?"

Meera met his gaze head-on, refusing to let any hint of hesitation seep into her voice.

"This is about the event, Vedansh. You said yourself how critical the Rathore venue is. We can't afford any delays or complications. I'll handle it you just have to make the call."

For a moment, Vedansh didn't move. Then, with a resigned sigh, he picked up his phone. Meera's heartbeat quickened as he scrolled through his contacts, his thumb hovering over Vidyuth's name before he pressed the call button. The ringing sound filled the air, and with every second that passed, the tension in the room seemed to thicken.When Vidyuth finally picked up, his voice came through the speaker, deep and commanding.

"Vedansh. This must be important for you to call me directly."

Vedansh cleared his throat, his professional tone slipping into place.

"It is. This is about the venue for our upcoming event. There's someone here who needs to speak with you."

Vedansh glanced at Meera, extending the phone toward her. His expression was cautious, as though he were passing her a live grenade.

"You've got your chance. Don't mess this up."

Meera took the phone, the device cool and weighty in her hand. She brought it to her ear, steadying her breath before speaking.

"Vidyuth,"

She began, her voice even and composed, For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, Vidyuth's voice, smooth yet tinged with something playful, broke through.

"Wifie I knew it"

He drawled, stretching her name as though tasting its syllables.

"We just met this morning you already started to miss me or your lovedvbreakfast I made now you want lunch too"

He teased her, Meera stiffened, a flash of irritation flickering across her face. Vedansh, who had leaned back in his chair to observe the exchange, she got up and walk little away from his desk.

"This isn't about breakfast, Vidyuth,"

Meera replied, her voice clipped.

"I need your approval for the event venue."

"Ah,"

Vidyuth said, the smile evident in his tone.

"Straight to business"

Meera's grip on the phone tightened. She turned slightly away from Vedansh, her tone sharpening.

"Vidyuth, Now, can we focus on the venue, or do you want to keep wasting time?"

On the other end, Vidyuth chuckled, a low sound that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Oh, I'm wasting time, am I? Tell me, Meera, do you always treat people like this when you need a favor?"

"This isn't a favor,"

She shot back, her voice rising slightly before she caught herself. She glanced at Vedansh, who was now openly intrigued, his gaze bouncing between her and the phone. Lowering her voice, she continued,

"This is a professional matter, and you know it."

Vidyuth repeated

"Professional"

His tone mockingly thoughtful.

"Interesting choice of words, considering the circumstances."

Meera said firmly, cutting him off.

"Vidyuith,... Will you approve the venue or not?"

There was a pause, the kind of silence that felt calculated. Finally, Vidyuth sighed, though the amusement never left his voice.

"Fine, Meera. Tell Vedansh he has my approval. But"

Vidhan's tone turned amused, almost taunting.

"Always so formal, Meera. You should know by now that nothing in life comes for free."

Meera stiffened, sensing where this was headed.

"What do you want, Vidyuth?"

There was a brief pause, and then he spoke, his words deliberate and calculated.

"I'll approve the use of the venue on one condition: you'll let me stay in your hotel suite for the duration of my time in Mumbai."

Meera's jaw dropped, and for a moment, she was too stunned to respond.

"You can't be serious,"

She said finally, disbelief coloring her tone.

"I'm very serious,"

Vidyuth replied smoothly.

"It's a simple arrangement. You get the venue, and I get a comfortable place to stay"

She snapped.

"This is absurd, You own half of Rajasthan. You can afford any hotel suite in Mumbai. Why mine?"

"Because it's yours,"

He said, his voice softening but still carrying an edge of authority.

"And because I want it. Take it or leave it, Meera. But without my approval, you won't have a venue for your exhibition."

Meera pressed her fingers to her temple, closing her eyes as frustration bubbled inside her. She could almost picture the smirk on his face, his enjoyment at seeing her cornered.

"Fine, Haiwaan kahi ka"

She yelled at him through gritted teeth then realised where she is she caught Vedansh's widened eyes.

"You can stay in the suite. But don't push your luck, Vidyuth."

She wispered.

He replied, his tone light but with a hint of mischief.

"I'll be on my best behavior. See you soon, Wifie"

Before she could respond, the line went dead. Meera lowered the phone, her grip tightening as she fought the urge to throw it across the room.This was going to be a long few days.

Meera stood frozen for a moment after ending the call. Her fingers gripped the phone tightly as she closed her eyes, willing herself to stay calm. The weight of Vidyuth's condition pressed on her chest, and frustration bubbled under her composed exterior. She couldn't afford to lose her focus now. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and turned back toward Vedansh.

Her heels clicked sharply against the pristine floor as she walked back to his desk. Vedansh sat exactly where she'd left him, his eyes fixed on her, sharp and probing. His expression was unreadable, but she could feel the curiosity radiating from him like a tangible force.

"Well? What's the verdict?"

He asked, his voice steady but tinged with impatience. Meera stopped in front of his desk and, with deliberate composure, placed his phone back down.

"He agreed,"

She said flatly, her voice betraying none of the turmoil churning inside her. Vedansh blinked, his usual confident demeanor faltering as his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"He agreed?"

He repeated, as though he hadn't heard her correctly the first time.

"Yes"

Meera confirmed, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. Vedansh leaned back in his chair, studying her with a mixture of disbelief and suspicion.

"That's... surprising,"

he muttered.

"Vidhyuth Rathore isn't exactly known for being accommodating, especially when someone asks for a favor. What did you say to him?"

Meera hesitated, the question slicing through her carefully constructed calm. Her fingers dug into her arms as she kept her gaze level.

"Let's just say he made a condition, and I accepted,"

She replied, her tone steady but clipped. Vedansh's sharp eyes narrowed, his curiosity deepening. "A condition?" he pressed, leaning forward.

"What kind of condition?"

Meera clenched her jaw. She could feel the heat rising to her face as the frustration she'd been holding back threatened to spill over.

"It's personal, It has nothing to do with the exhibition, so you don't need to worry."

She said curtly, her voice firm. Vedansh wasn't satisfied with her answer. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Personal? Mis Mahi, you know how important this exhibition is to the company. If there's anything-anything that could jeopardize it, I need to know."

"There's nothing that will jeopardize it,"

Meera snapped, her patience fraying.

"I've secured the venue. That's all that matters."

Vedansh's eyes flickered with something unreadable part disbelief, part concern.

"You're hiding something,"

He said, his tone quieter but no less probing. Meera stiffened. For a moment, she considered brushing him off, walking away without giving him the satisfaction of an answer. But she knew Vedansh too well. He wouldn't let this go.Her fingers tightened against her arms as she met his gaze head-on, her voice low but firm.

"How i know him it has nothing to do with you"

her words laced with an edge of frustration.

"I agree"

Vedansh went silent, which frustrated her even more.

"Fine. I'm his wife."

The silence that followed was deafening. Vedansh's eyes widened, and he sat back in his chair as though the weight of her words had physically pushed him.

"His wife?"

He repeated, disbelief etched into every syllable.

"You're married to Vidyuth Rathore?"

"Yes"

Meera said, her voice sharper now.

"We've been married for two years. and it's complicated"

Vedansh stared at her, his mind visibly racing as he tried to process this revelation.

"You're full of surprises"

He said finally, his voice quieter, almost subdued.

"I don't know whether to be impressed or worried."

"Be neither"

Meera replied, turning on her heel.

"Just focus on the exhibition"

As she walked out of his office, her back straight and her steps purposeful, she could feel Vedansh's eyes following her, filled with questions he didn't dare voice. But Meera didn't let it faze her. Her mind was already on the battle that lay ahead one that she knew would be as much about protecting herself as it would be about fulfilling Vidyuth's condition.

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