*Dileep Pov*
“Where is everyone?” I asked Mom and Dad before settling down in my chair at the dining table.
My mom Premila Vishwanth glanced up at the grand staircase and sighed before glancing at my dad Abivanth Vishwanth. They both then glanced back at me making me understand that I should let go of my question.
“How is your mistress?” Mom asked with a tone of disgust.
“She has a name, Mom.” I pointed out rolling my eyes.
“Really? Then tell me her name.” She challenged.
“I forgot!” I whispered and this time she threw the disgust look at me.
“I am kidding, Mom. I am not your middle son to forget the person I have affairs with. I am your sweet younger son, who has a relation for at least some time.” I said grinning at her.
“And that sometime would be three or four months. Do not act like we don’t know anything. For our royalty, all your scandals get printed on the gossip page in a large font.” she scolded.
“I am not a kid!” I pointed out not liking that she is scolding me even in my twenty fifth year.
“Yes! Which means you need to be careful before doing anything. We are the Royals so need to act like them.” she mumbled frowning at me.
“Your both grandparents were the Royals, Mom. We are just normal people.” I commented, staring at her.
“Is it so? Then why do you always say ‘I am the Prince of Ivaan’ to everyone for doing some normal corporate businesses?” she questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“That’s because I was brought up with that title ringing in my ears, and I am used to it and will always feel pride to be one.” I replied shrugging and glanced at Dad to see him in deep thinking.
“What is it, Dad?” I asked him frowning.
“It’s been two months, but there is still no change within your elder brother.” he replied frowning.
“He will be fine. He has a wife now who will take care of him.” Mom assured him making me frown.
“Why does she is required to bear that responsibility, Mom? She is younger than me.” I pointed out.
“She got herself involved in this marriage after knowing everything. Do not look at me like I have done a wrong thing.” She said frowning at me.
“I am sure that you have done a right thing.” I said, hiding the sarcasm and glanced up to see my brother who is the middle of three of us walking near to us.
“Did you go to another party yesterday, Aahil?” Mom questioned him.
“Mom! I am not a kid.” He replied, settling down in his chair which he is not as he is one year older than me and three years younger than our elder brother.
“We know that, but you too need to know about it. You are working in the political career, and you will achieve it soon, then why do you want some black spot over your career.” Dad asked him before Mom could say anything, which is not a surprise for us.
The leading party lineage is enemies for our lineage, which makes my dad think they are enemies to us. So he has more interest in how Aahil is doing than anything in this world. He finds it a problem for us if the leading party stays the same in Maharashtra.
“The enmity has gone along with your ancestor's Dad. You are taking these old thing's way too seriously.” I said looking at him.
“Someone has to take something in a serious way right? What are you doing with your life? Is making money or intimidating the people around you are the only aim in life? And those relations of yours. Those just make me feel like I should get you married before Aahil.” Mom said, standing up and I followed her suit.
“Just like how you did for Tajwar Bhai right against his wishes?” I questioned her, and our spat stopped when we saw Mridula stepping out of the kitchen with a maid holding the tray of breakfast.
“You were here?” Mom asked her frowning.
“Yes! I have been seeing for the breakfast to be prepared.” She replied.
“He left for the mining in the early morning.” She answered Mom’s unasked question looking away.
“This is not what he should be doing, Mridula. You are here to make sure of it.” Mom started her evergreen words, and I walked away not wanting to hear her.
I drove towards my office building early and stepped inside the private elevator to reach the penthouse where I stay most of the time to escape from the family.
“Baby? I thought you would not come until today night.” Those were the words I heard entering the penthouse.
“So?” I asked her before sitting on the couch and leaned my head back.
“What happened, Baby?” she asked, sitting beside me making me want to shout, saying not to call me by that nickname.
“Nothing! My mom is talking about my marriage.” I replied, sighing rubbing my forehead.
“Wow! Are you proposing to me? I would love to.” She said, squealing and I opened my eyes to stare at her.
“What are you saying?” I asked her frowning.
“I know you love me and don’t worry, even I love you.” she replied holding my hand.
“You need to leave and we no longer have any relation between us.” I said, standing up and moved towards the balcony.
“What? But why?” she asked, rushing to me.
“I told you in the beginning that you are not supposed to fall for me and also not expect anything. If any of it happens, then the relation will be over.” I replied folding my arms.
“You can’t do that to me.” she said and started sobbing.
I didn’t say anything because I know she is lying as even though I know there is nothing like true love from someone from outside, and everyone is selfish. And to top off that she can’t fall for me within the one-month time.
“I will be staying at my parent's home today, and by the time I return tomorrow here you need to leave. I will transfer some money to your account.” I said before stepping out of the penthouse and walked to the office.
She can’t reach here without my permission and will be evacuated soon if she does something to disturb the peace. Mom would be definitely happy knowing this! I thought, shaking my head and got into the work mode.
I continued to concentrate on the work sitting on my bed in my parent's home, which I have to do it by myself as my secretary decided to take a one-month leave. I mumbled ‘come in’ when I heard a knock at my door.
“Have your dinner.” I heard Mridula’s voice and glanced up to see her placing a tray over the table in my room.
“You didn’t have to bring the food here.” I said smiling at her.
“Aunty would be sad if she gets to know you didn’t have your food.” she commented, giving a small smile and started walking near to the door.
“Mom already knows about me leaving the present affair right?” I kind of stated.
“Yes! She already knows about it.” She replied, nodding her head.
“When will she stop getting into my life?” I asked her with exhaustion.
“She is your mother and every mother worries for her child. And will try to get them out of the problems.” she replied and walked away.
I shook my head and continued to work to remove the secretary after she returns from her leave. I do not permit this kind of irresponsibility from any staff who leaves with just a normal letter and not with my permission.
*Amrin Pov* “No!” I shouted, covering my face with the pillow getting it as a small whisper outside. “Don’t you think it is too late for that answer?” I heard a question making me turn to see my roommate with her raised eyebrows or shall I say my soon to be an ex-roommate. “I know!” I replied, frowning at her. “Apologize to the pillow otherwise it will feel sad to hear your negative reply.” Janani said mockingly. “I am not that horrible.” I whispered frowning more at her. “Really? You know that I will be leaving the state within two days and at the end of the month, which is just a few days you will just have to leave this room. Now, who goes and gives resignation for the work which would have helped you in searching for a new place before that?” she asked sitting before me. “She… she requested me to do this work. Her family gave me so much for my education and everything, then I should do some help for them right?” I asked her hoping she would support my decision. “Nonsense!
*Amrin Pov* “Are you married?” I asked him breaking the silence after looking around the elevator we both got inside. “Is it not too behind time to know about it?” he asked back making me stare at his face. “It is not behind time to back off also, right?” I threw my own question. “No!” he simply replied when the elevator stopped, and the doors opened. “No for what?” I asked, not wanting to step outside until I know about his marital status. If he is married, then I can escape from this elevator itself. “For both!” he replied forwarding his hand, and I took it little hesitatingly. He didn’t leave my hand and continued to walk until we reach the double doors. With some key card, he opened it and pulled me inside normally. “This is good.” I mumbled glancing around and walked near to the glass door through where a balcony is there but cannot be seen from the entrance. I glanced back to see his face and waited to hear what he actually meant in his cabin. And I really want to know
*Dileep Pov* I stared at the girl standing before me with surprise regardless of the fact that I am trying hard to compose myself. Is this the girl with whom I talked to yesterday? “Prince? What Prince?” she asked again, frowning at me. “I am Dileep and Prince of Ivaan.” I replied, still frowning looking at her face. “Ivaan? I never heard of it. Are you really a Prince?” she asked with a little petrified tone. “My ancestors were the rulers, but not us. However, my family has the title, and the people respect that.” I explained and she slowly nodded. “Did I really talk to you only?” I asked her. “Of course! Do you have a temporary memory loss?” She asked frowning. “No!” I replied in irritation to her thinking about me. “Your face tone and features were little different yesterday, and you had a bun.” I added. “I woke up at the time driver came so I didn’t get properly ready because of which I left the hair down. And yesterday my friend gave me a makeover to look professional.”
*Amrin Pov* I slowly opened my eyes and saw that he is already up working on his laptop sitting on the chair near to the long window. “Good morning!” I mumbled, sitting up while he glanced at his watch for two times already before I can say those words. “Good morning!” he wished back before doing his work, but again checked his watch. “Is there any problem?” I asked him, frowning tying my hair. “I am waiting for the maid as it is time for my morning coffee.” he replied shaking his head and just worked on his system. “She will be removed from today right? Shall I give you your coffee?” I asked him controlling my yawn. “Sure! But it should be like I ask you to.” He replied and gave few instructions regarding how he likes his coffee. I nodded before walking inside the washroom to brush my teeth and then left for the kitchen. It took me a few minutes to search the ingredients, and then I mixed everything like he instructed before pouring it down in a cup and also in another for my
*Amrin Pov* I continue to stare everywhere from the car’s seatbelt to the front seat and then to the beads on the clutch. Until getting inside the car, I was ok to get to the business party as a date with him. However, now it seems all my nerves want to meet me this moment itself, making me wish I just sat inside the flat. I can’t even share with him that I am tense otherwise he will state a new rule. “Are you nervous?” His question startled me and I slowly nodded before turning to stare at him. “Few photos will be taken, and we will go inside. Just stay beside me and no one will ask anything, which would make you more nervous.” He explained assuring me, but it didn’t seem like that as hearing the photo itself, I felt like jumping outside the car. “No… no…” I started waving my hands along with shaking my head. “I said it will be ok right?” he asked, holding my hands tightly and rubbed my palms while I stared at him in shock. “I will be there beside you, and you will be fine.” H
*Dileep Pov* “What time is it?” I heard her asking in a sleepy tone, and I glanced up to see her sitting up on the bed yawning a little. “I will leave in one hour.” I replied but didn’t look back at the system. “Your coffee time passed, right?” she asked and then glanced down before covering herself more properly with the blanket. “I will drink it in the office.” I replied even though I don’t like to in the office hours. “Ok! I will prepare breakfast.” She said getting down from the bed and walked to the closet with slow steps. “Amrin! I can eat some toast.” I said, knowing that she needs a little more rest. “No! You removed the maid at my instance, so I should do the work I had to right.” she said and walked inside the washroom. I shook my head and continued to do my work before getting ready to leave for the office. It is a good thing that I live in this building, so there is no scope for ever getting late at all. “Just five minutes and the coffee will be ready.” I heard he
*Amrin Pov* I waved after him and closed the door before leaning on it to pinch myself so that I can see clearly whether all this is real or just a dream. I just thought this would be a very bad thing that is happening, and I would be just surviving it, but now it is more than that. I am feeling happy, and I do not know what is more important than that. Even though two weeks passed, I am feeling like it is just two days by the time rushing in an express manner making me wish it just stretches more. Shaking away all the thoughts, I decided to cook something his favorite for the lunch. We did not get close not just with the physical relation, but also I know about his likes and dislikes. “Hello?” I lifted the call on my mobile smiling. “I am in my In-laws house at present.” Janani started her words with the statement. “How was the wedding?” I asked her smiling. “It was good and now I am nervous.” She replied. “Why?” I asked her frowning. “It is the first night, and I do not kn
*Amrin Pov* “What is today’s special?” he asked eating the cake I baked for him by the time he returned to the flat in the evening. “Nothing!” I replied, not wanting to create any problems by saying that today is kind of one-month anniversary since I met him. “Well, this is delicious.” He said finishing the piece and gave a small smile. “This is your favorite flavor.” I said smiling back. “You know that? But I do not know about yours.” He said getting up to attend a call while I frowned. I told him about mine too, right? Maybe he forgot! I thought and got up to put the plate away and returned to see him frowning. “What is it?” I asked, placing my hand over his shoulder. “We need to go to a party, but I do not want to so I didn’t say anything. But now the host is requesting for our presence.” he replied, and I frowned hearing his reply. “If you want to, then we can go.” I said staring at his face. “Ok! But just let me know when you feel uncomfortable.” He said in a serious to