Sidd’s POV
I dressed up in a blue dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves and two buttons undone, revealing my perfect, well-muscled chest. I love showing them off most time. I smoothed my hair back by running my fingers through them and I wore my black sunshade. I tilted my head in front of the mirror, smiling in pride. “Ready to catch some attention today,” I said and chuckled. I picked up my phone from the bed and headed out. Descending the staircase, my mom was seated on the couch in the living room, directly facing the staircase as if she were waiting for me to show up. I stood on the staircase, looking suspiciously at her for a minute.“Aren’t you going to come down anymore?” her tightened voice reached me.I rolled my eyes and went down to her. “Good morning, Mother,” I greeted.“Seriously speaking, Sidd. What is your problem? Why have you suddenly decided not to get married to Ria?” she queried.I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair again. I just hopeI reached home and sawHema pacing back and forth in the living room. She stopped and turned those pissedeyes on me. She strode to me and grabbed my wrist, pulling be back to thecenter of the living room.“Is anything the matter?”I queried nonchalantly as she freed my hand. Mr Baldev must have called her.“What did you tell MrBaldev?” she demanded. I haven’t seen her in such a pissed mood before. Hereyelashes twitched as she spoke. I dump my bag on thecouch. “I can’t, Hema,” I declared, shaking my head.“What can’t you?” sheyelled. “How can you reject a role because of Sidd?” she asked, calming hervoice. She moved closer to me, staring right into my eyes. “You have to,Nadia.”“I can’t, I just can’t,”I adamantly let out, moving away from her. “It’s not just about filmingtogether. There’s going to be hugging and kissing. I don’t want to get close toSidd in that way. It’s going to sprout old feelings a
Veer’s POVThe call I received fromHema this morning lifted my spirit to seventh heaven. I can’t believe Nadiarejected Sidd’s proposal and accepted mine. I am more than ready to face Siddtoday. I can’t wait to see his bitter expression. I was done getting ready likea target-getter and headed out.Upon reaching the studio,I saw Nadia standing in the compound. She was fidgeting, looking around likeshe was waiting for someone. She looks even more cute when agitated. She wasputting on a black fishnet, revealing her black bra and a knee-length blackskirt. Her all-black suits her fair skin. Her hair was swept aside. She lookedmore gorgeous and my heart slowly picked a race.“Sir, we are here,” mydriver’s announcement jolted me back to the reality that I had to alight fromthe car.“Oh,” I mumbled andopened the door. Nadia’s POVI couldn’t stay inside. Ihad seen Siya earlier and she claimed Veer wasn’t
Nadia’s POVI returned to the studiothe following day. We have some preparations to do before the main shooting. Iwas studying the script with Veer. We were seated on chairs in the recreationroom where we would be able to concentrate without disturbance from thoseshooting. The producer was with us before he received a call and went out.“So, this is where I willshow up as the hero that I am and defend you from the bad guys. There is goingto be a lot of actions here, that’s why you need to learn some kicking andpunching skills before the shoot begins,” Veer explained. I looked into hiseyes and my heart thumbs up. I can slap, it’s like a hobby, but learningpunching and kicking skills. How long do I have to do that training again? “Areyou listening?” he asked when he heard no response from me.“Uh, yes. I was justwondering how long it’s going to take me to do the punching and kickingtraining,” I expressed, my eyes
Nadia’s POVI sat on the floor,watching Ria go scot-free. My heart banged my ribcage and tears streamed downmy cheeks, washing my fresh blood down to my throat and dropping it onto mylap. She has succeeded in ruining my film project with Veer. How do I act now?Flawless skin is always needed by the female lead. My ankle hurts, my cheekhurts, and my heart split knowing fully well I won’t be able to act again.Sooner or later, the scar will be visible, ruining my look. Just then, Veercame along.“Nadia?” he called outbefore rushing down to me. He cupped my face in his hands. “What happened toyou? Who did this?” he queried, concern filled in his voice. I couldn’t talk, Ijust continued whimpering. “Talk to me. Who did this to you? Is it Sidd?” he added.I shook my head. “It’sRia, Veer,” I sobbed, my heart heavy with the weight of pain. “She pushed medown and cut my face. She doesn’t want me to act with you too. I can’
Sidd’s POVHow can Ria be so cruelto do this to her fellow woman? She has crossed the limit this time. Now Nadiathinks I have a hand in this. I feel like strangling that girl, she is justruining my every opportunity to be close to Nadia again. Argh. I grunted and headedout. I need to see that heartless bitch. I sped out of the studio, drivingstraight to Ria’s place. A couple of minutes later, I was already in her house.I hurried upstairs, banged her door open, and saw her seated on the bed,scrolling through her phone. She was startled upon my entry as her eyesswiveled to me.“What is that for, Sidd?”she snapped.“I should be asking youthat,” I groaned, shooting to the bed and grabbing her arm.“Ouch!” she cried out.“What are you doing?”“How dare you hurt Nadia,huh? Who told you to do so?”“Let go of me!” sheexclaimed, trying to free her hand. “You are hurting me, Sidd. Let me go,” shecried
Nadia’s POVVeer was now packing hiscar in front of the nightclub building. I had to agree to follow him based onwhat Hema told me. We alighted from the car and he came to my side, holding myhand.“Don’t be scared, okay?Remember I’m with you,” he assured me once again.“All right, hero,” Iteased and we headed inside. Apart from the colorful strobe light and clubmusic, the place doesn’t look like a club to me. Different sizes of men wereseated on the couches with flirtatious ladies frolicking and chattering aroundthem. I grimaced at the girls who were shamefully selling their bodies to theseold men. On the stage were strippers in panties and bras, dancing around a pole.I looked at Veer, he seemed not to be concerned about his surroundings as hesimply pulled me gently along to another room.“Where are we going?” Iwhispered.“Relax, okay?” he toldme. We reached the room thatseemed like a VIP
Ria’s POVI went to meet my dad inhis room. He just returned from an outing with his friends after flyingback to India yesterday. Yeah, my dad has been away for over two years now. Hejust returned and promised to stay longer with me before going back. As for mymom, she hardly visits home anymore after establishing a beauty shop in the US.I visit her once a year, but I haven’t gone this year yet. I have lots of projects. I clicked the door open and saw himseated on a stool, in front of the desk.“Can I come in, Dad?” Iasked.“You are already in,aren’t you?” he said, looking at me. I chuckled and closed thedoor, walking close to him. “What are you doing?” I asked, standing beside himwith my arm slid around his shoulders.“I have some things tosort out. You know how long I have left, right?” he replied.“Hmm. Does that mean youare resuming work here?” I asked.“For the meantime, yes. Ihave to
Nadia’s POV“I have something to tellyou,” I whispered into his ear.“I am never consideringyou for the shoot, Nadia,” he groaned, loud enough for everyone to hear andthey began murmuring as usual.“I am not asking you toconsider me for the shoot, Mr Madhukar,” I said loudly too. “I have workedhard for this shoot, but if you say I am no longer good enough, it's fine,” Iadded in a low tone. “I also wish to see your reaction when I tell everyonewhat you did to your secretary at Exclusive Nightclub,” I whispered into hisear and he widened his eyes at me. “The choice is yours, Mr Madhukar,” I addedand moved away from him.“Give me a minute,everyone,” as he expected, he announced and walked off the stage. He grabbed myhand and pulled me to a corner.“What happened now, MrMadhukar?” I asked in a low, mockery tone as I pulled my hand away from him.“What do you know aboutExclusive Nightclub?” he groane