Raichand Mansion was unusually quite. The ever resounding walls that used to buzz with life now embraced silence. Since the departure of Kabir, it seems to be like this. Everyone was busy with their own life. Although the lady of house tried to bring everyone together, someone always had this work or that. Mostly the kids of house.

Ahana and Aarav were always busy with their own office work. Him trying to prove his capability in office, and she, trying to prove that a lady can make up her own business. Starting an Event management company isn't a joke in this crowded and competitive sector. And a woman leading that? Must be joke!

To deal with this mentality of people where society still believes that women are born to handle household work, Ahana has decided to seal their mouth with her success.

And the man of the house is tired now. After working hard to keep the business at it's position for five years, sucked him off his energy and he just want to rest. It wasn't easy handling a broken family and the business that was on verge of falling apart because it lost it's sole administrator in accident. The business was habitual of Kabir. He had developed it in an insanely rich speed, expanded it in extra nine different developed countries and to keep it on the top was Vihaan's only aim when his son became incapable after the accident.

Everyone had their own lives to lead, and Anaya just wanted to tie the ends together so no one will flew away from their home. It was a desperate attempt, and she was doing it determinedly.

"You're not going anywhere without breakfast. Come here right now!", Anaya commanded and her two young kids scrunched their faces in defeat before turning around and following her demand. One would be stupid to defy their mother when angry.

Everyone sat down together at dining table for breakfast, the only time they enjoy food together.

"I heard you're invited as a guest lecturer for final year students of business management?", Vihaan started and Aarav nodded.

"We've a very good relationships with the trusties of that college so be careful.", He said.

Aarav sighed. He is not a kid. He knows how to behave. But he knows, people remember failure more than success. And to bury the only failure he has faced in his life, he need to build pinnacles of success over it.

"Don't worry, dad. I'll be careful.", He forced a smile.

"Which college are you talking about?", Ahana questioned keeping her phone down for a moment as she waited for her Gmail account to refresh.

"Indian Institute of Business Management and Foreign Trade.", Aarav answered with a short glance at her.

"Isn't that where Pooja studies?", Anaya questioned mindlessly, not expecting to draw any attention but when her son looked at her curiously, she frowned. "What?"

"Pooja who?"

"Pooja Verma! Rivaah's sister.", She replied in a duh tone.

A smirk threatened to appear on his face but he held the temptation back and focused on finishing his breakfast silently.

He still remembers the way she fidgeted whole time until they reached airport. His interest in her was gradually growing, and that kind of surprises him.

But the thought of his current subject of interest being there made him smile internally. He'll enjoy this lecture now.

After breakfast, everyone departed to do their own run of schedule for the day.

Aarav's newly hired assistant made him aware of the fact that the lecture is scheduled for 10:00 to 12:00 hours. Within a drive of fifteen minutes, he reached the gates of college and from thereafter Dean came to welcome him inside. Although they had wanted either Vihaan or Kabir to take this lecture, but now they don't have any other choice to accept other Raichand instead.

The hospitality was good but Aarav saw through the facade. Their spirits were low because they hadn't got the desired Raichand. He was willing to change their perspective about him.

He let his eyes wander around the hallway, searching for one particular person as the college staff escorted him to lounge room. He was presented with refreshments there but Aarav denied all and said that he'll wait until the arrangements are done.

Pooja was doing everything unwillingly. Being one of the member of students council, it was compulsory for her to help with all the arrangements.

"He's arrived."

Pooja shivered.

How cliché can her life be!?

"Paddle fast! Everything should be done before students begin piling up in hall.", The head of students council, Mrs. Asha Gahloth everything but screamed. The lady's shrill voice can even put chalk screech to shame.

Pooja flinched out of her thoughts and continued her work of arranging the water bottles on the dias.

Fifteen minutes later, the chaos began and students started occupying seats.

After everything and everyone was settled, the students were warned to maintain silence as the man everyone were waiting for arrived.

Pooja, along with her friends discreetly made it to her seat and sat down. She drank a gulp of water down before twisting the cap close and tossing the bottle back in her backpack.

She looked up just when the anchor introduced him to everyone. He was on side of podium, looking like an embodiment of handsomeness that he his. His usual calm face, now stoic and stern. The boyishness nowhere to be seen as he appeared more like an experienced entrepreneur. His dark brown hair pushed back, and chocolate eyes emotionless as they gazed around silently. He looked rugged and totally appealing for female population.

"We're very honored to have a personality like Mr. Aarav Raichand among us.", Aarav wanted to scoff at the statement. He has no doubt that they must have crossed Kabir's name before writing his there. After all, Kabir was there first choice. Not him.

After the small ceremony of felicitation ended, the teachers walked down stage and took a seat in the front line.

"I request Mr. Raichand to come forward and provide us final year students a quality guidance. Please sir.", The anchor said and made her way down just as Aarav stood at the podium.

"Good morning, everyone.", His British accent made most of the female majority swoon.

"As you all know, I'm Aarav Raichand, current Managing Director and CEO of Raichand group of Industries.", He made the formal introduction. "Your Dean has so kindly provided me with two hours to talk about the vast concept on which world trades. Thank you so much, Mr. Bhatia.", He said, sarcasm lacing his voice and the crowd erupted in light laughter. "So, let's get down to business?", He moved away from the podium and grabbed hand mic from table behind him. "Because that's what we're gonna talk about.", He said with a shrug and stood in the center of stage. "Now, you're all final year students, right?", He asked looking around and his eyes finally found the one he has been searching for since his arrival. Pooja blinked as their eyes met and averted her gaze down to her lap.

The loud 'yes' brought his attention back. He cleared his throat. "So you all have two options now, either secure yourself a job or be an entrepreneur and set up your own business. If you're still unclear about your goal, well, sucks to be you.", He said feigning sadness and the hall erupted in another fits of laughter.

"Savage!", Someone screamed from the back.

"Ah backbencher it seems! Thanks, Buddy!", Aarav said in response.

The lecture continued until the time it was scheduled. Later, everyone in hall was dismissed after the vote of thanks.

"He's freaking hot!", Pooja winced as her friend literally screamed in her ear.

"Hmm hmm.", She hummed.

"C'mon, damnit! Say something! I feel like a pervert!"

"Because you are, Amisha.", Pooja snickered.

"Haha! C'mon we're running late for lunch!", Amisha said grabbing her wrist and dragging her to the direction of canteen.

"My backpack!", Pooja halted with a stop and Amisha jerked back.

"Dude!?"

"Shit! I forgot my backpack near the seat. I'll be back. You go ahead.", She said removing her wrist from the grip and heading back with urgency in her steps.

It was a creepy feeling entering into a completely empty hall. The lights were off, left for the dim lights that glowered at the center of stage. She quickly rushed to where her backpack lied and heaved a relieving sigh after grabbing it off the floor.

A smooth turn around and she collided with an hard object. Or so it seemed until she looked up and found familiar chocolate brown eyes gazing down at her intensely. She gasped and it echoed around the empty hall.

Her hand on his chest lightened but his arms around her waist tightened. She felt dizzy for a second before gathering up her thoughts and pushing him away. Or more like struggling to achieve the same. She failed miserably and his eyes twinkled in amusement.

"What is your problem!?", She snarled punching on his shoulder to get herself rid of his closeness.

"You'll fall if I leave you.", He said simply.

"Oh please! Let me go!", She demanded and he immediately removed his arms away. The back of her shin collided with the leg of chair and she was about to meet the ground with her ass first but he held her again.

"Told you.", He shrugged.

"What are you trying to achieve by doing this?", She asked narrowing her eyes, her hands trying to put a distance between them.

"What a rhetorical question.", He scoffed. "You're just in my arms, not in my bed. Although, that may happen soon.", He smirked as her eyes widened in horror.

"What has gotten into you so suddenly!?", She demanded.

"I don't know. Everything in me is just asking for you.", He shrugged.

"I'll tell this to Di!", She threatened him.

All she received was a booming laugh in response. "Why, sweetness? You're not confident enough to face me? The little cat needs someone to hide behind?", He mocked.

"Shut up!"

"Kindly with your lips on me.", He whispered huskily.

"God! Stop flirting with me!", She groaned.

"Uh huh, Birdy. Flirting is for boys. And I'm a man.", He said as his brown eyes stared down at her, as if ready to pull out her soul in next second. Leaning down, he breathed on her earlobe and she felt her knees ready to give up. "I claim.", He whispered before removing his arms completely and backing up. With a wink, he turned on his heels and disappeared from her sight.

Did her heart just skipped a beat!? Shit! She's in deep trouble!

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"He does not have any kid! I checked it!", Rishabh said before he tossed his blazer on the couch.

His sister, Lavanya scurried close to him before her eyes narrowed like a feral cat.

"He lied to me!? Why would he lie to me!?", She gritted out.

"I don't know. May be you acted like a desperate bitch!", Her brother flared up.

"Shut up, Rishabh! I played my cards really well! It's him who's acting hard to get type.", She scowled.

"I don't know that. But I've checked through some assuring resources and I'm hundred percent sure that he doesn't have a son! Yes, he was married. But that was a diplomatic arrangement I guess. Because now they are not together.", Rishabh fed her with the information before heading to kitchen to grab himself a glass of water.

"I kept eye on him for three years. I didn't know he was married.", She mumbled to herself as she followed him through.

"Because you only used your eyes, sometimes you need to use your brain too!", He snapped.

"Why are you salty!? Who crawled up your arse and died?", She peered up at him as she sat down on the kitchen stool.

"I'm not angry. I'm just frustrated.", He snorted.

"And why is that?"

"The new Advertising Head, she thinks she'll lead the campaign this time. Damn the woman is hot, but her temper is hot too.", He spat out shaking his head.

"I don't understand why you're so involved in this job. That's not our goal, Rishabh!", She chastised him as she got up.

"I know. But she's stubborn and you know I hate this trait in women.", He chuckled.

"Just don't lose your focus. Kabir Raichand is our main aim. Not some stubborn woman!", She reminded him before strutting out.

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