Humiliation. That's what I hate the most. A stain to my dignity, I despise it with passion. I've earned the respect in this working world, made a place for myself overcoming all the struggles of being a single mother and a working woman, I've given up on the simple dreams to achieve the beyond and one incapable, self-righteous, pompous childish man trying to look down on me irks me to core. If he has the guts, damnit face me head on. Why the stealing, cheating, passing obscene comments? I didn't want to show him my superiority as Kabir Raichand's wife, I wanted to crush his high ego under my feet with my success. I've handled many huge and wealthiest projects than this, but this one being one of the most important is to prove him. He thinks women are only to warm bed and stay silent, oh well, he doesn't know me enough.

I wouldn't have want this, to reveal the world that I'm Kabir Raichand's wife. But him saying something so disgusting about our pure and beautiful relationship, it bruised my naive love for my husband. The only way to shut that prick's mouth is to show him what this man means to me, what his position is in my life.

"We can't.", I saw the conflict in his eyes.

Why? Is he not serious about us anymore? Does he not want world to know about our relationship? Was he again playing with my feelings? What about Reyansh? This unborn. If he was not sure, why would he make so many promises? Was he again taking some kind of revenge? Has he find someone he now loves? Is it that Lavanya?

"Rivaah?", He shook my shoulders, and I blinked out of my riverie. Swatting his hands away, I grabbed my clutch that was lying on floor and ignored his presence. "Are you angry?", He asked as he came to stand in front of me.

"No shit Sherlock!", I hissed as I looked away from his amused laddened gaze. I can't believe he's finding humor in my anger.

"Okay, look at me.", He turned me placing his hands on my shoulder. I glared as he struggled to stop his smile.

"Cut it out, Kabir. Before I kick you down there!", I warned and he coughed.

"I need sometime-"

"What time? Are we fucking highschool lovers that you need time before you tell your parents!? We've a four year old son at home, other is on its way, what time are you talking about!? I can't believe you can say something so childish!", I snapped and he sighed.

"Listen me out first!", He said urgently.

"I am!", I almost yelled.

The elevator opened and I pushed him away before striding out. I ignored the receptionist who tried to stop me and noticed Karthik Sir rushing towards her to explain her. I don't care anymore!

Pushing the door to his office open, I entered and slammed door shut. It felt like their was a tornado of rage swirling inside me, getting faster and dangerous each passing second. First that Rishabh and now Kabir. I hate men!

"Damnit Rivaah, you didn't have to put a show for receptionist!", Kabir exclaimed and I closed my eyes taking in a deep breath to calm myself. I heard the door clicking shut and his footsteps approaching me from behind. His arms encircled me, pulling me in his embrace. I stayed stiff, my arms crossed on my chest as I stared out of the picture window that took up most of the west wall of his office. "What happened? What ticked you off?", He whispered keeping his chin on my shoulder.

I turned to face him, my hands coming to rest on his chest. "Six years ago a man treated me as a sexual object, spoke out his fantasies for me. Declared his love and then crushed my dignity without second thought. I was naive. I was gullible. But do you think I'll let the history repeat itself, Kabir?", His grip around me loosened as guilt swarmed in his onyx eyes and he took a troubled breath.

"Are we always going to bring up the past?", He whispered as he looked down, staring at the new formed space between us.

"Well, what do you expect after demolishing my wish to be known as your wife?", I asked as I moved away and turned to face the window again. Looking out at the pale blue sky, I didn't feel suffocated or trapped. "I'm a married woman. Yet my mangalsutra is lying untouched since last five years in jewelry box when it is the most precious among them. The parting line of my hair is empty. I'm uncolored, maiden, and a spinster for many here. So when a single woman grabs success, she's easily entitled as bed climber."

"And you're letting them?", I turned with a frown etched on my face. "You're letting them walk all over you? Do you really need a tag of married woman to stop the comments? Is your capability, talent, hard work not enough? Weren't you the same few months ago? Didn't you served one of the reputed advertising firm for past five years? As a single mother at that. Then why do you need me now?"

"Because that was a different country. People with completely different mindset. But here, I'll be judged. I'll be looked down if I smile or laugh at some man who's on the higher position than me.", I gritted out in disgust.

"Who said all these things to you? Who forced you to think so negative about yourself?", He asked stepping closer, his reassuring hands coming up to rest on my shoulders as he looked at me with concern and love.

"No one.", I mumbled.

"Rishabh Mehrotra?", I stared at him in shock. He sighed as he nodded slowly.

"I knew it.", He whispered to himself.

"How do you know?", I asked as confusion baffled me.

"I just do.", He muttered and I wanted to claw his throat out. What is with this answering in few syllables?

"Tell me!", I demanded.

"I'll tell you. Tonight. So, shall we postpone this plan of revealing our relationship to world?", He asked and I looked at him incredulously.

"Just when did we decide this!? Because as far as I remember, you're just trying to distract me from the main conversation!", I hissed angrily.

"Darling-"

"Don't darling me, Kabir! I'm two months pregnant. It's not long that I'll start showing. This morning, Vanya even said that I'm gaining weight lately despite of me wearing this baggy sweater to hide it. How will I hide this? And let me to tell you, no way in hell will I tolerate someone saying filthy about my child!", I stated with a snort.

"And you think, I'll tolerate? Before that time comes, I'll personally declare the reality of our relationship. Don't worry.", He kissed my forehead. When I didn't react, he peppered soft kisses all over my face. I closed my eyes and soon his soft lips landed on my eyelids, before he pulled me in for a bear hug. "I love you.", He whispered nuzzling his face in the crook of my neck. I tightened my arms around his waist, feeling his hard and ripped body with my soft discreet caresses.

"I love you too.", I mumbled snuggling myself against his huge frame.

I left his office and went to my floor afterwards.

_

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"I can't believe this!", I sat straight. My hand flying up to cover my mouth as disbelief and disgust coursed through me.

"That's the truth.", Kabir shrugged as he forwarded me a blue file.

I took it and studied. All I could feel was loathe and uncontrollable anger for that man.

"I know this is a lot to ask. I can't believe I'm asking you to do this. But Rivaah-"

"I'll do it.", I said cutting his blabber off. I can't believe he's being formal with me about this. He should have just told me and I would have done it without further questions. I trust him with my safety.

"Was this the reason you said no to me this afternoon?", I asked after sliding the file close to him. He picked it before throwing it on the bunch of others and nodded.

"If you feel he's getting suspicious or-"

"Then I've to call you. I know.", I smiled in assurance.

"Just take care of you. Don't let him come near you. You just have to bring him there. I would've done it by myself or had asked someone else, but he'll never put trust on some stranger that easily. With you, he will.", Kabir explained and I nodded.

"Don't worry about me! I'm invincible! But what are you planning to do with him?", I asked curiously leaning front.

"Kill him.", He smirked and I scoffed.

"If you don't want to tell, then say it clearly!", I said rolling my eyes.

"Don't you worry about anything else.", He chuckled as he got up and forwarded me his hand. Gliding my small palm in his, I stood up and we retired off to bed.

"You're looking gorgeous today!", Vanya exclaimed as soon as she saw me next morning. I chuckled.

"What about me gaining weight?", I asked cocking one brow up in question.

"Oh chuck that out. Damnit! If only you weren't straight!", She sighed as her eyes raked up and down my body. My cheeks colored and I slapped her shoulder, admonishing her with my eyes.

"A lethal temptation in red!", She wolf whistled.

"Shut up!", I grew self conscious as people around started noticing me more.

I was wearing a red bodycon dress with a front slit. It was tight but flexible. Also, I didn't look overweight in it so that was a great advantage.

"Men must be drooling.", She whispered as many were eyeing me on their way to designated offices or floors.

Kabir's eyes had almost popped out of their socket this morning. He sternly said that I'm not a part of the plan anymore and I should change immediately. I kept my ground and denied his strict warnings, moments later he reluctantly agreed. I enjoyed the hunger and desperation in his eyes when I strutted around house today. He grumbled something of dying of blue balls but I didn't hear him much clearly. Even Reyansh was acting like a fanboy. My sweet cashew was mesmerized. It was fun to watch.

"Even the boss is looking at you.", She murmured coyly and I followed her line of vision. His eyes were fixed on me, slowly drinking me in their confines before he peeled his gaze away and strode past us.

"Ooh!", She wooed and I smiled at her silly antics.

"I'll see you later. Bye!", I said and she nodded before waving at me and rushing to her desk area.

I headed to the elevator and slid myself in. He was in the center while other employees had snuggled themselves in corners to let him stand comfortably owning a huge part of space. Karthik Sir stood behind him and nodded discreetly when I entered.

He had perched himself sexily in the middle, winning all the three girl's attention in elevator. I stood aside, slightly a step ahead than him and faced front. I could feel his eyes piercing through my back, hungrily, desirably. He had made his desperation naked for me to see. Slowly the elevator emptied, only a female employee was with us. The elevator reached my floor and I glanced at him subtly from the corner of my eyes before walking out.

The moment I made it close to my office, Karan was in front of me with a large coffee mug.

"Yes?"

"For you, ma'am.", He smiled shyly.

I peeked in too see and it was black coffee. Totally not my taste.

"I don't drink coffee.", It was partly a lie. I've stopped because of my pregnancy.

"I knew it! Here ma'am. Try these pastries. They're are freshly made. I just brought them.", Sameer forwarded the plate to me.

"Do you want her to have sugar rush with all this sweetness!", Nayan deadpanned. I looked bemusedly at the three of them fighting a glaring war. "Fresh mix fruit juice, ma'am.", He turned to me smiling sweetly with the glass.

"Men!", The females sighed heavily as they walked past us.

"Thank you, boys. But I'm fine.", I chuckled shaking my head and entered my office.

Later that afternoon I called everyone for the meeting in meeting room.

"So? Manufacturing will began soon and we need to get our wheels started. Mr. Mehrotra-", I addressed him and he looked at me through his half-lidded eyes. "As a creative director, it's your turn to lead your team. Start working with designers, artists, copywriters, sales teams and marketers to create a vision for products sold.", I said and he nodded lazily.

"Get into contact with professional advertising shoot agency. Start the research program. Create a base on social media platforms.....", I continued to deliver instructions to my team. Together we made the strategy to execute each task and then I dismissed the meeting.

"You're looking sexy today.", He made a comment and I honestly was expecting something like that.

"Thanks.", I said as I picked my laptop and files.

He looked taken aback by my response. I think he expected some colorful words instead of a thanks.

"Thanks? No swearing?", He chuckled as he slowly stepped closer.

"I know I look sexy today. So I'm just taking the compliment.", I shrugged.

"It's true when they say, women are too complicated.", He chuckled. "What are you, Miss. Verma?", He sighed as his eyes flickered to my red lips before raising up to meet my eyes.

"A lethal temptation driving you towards tragedy.", I whispered patting sardonically on his shoulder before walking past him and out of the meeting room.

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