Prologue
Where was she?
Where was she?
There were dozens of reporters with their microphone as they threw out various questions, camera flashing, people chattering around in the room, gossiping.
"It must be lies."
"I knew it, he wasn't really with her..."
"Does that mean that he does that type of thing?"
"Do we want someone like that to represent us?"
"Rumors are probably true that he did sleep with..."
"No way is he going to be elected"
"They should cancel the chances of him winning...
Everyone murmurs could be heard but instead I maintained my composure without sparing a chance to look at the doors to see if it was her every time the door opened, yet sadly it wasn't her.
Where was she?
"So sorry jija ji, but it seems that the rumors about you must be true." A deep shrilled voice said.
I didn't have to look or turn to my left to know who it was.
She was on stage along with my boss, a couple of business partners, and my brother.
At that I looked at Ashish who was trying to maintain a steady grin as he stared at the audience that were smiling, chatting, and drinking champagne and at each attention that were drawn towards the stage, he would fidget and his face would twist in distortion.
But his wife, Jaya, was bathing in the glory of all the attention directed towards them and finding amusement as the media was hounding me down, bombarding me with questions.
"So, where is she?" she whispered.
"Please keep that tongue of yours to yourself." I said quietly while still scanning the room.
She chuckled.
"What's the problem jija ji? I'm just concerned on the type of reputation that you are garnering for yourself, for our family, and more importantly for papa ji." She said slyly.
I ignored everything she said but when she mentioned papa, I stiffened.
So close...so close...
I was so close in redeeming myself in his eyes.
So close even if it was just a pitiable dream, a sad pitiable dream believing that he would ever forgive me for what happened.
Even if I was close, things were going to crumble down either way if she didn't come.
She had to come.
There was no way.
We had a deal.
If she lied and she ran...she would pay...she would pay for this and I would go above and beyond to make sure everything was completely met out...
I stopped once I noticed her enter the doors and I felt myself noticeably calmed down but was distracted at the outfit she was wearing.
She was wearing a black saree that exposed her stomach; her blouse completely showcased her arms, and it was even more noticeable from the sway of her hips.
Her hair was loose and was hanging down towards her waist.
Yet it wasn't none of that garnered my attention nor interest, it was the way her shoulders were stiff, her head straight, eyes focused, her gait smooth and steady as she guided herself through the crowd causing some of the men to stare and gaze at her with interest.
She was oblivious to everything but staring at me and for some reason I could feel myself become weighed under her gaze.
She came closer to the stage and was immediately blocked off by reporters and security but I quickly joined her.
"Isn't that..."
"She is..."
I wrapped my arms around her waist and she stiffened but I placed my hand against her waist until I came into contact with skin.
I pressed her even more towards my body and I could feel her look at me.
"Everyone has been making rumors and have been saying things about my reputation. I don't talk about my personal life...but for once...I will help clear up the doubts." I said while giving a brief smile.
The camera flashes were going off like crazy as reporters were huddling to push their microphone close to my face.
I turned to her and for a brief second I thought I saw confusion and apprehension in her gaze but it quickly disappeared and her face became expressionless.
"How far are you willing to go?" I whispered to her.
She looked at me and I met her gaze and soon her blank expression turned into confusion.
"What do you mean?" she said.
"How far are you willing to go to help me?" I asked.
"Not very far at all. I'm only remotely interested if it involves money." She said.
I smirked and chuckled.
I really did like her bluntness and honesty.
"Very well, how far are you willing to go to get money?" I whispered.
She stared at me almost as if she was searching my eyes for something but whatever she was looking for I wasn't sure if she found it or not.
I didn't know whether or not I was disappointed or not.
And more importantly, I didn't know why I would care enough to be disappointed or not.
"As far as I can go." She said finally answering and smiling, causing her eyes to turn bright.
At that I smiled.
"Very well then, follow my lead. Don't question nor respond as if anything gets ruined your chances of getting what you desire." I said.
She nodded and turned towards the flashes of lights and I turned around and began to answer the reporters' questions.
"This woman is not someone that I'm having an affair with as most people are saying, she is my girlfriend..." I said and I quickly looked at her as she showed mild interest.
I took a few seconds before I said the next phrase.
"In reality, she is my girlfriend but very soon, she will become my wife." I said and I didn't have to look at her to know she was looking at me, reeling in from shock as she was caught by surprise just like every reporter and bystander in the room.
She stared at me and was going to argue but I leaned forward and pressed my lips against her ear and there was nothing but deep, scandalized gasps that was heard throughout the room and more frenzy of the camera lens going off.
"How far are you willing to go?" I whispered in her ear reminding her of my earlier statement.
I drew away and she stared at me and for the first time I saw something other than calmness or the blank expression she always maintained.
This time there was fear and vulnerability behind her gaze but she responded.
"As far as I have to." She said while staring back at me with challenge in her gaze.
I stared at her and smirked and turned back to the waiting arms of the cameras.
********************
Cricket
12