Hey my lovely readers,

How are you all? How did the new year celebration go?

Well I was just confined in my flat, binge watching netflix. Told ya, I've become lazy.

How did the last chapter come out? Did you all like it?

Hold up guys coz worst is yet to come. Would you all like to see clash between Akash and Mohit for Siya?

Let's check what author has planned for this chapter. Here you go.

And before reading, please listen to the above song. I really really love the lyrics. 

I was just listening to this song while working for office and thought of sharing it with you.

Akash's POV

Once the party was done, I had to be introduced for the first time to the world as Aman Sharma's son. My parents were always adamant and quite protective of me and kept me out of the prying eyes of media till 21 years of my existence. 

The decision was partly because of my security and partly because even I wanted to stay away from any unwanted attention coz from a very long time, I knew that I never wanted to join my dad's business and wanted to achieve everything on my own. I wanted to create an entire empire on my own, for my babies. 

Apart from that, there is one more reason why I never wanted to inherit Dad's business. Though my uncle (my dad's younger brother), my aunt and my cousin have always been good and supportive for me, if Dad would pass on the CEO position to me, it could also cause rift between the brothers and I never want this to ever happen.

The whole empire is made out of the sweat and blood and is a result of their combined hard work for years. If my little compromise can keep the relation and empire intact, I don't mind it compromising it infinite times.

After the dance that me and Siya shared on the dance floor, I asked Sid to escort her and Kriti to my suite, which I had booked for today.

The reason being my father's secretary was here to assist and accompany me for a press conference which is awaiting my presence and I don't want Siya anyhow to come into limelight, as it is our pics will already be there tomorrow in page 3, considering the dance we had, not to mention the close proximity we shared and there were number of witnesses to prove it.  

I need to take care of that as well. 

I've already informed my PR team for this and have asked them that there shouldn't be a single pic of Siya or our pic together in any newspaper, not even local newspaper. 

They've assured nothing of that sort will happen, even then I don't want to take any risks when it comes to her. She's quite young to handle these things and she might get scared. I want her life to be as simple as possible.

As is it she only knows that I am a billionaire's son but once she knows the influence and contribution me and my family has in the country's GDP, I am sure she'll faint listening to it. 

Just this thought was enough to make me chuckle, she is so cute.

"Sir it's time for us to go" Mr. Mehta, my dad's PA said, breaking my chain of thoughts.

"Yes uncle, let's go" I said.

We then entered the conference hall and as usual we were welcomed by numerous questions by media.

I was successfully and confidently answering all the questions when one question, which I wanted to avoid at any cost, came flying to me.

"Are you stepping down as the CEO just to avoid family conflicts?" the reporter asked.

To be honest, I was quite expecting the question and was even mentally prepared to answer it because I was trained all my life how do handle these situations and questions.

Mr. Mehta gave me an assured look, squeezing my hand in the process, to give me the much needed assurance that I needed right now.

"Why do you think so?" I asked the reporter back, taking deep breath.

"Just a thought that came to me. According to the reports, We came to know that the empire is the result of the hard work of both your father and uncle. The decision might be a mutual understanding between your family or you personal decision, just to avoid any family conflict. Am I right Mr. Akash Sharma?" the reporter asked and smirked.

Composing myself, I answered "are you doubting my capabilities as an individual?"

"No, why would I?" the reporter said.

"If you asked me the question, let me make myself clear to you, the sole reason I never wanted to inherit my dad's business was because I always wanted to achieve everything on my own. My father and uncle have worked really very hard for this empire. They are my idols. Even I want to taste success, but with my own hard work and one day I'll make them proud" I said.

"So you mean to say your cousin, who is to be declared the next CEO of you empire wants everything to be served on silver platter?" the reporter continued.

I just scoffed and said "you people always have a habit of blowing every word from a celebrity's mouth out of proportion. But I am not surprised, after all this is what you guys are paid for by your seniors, creating scandals by twisting the words and serving it in front of people as if this is what we said. Mind you, this is what you said and it is your thinking, not mine cause I never said those words" I said with a smirk.

"You can't disrespect a senior journalist" he retorted.

"But I never did. The way you 'tried' putting your view in front of me about my cousin, the same way I 'tried' putting my view about your seniors in front of you. After all, India is a democratic country and we being Indian citizens, have all the rights in the world to put our views. If you have the right to do it, so do I" I retorted.

The reporter was fuming in anger by my answer and literally it was sight to watch but I let it slide because I don't want more trouble for me and especially, since now Siya is in my life, I have to be extra careful. I can't introduce her to the world, not yet.

This was also one of the reasons I agreed to her condition to keep our relationship under wraps. She doesn't know who she's dating and I intent to keep it that way. Her security is also one of the major things I am concerned about. 

Sid and I are well aware about it and to some extent even Kriti is aware about these things as she also belongs to an influential family but my Siya, she is very new to these things and she just wants a simple life.

I still remember in hospital when she said that she just wants to do a simple job and be independent.

I intend to keep it that way and I know, she is such a bright student and these unnecessary distractions can affect her in a negative way and I'll never let that happen.

After answering few more questions from the media, I was escorted to a different room by my dad's security team.

I had already planned this earlier as I didn't want anyone to bother my Siya.

"You did great sir" Mr. Mehta said to me.

"Of course uncle, how could I not, when I had you by my side" I said smiling.

"Sir, if you don't mind, can I ask you something" Mr. Mehta asked me hesitantly.

"Of course you can" I said to him.

"This girl.." he trailed off.

"She is beautiful isn't she" I asked him smiling.

"Of course sir, but are you sure she isn't after you just because of your name" he asked, not meeting my eyes.

Of course this question had to come.

"She never knew who I was in the first place and when she came to know that I am Aman Sharma's son, she tried to avoid me. I trust her" I said.

"Very well sir. This girl I think brings out the best in you" he said smiling.

"Siya Verma is her name" I said to him, not liking the way he was addressing her.

"Of course sir, Siya. You both make a lovely pair" he said.

"How do you know?" I asked him, surprised.

"I saw both of you dancing on the floor, the way she was looking at you shows how much she loves you, not to mention I think she was feeling as if you are the only person in the hall" he said.

"I know, that is the reason I want to protect her from any unwanted attention. She is a baby and so young. She won't be able to handle these things and since the media will now try to interrogate and invade my personal life, I don't want her to get associated with me in any way on any media platform. Please make sure of it. I hope I can trust you on that" I said.

"Of course sir, I understand. Don't worry, but you also need to maintain some distance from her for a few days to keep her out of limelight" he said.

"I'll try, but I can't promise. Ask the head of PR team to contact me immediately. I want to know the status of work that I gave him a few hours ago" I said to him.

Well this is also important. 

I git a call from Mr. Somani, the head of PR department of our company "hello, Mr. Somani. I hope the work is done. Good to hear that. Make sure nobody will be able to see my girl and she shouldn't be in limelight anyhow. If I get a single pic of hers in any magazine, newspaper, I'll personally sign your termination letter. Good that you understand it and I hope I don't need to repeat my words" I said and disconnected the call.

 Now I need to see my girl, for my own sanity.

Siya's POV

"You know, he loves you a lot" Kriti said and Sid nodded in agreement.

"I know" I said with a small smile playing on my lips.

"Where's Mohit?" I asked Kriti, not meeting her gaze.

"He went home, he said something important came up" Kriti said.

"I am sorry" I said to her. I don't want to loose her at any cost.

"Why are you sorry?" Kriti asked.

"Umm...because of what happened on the dance floor, believe me Kriti, I never had any wrong intentions towards your brother, please don't be angry at me" I said, I was on the verger of tears and was sniffing by now.

"Hey girl, I know it wasn't your fault, it wasn't even Mohit bhaiya's fault. If I would have told him about you and Akash, I think the situation wouldn't have gone this far" she said sadly.

"But I was the one who asked you both not to disclose our relationship to anybody. I am sorry" I said, sniffing again.

"Don't be, you aren't at fault. Actually it isn't anybody's fault. It's just that, we should've been careful" she said and then hugged me. I broke down in her arms.

Suddenly I heard throat clearing and when i looked back, I saw Akash leaning on the door frame with hands crossed over his chest.

Can my man look less handsome please. Not that I mind him looking like a prince, I can't tolerate girls eying him.

"So my girl, are you fine now?" he asked and came towards me.

"Yes, I am fine" I said still sniffing.

"Then why these tears baby?" he asked, coming towards me and wiped my tears.

"It's all because of me" I said and hugged him tightly.

"Shhh baby...please don't cry" he said hugging me back and stroking my back soothingly.

"It's not your fault, hell it isn't even Mohit's fault if he has feelings for you. He never knew that you are committed to me, otherwise I am sure, he would've maintained his distance from you. I can never blame him, he is a gentleman" he said.

"But believe me, I never did anything that would give him any wrong ideas and I never gave him any ideas that would mislead him" I said.

"I know baby, I know you can't do anything as such which would in the end hurt anyone" he said.

I immediately looked in his eyes " you trust me right?" 

"Yes Siya, I know you and I trust you, more than my life" he said.

His words made my heart flutter like a love struck teenager.

Well, who am I kidding, I am still a teenager.

"Kriti, I think we need to talk to Mohit" he said, turning to Kriti.

"Yes Akash bhaiya, I think we should talk to him. He is really upset, I guess" Kriti said.

"Look, I am sorry' Akash said to her.

"Don't be, it isn't anybody's fault" she said with a small smile.

"I will talk to him tomorrow, I think talking to him today isn't a good idea. He is very angry" Akash said.

"Yes, he is, but I think he needs me, I should probably go to him" Kriti said.

"Okay, Sid will drop you to Mohit's mansion. It's best if me and Siya meet him tomorrow, his anger will be subsidized by then, I guess" Akash said.

"Yes I think you are right. Okay guys good night, I should go now" Kriti said and went away with Sid.

"Hey angel, don't worry, everything will be fine" Akash said to me and kissed on my forehead.

I just hope, everything will really and soon be fine.

I don't want a pure soul like Mohit to be heartbroken because of me. He deserves all the happiness in the world.

Hey my lovely readers

How did the chapter come out? Did you all like it?

If yes then please vote, comment and share the story.

Mohit's POV will be coming up in the next chapter and get ready to watch Akash and Mohit's face off for Siya.

Till next chapter tk cr bbyee

Tadas