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Siya's POV

Me and Kriti were getting ready now as Akash said we all would be travelling to and fro from our flat to the office with them.

It was early morning today when they both barged into our flat, unannounced.

'It'll save fuel Siya, we must be responsible citizens in order to conserve our resources.' His words, not mine. When I tried to argue, saying that it wouldn't be appropriate as me and Kriti were still trainees and they were project managers and it wouldn't leave a good impression if others saw us travelling together to the office.

'Are you more concerned about people talking behind our back?' he replied. 'If yes, then you should be more concerned about being a responsible citizen. '

Listening to this, Kriti had burst out laughing and Sid joined her as well.

Akash glared at him and he stopped laughing.

"Dude, if you remember, you were the one who never wanted to do car pooling and I had to force you. Now suddenly you're so interested in car pooling. Why? " Sid had asked him, still laughing.

"Realization Sid. I've realized how important it is to act like a responsible citizen, "he said, shrugging his shoulders.

I was red by now and Kriti was laughing, rolling on the couch.

When she was sober, she went to him and pinching his cheeks, said "Bhaiya, do you know how cute you're?"

"I am not cute" he had said.

"Oh... then what are you?" she had asked her.

"I am handsome," he had answered.

Listening to him, I burst out laughing when he turned to me and said "don't you think I am handsome?"

"Of course you are," I said and hugged him.

"Hmmm... don't be late, be ready at eight" he said, hugging me back.

When they were about to go, I said "we'll be coming with you, but only on one condition. We'll eat breakfast and dinner at our house, which we can prepare together."

There was no way I was going to let this opportunity pass us by because I knew if we tried to contribute for fuel, he would refuse.

So I subtly proposed this offer so that no one could refuse.

"I agree with Siya, Bhaiya. If you want us to travel together, we can at least have breakfast together here, lunch at the office, and dinner together at home," Kriti said.

"I don't mind at all, and I've always admired Siya's cooking. Why would I let this opportunity to taste delicious breakfast from her hands everyday go to waste? "he had said.

"So, it's decided. We'll get ready and prepare breakfast. You both join us after getting ready. "

"Okay" they both agreed and he kissed my forehead. He whispered in my ears "I understand the subtle way of not taking my help, but I don't mind at all as long as I get your handmade food."

I gasped at that and he just winked.

He understands me so well.

After they both exited, I was preparing breakfast while Kriti went to get ready.

"Girl, are you lost in his thoughts?" Kriti asked from behind me, startling me.

"God Kriti, you scared me" I said, keeping my hands on my chest.

"I am sorry, but I am not sorry," she said, winking at me and looking past me to check what I had prepared for breakfast.

"Oh my god, my favorite," she exclaimed as she attacked the pancakes I had prepared for everyone, but I swatted her hands away before she could grab them.

"Wait for sometime, we'll have breakfast together," I said.

"Okay. As you say ma lady "she said and bowed down, dramatically.

"Go, get ready. They'll be here any minute "she said and I went to my room to get ready.

I had just changed into my jeans after showering, and as I was about to put on my top, the door to my room unexpectedly opened, causing my head to shoot up.

"Akash" I screamed.

"Oh my my... what a sight" he said, closing the door behind him and taking steps towards me.

"Akash, I am not ready yet" I said, keeping the towel over me.

"Oh, that's so sad. Let me help you" he said and when he was almost a foot away from me, I said "Please Akash, I don't want to get into a make-out session with you. We'll be late."

"Okay, no funny business. I just came here to take a very important thing from you "he said and before I could comprehend what he was saying, he pressed his lips on mine.

I kissed him back, without any delay and he caressed my back.

When we were both out of breath, breaking the kiss he said "good morning baby. Get used to it, my love, I'll take my good morning kiss everyday "and caressed my cheeks with the back of his palms.

"You're a cheat. I'll make sure that from tomorrow either Sid or Kriti are around so that you won't do it to me, "I said, keeping my hands on my waist.

Taking the top from my hands, he made me wear it.

"Do whatever you want. Even if Kriti and Sid are around, I'll get my good morning kiss. I don't care, "he said, shrugging.

He looked at my chain which was dangling from my neck and kissed the ring. He said "I love you, baby."

Smiling, I replied "I love you too."

"Come soon, we're all waiting for you at the dining table," he said and kissed my forehead. He left my room.

Getting ready, I stepped out and made my way to the dining room.

Kriti was serving them breakfast and when Sid took a bite from it, he moaned.

"Oh my god, it's so good," he said.

I just smiled at him.

"It had to be. It was prepared by the best, "Kriti said, winking at me.

"Yeah. I agree. I could get used to it, "Sid said.

"Dude, just to remind you, this is just a temporary arrangement. Once we get married, you'll not be allowed into my flat, "Akash said.

"Why?" Sid and I said at the same time.

"Yeah right, you shouldn't allow him in your flat," Kriti said, taking Akash's side.

"No. It'll be my flat as well. He's more than welcome at any time," I said, siding with Sid.

"Why do you want to share the food that you'll be preparing for me?" Akash asked, glaring at me.

"Because food isn't only meant for you. It's meant for everybody, "I said.

"Don't worry Sid, you're more than welcome here," I said.

"Oh my god, please stop arguing over it. We'll be late for the office, "Sid said.

"Oh yeah, I forgot" I said and we had our breakfast, as usual bickering nonsense.

I made my way to the kitchen to wash dishes when Kriti entered and said "Hey girl, you cooked breakfast. Let me at least wash the dishes. We can repeat it in turns from now on. "

She's so understanding.

"It's fine Kriti, I'll do it," I said.

"Nope, there aren't many dishes anyway. You go and get our bag packs ready, and I'll do it, "she said and I nodded.

Taking our bag packs, I was waiting for her when Sid asked "where's Kriti?"

"She's doing dishes," I said, keeping our bags on the couch.

"Why now? I mean we can do it in the evening, right? "he said and I glared at him.

"Ewww Sid, typical bachelor you're. Dishes shouldn't be kept for so long to wash. It's not good. Besides, I don't want to do dishes when I come back home after a long, tiring day at the office and even Kriti doesn't like it, "I said.

"Oh come on Siya, I know you both are clean freaks" Akash said and rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I would like to keep it that way. Also, if you are both planning to have dinner with us everyday, then you both need to help us with cleaning the dishes as well, "I said.

"Oh my god. If I would've known that I needed to work so much to have just breakfast and dinner with you both, I wouldn't have let Akash fire our maid, "Sid said, horrified.

"I am ready," Kriti announced and we all went to Akash's car.

Entering our office, we were making our way to the training hall when a very sickening, high pitched voice said "Oh my god baby, you're back" which made us all halt in our steps.

Uggghhh... I hate her.

Akash's POV

"Oh my god baby, you're back" said the voice that I despise.

"How are you, baby?" she asked again, coming over to me and clasping her hands in mine.

When I looked at Siya, she was glaring at me and throwing daggers at me, making me gulp.

I've just got my love back in my life and I don't want to create any trouble in my paradise because of this stupid brainless girl.

"I am fine Sakshi" I said and freed my arms from her but she linked them again.

I heard a throat clearing voice from behind me and when I saw who the culprit was, I saw Sid, grinning at me, giving me a look that said "dude, you're so dead."

"Sakshi, how many times do I have to ask you to be in limits and maintain a professional relationship?" I said, freeing my arms again from her.

"I am maintaining a professional relationship," she said, shrugging.

"Oh, let me remind you, calling someone 'baby' who isn't your boyfriend is wrong. Moreover, even if he's your boyfriend, you should maintain some decorum as we're in the office, "Kriti spat at her.

"Oh, you're here as well," Sakshi said, smirking and then looking at her.

"Yes, I am here," Kriti said, glaring at her.

"Why are these two trainees coming with you guys?" she asked me.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"I mean I saw you both today in the parking lot, getting out of your car with these two girls. I must say they're quite smart for their age. It's only been like two months and they've already wrapped you both around their little fingers," she explained.

Before I could retort, she asked the girls, "I very well know girls like you both. Warming your managers' bed to get attention and promotion. "

"And you, I know you're the heiress of the Singh empire, but why do you have to spread your legs for anyone?" she continued, looking at Kriti. "You already have everything right? "

Before I could say anything, Kriti burst out "How dare you say anything against me?"

"Sakshi, that's enough. You don't have any right to say anything to her, "Sid said, coming to her rescue.

"Oh my my, you've literally wrapped him around your little finger haven't you?" Sakshi said, smirking at Kriti.

When I looked at Siya, she had her head bowed down but I heard her sniffing.

"Enough Sakshi, don't you dare utter a single word against them. I've warned you before as well, not to bother these girls, but it seems you act deaf when it comes to listening to my warnings. I've asked you to maintain a proper distance from them but you don't seem to listen. Do you want me to complain against you to the HR for using such filthy language for my trainees? " I shouted at her.

Going to Siya, I wrapped my hands around her shoulders to soothe her, but when she looked up at me, my heart broke seeing her in tears.

I'm not going to spare you Sakshi.

"How dare you try to degrade someone's reputation like this Sakshi" I roared.

She flinched a little but then she said "Akash, you're screaming at me, and for whom? This... this filth? "

"I said enough Sakshi. I'll deal with you later "I said and took Siya with me.

Taking her to a secluded area, I made her sit on a bench and she obliged.

Wiping her tears, I said "don't cry baby."

"Akash... please... please believe... believe me, I didn't confess my love... love for you because you're my manager. I rea... really love you," she sniffed.

"I am not a gold digger" she cried again.

"I know baby, you're anything but a gold digger. Please don't cry "I said and she kept her head on my shoulders.

When her sobs died down, I said "Please don't think about whatever she said. You're strong enough to face people like her alone. Her words shouldn't affect you at all. Remember Siya, there are many people in this world who'll try to degrade you and bring you down with their words, just because they're jealous of you because you're better than them. "

"Don't let their words get to your head. It'll only show how weak you're which you're not. Just trust yourself Siya, have confidence in yourself. You can face anything alone. Moreover, you've got me now. If you need anybody's support, you'll always find me, right beside you, "I said.

She looked at me and said "you... you think I can face her?"

"Of course you can. You don't know how strong you're, but I know you well, even more than you know yourself. Just trust yourself Siya. Did you forget, you answered her back when she was bad mouthing Kriti at lunch once? " I asked her and she nodded.

"You need to do the same baby, but this time not to defend Kriti but to defend yourself. I am sure you can do it, "I said, giving her hands a gentle squeeze to assure her.

She gave me a small smile and said "thank you Akash."

"Anytime, my love" I said and kissed her forehead.

I then heard a throat clearing and when I saw past Siya, I saw Sid and Kriti standing there.

"If you love birds are done, can we go now? I don't want to be late or my boss will slaughter me, "she said and glared at Sid.

He just rolled his eyes and taking Siya's hands in mine, we went to the training hall.

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