Slanting a sidelong glance at Madhu, Rishabh smiles sardonically. He shrugs his shoulders and casually states, "I assure you, I am not kidding at all. Admit it, the idea of us getting married has its merits." He holds up his hand and interjects quickly as Madhu opens her mouth to rebuke him, "And the marriage doesn't even have to be permanent. You get to save your reputation and peacefully retain your new position and I don't have to deal with the hassle of explaining away the pictures and not to mention the shit I am going to get from my family. I just inherited my father's business and I would much rather they not question my decisions based on our carelessness last night. After a year of marriage, we will quietly part ways amicably. It's a win-win for both of us." He adds smooth, "And I will of course pay for all the legal fees along with settling an amount that both of us will find acceptable for you to play the charade as my wife for the year. It's a rather simple business transaction really, one that will be profitable for both of us."

Madhu chews on her lips thoughtfully. Rishabh has caught her attention with the mention of a settlement for the marriage of convenience he is propositioning. She hates to admit but his rationale to go forth with the marriage has merits. Madhu gives Rishabh an assessing glance as she contemplates the pros and cons of getting into a business arrangement that has the potential to create major complications in their lives. She does not wish to be sleeping with the enemy; not that Rishabh is her enemy and she is contemplating having sex with him! It would be marriage, granted it would be more of a business arrangement, but it would be natural for sex to get into the equation. And as with everything, sex will complicate their strict business relationship.

Madhu notches her chin upwards determinedly as she glances up and finally meets Rishabh's bemused eyes after much deliberation. Her forehead furrowed into a frown, she declares, "Alright. I will marry you."

Rishabh smiles knowingly, his eyes beaming with satisfaction. He gingerly picks up Madhu's right hand and bends his head and kisses the back of her hand softly. He pulls back up slightly and brings his lips to her ear, brushing against her skin in a deliberate, feather like touch as he whispers, "I knew you would agree. I can have my lawyer draw up a contract today and arrange for us to get married tomorrow in a quick, quiet ceremony."

Madhu wrenches her hand away from Rishabh and steps back. Quirking her brows, she holds up her palms and interrupts, "Hold your horse Mr. Kundra before you go too far. I did say I will marry you BUT only if you agree to my stipulations. I must insist on setting down some rules that WE MUST follow for this proposed business arrangement of ours to be successful. If you are willing to agree to them, then and ONLY then will I marry you."

Rishabh stares down at Madhu thoughtfully. With absolute certainly, he knows she is about to set down rules that would prohibit him from doing husbandly things with her, like having sex. He quickly assesses the situation and decides, despite his reservations, to listen and agree to her terms. Plus, he knows if it needs be in the future, he can always work around the stipulations. He smiles lazily, after all, where there's a will, there's a way. And one way or another, Rishabh knows that he can use his charm to easily make Madhu forget her beloved rules.

Madhu glares at smiling Rishabh and snaps, "And why are you smiling like an idiot, may I ask? I am very serious about setting down some rules and if you can't take it seriously then we don't need to go any further."

With difficulty, Rishabh wipes the smile off his face and solemnly says, "I am ready to hear your conditions."

Madhu nods her head in satisfaction and holds up her index finger, "Rule number one - as this will be a marriage strictly for business, you and I will not share a normal husband/wife relationship. As in, we will NOT have sex. It would be better for both of us to not add sex to the equation which would make it much more difficult to dissolve the marriage in the future."

Rishabh's lips twitch, his eyes gleaming in secret amusement. He has no intention of following this rule because whether Madhu likes it or not, they are undeniably attracted to each other. And unlike her, he has no plans to fight that attraction. He would have to persuade her after marriage to forget this rule but for now he will agree to it. He nods his head in agreement, "As much as I dislike this rule and the logic behind it, I will accept it. What else do you have in mind?"

Madhu exhales a breath of relief, not realizing she was holding it in nervous anticipation. She smiles widely, knowing that Rishabh had agreed to her first rule, the rest will be smooth sailing. Schooling her face to look serious, she holds up her middle finger and continues, "Rule number two - You have no say in my personal finances. How I choose to make and spend my money is my business and my business alone. Since we won't be sharing a typical husband/wife relationship, I don't need you to question me like a typical husband. Do you accept?"

Rishabh chuckles, the corner of his eyes crinkles with laughter. He nods his head in agreement, "I wouldn't dare try to curb a lady's spending habits. I have sisters and from personal experience, to even attempt to take on such a noble cause, is to be in mortal danger. Don't worry, I won't put you in a budget and demand to know how you spend your money. You have my acceptance. Do you have anymore?"

She purses her lips thoughtfully, drawing a blank as to what else she can list as part of her rules. Putting her erratic thoughts into coherence, Madhu continues, "Rule number three - It's more encompassing than the previous too. You are not, in under any circumstances, to be bossy with me or even expect me to behave like a typical wife. You can't tell me what to do, what to wear, who to be friends with, etcetera. Also do not expect me to cook, I don't have time to prepare a five course meal every day. Don't expect me to clean. Again, I just don't have the time for it, so expect to see a few stray clothing here and there as I try to figure out what to wear last minute. I won't tolerate you asking me to clean up and do shit for you, especially since you have servants to take care of your needs. Kapish?"

Rishabh frowns, the thought of his spic span clean room being littered with clothes is already giving him nightmares. He does not have OCD, but he feels an itch to fix anything that is out of order. An unclean room is unfathomable. Sighing in defeat, he states, "I understand that you are slovenly..."

Madhu interrupts in outrage, "I am not slovenly! I just simply, occasionally, discard my clothes on the floor. I pick them up...eventually. But really, that's no cause for concern."

Rishabh continue with a world weary sigh, "As I said, I understand that you are slovenly and it's not your fault that you don't like to use your hands to immediately fix your mess. It's okay. I won't complain. But I do reserve the right to clean up any mess that you may create in our room. If you agree to it, then I will accept your 3rd rule as well."

Madhu tilts her head to the side and gives Rishabh a long, assessing glance. Her eyes widen as she comes to a conclusion. Grinning widely, she asks, "You have OCD, don't you?"

Rishabh frowns and denies, "No I don't. I just simply like things in order. That's all."

Madhu nods her head and giggles, "Yes, just as I thought. You have OCD. Thank you for this very handy information, now I exactly how to irritate you."

Ignoring the urge to strangle her, Rishabh frowns ferociously and snaps, "If you are done laughing like a loon, please let me know, do you accept my amendment to your rule?"

Swallowing her laughter, she nods her head solemnly, "I accept. Since I wouldn't want you to expire from..." continues with a laugh "my uncleanliness, you may clean up after me as long as you don't make it too obvious, make a pointed remark and worse expect me to help."

Rishabh ignores her amusement and nods his head in assent, "Then I also accept your 3rd rule. I hope, for the sake of my sanity, that was the last one?"

Madhu nods her head with a slight smile, "I have no more stipulations. As you agreed to all of rules, I will marry you." She warns, "And just so you have any ideas of weaseling your way out of it, I expect these rules to be on the contract. You can't pull one over me, Mister!"

He laughs exaltingly and pulls her closer. Rishabh lowers his head and says in a low voice, "Since I have no ring with me, at present time, to give to you as a seal of the deal we just brokered. I think we should seal it with a kiss. Hmm...don't you think...Madhubala?"

Madhu stares up into his smoldering eyes, inexplicably drawn to the molten pools that promises heaven. Unwillingly she inches up close to his lips and whispers, "You are already breaking the first rule Mr. Kundra."

His hot, tantalizing breath caresses her soft lips as he hovers a mere fraction above hers. He wraps an arm tightly around her waist, bringing her in closer contact with his semi-aroused body as the other cups her face. His thumb caresses the outline of her lips as he demands huskily, "Rishabh. My name is Rishabh. I want to hear you say it. Say my name, Rishabh. R-I-S-H-A-B-H."

Snaking her arms around his neck, Madhu tilts her head in a silent invitation to Rishabh to invade her lips, "I really don't think this is a good idea...Rishabh."

He smiles lazily and brushes his lips against hers in a soft, velvety touch. Risahbh whispers, "Beautiful. I love to hear my name on your lips. As for the rule, it only stipulates no sex. Since you didn't think to prohibit my touching and kissing you, I will most definitely kiss you sweetheart. Not just today but every single day that we are married. And you will beg for it. That's Rishabh Kundra's promise."

Before she can voice any protest, Rishabh swoops down and captures Madhu's lips for a searing kiss, full of said and unsaid promises, sealing their new relationship.