—Recapitulation—

VIVAAN'S P.O.V.

~~~~~Earlier that day~~~~~

Today is a very important day, I am finally taking over one of the biggest companies in New York. Jenkins is no small name, it took me my fair share of struggle to buy this company.

Mr. Jenkins is a stubborn man but well broke. It took many rounds of negotiations to make him sell his company to me. I was getting ready when my phone rang, the screen flashed my father's name..not him again!

"Good morning, son." His voice was too calm for my liking.

"Good morning, dad." I replied as calmly as I could, I don't want to pick a fight with him today.

"So, I heard you are taking over Jenkins today, finally. I hope you know this is a big chance for you to expand our family business and name." I listened to him as I started walking towards the elevator, while he continued giving me lectures.

"Well yes, I am aware of that. Now, if you don't mind getting straight to the point." He never called me for nothing, he always has some motive. I could sense it, this was a strong one.

"I want you to find Ruchi, my sources told me she is somewhere in New York, find her, convince her and marry her." He ordered me like I was his pet dog, who will bring back the Frisbee thrown at him. Only the fact is, I stopped being his pet puppy a long time ago.

"Well, no. Get over the fact there is not going to be a marriage now." I was always against this stupid arrangement. I value my freedom and free lifestyle more than anything.

"This is not a way to talk to your father, young man!" He shouted and in the background, I could hear my mother telling him to calm down. I respect my father, but his decision of binding me in a marriage with a girl I never met is too much for me to handle and accept. What is this the 17th century? Whatever happened to consent and all? It's not just a 21st century concept for feminists, I hope.

"Dad," I said calmly and continued "Today, it is a new beginning for our company, that marriage arrangement is over. You get over it too." I said and hung up. I didn't want to argue any further. 

Now that I think, I owe Ms. Shah big time. By running away she actually made my life a lot easier. But, it was also a big blow to my ego. Nobody ever rejected me like that but she did, not only that but she also kicked me and almost damaged my manhood.

When I met her at the airport that fateful day, I was surprised. The moment I collided with her, she struck me as quite beautiful. But the moment she opened her mouth, I knew she has more brain than beauty and more than anything she was a certified troublemaker.

I did not have any idea about who she was unless she dropped her passport. I won't lie, I was shocked and well amazed. She had guts. But the fact, that her running away meant rejection infuriated me. I wanted to talk to her, but she did the unexpected when she kicked me hard in the balls. It was the worst pain I've ever experienced. I was groaning in pain and just like that she was gone.

Of course, the wedding was called off, much to my relief. But I still didn't feel as happy as I expected myself to be. I felt a feeling of loss, a feeling of rejection which was eating me from inside. And of course the guilt.. for what? I don't know.

Maybe it was because of the hurt her parents and mine has to go through. I could have stopped her at the airport to talk and spare everyone the embarrassment, but I was never interested in this marriage or in whatever the hell any of our parents thought. 

But her running away still disappointed me. It irritated me to no end. Somehow, I deserved that, I gave my parents a hard time, refusing to participate in traditional customs, only arriving an hour or two before the wedding, but still my ego did not deserve that.

I will be honest, I expected my ex-bride-to-be to be an obedient, naive, ordinary Indian girl. Only if I knew what I was to deal with, I for sure would have shown more interest in marrying her or at least, in getting to know her a bit. Talking to her would have definitely spared everyone a lot of trouble.

My train of thoughts was broken when Jai greeted me the moment I exited the elevator. He is not only my bodyguard but also my friend and personal trainer. This guy is a bulldozer always ready to kick butts. Kicked mine too, more than once.

I slip into the backseat of my Audi and made my way towards the new company I had recently acquired. I was quite excited. I have long known that employees at Jenkins were hand-picked carefully. They are some of the finest minds one could find in New York. I was jumping with joy at the prospect of working with them. Jenkins literally gave me a gold mine here. Through this acquisition, I have struck gold.

The moment I entered the building of Jenkins Enterprises. I received a warm welcome from all the staff members. I had a two-minute introductory session with each one of them and in that time I realized, indeed, they were the creamy layers of their respective fields. 

One of the employees from the HR Department was not present and on inquiring from Axel Anderson, head of the said department, guess what I learnt? The late employee was none other than Ms. Shah.

Ruchi Shah...and my father asked me to find her...

I was surprised, who wouldn't be, honestly? Things are unexpected when it comes to her. I asked Anderson to send her to my office whenever she will arrive, the colour drained from his face as if I fired him. Seems like he is quite attached to this particular employee of his.

I made my way to the top floor where my office was, Jai followed suit. I got out of the elevator and saw a girl wearing a black mini skirt and white shirt with a plunging neckline. Was she there downstair when I was doing introductions? Must be. It was like she sensed my confusion.

"Good Morning, Mr. Kapoor! I am Candice Miller, your P.A!" She smiled seductively at me with those bright, blinding red lips and batted those probably fake long eyelashes at me. She started walking towards me, she was wearing a very strong perfume, a cheap one. 

"I have your appointments for today..." She trailed off, giving me what I can guess her creepiest smile. 

I looked at her and then at Jai. I started walking towards my office, without another word.

"Ms. Miller, I am sorry but you are fired." I heard Jack's firm voice from outside as I settled on my new seat. I want employees in my office, not harlots.

I looked around, I had this whole office renovated according to my liking, I for sure might do that to this whole building too. The whole place is just too white and bland.

I turned around in my chair and looked out of the full-length glass window, I had specially ordered to be constructed. I couldn't help but stare at the beautiful view of New York. I felt like I was on top of the world. And I will be, soon enough.

I was staring at the view when someone knocked on the door, four knocks, which was quite strange.

 "Come in," I said. There was no sound for a good one minute, I could feel someone staring at my back. I decided to break the silence.

The voice, I heard in return made me alert suddenly. I was shook.

It was her.

For the first time, I heard her voice attentively, it was a combination of sweet and sexy. Best that I've ever heard from anyone. Only if that P.A. could have managed that.

 I turned around to finally look at her, and it blew my mind away. She was not beautiful...she was gorgeous in a very professional kind of way. Absolutely breath-taking. Wait really, what the hell? I am not supposed to appreciate her looks right now, am I?

No. 

Yeah, that's what I thought too.

Her expressions were of extreme shock and panic. I don't blame her, it is not every day you find out that your boss is the man you kicked in the balls or that he is your ex-fiance. I thought she was shocked, but her replies stated otherwise.

She was fierce, not at all scared. And unaware of who I really was. I was amused when I realized she doesn't know who I really am. 

I was angry no, I was infuriated! She was all clueless! I was surprised by her ignorance. And most of all the way she looked so innocent. She had no idea about the havoc she had wrecked in my life.

Her running away ruined a few bits of my reputation, to be honest. The newspapers and paparazzi pestered me with their articles and questions for a month. They were having a field day while I was busy evading that field.

Many people perceive me as cold, and maybe I am. But I am not the kind to lose my temper easily, but seeing her looking this innocent blew my top off. She was a malevolent creature who did not deserve the pleasure of ignorance and innocence.

I expected her to be shocked by my revelation, but what I never expected from her, was that she will literally just blackout. The moment she read my name on the nameplate, she fell unconscious, almost hitting that pretty face hard on the floor, only if I didn't catch her in time.

From close, she looked like an Angel, but I was very well aware of Satan in the disguise.

I lifted her in my arms and placed her on the couch. Now, what the hell am I supposed to do? Call someone? No, what will I explain to them? Wake her up? But what if she fell unconscious again? Or she kicked me again? That would be very painful.

She looked quite peaceful, only if she was like that when was awake.

Why did she even faint like this? Is she sick...or worse, pregnant?!

Did she run away because she was already having an affair? Was Axel the guy who she is having an affair with? He was quite fond of her, that I could see. If she ran away because she was already having an affair, she is definitely going to pay for it. 

But I can't reach a conclusion just like that. A little research needs to be done.

But in the meantime, what the hell am I going to do with this unconscious trouble? I decided to let her be on her own. She will wake up eventually. I was full of mixed emotions towards her. I was feeling many things but one the most prominent was rage.

At that very moment, I decided that this is going to be her last peaceful nap because after today I am going to make this running bride's life a living hell!

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Ok..so probably you guys will throw tomatoes and eggs on me. But, well if you do that all I am going to do is to make an omelette with that :P

I wrote this part 3 times before finally publishing it, and I am not exactly very happy with it but with loads of homework this was all I could get out of my brain.

Now...so what do you think is going to be happen with Ruchi? Since someone decided to make her life a hell?

The characters might sound confusing now, but it will all become normal in future.

Please do vote and comment! It will mean a lot to me. :D

And if by chance you are super nice, do have look at my other stories too

"I killed him..for good" (Short story) and "The Girl He Saved" :)

Thanks a lot!

Lot's of Love! 

P.S. Unedited Chapter.