Kashinath’s pov!

“Are you Rapunzel?” Mia asked, looking at Arohi in fascination.

Who the fu*king hell is Rapunzel?

“Huh?” Arohi, it seems, is equally confused by Mia’s query.

Mia gently touched Arohi’s face and I had to will myself not to do the same. She then pointed at Arohi’s emerald green eyes.

Arohi’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Mia. Guess she figured out who this Rapunzel is.

“Let this be our secret. I don’t want anyone to find me.” Arohi said in a loud dramatic whisper.

“Are you hiding from the sorceress here?” Mia asked back

“Yes. I was tired of the tower. I wanted to live in the land. So I ran away.” Arohi said, in another stage whisper.

I flicked my head, indicating Shyamala and Bhuvan to get back to their work.

I watched as Arohi and Mia conversed in dramatic whispers about some Prince Flynn. Arohi was gushing over how handsome this Flynn is.

What the ever loving fu*k?

“Can I also meet Prince Flynn?” Mia asked shyly.

Is my little girl blushing? Dear God!

Who the hell is this Prince Flynn that is making both Arohi and Mia swoon.

“Are you hungry, sweetie?” I heard Arohi asking Mia.

Mia nodded, her head bobbing up and down, making her black curls jiggle.

She looked darn cute and I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face.

“Okay. I have made cookies for you. You can have them with your milk.” Arohi said.

“I love cookies. Nani always makes cookies for me.” Mia exclaimed in joy.

“Why don’t you go brush your teeth first. We can have breakfast after that.” Arohi said and helped Mia out of the bed.

Mia stood, looking around, wondering where the restroom was.

“It is outside,” I said, pointing at the restroom next to her bedroom.

She walked out, without even looking at me. 

After making sure that Mia is out of hearing shot, I turned my furious glare in the direction of the woman in front of me.

“What?” She asked defiantly.

“What the hell were you telling her? Are you taking advantage of the situation, Ms Sharma? How dare you tell her that I am a rude and mean man.” I asked.

“I didn't say you are mean. It is very appreciable that you are self aware of that flaw in you,” she said sarcastically.

“Ms Sharma, do not mess with me.” I said in a warning tone.

She took a deep breath and looked me straight in the eyes.

“Mr Agnivanshi, if you haven’t noticed yet, let me spell it out for you. The child isn’t very happy with your presence around you. That is polite me speaking, mind you. So, if I tell her something nice about you, she will probably enemy zone me too. And then I will not be able to reach out to her. I hope you understand what I am talking about.” She said defiantly and I had to admit, it makes sense.

“Fine,” I bit out.

“Who is she to you?” She asked.

“None of  your business, Ms Sharma.” I said through clenched teeth.

“Goodness! I have never seen someone as arrogant and rude as you. You want my help and yet you are saying it is none of my business. Fine. Have it your way then,” she said, her eyes flashing fire at me.

Good God! Her eyes have turned into a dark forest green. It makes me want to pull her into my arms, and then kiss her hard and fast.

“And I hope to god that she doesn’t ever realise that you are ashamed to reveal your relationship to her.” Arohi said and was about to walk out, when I held her hand in a tight grip.

“What do you mean by that, Ms Sharma? I am not ashamed of my relationship with her.” I bit out angrily.

“Really? Then why are you hesitant in revealing your relationship? Don’t let her feel that she is unwanted,” she bit out passionately.

The words were straight out of her heart.

Why is she being so emotional now?

“Mia is my daughter.” I said and walked out without giving her any more explanations.

Because I don’t owe her any bloody explanations!

******

Arohi’s pov!

“Mia is my daughter,” he said and walked out without saying another word.

His daughter?

From what Mrs Patel said, he is definitely not married. Which would make Mia his illegitimate child! A child out of wedlock?

I shook my head to dispel the unwanted thoughts, when I saw Mia coming.

How does it matter to me if Mia is legitimate or not?

She is a cute little girl and that’s all that matters.

“Can I have my cookies now?” Mia asked sweetly.

She looks so different now. No one will guess that she is the same person who was throwing tantrums and bringing the house down hardly an hour ago.

“Of course, sweetie. Let’s go and see if the cookies are ready.” I said and took her little arms and wound it around mine, and walked her towards the kitchen.

Kashinath was nowhere to be seen!

Well he can take his arrogant a** and go to hell for all I care.

Once the breakfast was done, I moved to my bedroom to get ready for the day.

”””””

As I walked out, all set for a day out, Kashinath appeared in front of me, blocking my way.

“Come out to the patio,” he ordered and turned around to walk away, but I stopped him by snapping my fingers.

He turned around and looked at me in disbelief.

“Did you just snap your fingers at me?” He asked coldly.

“I did,” I said, shrugging casually.

“This insolence of yours will cost you very much one day soon, Miss Sharma,” he said in a low and cold voice, which chilled me to the core.

“I don’t like being ordered around, Mr Agnivanshi. Especially when I am not on duty.” I pointed out, reminding him that I am his employee only from six in the evening to six in the morning.

“I want you to be my daughter’s companion for the time being you are here,” he said, again in that authoritative tone, which annoys me greatly.

******

Arohi's pov!

“I want you to be my daughter’s companion for the time being you are here” he said, again in that authoritative tone, which annoys me greatly.

“Sorry, I already have a job now.” I said.

“I will pay you triple the salary you are being paid now,” he said and that made me pause.

Triple the salary means my savings will be growing soon and I can open my cafe sooner.

And it is no hardship to be the companion of a sweet little girl.

Again, it is a win-win situation for me.

“Quad the salary.”

"Fine," I said and immediately regretted it when I saw that arrogant smirk on his face. 

"Everyone has a price, Miss Sharma," he said in that all knowing tone of his.

"The price you are offering is not a charity, Mr Agnivanshi. You are offering it so that I would be your daughter's companion. Something you are not capable of being, I am sure. Because you and I both know, she will not appreciate it." I said tartly, and immediately regretted seeing him freezing.

Okay Arohi! You gotta get a grip on that loose tongue of yours.

Whatever the equation between the man and his child, it is none of your business.

"I apologise. I shouldn't have said that. It is none of my business." I said.

That is one thing I find good in myself. If I find myself in the wrong, I can never sleep peacefully until I apologise.

He seemed very surprised at my apology.

"Uh! You will have to sign a confidentiality contract. If you think you could tip off some third grade paparazzi about this-" he was saying and I didn't let him finish his sentence. 

"Okay. I get it. You have trust issues. You don't have to prove it in each and every sentence you speak" I said, throwing up my arms in defeat.

Like seriously!

"Miss Sharma, I don't like being interrupted while I speak," he said coldly.

"Too bad! I can't stand listening to rubbish like this on a daily basis. So, please refrain from it, if you don't like being interfered with." I said airily.

Before I knew what was happening, I was pinned to the wall, and he was pressing himself against me.

I was too shocked to react for a moment. All I could do was stare at him in astonishment. 

"Miss Sharma. I have warned you many times. I am a very dangerous man. It would do you some good, if you could keep yourself in check," he said, his hand wound around me in a tight grip.

"Let me go," I said as I tried to wriggle out of his hold.

But he was too strong for me.

His eyes were dark as it stared into mine.

I felt my heart beat picking up its pace.

Instead of the revulsion I was supposed to feel, a weird kind of excitement filled inside me.

Kashinath's pov!

All I wanted was to scare her. Like last time.

And now I am fu*king turned on. Like last time.

Goodness! What is it with this woman? I can't control my reactions to her.

If someone had talked to me the way she talks, I would have destroyed them at the snap of a finger.

For some reason, all her defiance and challenge is turning me on.

"Arohi," I whispered huskily as I pressed myself more into her, if it was even possible.

I could feel her chest moving up and down as she took deep and fast breaths.

Her nipples were hardened and I could feel them against my chest through her cotton top.

God! She was as turned on as me!

An information I could have lived without. 

My eyes darted from her eyes to her lips and again to her eyes.

Her lips parted in response and I leaned down a bit to take her lips in mine.

"Arohi? Are you there?" 

"Damn," I cursed under my breath and pulled myself away from her.

What the hell were you going to do, Kashinath Agnivanshi!

She is your bloody employee! A very complicated one at that, because she is going to look after Mia.

There is no way I can compromise this.

Arohi is the only person with whom I have seen Mia interact properly.

There is no way I can jeopardise it.

"Leave," I said coldly. 

She was staring at me in shock!

What an actress!

This must be her way of seducing me! Playing hard to get, to have my attention on her!!

Like hell!

She has got the wrong target.

"What are you staring at? Hoping for a repeat performance?" I asked sarcastically. 

"Don't ever touch me again, Mr Agnivanshi," she said, visibly composing herself.

"You were singing a very different song a while ago." I said, looking her up and down in a suggestive way.

"I was just too shocked," she said, defending herself.

I let out a sarcastic laugh at that.

"Try convincing yourself that," I said, not believing her one bit.

She looked at me furiously and pointed a finger at me.

"If you ever touch me again-" she was saying and I cut her off.

"Look at the proof of your arousal, Miss Sharma." I said and pointed at her hardened peaks making her gasp in outrage. Her arms flew across her chest, covering them from my sight.

Well! I must say, she should try her chance in Bollywood! Her acting is impeccable.

"You bloody pervert," she screamed at me and it made me laugh.

"If I was being a pervert, you should have just slapped me when I cornered you. I don't remember you doing that, Ms Sharma." I said.

"I said I was too shocked to react," she argued.

"How long did the shock last? What did you do after you realised what was happening? Because I seriously can't feel the sting of a slap on my cheek." I pointed out coldly.

Before she could respond to that, my phone rang. It was a call from Alok.

With a flick of my hand, I dismissed Arohi, ignoring the look of disbelief on her face.

I was very thankful for the call from Alok.

One more minute, I have no idea what I would have done.

I picked up the call on the second ring.

"Nath," Alok said in a grim tone and from his tone of voice, it was evident that whatever he is going to say is not welcome news.

"What is it?" I asked

"Bad news." Alok said and I cursed under my breath.