Kashinath’s pov!

I wrapped my arms around Arohi and pulled her closer.

She was shivering in my embrace.

“Oh God! He is going to kill us. He has a gun,” she cried hysterically and cocooned Mia in her embrace, as though shielding her from the potential danger.

That blatantly protective stance of her regarding my daughter made something in me swell.

“Nobody is going to hurt you, Arohi. Not under my watch.” I vowed fiercely and looked around, trying to spot what had rattled Arohi to this extent.

As I spotted Rocco hurrying towards us, I thundered at him to find the man with the gun. Surprisingly, a moment later, Arohi pulled away from me and looked downright awkward.

And then she explained the reason.

Bloody hell! She got scared seeing Rocco. 

I accused her of scaring my daughter, but in effect it was me who got scared seeing her getting frantic.

A weird surge of protectiveness had rushed through my veins as I thought Arohi was in some kind of danger.

I have only ever felt protective of two people in my life.

One is my daughter. And the other is my mother.

I have never once felt that kind of protectiveness towards any other woman. Not even the women with whom I have been involved with.

And this chit of a girl, whose existence I wasn’t aware of until three days ago, managed to bring that feeling in me.

And I hated it. And I hated her for it.

At that moment, Rocco’s phone rang. He picked it up, spoke for a moment and extended the phone towards me.

“It’s Mr Salar.” Rocco said.

“Yes, Alok. Is it ready?” I asked, wanting to know if the contract is ready.

“No. I haven’t gotten to it.” Stravos said and I frowned. It is not like Alok to lag behind in work.

So, I waited for him to explain.

“There is another issue. Mr Brahma backed out from the sale.” Alok said and I cursed under my breath, keeping in mind the fact that my underage daughter is right next to me.

“What the hell! How can he do that? Why does it all happen at once?” I groaned furiously.

“Let's talk in person, Nath. Will you be able to get back to Rome for a while?” Stravos asked.

“Yes. I will be there in an hour.” I bit out and hung up the call.

“Get the pilots and the chopper ready.” I ordered Rocco and he immediately left to fulfil my orders.

I saw that Mia was now out of water, all wiped and wrapped in a thick towel.

Arohi was frowning at me in displeasure.

“Mia, sweetie, get inside. And ask Mrs Patel to get us all something hot to drink.” Arohi said and Mia rushed inside the house.

“Where are you going?” Arohi asked, as soon as Mia was out of earshot.

“Are you my wife, Miss Sharma?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“No,” she said, making a face, as though she couldn’t think of a worse fate than that.

Haa! As if I would believe that. 

“My girlfriend?” I asked again.

“No,” she said, frowning.

“I wouldn’t have answered that question if you were either my wife or girlfriend. What makes you think that I would answer you, a mere employee of mine?” I asked sarcastically.

Her spine stiffened and chin lifted in defiance.

“I was only asking, keeping Mia in mind, Mr Agnivanshi. She has just started warming up to you and you leaving her behind won’t do any good for the progress. As it is, it is none of my business.” Arohi said and stepped aside to walk away.

But I quickly held her arms to stop her.

“Let go, Mr Agnivanshi.” She said curtly.

“I need to attend an important business deal. It is absolutely important. I wouldn’t have gone otherwise. I will be returning tonight itself.” I bit out grudgingly..

Damn Agnivanshi! Why the hell are you explaining it to her?

She simply shrugged and walked away.

I quickly got ready in my suit and left the cottage after bidding a bye to my daughter, who simply ignored my gesture.

I took a deep sigh as I settled myself in the chopper. I was making little progress with Mia and Mr Brahma had to act out right at this moment. The old man has been driving me crazy with his traditional views and beliefs for a while now.

****

“Alok. What is it? Why the hell did he back out now?” I asked, as soon as I took a seat across Alok in his office.

“The news of Mia reached his ears.” Alok said.

“How does it even matter to him?” I asked in frustration.

“He is saying he does not want to sell his property to someone who couldn’t step up and make an honest woman out of his child’s mother.” Alok said.

“What!” I snapped in disbelief

“We had managed to keep the news of the court case out of his knowledge, but somehow it reached his ears. He now knows you are a father and that you have done nothing to make your child legitimate.” Alok said. 

“In which generation is he living?” I asked rhetorically.

“You know him. His thoughts and beliefs are as outdated as him.” Alok said.

“Fu*king great!” I muttered under my breath.

“The senior Maitras are in the scene now.” Alok said wearily.

“Great! That was the only thing lacking.” I said furiously.

“Well, we can’t blame them either. They looked after the child for the past four years. The child is quite attached to them too. It ought to happen.” Alok said.

“What attachment. It is all part of their revenge. For something that happened decades ago.” I said furiously.

“Well, we can’t argue that point in court, Nath. It will only have a negative impact on your side. The court can very well give custody back to the grandparents.” Alok said.

“Is there a single solution for all this?” I asked wearily.

“Get married.”

*****

Arohi’s pov!

It has been a couple of days since Kashinath left for Delhi. Before leaving, he had given the impression that he would be returning the same night!

But he didn't. He phoned at the cottage and talked to Mrs Patel, informing her about his delay in return.

The bloody arrogant man didn't even bother to let me know about it.

Okay! Why should he tell you anything? As he very clearly pointed out, you are neither his wife nor his girlfriend, a voice inside my head taunted sarcastically. 

Well! It's not about me. He had given me the responsibility of his daughter. So, being a responsible father, he should have let me know about the whereabouts of when he will be meeting his daughter again, I argued back to my alter ego, who is hell bent on irritating me for the last couple of days.

It all started from that pool.

The way he wrapped me in his protective embrace. I have never felt that safe before.

No one had ever made me feel safe like that!

"God! Arohi, stop thinking about him. He is your employer." I told myself, glaring into my mirror image.

The last thing I need is an inconvenient crush on my boss!

Well, I am known for my short lived celebrity crushes, and from what I have read about Kashinath in the tabloids, Kashinath Agnivanshi is definitely a celebrity.

This too will pass, just like the others. 

I tried to convince myself, but I very well knew it was an outright lie.

The crushes I have had before were all simple. I just used to ogle at their pictures in the tabloids.

Never have I ever felt so aware of someone before.

"Ugghh!! You are again thinking of him, Arohi Sharma. You gotta stop it." I told myself furiously. 

There was a gentle knock on the door. I opened it to find Mia standing there, holding her favourite soft toy in her arms. It was a worn out bunny, but she wouldn't give it up.

"You didn't sleep, darling? I thought you did." I said softly. I had just come back to my bedroom a little while ago, after reading her a bedtime story.

"I couldn't sleep. Can I sleep with you, Roohi aunty?" She asked, looking worriedly at me.

She is worried I would deny her.  My heart went out to her. How many times had I wished to sleep cuddling someone. I never had someone to cuddle me to sleep.

"Of course, sweetie. Come inside." I said and urged her towards my bed.

It was a queen sized bed, big enough to hold the three of us.

I helped her to my bed and covered her with the duvet.

"Sleep, darling. I will change into my night wear and come now." I told her and she nodded her head, still not closing her eyes.

She wouldn't sleep until I lay down with her, it seems.

I quickly changed into shorts and a loose tee shirt, discarding my bra and panties. I hate to sleep wearing my undies.

As I lay next to her, Mia cuddled close to me.

How the hell did we get attached to each other so quickly!

Is that even possible?

My case, I can understand. I am a sucker for emotions. All the love denied to me, I am more than willing to give it to the needy.

But Mia? How did she get attached to me like that?

"Isha wouldn't let me cuddle with her." Mia said softly.

I frowned upon hearing that. This is the first time she is telling me something, without me asking.

"Who is Isha?" I asked curiously.

"My mother," Mia said.

"Why do you call her by name? You should call her momma." I said softly.

I have never had the chance or fortune to call someone momma.

"She doesn't like me calling her momma. She says it makes her feel old." Mia said casually.

Oh dear! How could someone say that to their own child?

"That's okay. Isha is a pretty cool name, don't you think so? Maybe that's why she likes being called by her name." I said, trying to change the topic.

She simply hummed.

"What do you want to eat tomorrow?" I asked cheerfully. 

"Can we do the baking tomorrow too?" She asked excitedly.

Today, we baked some pudding and she thoroughly enjoyed the baking process. She even told me she would become like me when she grows up. 

"Of course, darling. We can make some pies for you. We can give it to your papa once he comes home." I said, expertly injecting her papa into our conversation. 

She fell silent.

"Papa would love it. I know." I said. 

"He is a bad man." Mia said softly.

Oh dear! Whatever flaws Kashinath has, he is a father who loves his daughter very much. It was easy to see even for a blind person.

Why does Mia think so?

"Maybe he is not that bad. He played with us in the pool, remember? He also bought toys for you to play in the pool." I said, belatedly noticing the toys Rocco, the man in black, had brought in that day.

Rocco had later informed me that those toys were ordered by Mr Agnivanshi for his daughter. 

Mia was still silent.

"Maybe we could just give him a smile when he comes home." I said softly, encouraging her to warm up to her father.

"I have to?" Mia asked, frowning.

"Mia is a good girl. So, Mia should be nice to everyone" I said and she nodded reluctantly. 

Well! Enough for the day!

A smile is definitely a start!

"Now, go to sleep. We will go for a walk in the morning." I told her. 

After she slept, I lied there, thinking about Kashinath.

He seems to have occupied all my thoughts, however much I tried, I couldn't stop.

I don't know when I fell asleep, but the next time I opened my eyes, it was a little after midnight and someone was impatiently knocking on my door.

Who the hell is it??