Chapter 118 Face-to-face Again
The manager thinks for a moment before replying, “No sir, Shivi has come, she is with mom. She’s not feeling well today. If you want, I can bring her to meet you? She’s been trying to come to your cabin repeatedly.”
I consider for a moment and say, “If her mom allows, bring her in.”
The manager nods and leaves. Soon, little Shivi arrives in the cabin, her innocence radiating as I take her into my arms. But today, she is less active than usual, so I get up from my chair and move closer. Seeing me, Shivi softly exclaims, “Hii.”
I gently hold her and ask with concern, “Cutie, are you not feeling well? Come, let me check on you.”
However, as soon as my eyes fall on Shivi’s round cheeks, I freeze. There’s a red mark on one cheek. Shocked, I ask, “Shivi, beta, what happened to you?”
In her tiny, stammering voice, Shivi quietly says, “Ma… Ma…”
I’m momentarily stunned and look toward the manager. He gives a slight smile and explains, “Sir, she’s very mischievous, so maybe her mom scolded her a little.”
My face tightens with anger. I grit my teeth and say firmly, “Send her mother here immediately! Right now!”
The manager nods and leaves the cabin. Shivi, in her little stammering voice, begins voicing a flood of complaints to me. But I sit with her patiently, slowly talking her through things. I apply ointment to her cheek, check her fever, and give her the children’s syrup.
Just then, there’s a knock at the cabin gate. Without looking at the gate, I glance outside toward the city and say, “Come in.”
I hear soft footsteps approaching. As someone enters the cabin, my voice rises with anger, “Don’t you have any manners? How dare you raise your hand at a child? Such a little girl!”
But when I turn around to continue, my words catch in my throat. I look up, stunned standing before me is a man whose mere presence stops my anger in its tracks. A mix of surprise, concern, and a hint of suspicion flashes in my eyes. His presence is so commanding that my heart skips a beat, leaving me frozen for a moment.
A quiet tension fills the cabin for a few moments. Riya stands in front of me, her eyes reflecting the same surprise and disbelief I’m trying to hide on my face. For a brief moment, time seems to stand still between us.
I speak softly, “Oh… so Shivi is your daughter?”
Riya lowers her head, her eyes moist with unshed tears. The pain, shame, and surprise she feels are all visible in her expression. My eyes are also slightly wet, but I don’t let it show. Silently, I think to myself, “I never imagined I would meet you like this… you’ve forgotten everything, and now your daughter.”
In her mind, Riya whispers, “Oh God… this is the owner here? How am I supposed to face him?”
I take a small step forward, a teasing glint in my eyes, and say with a faint smile, “Congratulations, Ms. Riya… you have a daughter too.”
Riya tries to compose herself and replies, “I had no idea this was your company… I’ll resign today, I’m sorry.”
I’m slightly annoyed but composed. “I won’t sign your resignation,” I say.
Riya looks at me silently, unsure of what to say. I hide a bit of frustration and ask, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your husband?”
Riya stays quiet. I add, with a teasing tone, “Oh, sorry. Maybe you’re married and your divorce isn’t even finalized yet.”
Riya answers, “I’m taking Shivi. I have a lot of work too.”
I gently grab her hand, a mix of affection and mild reprimand in my voice, “Why in such a hurry? I haven’t even had a proper conversation with you, my wifey.”
Then, more seriously, I ask, “By the way… tell me, who is the father of this daughter of yours?”
Riya remains silent. I smile faintly, teasing, “Oh, sorry, I forgot. You’ve been… sleep with so many people, you probably don’t even remember who the father is.”
Riya snaps angrily, “Karan…!”
I hold her hand a little tighter, a warning in my voice, “Lower your voice, or no one will be worse than me.”
Riya, fuming, asks, “Did you call me here just to insult me?”
I reply calmly, “Absolutely not. I only called Shivi’s mom to find out why she had scolded this little mischief so harshly. But who knew my old love would turn out to be her mother.”
Riya keeps her head lowered, saying nothing. Shivi sits on the sofa, glancing now at me, now at her mother, confused and unsure of what is happening.
I lift Shivi into my arms and ask gently, “Do you know, doll, how cunning, deceitful, and characterless your mom is?”
A hint of fear flickers in Shivi’s innocent eyes, but the mix of Karan’s stern demeanor and anger keeps her quiet.
Riya, furious, steps forward and in a sharp tone says, “Watch your words! And give me back my daughter.”
I smile slightly and reply, “Oh… so you love your daughter the most? At least in life, you know how to love someone truly.”
Riya’s eyes well up with tears. After so long, she is seeing me again; her emotions, hidden all these years, are visible on her face. Shivi, softly trembling, calls out to her mother, “Ma… Ma…”
Riya quickly picks Shivi up in her arms and starts to leave, but just then I press a button and call the manager inside. As the manager enters, I immediately command, “Shift Ms. Riya’s desk HERE. From today, she will work HERE with me.”
Riya is stunned and looks at the manager, saying, “This is wrong… you can’t force me to sit with him.”
I say firmly, “I’m the owner… I can do whatever I want.”
Riya can’t respond. I won’t let her leave. Within moments, her desk is shifted here. She quietly sits in the chair, with no other option, silently wiping away her tears.
Irritated, I say, “I don’t have time for your tears… start working immediately.”
Shivi observes everything with her usual innocence, sometimes looking at her mother, sometimes at me. Her pure and childlike expressions make my heart skip a beat for a moment, but I compose myself, settle Shivi on the sofa, and begin talking to her gently.
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!