Seher Oberoi

My dad wants me to get married. I don't know the real reason, why? But the only thing I know is that my Alison is put as a bet.

Alison is not my pet or my friend or anything. She is my baby. My Candle Company.

Since childhood, dad has never paid any attention to me and my brother— Advik.

My dad has been a man of the most complicated morals. He wanted me to get married, but I refused. So, he came in his own way. When tricking me in his witchy ideas, he made me sign a contract, that if I don't get married, he'll keep my company to himself forever.

And I, am a person who has no one except for that fashion house.

And that's how I ended up sitting in front of an 'Alpha man' chosen by my dad.

Shekhar Rawat is the son of one of the very prestigious families of the city. But while being prestigious and rich in my dictionary means a good person with basic etiquettes, the definition goes completely opposite for the man sitting in front of me.

"Women expect men to pay for everything. If I'm paying for everything, I expect respect. And by respect, I mean obedience."

This is what he said before he started chomping on his food like a pig.

I literally asked him what his opinion on a self dependent woman is, but this pig went straight to flexing about his daddy's money and how women are nothing but gold-diggers.

Unable to take it anymore, I decided to come to the point.

"Listen, Mr. Rawat, I do not want this marriage. I-"

The man didn't even let me complete before burts out instantly. "What do you mean you do not want this marriage? Do you even know who I am?"

My gaze which has been hesitant and nervous till now, hardened instantly. "Yes, I do. I do know you. You are nothing but a total arsehole son of a rich father who has nothing of his own! The only thing he has to flex is his rich daddy's money, cars and name!" The man looked completely stupefied as I finished.

"Tell me why do you not want to marry?" He says in a very sweet and calm voice, suddenly.

Men and their ways to manipulate.

I do want to marry, bitch. But I just know that my future husband is not going to be you. I thought inwardly.

I do not know why but I wanted to punch him so badly right now. But knowing the consequences of what my father might do after this, I take a hold on myself.

"B-because I have a b-boyfriend." Why the hell am I stuttering?

"Okay." He says calmly. "You can break up with him. No big deal." He says as if he has just given me the solution to save the Earth from global warming.

What the hell?!

"Mom, walk carefully." A voice from the entry door side catches my attention. A little girl, barely four or five, takes the hold of her pregnant mother carefully as they walk towards the counter.

Pregnant. I praise myself inwardly.

"And I'm pregnant." I confessed confidently.

His eyes widen instantly. They looked like they were a few seconds away from popping out of the socket.

Good job, Seher, good job.

But then to my surprise, he scoffs out, "What a slut!"

My finger tightened around the rim of my glass. I stood up from the couch and walked towards him slowly. And this time, I didn't hold myself from punching his jaw.

It's okay. Since I'm already getting my face bruised tonight. It's better if I add a little more to the list for my father.

"You bitch" He snarls. He stands up from the couch and tugs on my hair harshly. I scream out in pain.

A staff member tried to intervene, but stopped immediately when he realised who Rawat actually is.

By now, we were the centre of attention of the whole restaurant. Some people were standing there with their phones out, while some were just murmuring among themselves. That's it? No help?

Just then, a woman came from somewhere and kicked him between his legs. The man groaned as he sprawled down on the floor in pain.

The hotel staff who have been standing like a statue till now, came running towards him. They pick up the princess on their shoulder and take him somewhere.

The woman comes towards me, looking worried. She holds my hand with one of hers, while the other goes to my scalp, caressing it gently.

"Thank you." I breathed out.

"You started it first." She commented.

Ouch! That sting.

But.. whatever. At least I got what I wanted. I wanted this proposal to go down and I did.

"I know." I look at the woman with a sigh. I would have said something else, but right now, getting out of this place is the only thing I want.

I picked up my purse from the table. The woman still rooted to her place. "Massage it with some ice." She said.

I nod at her with a small smile, "Thank you" I whispered out once again.

Reaching the counter, I asked for the bill. The cashier— a woman, gave me a wry smile. She handed me the bill and... an ice pack. I completed the billing process. Giving the woman a soft smile, I made my way out.

I hope that he gets to know that no woman hopes for a man to pay for her, unless it's the situation. And if the man is like him, then she would definitely never hope despite the situation.

Ian— my assistant and bodyguard— was standing there leaning against the car. He looked at me with a soft smile which turns into confusion as he takes on my disheveled state.

"What happened?" He asked.

I hiss out of pain as I press the ice pack on my scalp. "Where the hell have you been, Ian? You were supposed to be my 'bodyguard'!"

"You literally asked me to stay outside." He deadpanned. Stepping closer, he takes the ice from my hand and presses it gently on my head. "What have you done this time?"

I looked at him, stupefied. How dare he? "Behave, Ian. I'm your employer!"

"What? You are an impulsive person, boss." He gives me a 'yeah, caught you!' smile.

I wanted to shout at him, but the throbbing pain in my head didn't let me. I sighed, before walking towards my car.

Ian took the charge, while I sat on the back seat.

"Will I be able to get my Alison back?" I asked him.

"It's a need for you." He replied. "And for me too. After all it's my source of surveillance too."

I drop the back of my head on the seat, only to sit straight immediately.

I hope dad doesn't do anything with my head tonight.

Looking out of the window, I think of only one thing. Marriage is not my choice at present but left with no option, getting a husband is my need.