Having finished my lunch I was waiting for Shivaay who seemed to have completely disappeared after last night. I didn't see him the whole morning and afternoon. I wonder where he went. Was he serious last night or did he say those words to me in the heat of the moment ?

I hope he was not angry with me due to Daksh and Tia. I know it was my fault I went to meet Tia despite knowing that she is not a nice girl and she doesn't like me at all. I trusted her words and agreed to have dinner with her. But what could I do, I did not even dream that she would fall to such an extent that she would make a deal with Daksha to take revenge on me.

I realize that Shivaay always has to handle the situation whenever things go wrong because of me. And I'm really sorry for that. From now on I will try my best so that things should not get spoiled because of me. I wanted to talk to Shivaay and apologize for my mistake but there is no trace of him. He has disappeared himself leaving me to roam the house alone.

It was near dusk when Shivaay came back. For the first time he was wearing white t-shirt and a pair of jeans instead of his formal clothes.

I must say he was looking stunning, not like a cold hearted, dangerously handsome, Scary businessman which he usually appears in his formal business clothes.

Whoever talks about him said that he was very Ruthless, rude and cold. One who shows no mercy but I realized that he is like that in the world for  those people only who deceive him or lie to him. Apart from this, he is a very generous person who helps others without thinking of his own benefit.

I never thought that he would be so good to me. He is a completely different person whenever he is with me. He really cares for me and I liked that a lot.

I don't understand how a man can always look breathtaking. For a moment I could not believe whether this man really proposed to me to marry or was it just a dream.

I kept staring at him for a few minutes without saying anything. " Are you done staring at me? " He suddenly asked, bringing me to my senses as I placed my hand over my beating heart.

" Where were you ? " I asked him abruptly, ignoring him when he came closer to me. " Stuck with some work " He replied in one sentence and before I could ask him anything else he murmured .. " Get ready for marriage You only have one week " making my eyes go wide with shock.

" One week ! Are you serious ? Isn't that too early ? " I asked him. " Not at all ! The wedding is after a week, but we will take our marriage certificates tomorrow only. " He replied nonchalantly by blasting a bomb on my head. As if he is not talking about marriage but about a business deal.

You're not serious ! Right ? " I asked, staring at him in disbelief. " Of Course I am Darling ! " He muttered cupping my face with one hand. His closeness gave me chills. " But till now I have not said yes to marriage. Then how can you make me your wife without my full consent ? " I asked, while trying to be brave in front of him.

What is the need to ask this when I know that you want to marry me ? " He murmured, kissing me on the cheek, making me breathless. I feel like he knows the effect he has on me. I can't ignore him even if I want to, I don't know what's wrong with me.

" And who told you that I want to marry you ? " I asked him while fighting with my inner feelings, Swallowing the dry lumb stuck in my throat. He stared at me profoundly. His gaze held interest as he caressed my cheek with his thumb

The day you decided to give yourself to me willingly, the day I came to know that I am the only one in this whole world whom you have given the right to touch your body and soul. " Actions speak louder than the words '' the man whispered against my ears , keeping my mouth shut completely. His hot breath sent shivers throughout my body. Recalling that night, I felt my cheek burn, obviously turning red.

The rapid thumping of my heart gave me away when Shivaay moved away and titled my head up by the chin. I felt like digging a hole and hiding in it for the rest of my life. Seeing my red cheeks, the man chuckled, shaking his head lightly. The glimmer in his eyes was something I haven't seen before.

" My Father wants to meet you. You need to come with me tonight " he muttered, taking my hands in his.

" His father ? " Of course If I marry his son then I'll be his daughter in law, obviously he would like to meet me.

" O..Ok " I said nervously. " Don't be scared Annika, I'll be there with you, though my dad is strict sometimes but He's sweet from his heart. He won't kill you. Shivaay said to her as he placed a kiss on her forehead. While she nodded her head.

..........................................

I checked myself in the mirror for the hundredth time making sure I was looking fine. I wore a simple white color, frock style dress that reached my knees.

At exactly 7, there was a knock on the door of my room. I knew who he would be without seeing. How can anyone be so punctual ? I quickly wore my sandals and opened the door.

Shivaay stood on the other side wearing simple Jeans and t -shirt. This time he was wearing a blazer over it, looking handsome as usual. You're ready ! He asked and I nodded.

" Let's go, " He said while grabbing my arm. Stepping out I closed the door behind me and I followed him towards the front door. The weather was warm as I walked out of the Mansion behind him.

We walked out in silence to the main gate and as the guards saw him, they all acknowledged his presence with ' Sir ' . He nodded and walked towards his Audi.

He opened the door to the backseat and gestured for me to get in. I slipped inside and after me, he got in too. He told the driver to drive and the car drove off. I noticed there was a car in front of us as well as behind us.

" It's for security  " He answered my unasked question. " I don't need it. But according to my parents, I should not go anywhere without security because I am the only heir of the Oberoi family.  So without any option I have to obey them " He mumbled the last part.

" Oh " I muttered. Of course, he is a very important figure in the business and political world, so obviously he is not an ordinary person and his parents must be worried about his safety. They are absolutely right in their place. And he's taking me to meet his father right now, who is an important figure in the political World. And here I am nothing, I do not even have my family. I don't know what he will think about me. By meeting me, he should not think that I am using Shivaay for my own benefit and I have trapped him because of his wealth and fame. Thinking about this I started feeling nervous, my palms became sweaty. Shivaay noticed my nervousness. He gave my hand a squeeze and gave me a assuring smile that said that everything will be fine.

" What If they don't like me, What If they think I'm using you for my benefits ? " All of a sudden the words slipped out of my mouth before I could think of anything.

" I don't think my father would think so. He is a sensible person and has an understanding of right and wrong. He does not judge anyone on the basis of their name, lineage or status. You Just need to be honest in front of them. He just wants to meet his future daughter in law. There is nothing to be nervous about " His words seemed to soothe me and calm my nervousness as I gave him a tight smile.

Soon after we reached there, I saw a huge Iron gate in the middle of the road guarded by a good amount of men. All wearing a black suit and black sunglasses. When the gate opened, the huge mansion in front of me made my jaw drop.

" This is your Ancestral home" ? I asked him. " No dear, this is my parents house." They live here whenever they come to London. Our ancestral home is in London.  Where usually my grandmother, mother and father live.

I have my Separate Mansion in London, USA and many other countries. He told me. " Oh " I mumbled. " No doubt the Oberoi family is the Richest and Royal family all over the world "

We got out of the car as the driver parked it. Shivaay held my palm and took me inside the Mansion. As we reached inside I saw a beautiful girl on the way who looked really happy to see Shivaay. Without wasting a second She immediately threw himself in Shivaay's arms " Finally you came, After a long time ! How are you ?" She asked him.

" I am fine Riya, what about you ? " Shivaay hugged her back and asked while stroking her hair. " Oh so her name was Riya " Who seemed very close to Shivaay.

When her eyes fell on me she asked " I'm fine bro, but who is this pretty girl?  Wait, let me guess. Is she my future sister-in-law whom you have brought to meet Tau ji ? ( Uncle )

" Bro?  " Oh so it means She  is Shivaay's cousin. Anika thought to herself. " Yes ! She's Annika Dobriyal. My Fiancee and your future sister-in-law " Shivaay explained before turning towards me. And My heart skipped a beat. " Did he really introduce me as his fiancee ? "

As Soon as Shivaay introduced me, I was immediately enveloped in a bone crushing hug by Riya " Nice to meet you SIS. I must say my brother is lucky because he found such a beauty for himself. I'm very happy for him," she smiled and told me.

" I am also very happy to meet you "  I smiled and told Riya, hugging her back. " Come Tau ji ( uncle ) is waiting for you both " She added before walking as we followed behind her. This time Shivaay wrapped his arms protectively around my waist guarding me towards the living room.

We moved further into the room and there sat an old version of Shivaay on the couch, with a serious look on his face. Shivaay introduced me to his dad, who did not speak a word but when I greeted him he gave me a nod and gestured to me to sit down.

Shivaay and I settled on the couch opposite him while Riya sat beside him. The servants served tea and snacks. There was tension in the room and silence which was broken by his Dad. " So the main question is How did you both meet and decide to marry ? "

Shit ! I never thought about it ! Now What will I say ? Of course I can't tell him that I met Shiv in a hotel room during my bachelorette party where I seduced him and ended up having a one night stand with him. I looked over to Shivaay who looked confused too but then he gave me a tight smile and whispered softly in my ears

" Let's tell him the truth," I nodded in response. He placed his hand over my shoulder and started rubbing small circles with his thumb to soothe me down.

One day when I was returning home from the office, my driver stopped the car after seeing a girl lying unconscious on the road on the way.  I immediately took that girl to the hospital.  And when I asked my assistant to find out about that girl, I came to know that that girl is none other than Annika Dobriyal. Whose parents had died a few days back " Shivaay finally said and then he continued to tell him everything from what happened that day to till now. How the Kapoor family implicated my parents in a false case, how Aryan Kapoor cheated on me along with my best friend.  How my relatives turned their back on me after the death of my parents.  And how just a few days back Tia tried to ruin my life with Daksha because of her jealousy. Hearing her parents name from Shivaay's mouth tears formed in Annika's eyes. But somehow She controlled them. His Sister looked appalled but his dad didn't even blink.

As he finished, no one Said a word. I was scared and nervous because what If his dad gets angry with him for choosing a girl like me. Who has lost everything including her parents.

After a few minutes of silence Riya got up and walked towards me and involuntarily my feet moved and I also stood up at my place as Shivaay got up.

The next thing I know that I was once again engulfed in a hug by her. I was shocked at first but then she said " I'm really sorry for your loss " I hugged her back as I was feeling emotional.

Are you Happy with this Alliance ? Finally Shivaay's father asked me. "If you and your entire family have no problem with this alliance and you are all happy then I am also happy." She replied genuinely.

" And what if I say I don't agree? " he asked Anika "So I have no problem. Nor do I have any problem with your decision. You are his father and he is your only son. So you have the right to choose the best for him" she replied. Shivaay's father looked at Annika and asked

"So that means whatever decision I take will be acceptable to you ? Annika nodded and Said. " Yes , Sir ! I'll accept your decision "

" So I accept this relationship.  So when are you two planning to get married ?" Shivaay's father asked. Annika was surprised at his question.

It means you have no problem with this relationship " Anika asked unbelievably.

" Of course not ! I am very happy that we are going to be a Family. If you need anything. Don't hesitate to reach me. You are going to one of us. Until now I had only two children, Shivaay and Riya and now I am going to have another daughter in your form soon " His father said to Annika while smiling, making Shivaay chuckle.

Thank you so much Sir ! " Annika replied but was cut off by Shivaay's father " Call me Dad from now on " He said and gave her a fatherly hug. She nodded and smiled wholeheartedly. While Shivaay was smiling looking towards both of them.

" Shivaay was right. His Dad is strict from outside but he is such a soft hearted person in reality. She thought while having tears in her eyes.

" It's enough. Now No more tears in the future And yes Daughters do not say thanks to their father " He told Annika making her smile. After that he walked up to him and patted on his back saying

" I am Proud of you Son, You understood your responsibility towards her and instead of running away from it you made an effort to make it up for her And you tried to give a name to your relationship by deciding to marry her ! "

Thanks Dad ! " He muttered.

" So when is the wedding?  Don't delay in getting a wedding license ! I want you to complete your wedding ceremony as soon as possible before I return to the USA. After that we will introduce your wife and the daughter-in-law of the Oberoi family to the world by giving a big reception in America " His father told him while he nodded.

Ria side hugged me and said " Welcome to the Family SIS, I Always wanted a sister and now you are my sister " I nodded to her. I was really glad that she accepted me and She's happy with the marriage.

Later, we all settled down at the dining table for dinner as we happily talked and laughed with each other. This was the first time I met Shivaay's father and cousin but I instantly felt that they are my real family. They both were so loving.

___________________

To be continued