Chapter 40 - Conspiracy?

Wishing everyone good morning and avoiding gaze from two people- Vihaan and Keshav, Shanaya took her seat on the breakfast table, opposite to Vihaan, left to Riya and right to Vansh.

Sitting down, she noticed Avni and Saaransh were not present and, she remembers Avni has gone out with Anubhav and Saaransh to his work.

Saaransh has been taking the cases that he could solve in Delhi, instead of Mumbad, but most of the time he was out.

Shanaya never told this to anyone, but, she found Saaransh interesting. Interesting, in a professional way.

She liked his seriousness for his work, his dedication to his family, not that she had seen but, she had listened to it from Anubhav many times.

And, not to forget his friendship.

She had not seen it but has felt his dedication for Vihaan, many times. For some, Saaransh was a jolly person, but, Shanaya knew, he was a reserved person who never told anyone his pain, maybe, except to Vihaan..

She never knew how she knew it, but, maybe suffering from pain had made her feel connected with other's pain.

Coming out of her 'deep in thinking' state, and, not daring to look at Vihaan, she kept her eyes low and passed the salt to Riya in the same way. Her idea of eating in silence and without any problems got disturbed when she heard Shiv Rathore " We all are on the breakfast table after so many days."

"Yes, we finally got the break for two days" replying to him, Mrs Shakti Rathore spoke.

"Yes, it feels good to be here, after such a long time," answered Mr Surya Rathore.

Shanay did not pay much attention to anyone. She was busy eating when she lifts her eyes to look at her surrounding.

Directing his attention toward Keshav who was seated along with Vihaan, Shiv Rathore continued"Keshav, how's the thing in your city?"

"They are good chachu(younger uncle). We are preparing for the election going to be held after six months." drinking the orange juice, Keshav replied with pride in his voice.

Amazed by it, Shanaya noticed there was a tension in between Keshav and Vihaan and, both of them were trying to act normal.

She immediately withdraws her gaze when she found Vihaan looking at her and found his gaze going to her shoulder. She need not any extra kind of information to know he was thinking about the tattoo on her back.

Eating her breakfast as fast as she can, she choked when she heard Shiv Rathore addressing to her" Shana, have you sign any contract?"

Drinking water, she tried to stop embarrassing herself in front of everyone and spoke with a forced smile" No uncle. But, I am thinking of signing Mr Dhananjay's contract."

"Dhananjay, hmm, he is a good businessman but be attentive while being with him" speaking for the first time, Surya Rathore advised her.

Seeing her confused face, Vansh leans toward her and whispered in her ears" He means to say he is a womanizer."

"Oh" surprised in her voice, Shanaya could only speak this much.

"Why do not you collaborate with us?" taking everyone in surprise, Keshav spoke.

He continued to explain, ignoring Vihaan's gaze at him" I have come in the business world with one of my friends, and, as far as I know, you are an emerging fashion designer, so why not merge with us? I would be happy to be your partner."

Keeping the formality between them, Shanaya spoke"Thank you for your consideration, I will think about it" but, deep down she was sure she would never think about it.

Their attention was distracted by the ringing of Vihaan's phone and, he picked up at once" Yes, Erina".

Listening to her attentively, while having his breakfast, he spoke after two minutes" Tell him I will send the proposal within a day" and hang up the phone with tension all over his face.

"Everything good?" Shiv Rathore asked in concern.

"Yes uncle, just Singhania deal. He wants me to be his business partner but wants it to play safe." speaking casually, he finished his meal and stood up to leave when he heard Shiv" Singhania deal is about merging with a fashion designer, right?"

"As far as I can understand, you do not know which fashion designing company will be worth your proposal, right?" speaking as if he already has an answer, Shiv asked him with a mysterious smile.

No one might have understood the mysterious smile, but being a businessman, it was as simple as understanding the ABC for Vihaan.

Standing at the back of his chair, thinking while looking at Shanaya for a minute, he inwardly smiled and spoke after much consideration" Yes, uncle."

It was exactly what Shiv Rathore wanted to hear and, he suggested the name as soon as he heard Vihaan's reply" Why do not you consider Shanaya for this deal."

Shanaya coughed hard and, interrupt them without wasting a second"Oh no uncle. I am not good enough to work with your company".

Just the thought of working with "Rathore & son" had made her panic and nervous. She was aware of the importance of being a part of it, but she had never collaborated with an organisation of such a top-level. She liked doing work in her own way and was happy and content with the fame she already had.

"Oh come on Shana bcche, I have seen your work and, I find it good. You have the capability to be a part of it. Yes, you will have to work hard to maintain the pace with us, but, I am sure you will be able to with your dedication." motivating her, Shiv turned his attention to standing Vihaan and asked him" What say Vihaan?"

Looking at Shanaya who was sitting with her face down, he spoke"As you wish, Uncle" and saw the shocked face of Shanaya looking at him.

Walking away from them, he genuinely smiled after such a long time and say to himself"Welcome to my World, Shana".

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Love to all <3

PS: Santa Claus is on the way to deliver 3 chapters!!! Merry Christmas, lovely readers<3>3