Chapter : 19

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Ananya had been on high alert since her last encounter with Mr. Sharma. She knew he was undoubtedly planning something, but she was ready for it. Every step she took was calculated, every decision weighed with precision. She wasn't going to let anyone undermine her position, especially not him.

Despite the undercurrents of tension in her life, Ananya had managed to pull off one of the most significant deals of her career-the Prakash Industry merger. It was a monumental achievement, one that would not only elevate Sharma Industries but solidify her reputation as a formidable leader in the business world.

To celebrate the successful merger, a grand business party was organized. It was set to be the event of the year, attended by industry leaders, influential politicians, and the media. Ananya knew it would be an important night, not just for the company, but for herself personally. She needed to show everyone that she was in control, that she was the driving force behind Sharma Industries' success.

At Home

That evening, Ananya arrived home earlier than usual. She walked into the living room, where Mrs. Mehra was sitting with Rihaan, who was engrossed in playing with his soft toy, Boba. The moment Ananya entered, Rihaan's face lit up with excitement. He always brightened when she was around.

"Mom," Ananya began, addressing her mother-in-law. "There's a business party tonight to celebrate the Prakash Industry merger. I'll need to leave in a couple of hours."

Mrs. Mehra looked up with a warm smile. "That's wonderful, beta. I'm so proud of you. You've worked hard for this."

Rihaan, who had been half-listening, suddenly perked up. "Party? Ananya, can I come too? Please!" His eyes lit up with excitement, and he rushed over to her, tugging at her hand.

Mrs. Mehra quickly interjected, "Rihaan, no. Parties like these are not for you. It's all business talk and boring stuff. You'll get restless."

But Rihaan wasn't deterred. He looked up at Ananya with his big, innocent eyes, pleading with her. "Please, Ananya. I promise I'll be a good boy. I won't cause any trouble. I just want to be with you."

Mrs. Mehra sighed and looked at Ananya. "You handle him," she mumbled, leaving the room with a resigned shake of her head.

Ananya stood there, caught between her sense of responsibility and the irresistible appeal of Rihaan's puppy-dog eyes. He was giving her his cutest look, his bottom lip jutting out slightly as he continued to plead with her.

Ananya couldn't help but smile at Rihaan's earnest expression. He was so eager, so sincere, and his puppy eyes were impossible to resist. "Okay, Rihaan. You can come," she said softly, causing his face to light up with joy. "But you have to promise me you'll be on your best behavior. No running around, no making a fuss."

Rihaan's face broke into a wide grin, and he nodded vigorously. "I promise, Anya! I'll be the best boy ever! Should I go get ready now?"

Ananya nodded, and Rihaan's excitement only grew. "I want to wear a suit, like Bhai! He always looks so cool at parties."

Ananya hesitated, knowing Rihaan didn't have any suits. But before she could say anything, Rihaan had already dashed out of the room, heading straight to Raj's room.

Raj was lounging on his bed when Rihaan burst in, breathless with excitement. "Bhai! I need to borrow one of your suits! I'm going to a party with Anya!"

Raj looked up, slightly surprised but amused at his brother's eagerness. "A party, huh? Alright, little bro. Let's get you looking sharp."

Raj was more than happy to help, knowing how much it meant to Rihaan. He picked out one of his best suits for him-a sleek black one with a crisp white shirt and a matching tie.

"Here you go, little bro. You'll look like a true gentleman in this," Raj said, helping Rihaan put on the suit. He even adjusted the tie for him, making sure it was just right.

Rihaan looked at himself in the mirror, beaming with pride. "I look just like you, Bhai! Thank you!"

Raj smiled, ruffling Rihaan's hair. "You look great, Rihaan. Now go show Ananya. She'll be so impressed."

Ananya, meanwhile, had changed into her outfit for the evening. She had chosen a sleek, elegant gown that made her look every bit the powerful businesswoman she was. The dress was a deep emerald green, which contrasted beautifully with her dark hair and sharp features. As she adjusted her earrings in the mirror, she heard Rihaan's footsteps approaching.

"Anya!" Rihaan called out as he entered the room. "How do I look?"

Ananya turned around, and her breath caught for a moment. Rihaan stood there, his face glowing with excitement and pride, wearing Raj's suit. It was a little big on him, but he looked so adorable and earnest that she couldn't help but smile.

"You look very handsome, Rihaan," she said, walking over to him and adjusting his tie slightly. "Are you ready for the party?"

Rihaan nodded eagerly. "Yes! I'm ready! Let's go!"

At The Venue

The party was in full swing when Ananya and Rihaan arrived. The ballroom was filled with the city's elite, all there to celebrate the merger and to network. As they entered, all eyes turned to Ananya. She commanded the room effortlessly, her presence exuding confidence and authority.

Rihaan, holding Ananya's hand, looked around in awe at the grandeur of the event. He had never been to a party like this before, and everything seemed so exciting to him. He stayed close to Ananya, his promise to behave clearly at the forefront of his mind.

However, as the evening progressed, it became clear that not everyone knew about Ananya's marriage to Rihaan. Several young men, emboldened by the atmosphere and perhaps a little too much champagne, approached her with the intention of making a move.

"Ms. Sharma, you look stunning tonight," one of them said, his tone suggestive. "Care to dance?"

Ananya smiled politely, but her eyes were cold. "I'm here for business, not pleasure," she replied smoothly, dismissing him without a second thought.

But Rihaan, who had been watching the exchange, didn't like the way the man was looking at Ananya. He tugged at Ananya's sleeve and whispered, "Anya, I don't like him."

Ananya glanced down at Rihaan, seeing the pout on his face. It was clear that he was feeling a bit left out and possibly even a little jealous. She leaned down and whispered back, "It's okay, Rihaan. They're just being polite. There's nothing to worry about."

But Rihaan wasn't convinced. He crossed his arms and stared down the man who had offered Ananya the drink, his expression one of pure determination. The man, noticing Rihaan's intense gaze, awkwardly excused himself and walked away.

"Let's go get something to drink, Rihaan," she said, gently taking Rihaan's hand and steering him away from the situation.

As they walked away, Rihaan looked up at Ananya, his expression a mix of confusion and jealousy. "Why were those men talking to you like that?" he asked, his voice small.

Ananya smiled softly, touched by his concern. "They were just being friendly, Rihaan. But don't worry, I'm not interested in them."

Rihaan frowned, still not entirely convinced. "I don't like it when they talk to you like that.

After a few more similar encounters, Ananya decided it was time to reassure Rihaan. She led him to a quieter corner of the room, away from the crowd, and knelt down so she could look him in the eye.

"Rihaan," she said softly, "you don't need to worry about anyone else here. You're the only one who matters to me, okay?"

Rihaan's expression softened at her words. "Really?"

"Really," Ananya affirmed, giving him a warm smile. "Now, how about we go find some of that special chocolate cake they're serving? I think you'll love it."

Rihaan's face lit up at the mention of cake. "Okay! Let's go!"

As the night wore on, the party continued to be a great success. Ananya moved through the crowd with grace, handling conversations and negotiations with ease. Rihaan stayed by her side, and though he was a little out of place in the sophisticated environment, his presence brought a lightness to Ananya's evening.

When it was finally time to leave, Ananya felt a sense of relief wash over her. The night had been a success, and the deal with Prakash Industries was solidified. She had maintained her composure despite the challenges of the evening, and Rihaan's presence, though unexpected, had added a sweet touch to what could have been a purely business-focused event.

As they walked out of the venue, Rihaan, who had been quietly holding Ananya's hand, suddenly looked at her with a big grin. "I had so much fun, Anya! Can we go to more parties like this?"

Ananya smiled down at him, her heart warming at his happiness. "Maybe, but only if you promise to behave as well as you did tonight."

Rihaan nodded enthusiastically. "I promise! I'll be a good boy every time!"

Ananya chuckled and squeezed his hand. "Good. Now, let's get home. It's late, and you must be tired."

As they drove home, Ananya's thoughts drifted back to the night's events. While she had successfully navigated the social and business aspects of the party, she couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. Sharma was planning something against her. She knew him too well to think he would simply let her maintain control of the company without a fight.

And then there was Dhiraj Khurana, a man whose intentions were as dangerous as they were predictable. He had tried to undermine her before, and Ananya had no doubt he was plotting something again. But she wasn't worried. She had anticipated their moves and was always several steps ahead.

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