39. A Press Conference

Author's POV

Ishika and Aditi were having lunch together in her mansion when Aditi suddenly looked up from her phone and said, "Hey, did you know Sahil is opening a new company?"

Ishika shrugged it off, "It's not my concern what he's opening or not."

But Aditi wasn't done. Still reading the article on her phone, she added, "The news was released this morning. The company's name hasn't been announced yet, but it's going to be revealed at a press conference tomorrow at four in the evening."

"A press conference?" Ishika looked at her, her tone now more curious than indifferent.

"Yeah, take a look," Aditi said, handing her the phone.

Ishika glanced at the news headline, her eyes skimming over the details. Suddenly, Sahil's words from that night at the Raj house flashed through her mind: "I'll arrange a press conference for you."

Her heart skipped a beat.

Ishika read the news twice, relieved that she didn't find any words related to an apology. She set conditions to make things difficult for Sahil, not to embarrass herself. However, what exactly did Sahil want?

She quickly masked her emotions, handing the phone back to Aditi.

***

Next Day,

Ishika remembered what Sahil had said. He said he would apologise today and wouldn't delay. She had only been making things difficult for him, but since the early morning, she was nervous, afraid that he would stir up something big.

When she arrived at School, she did her daily routine work taking classes, managing files work then in the lunch break she took out her phone to type him a message but everytime she typed message the next moment she would delete it. If he was the one apologising, what was she nervous about?

After struggling back and forth several times, a message suddenly came from Sahil.

Sahil: [?]

Startled, Ishika almost sprayed water out of her mouth. She bit her lip and quickly typed.

Ishika: [wrong person.]

Sahil: [ok.]

She exhaled sharply, setting her phone down. That's it. No more overthinking, she told herself. Sahil had his pride, and he wouldn't dare say anything that might embarrass them both.

After school, Ishika and Aditi were all set to head home when a sleek BMW screeched to a stop right in front of them. Ishika immediately recognized Yash stepping out of the car.

Yash, who was rarely seen in formal wear, looked sharp in a tailored suit and polished shoes. His hair was perfectly styled, and he carried himself with a confidence that was hard to ignore. He nodded at Ishika before walking over.

"Why are you here in person?" Ishika asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sir asked me to pick you up, along with your best friend, for the banquet," Yash replied smoothly.

Aditi shot Ishika a questioning look, and Ishika simply sighed. "Let's go."

When they arrived at the venue, Aditi and Ishika stepped out of the car. Yash gestured for them to head upstairs. They nodded and followed his lead.

As soon as they reached the top floor, Ishika spotted Sahil standing not too far away.

He was dressed in formal attire, but unlike Yash, the accumulated aura of a businessman over the years made him naturally blend with the suit. Their eyes accidentally met, and he walked towards her calmly.

"You're here," he said, his voice steady.

"Yeah," Ishika replied, nodding toward Aditi beside her. "I brought my friend. Can you handle the hospitality?"

Sahil raised an eyebrow. "I can't afford to entertain," he said, his tone serious.

"Can't afford to entertain?" Ishika nodded from a distance, turned around, and said, "Let's go."

But before she could take a step, Sahil caught her wrist. Startled, she turned to face him, her eyes wide.

The sun was setting, leaving behind rosy clouds and a soft glow gradually fading across the horizon.

"I can't afford to entertain," he repeated, "but I can try to impress."

Ishika blinked, caught off guard by his rare attempt at humor. "Seriously?" she said, half-amused.

"Well, thank you for the trouble," she added dryly, trying to mask her flustered expression.

Aditi, standing a little behind, was blushing furiously, but Sahil remained composed. Ishika, on the other hand, was trying to decipher the playful glint in his eyes.

"Sir, the press conference is about to begin," Yash reminded, appearing beside them.

Sahil nodded, but instead of letting go of Ishika's wrist, he turned to Aditi. "Excuse me," he said politely, then led Ishika inside.

She didn't resist, though her heart was racing. For someone who rarely smiled, Sahil seemed to be full of surprises today.

***

In the elevator, Ishika started feeling nervous as they ascended.

"Are there reporters?"

"Yeah"

"Are you going to apologize to me?"

"Maybe?"

"Please don't."

Ishika waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "I deliberately made things difficult for you. Really, it's unnecessary."

Sahil leaned against the wall and smirked. "Too late."

The elevator suddenly came to a stop midway, and the doors slid open. Ishika instinctively looked outside, her heart skipping a beat.

A sea of people stood waiting, their chatter a dull roar in the background. At the front of the crowd, a man held a camera, its lens gleaming ominously under the harsh lights.

Her chest tightened as an icy wave of dread washed over her. Reporters.

Ishika's worst fear stood right before her. Memories she had buried long ago surged to the surface-memories of relentless questions, flashing cameras, and the suffocating scrutiny that had followed her parents' deaths. She had been just a teenager then, too young to handle the invasive curiosity, too broken to shield herself from the prying eyes.

Her scalp tingled, and a chill ran down her spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Her hands clenched at her sides as she tried to steady her breathing, but her pulse was already racing.

She wanted to retreat, to press herself against the elevator wall and disappear from their sight. The familiar sense of discomfort settled heavily in her chest, threatening to pull her back into the shadows of her past.

Sahil stood upright, creating a gap behind him for her to hide.

"Mr. Malhotra."

"I've already said, no cameras allowed."

"We'll take a few photos outside and won't enter the hall area with the camera," the reporter quickly said.

Sahil furrowed his brow, turned his face, and then glanced at Ishika.

After contemplating, he said to the journalists, "Wait for the next elevator."

They didn't need him to say that, as they had no intention of entering. After the elevator closed, Ishika breathed a sigh of relief.

Still shocked, she peeked over and said, "You even called the reporters?"

"You can't call it a press conference without reporters, right?" He teased her.

Ishika was speechless.

As the elevator ascended, Ishika suddenly felt like she had shot herself in the foot, a wave of regret washing over her. What had she gotten herself into? Her chest tightened, and she couldn't shake the unease clawing at her.

They were nearing the top floor when Sahil glanced at her. Her expression was a mix of helplessness and discomfort, and for a moment, he seemed to hesitate, as though waiting for her to say something.

Ishika, however, drew in a deep breath, determined to mask her emotions. She opened her bag and pulled out a small mirror, her fingers trembling slightly as she checked her reflection.

"You have a pimple on your forehead," Sahil said, breaking the silence.

Startled, Ishika's eyes widened as she quickly inspected her forehead, her heart skipping a beat.

"It's just a small zit," he added, his tone light, almost teasing.

Ishika shot him a disdainful glance, annoyed by his remark. She turned back to the mirror, studying her reflection critically. The stress of the past few days had taken a visible toll on her skin. She sighed softly, her fingers brushing against her temple as if willing the blemish to disappear.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Sahil's flawless complexion-fair, smooth, and annoyingly perfect, with barely a hint of pores. It only added to her irritation.

"Why don't you get pimples?" she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and frustration.

Sahil, who had always maintained a disciplined routine, a calm demeanor, and a healthy lifestyle, looked at her with a faint smile. "I was born this way," he replied casually, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

Ishika pursed her lips, clearly unimpressed by his answer.

Unbeknownst to her, Sahil had deliberately made the comment to distract her. He had noticed her unease after the encounter with the reporters, the way her shoulders had tensed and her breath had quickened. He knew she was on edge, and though he didn't say it outright, his playful words were his way of grounding her, pulling her attention away from the shadows of her past.

For a moment, the tension in the elevator lightened, the air no longer as suffocating. Ishika frowned at her reflection, trying to focus on anything but her nerves. Yet, despite herself, the corner of her lips twitched, betraying a reluctant smile.

Finally, the elevator arrived. As the doors slid open, a cool evening breeze swept in, carrying with it a sense of calm. Ishika stepped out and immediately noticed the breathtaking view. They were at a rooftop garden, its beauty enhanced by the glittering city lights stretching far into the distance.

Before she could fully take it in, a formally dressed couple approached them, walking hand in hand with an air of confidence.

"Mr. Malhotra, long time no see," the man greeted warmly.

Sahil responded with a polite smile, his hand lightly resting on Ishika's lower back. The touch was subtle yet protective, grounding her amidst the unfamiliar surroundings. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Sahil turned slightly toward Ishika, his expression softening.

"This is my wife, Ishika," he said, his voice carrying a quiet pride.

He then gestured toward the couple. "And this is Mr. and Mrs. Batra."

Ishika offered a polite smile, but before she could say anything, Mrs. Batra spoke up, her tone friendly and admiring.

"Mr. Malhotra is so fortunate; your wife is very beautiful."

"Indeed," Sahil replied, pulling her into his arms.

Ishika smiled shyly, looked at Mrs. Batra, and thanked her for the compliment.

As the Batras entered the hall, Ishika let out a small sigh, still adjusting to the attention. But before she could catch her breath, two more couples approached, each greeting them warmly. Sahil handled the introductions with ease, his steady presence making Ishika feel less out of place.

After seeing off everyone, she patted her chest and turned to Sahil.

"How many people did you invite?"

"I invited everyone I could. Isn't this what you wanted?"

Ishika raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Wow, why don't you just hand over Malhotra Corp. while you're at it?"

Sahil smirked, his tone calm and teasing. "I would, but I'm afraid you can't handle it."

"Tsk." Ishika rolled her eyes, but then something clicked in her mind. She tilted her head, looking at him curiously. "Your family... they won't be thrilled about all this, right?"

At the mention of his family, Sahil's expression tightened ever so slightly.

"With you causing this kind of trouble, doesn't your father care?" she pressed, watching him closely.

Sahil's lips curved into an arrogant smile. "He can't control me," he said, his tone full of confidence as he turned and started walking toward the right corridor.

"So, the crybaby who used to be beaten up is now boasting nonsense."

"When did he ever beat me?"

"You were bullied and sat alone in the small garden, shedding tears," Ishika casually mentioned, but Sahil stopped and turned to look at her.

Ishika realized something, cleared her throat, and pretended to be calm. "What are you looking at?"

Sahil remained silent for a while, then withdrew his gaze. "Nothing."

He continued walking forward.

Ishika let out a small sigh of relief, falling into step behind him. She'd never told him about the times she used to secretly watch him from a distance. Those memories were hers alone.

"Shall we go in together?" Sahil's voice broke her reverie, and she realized they were nearing the venue for the press conference amidst the surrounding noise.

"Why am I going in when you're the one apologizing?" She looked at Sahil playfully and added, "Are you planning to kneel down and confess while I stand there, listening? Then someone will ask, 'Ms. Singh, do you accept Mr. Malhotra's apology?"

Sahil glanced at her, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Are you really describing an apology?"

"Yes,"

The corridor was empty. Facing the black doors of the conference room, Sahil calmly lowered his head to adjust his cuffs. When he raised his head, he said lightly, "That sounded more like a proposal."

He pushed open the door. Ishika instinctively moved to the side of the door. When she looked up again, he had already walked inside. She was stunned for a moment, contemplating where to go. Suddenly, Yash approached from the side and led her through the coridor.

Sahil's words echoed in her ears as they walked through the coridor. After reaching a suite, Yash opened a door. Ishika entered inside the room and sat on the sofa.

On the other hand, The reporters bombarded Sahil with questions about business development, and he responded with perfunctory answers.

The real interest sparkled when they reached the topic of the company's name.

What name could leave people speechless? Ishika was curious. She was seeing the live stream of the press conference at the tv.

She looked at the screen when the company's name was displayed on the big screen

...Ishify

She stared at the screen and sat up straight. Ishika's heart, now pounding hard. She couldn't heard anything. When she came back to her senses, she heard the questions of reporters.

"Why did you choose this name?"

"The name 'Ishify' is inspired by my wife's name, Ishika," Sahil responded.

"Why did you suddenly name the company after your wife's name?"

"No real reason. I just suddenly thought, we've been married for a long time, and I haven't given her a decent gift, so I wanted to make it up to her," he said with seriousness.

Ishika lowered her head and listened to her heartbeat. While she was lost in thought, the press conference ended with applause.

Sahil stood up from his seat and left from there, he didn't mention the main business of the company. The main purpose was just to reveal the company's name.

She was still in a daze, suddenly she heard the footsteps of a man. She became alerted and looked up in front of her. The person in front of her was still standing and didn't say anything.

"You consider it an apology just by saying my name?"

"Or maybe you prefer the procedure you mentioned earlier? I can call the reporters back in, and we start over," he said.

"Tsk. You are just making empty promises." She replied.

She had just finished speaking, and Sahil turned around. Ishika was startled, fearing he might call the reporters back and apologise to her in person. She quickly stepped forward, trying to catch him, but her feet caught on the carpet. To stabilize herself, she instinctively reached out and caught both of his arms.

However, with her body colliding with his back, the posture looked like a back hug.

Sahil stopped in his tracks. Ishika sighed in relief and said, "You're fearless because you have a thick skin, right?"

Sahil turned his head slightly, a smirk already tugging at his lips. "Thick skin, huh?" he teased, his voice low and playful.

Then, without warning, he turned around completely, and before Ishika could lose her balance, he immediately caught her and swept her up into his arms.

Ishika's eyes widened in surprise. "Sahil, what are you doing?" she exclaimed.

Sahil looked at her with a playful glint in his eyes. "The press conference was just a bonus I threw in," he replied.

Ishika raised an eyebrow, teasing him. "I don't believe you."

Sahil smirked. "I'll make the announcement tonight. The whole city will know that I'm apologizing to you."

Curiosity sparked in Ishika's eyes. "What else did you do?" she asked, looking directly into his gaze.

"You'll find out when we go outside," he said cryptically. With that, he carried her to another room and gently placed her on her feet. He gestured toward the door, silently asking her to enter while he stayed outside.

Ishika hesitated briefly before pushing the door open. Inside, she noticed a gift box placed neatly on the bed. Approaching it, she opened the box to find a stunning black saree inside. Her eyes lit up with surprise and delight-she loved wearing sarees, and the fact that Sahil had chosen one for her made her mood a little better.

As she admired the saree, a soft knock on the door caught her attention. A woman entered and smiled politely. "Sir asked me to assist you in getting ready for tonight's event," she said.

Ishika nodded, still smiling, and after forty-five minutes, she emerged from the room, dressed in the elegant saree. Checking her phone, she noticed something unusual-Sahil wasn't rushing her, a rare occurrence.

Stepping outside, she spotted him standing at the end of the corridor, smoking. A small pile of cigarette butts in the trash can next to him revealed how he had been suppressing his impatience.

When Sahil turned to look at her, his eyes widened slightly, and he froze for a moment, mesmerized by her beauty. To him, she was the most stunning woman he had ever seen.

Ishika felt flustered under his intense gaze. Realizing his behavior, Sahil quickly composed himself, flicked the cigarette away, and asked, "Ready?"

"Yeah," she replied.

He took a step forward, but Ishika immediately stepped back, causing him to pause and look at her, puzzled.

Ishika pointed at him, her expression stern. "Change your coat and put on some cologne, okay?"

Sahil blinked, momentarily speechless.

Clicking her tongue, Ishika pushed him toward the suite. "Clothes are there. Hurry up," she said firmly.

Still speechless, Sahil entered the suite. After a few minutes, Ishika knocked on the door three times, her impatience evident. "You're so slow!" she exclaimed, stepping inside.

Sahil was adjusting his cuffs when she approached. Seeing her coming closer, he lifted his chin slightly, wordlessly asking her to check.

Ishika leaned in, sniffing lightly from his chest and moving bit by bit upward until she reached near his jaw. She clicked her tongue. "Tsk."

Sahil raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. "What?"

"The clothes don't smell, but you do," she said, her tone teasing but firm.

Sahil's lips curved into a sly smirk as he took a deliberate step toward her. Instinctively, Ishika backed away until her back hit the wall.

Now trapped, Sahil leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. His warm breath fanned her cheek as his dark, intense eyes locked onto hers "I smell, huh?" he murmured, his voice a low, teasing drawing.

Ishika swallowed hard, her heart pounding "Y-Yes," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sahil's smirk deepened as he raised his hand, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her skin "Funny," he said softly, his voice sending shivers down her spine. "Because all I can smell is you"

Ishika's breath hitched, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. She tried to look away, but Sahil gently cupped her chin, tilting her face back toward him.

She smiled briefly. "You smell good," she said quickly, then pushed him away. He stepped back, a faint smile on his lips.

"Shall we go?" he asked, holding the door of the suite open for her.

She nodded, lifted her chin with an air of defiance, and walked ahead, completely ignoring him.

_____________________________

End of the chapter.

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