Chapter 30: chapter 30

MADHAV“I NEED TO MEET THE OWNER NOW,” a high-pitched voice takes my attention off my computer. I am in the main branch of the Gajendran Jewellers. I come here whenever I am not on an assignment. Becoming a salesman was never my dream job but coming here gives me some tasks to do. I usually work at the finance counter since I am the owner. Occasionally, when there is a VIP customer, I take over and help them out with jewels.“What is happening?” I ask a salesman who comes running from the top floor. He is a newbie. He looks red in the face and I can imagine how nervous he is. The first step in becoming a good salesman is to never show your nerves to the customer. You have to be confident in what you are selling. You have to blindly trust the lies you say for the customer to believe it.“A lady is making trouble,” he answers wiping his sweaty brows.“I will handle her. Just go take some rest for a few minutes,” I say leaving the finance counter. As I walk to the source of the sound, I assure other customers on the way that there is no problem and they can continue their shopping. My face wrinkles in disgust as I see who is responsible for all these commotions. Anandhi aka ‘The Super-Model’ of our country.  Her face lights up like a thousand watts bulb when she sees me approaching her. I clench my teeth in disgust.Long story short, she acted in one of my shop ads a few years ago. She is a top-notch actor but is a delusional person who is far too bright and cherry. Her father is a famous director and using his influence she entered the entertainment industry. I am not saying she is a bad actor. She is amazing when it comes to acting. I am just saying that she didn’t have to chase her dreams. It was handed out to her on a gold platter. She got everything she wanted except for me. Yep! You read that right. She is obsessed with me. She believes in her head that I am her soulmate. Over the years, she had tried in different ways to lure me to her but to no avail. Every action of hers only disgusted me more. I don’t hate her. No, to hate someone you have to think about them. I don’t even think she is worth my thoughts. I forget about her until she comes to my shop to create a ruckus like the one she is creating now.“What is your problem?” I ask in a bored tone. I know the drill. She would yell at one of my employees about how the services of my shop were not up to the mark and demanded to meet me. Then she would make me take her out for coffee and try to convince me why we both should get married. “The coffee you are providing here has too much sugar. What if I gain some weight?” she asks with a pout. A lot of people would find that cute but I only find it irritating.“Then, don’t drink it,” I answer and hear a few snickers masked as coughs from my employees.“Oh! Madhav, how cold of you,” she says tapping her nails on the table. “Are you also this cold to your new wife?”Ah! There it is. The ugly jealousy on her face. “How I behave with my wife is none of your business,” I reply calmly. “If you are done shopping, then please kindly leave without creating another scene. Unlike you, some customers want to shop.”Her eyes widen in surprise at my dismal. Never before have I dismissed her like this but today she is pushing my limits. I am sure if I give in to her antics then she will bad mouth Sruthi. I don’t want her to do that. I don’t want anyone badmouthing Sruthi. “I will leave on one condition,” she says jutting her chin up in defiance. A bone-weary sigh escapes me.“What is your condition?” I ask.“Five minutes. I want to chat with you in private for just five minutes. After that, I promise to get out of your sight,” she says again with a pout. Bile rises in my stomach. Why do even people find her pout cute is beyond my comprehension? “Okay, follow me to my room,” I agree because I know she wouldn’t leave this place if I didn’ t relent to her condition.“What did you see in that woman? She is very plain looking and would be a nobody without her brother,” spats Anandhi as soon as we are alone in my office room.“I love Sruthi,” I answer honestly. God! It is liberating to admit that truth out loud.  “I love her inside out. To me, she is more beautiful than you. Besides, you keep forgetting that you wouldn’t have got your first film chance easily without the influence of your father. You are not in any place to judge her.”She fists her hands and looks very angry. But I am not scared. I am not going to let other people talk bad about my wife. “That doesn't change the fact that I am the dream girl of the nation,” she says with a snicker.“Yes,” I agree. “It doesn't. But, Sruthi is my dream girl. Not you.““You are going to regret this day, Madhav,” she curses. “I will make sure of it. I will make you come to me begging on the knees. I will destroy you.”“Are you done challenging me?” I ask in a bored tone. “If you are done, then please excuse me, I have to return home early to my wife. Goodbye and see you never again.”Her face turns red at my blatant rejection. In the past, I was never direct with rejecting her. I was considerate of her feelings. But not anymore. But she doesn’t get the hint and keeps talking, “I will destroy that plain-looking Sruthi too. Then, y—”In a quick motion, I close the gap between us and pin her against the wall with my hands around her throat. My voice is a dangerous growl, “Don’t you dare think about messing with Sruthi. I am the one who rejected you. Not her. If I get wind of you trying to pull something with her, just remember that I know how to hide a dead body.”Her eyes widen in fear and she looks at me like she is seeing me for the first time. In some ways, yes, she is seeing the assassin side of Madhav for the first time. “Security,” I call and the shop security comes in. “Kindly escort Miss Anandhi to  her car.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥