Recap: Vikram’s presentation was done by AV companies.
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Nisha stood beside Vikram, her face tense.
“What shall we do now?” she asked, her voice hushed.
“Let’s quit…” Vikram said calmly, though a smirk played at the corner of his lips.
“But sir…” she hesitated. “What do we say to the committee?”
Vikram just chuckled in response. At that exact moment, the Emcee’s voice rang out across the hall.
“And now, we welcome Vikram Group of Companies!”
Vikram turned to his team. “Sharath, go ahead.”
“Yes, sir,” Sharath replied, stepping up with confidence.
He took the mic. “Good morning everyone. I’m glad to invite our new Business Head, Mrs. Pranitha, to begin our presentation.”
All eyes turned as Pranitha walked in with effortless poise, dressed in a crisp white shirt, a black blazer, and tailored pants. Her hair flowed freely behind her as she approached the podium, exuding charm and confidence.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” she greeted, her voice smooth and commanding.
She flashed a warm smile towards Vikram and Pugazh. They raised their thumbs in encouragement. Pranitha then opened her laptop and began the presentation. Her voice carried confidently through the hall, each word sharp and clear. The data she presented was jaw-dropping, and her poised, casual delivery left the audience thoroughly impressed.
By the end of her presentation, admiration was written on everyone’s faces. There was no question about the outcome.
Pranitha wrapped up with a graceful, “Thank you,” and walked back to join her team.
“Bro, how was it?” she asked Vikram with a cheeky grin.
“You ruled the day. Congrats,” Vikram said, patting her back proudly.
Nisha, who had been staring at Pranitha the entire time, was too stunned to speak. It took a gentle nudge from Sharath to bring her back to reality.
Just as Pranitha was reaching for a bowl of dessert, a suave voice interrupted her calm moment.
“Hello, Ms. Beauty… You look exquisite in this attire,” the man said, flashing a practiced smile.
Pranitha turned to face him, offering a polite smile of her own. “Thank you, Mr…?”
“Akash Viswanath,” he replied confidently, eyes scanning her face with admiration.
Recognition flickered in Pranitha’s eyes. Her expression sharpened, though her tone remained cool. “Ohh, so you’re the one who stole our project?”
Akash chuckled, undeterred. “If I want something, I’ll get it by any means.”
“That’s not how I work,” she replied calmly, “and that’s certainly not how my boss operates either.”
Akash stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. “How about a coffee date then? Just the two of us… You seem like someone who deserves better company.”
Before Pranitha could respond, a strong arm slid effortlessly around her waist. Pugazh appeared beside her, casual yet protective.
“Darling, what are you doing here?” he asked, his tone light but his eyes fixed on Akash.
Pranitha leaned into Pugazh, playing along with a playful glint. “Just came to get dessert, darling. By the way, Mr. Akash, meet my husband—Mr. Pugazh.”
She winked at Pugazh, who responded with an exaggerated air kiss, and together, they turned and walked away—leaving a stunned and speechless Akash behind, his charm completely disarmed.
“Just came to get dessert, darling. By the way, Mr. Akash—meet my husband, Mr. Pugazh,” she said sweetly, winking at Pugazh.
Pugazh gave her an air kiss and led her back to their table, leaving Akash blinking.
Vikram, who had been watching the scene unfold, approached Akash with a knowing smirk.
“Yes, Mr. Akash. You haven’t changed since college. Still trying to grab what belongs to others.”
“What I want, I get—by any hook or crook,” Akash replied smugly.
Vikram’s eyes darkened slightly. “And do you think I’ve changed? No. I’m still the same Vikram—determined to win on my own.”
“Wait and watch. You’ll lose to me,” Akash said, flashing a sarcastic smile.
“In your dreams…” Vikram retorted and walked away.
Soon, everyone gathered at their respective tables for the final session.
IBS CEO Mr. Deepak stepped onto the stage.
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for all the brilliant presentations today,” he began. “At IBS, we value integrity and equality. While all teams did well, I was particularly impressed with two presentations—those from AV Group and Vikram Group.”
Murmurs spread across the hall.
“But,” Deepak continued, “as I said, we prioritize honesty and integrity. And with that, I am glad to announce that we will proceed with only one group.”
Everyone leaned forward in anticipation.
“I’m well aware that the AV Group presentation was originally designed by Vikram Group. So, I’m proud to declare Vikram Group as our project partner. Congratulations, Mr. Vikram.”
Applause filled the hall. Vikram stood up and walked to the stage, hugging Deepak warmly.
“Thank you, everyone. Please stay back and join us for the party tonight,” Deepak concluded.
As the guests began rising from their seats, the buzz of excitement still lingering in the air, Vikram made his way back to his table. His face carried a rare softness—relief, pride, and something more tender.
Pugazh stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear. “Congrats, man!”
Vikram pulled him into a quick hug. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Sharath followed with a tight, enthusiastic embrace. “You did it, sir! We nailed it.”
Just a few steps away, Nisha moved forward, her hands slightly raised, eager to share in the celebration. But before she could reach him, Pranitha slipped in smoothly, looping her arm around Vikram and giving him a warm side hug.
The moment stalled Nisha. She froze mid-step, her arms falling to her sides. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Vikram lean his head closer to Pranitha with a smile, oblivious to her presence. A silent fire sparked behind Nisha’s gaze.
Vikram, unaware of the turmoil brewing nearby, pulled out his phone and stepped slightly away from the group. He dialed a number that never failed to bring him peace.
“Sana ma…” His voice softened instantly.
“Congratulations, Mr. Husband,” came the bright, teasing voice of Sana from the other end.
A chuckle escaped him. “Hmm… thanks, wifeyyy. You knew I’d win?”
“Of course. Who else could possibly win when you’re in the race?”
“So much confidence in me?” he asked with a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Always.”
He lowered his voice, playful. “How about rewarding me for the win?”
Sana responded with a sly laugh. “Sure. We could do something…”
“You ready?”
“Always.”
“Love you, wifey.”
“Love you too, hubby.”
Across the room, hidden behind clinking glasses and passing guests, a pair of eyes stayed locked on Vikram. Nisha’s jaw clenched as she watched him beam at his phone. Every sweet word he uttered to Sana only deepened the bitterness swirling inside her.
Her mind raced, thoughts laced with envy and desperation.
“That should’ve been me. That will be me.” Her lips curled into a quiet, bitter smile as she turned away.
Nisha, you have only one chance left. Do something big tonight to make Vikram yours. His wife is busy with her baby… she won’t come. Tonight is your night. Anything for you, Vikram.
She made a call, instructing someone to decorate Vikram’s room with candles and flowers. Then, she left the hall to buy her outfit for the night.
Later that evening, Vikram and Sharath visited Deepak’s office to complete the paperwork. Pranitha and Pugazh dressed in matching black and arrived at the party, blending into the joyous crowd. Sharath and Vikram soon joined, greeting guests with smiles.
“Sharath, where’s Nisha?” Vikram asked, scanning the crowd.
Sharath pulled out his phone and quickly dialed. “Hello, Ms. Nisha… where are you?”
Her voice came quiet and distant. “I returned to my room.”
“Aren’t you coming to the party?”
“No. I’m not feeling well. Besides, I didn’t really contribute anything to this project’s success.”
Sharath frowned. “Alright. Take care.”
He ended the call and turned to Vikram. “She’s not coming. Says she’s unwell.”
Vikram merely nodded and returned his focus to the guests. The music picked up as laughter echoed through the space. Akash, still licking his wounds from Pranitha’s earlier jab, had wisely chosen to skip the celebration.
On the dance floor, Pranitha twirled with carefree grace as Pugazh matched her energy, both losing themselves in the rhythm. Meanwhile, Vikram remained by the drinks bar with Deepak, sipping on a glass of fresh juice, his expression calm, eyes distant.
Then his phone buzzed.
Sana.
Excusing himself with a smile, he took the call, weaving through the crowd as her voice filled his ear with warmth. Just then, a waiter turned the corner too quickly and bumped into him, spilling juice down Vikram’s blazer.
“I’m extremely sorry, sir. Please forgive me,” the waiter stammered.
“It’s okay,” Vikram said, brushing off the juice.
“Sir, you can get it cleaned and changed in your room.”
Vikram nodded, still on the call. “Hold on, Sana… Just spilled something. Heading upstairs.”
He caught Sharath’s eye, gestured for his room key, and made his way to the elevator. He ended the call as he reached the suite.
Slotting the key into the door, he stepped inside—and immediately froze.
The room was transformed.
Soft candlelight flickered against the walls, casting golden shadows. Flower petals were strewn across the bed and floor. A slow, sensual tune played in the background.
And then she appeared. Nisha stepped into the glow, dressed in a revealing satin nightwear, her long hair cascading over bare shoulders, lips painted a bold red, eyes smoldering.
Vikram stood motionless.
She walked towards him, slow and deliberate, the silk of her robe whispering with each step. When she stopped inches from him, the robe slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor.
“Vikram…” she purred, her voice honeyed and sultry. “You look dashing in every costume. Every time I see you, you set something on fire inside me.”
He said nothing. His jaw clenched slightly.
“You know how much I love you,” she continued, her fingers grazing the front of his shirt. “Don’t you think you deserve someone who really sees you? Who really wants you?”
Her hand trailed down his chest, her touch light, teasing. “We’re perfect together, Vikram. Just look at me… Don’t you feel it too?”
He met her eyes—steady, unreadable.
“I love you,” she whispered, breath hot against his skin. “That so-called wife of yours? She won’t give you the pleasure you need. She’s busy playing mommy while you’re out here winning the world.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Don’t you want peace? Pleasure? Let me show you heaven tonight…”
She leaned in closer, lips nearly brushing his.
“Shall we?” she whispered, confident.
For a moment, silence.
Then Vikram’s expression shifted—his lips curled into a slow, unreadable smile. His voice was low and measured.
“Hmmm… yes,” he said quietly. “I would like to see heaven tonight…”
He took a step forward, his gaze never leaving hers.
Then—he leaned in near her ear and whispered,
“But I only see heaven in my wife’s eyes.”
He stepped back.
Nisha’s face faltered. The air in the room changed.
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