O N E

As soon as I landed in Mumbai I went straight to my house only to get a call from my mother.

"Hi, sweety! Did you reach safely?"

"Yes mom! Kya hua?"

"Actually Dad has called you here urgently, freshen up and come home.okay?"

"Yes sure,bye!" I hung up before she could say anything else.

I am Anaya, you probably know me by now, the rich spoiled fashion designer. People think I got access to the fashion industry through my dad's name, I think I got access through my skills and talent.

My dad was disappointed when I told him I wanted to study fashion instead of business, he wanted to hand the business over to me after my sister's marriage, my sister is doctor, she was a part of a contract marriage but it turned out well at the end. She wanted to marry someone she loved and someone who loves her back but me?

Let's just say I have no hopes in men.

My younger brother works with my dad while I run my own empire, which I built, with my own hardwork, but when you have a big name joint to yours they never believe you when you say you worked hard, 'she probably got help from investors.' 'her dad knows billions of people she only needed one click to grow her business.' but some of them know it takes more then a name to build a business.

And today I was the proudest, after my first show in Paris fashion week. After years of hardwork, months of designing and planning. The fashion show of my dreams was finally a reality. I could never Imagine coming in forbes 30 under 30 while drawing dresses during math lectures to kill time.

I go through the huge dress collection to see what the options I have to wear to the press conference this weekend.

I rummage through the dresses and select a few of them as options, click pictures and send them to my best friend who is also my manager.

It's good having a friend working with you, only problem is I can't yell at her without her responding back at me.

I keep the phone away as I go and change clothes to go to my parents house which is quite well about 20 minutes drive from here.

I hear my phone ringing and go and and grab it, the name 'Yukti' poped up on the screen. I anwers it only to be welcomed by screams.

"You idiot, is this what you will wear to the, press conference, this isn't any press conference weirdo."

"Well then why don't you tell me what kind of press conference is being held at a romantic restaurant on a weekend that only you know about."

"Umm well it's a -"

"You think I am dumb, there is a difference between a date a blind one to be precise and a press conference."

"Alright I had to lie to you because that is the only way you would have agreed to be on this date. "

"Yuks you know what I think about dating! "

"I do but this is coming as a best friend not a manager, I am quite worried about it, it's been so long since you went on a date, and a single date doesn't always resonate to commitment sweetheart. "

"But yukti-"

"Please just this once. "

"Alright, stop with the puppy eyes I know you are making. "

I lose. Again

"Alright bye I have to go meet my parents. "

"Tell uncle aunty I said hi and also how busy you have been keeping me lately."

"Alright now go get a bath, I know you are tired and probably lying on the bed in the same clothes we reached airport in."

"You know me well, byee! "

"Bye! "

I reach my parents place and park the car just beside my little brother's car.

I greet the security guard standing outside the door.

Sumesh has been working as security guard at my parents mansion for as long as I can remember.

The doors are opened the men outside and I step inside as I spot my mom in the living room while talking on the phone.

She notices me as a, smile forms on her face, passing me a little wave I respond her with a wave to as I settle on the couch.

"Alright Sudha I will call you later, bye!"

"Hey sweetheart." Mom says planting a kiss on my forehead

"Hi, another rich mom kitti party?"

"Don't even start about it, she wants us all to attend some art gala in delhi next week!"

"Why don't you go!"

"Well um- why don't you meet you brother and dad first we have all evening to talk about it."

"Okay"

"Also didi is also coming in and hour or two."

I knock on my dad's study to find him sitting on the chair, glasses on, reflected laptop screen, shear few strands of grey hair, a subtle beard, and a smile as he spots me.

"Hi papa. "

"Hello bacha, how was your trip? "

I walk near his desk as I give him a little kiss and hug him.

"Amazing, your daughter is now one of b the Top 10 fashion designers in the country. "

"I am so proud of you. How was Paris?"

"Nice, couldn't wander much, was busy with work!"

"Okay, you go meet you brother he has been waiting for hours, I will complete some work and meet you there."

"Sure"

I walk up stairs to find my brother in his room, headphones in, baby blue tshirt on, white shorts, grooving to the music.

With a book in his hand.

"This is your studying? " I say as I lean against the door frame.

"You came back to taunt me? "

I walk inside the room and sit on the couch as he sits beside me.

"Hi didi how was the fashion show, too bad I missed it because of exams! "

"It's okay, the videographers were assigned, I will get the pendrive in a few days. "

"Great, I saw your interview, I am so proud of you chaman"

He gives me a hug as I smile.

"Thank you, you do know I have a name right? "

"Yes you do, chaman!"

"Idiot"

"Also when is Shrishti didi coming, I have a gift for you both! "

"Shrishti is here bitches! "My eyes divert to my sister standing by the door with the two year old, sweet Kishi in her arms as Jiju walks in behind her.

(Jiju-brother in law)

Shrishti gives Kishi in Vivaan's arms as we hug.

" Missed you soo much, didi."

"Missed you too"

"Bummer I missed your wedding anniversary!"

"No worries, it was amazing I have photos with me. "

"That's great, hi jiju how are you? "

"Amazing, gained weight eating food made by your sister. "

Didi gives him a death glare as he smiles and says.

"Its so amazing, I over eat and gain weight sweetheart! "

"How was Paris Anaya? "Jiju asks

"Nice, would have loved if you all were there! "

"We wish too, congrats on the great success though, someone missed her masi more than ever!"

(Masi-aunt)

He says diverting his eyes to two year old playing with the little string in her hands.

I take her in my arms as she starts laughing and my mood lights up.

"I missed Kishi too!" I plant small kisses on her cheeks as she blushes and giggles

I love kids.

Until and unless they don't start crying and throw tantrums.

"I bought gifts for all of you from paris, especially for Kishu. "

I say tickling her stomach with a baby voice.

"Someone forgot me? "Vidhart says coughing gaining all of ours attention.

" How can I forget you, you annoyed me all night by sending me weird cat pictures. " Shrishti hugs Vidhart.

"Blame the finals pressure."

"When do your exams end? , let's go out for dinner all together!" Jiju says.

"Two more days of mental pressure!"

"Can I interrupt? "Mumma comes in knocking.

" You can!" We all say in unison.

We were done having dinner and opening gifts.

I open the suitcase and and remove the bags one by one. I read the names and give them to each one of them.

They open them as Vidhart comes down with a bag.

"Sadly you both missed bhai-dooj, so her are your gifts, one for jiju and this one for my Kishi! "

I open my gift and find a diamond bracelet.

"It's so pretty thank you! "

I say as Didi opened her and found a diamond necklace.

"I love this, you have grown up chotu! "

We all hug each other.

Mom opens the gift I got for her. "A pair of Louboutin heels." She loves to collect footwear.

Dad opens his to find chanel sunglasses.

Vidhart finds a watch in his.

Shrishti's eyes shine bright as she finds a gold bracelet in there.

Vivaan opens his box to get out the gold bracelet same as Shrishti's.

I open the little box for Kishi revealing the pair of small diamond earrings, she got her ears pierced recently, what better than that.

"I love all the gift Anaya, thank you! " Mumma says while giving me a side hug.

"By the way Anaya I wanted to talk to you can we go to the study for a while? " Dad says leaving me in wonder.

"Alright sure."

I notice mom giving him an assuring nod.

Something is fishy.

We enter the study room as dad asks me to take a seat on the chair opposite him.

"Honey I want to talk to you about something!"

"About what?"

"Well our business is not putting up well lately, and I need help like public help. I have a friend who can help and-"he pauses.

"And?"

"Well he has a son, he is the hier of the company after his brother, he is single and my friend needs help too, so I want you to get in a fake relationship with his son."

"WHAT?"

"Yes I know you are freaking out but just for a month, after that we will announce that you broke up, it's that simple-"

"It's not simple dad, you know what I think about dating and you are talking about fake dating."

"Look it's just for a while after that it will all be over."

"You said the same thing when you told Didi about that fake marriage. "

"That was marriage it's different."

"But dad-"

"Just this once Anaya, I really need your help, I am getting old and I can't see the business drowning before handing it over to Vidhart, I really need your help Ana. "

It hits hard, there is still a guilt Inside me for not studying business and instead doing fashion, I do own him this one.

"Okay."

"Really! "His eyes beam bright and a smile draws on his lips.

" Yes but just this once dad! "

"Thank you soo much, love you bacha"

"I love you too"

I hug him as I melt in his fatherly love.

°•☆•°

Heyy, Saumya this side, hope you had a great day. When I thought about this book, I knew it had to be something special and different.