Someone's else baby

Ritwik Oberoi walked the corridor silently, it was empty and dark because it was midnight when he reached the door of the apartment, he bent down and picked up the hidden key in the plant pot and he cleaned the key with a napkin and used it to open the door in front of him. He dusted his hands and locked the door behind him. He walked towards the room where the lights were turned on. When he got inside the room, he looked around to find someone. When he heard the little movement behind him he turned and clutched that wrist, "There you are!"

"Ritwik. Oh, it's you. It's you." She sighed in relief. "So who else? You called right." He left her wrist and straightened up his collar, "There is a sex tape Anmol, a sex tape that is buried with Ratan Bagchi. You and I have come this far, we need that tape to expose them."

"I do not know where the damn tape is Ritwik." She moved towards the bed and lay back, "Where is Ratan Bagchi buried? Even his son wouldn't know."

"Veer killed the guy." Ritwik smirked, "We get the body, we can send him to jail anyway. The tape will just make the divorce easier."

"And after that?" she raised a brow, "You get the money? How do I trust you, Ritwik, that you'll not do what you are going to do to Pratha."

"I am not going to betray you Anmol, I've always told you everything since the day you told me about your friend's affair with my brother."

"That was a year ago Ritwik, and now even after a year we still can't manage to get Pratha fueled enough to give us all the dirt on your brother." She gritted her teeth together. He laughed, "Patience Anmol, don't you remember, till two months ago, she didn't even tell you about Veer, she's going to spit it all out soon. We just need her till she spits it out in a press conference and when she does." He sat on the bed by her side, tucking her hair behind her ear, "Bye bye Pratha."

"It's going to work right?" she pursed her lips. He nodded, "Didn't this plan work? You told me how my brother threatened her and we got her into that accident- now she hates him."

"But she loves him too Ritwik," Anmol said in a hollow voice. "That doesn't matter Anmol, Pratha is my puppet now, she will do what I want her to do. Then we get what we want."

PAST

Pratha was looking at her pictures from an article in a magazine, it was unbelievable, her first magazine article. She was going to get the cover framed. She read the interview again with red cheeks and then decided to keep it away so she could get ready for bed but before she'd head to change her clothes, the bell rang, she walked to the door and opened it, "Hey come in." she held his wrist pulling him inside, "I wasn't expecting you."

He handed her a bouquet of roses and kissed her cheek, "Well I am unexpected, I heard a certain someone had a magazine article published today featuring them."

She smiled and bowed dramatically, "Thank You, your majesty."

He shook his head as she went towards the kitchen, "You want a drink?"

"No uhm I wanted to talk." He sat on the stool near the counter, "Uh you didn't tell me it was your twenty-first birthday tomorrow."

She looked up at him and shrugged, "I almost forgot it too, no one cares that much ever since my parents passed away."

"One just doesn't forget a birthday Pratha." he rolled his eyes, "I know if I missed you'd be upset."

"Maybe." She smiled and walked across the counter standing in front of him as he turned slightly in his seat, he lifted her to place her on the counter in front of him, "I have to go somewhere with Kavya tomorrow, it's some event so-"

She nodded, "Oh so you're here to ask me if you can go out with your wife on my birthday, that kind of sucks."

"It wasn't intentional." He cupped her face, "I love you, you are what matters to me."

She looked away, "It shows."

He chuckled, "That's not all, treat yourself, it's on me." She shook her head, "Veer why do you always attempt to shut my mouth by stuffing money into it, it's so annoying." She got off the counter, "I don't want a gift or a treat or anything okay?"

"Come on Pratha there is a bunch of stuff you'd want." He held her arm bringing her back, "There is- but taking money from you makes me feel like a – like a "

"Like a?"

"Like a whore." She huffed running her fingers through her hair, "It just feels wrong." He got up holding her in place, "Why would you feel that? I am not trying to buy your love, Pratha, I just want to take care of you." He caressed the side of her face. She looked into his eyes, "Then you be here Veer, I hardly see you with all this crazy stuff going around. Even when I visit your company, Mahek's always breathing down my neck."

"She's just jealous of you." He grinned and leaned in nuzzling her neck, she pulled away, "No she thinks of me as garbage, she just gives me that dirty look all the time, even before us being together, I am sorry to say but you are surrounded by bitches."

He gasped dramatically, "That's something to look into." She shook her head, "I am serious, can you take me seriously for once? Well, when Mahek says something you hunt me down and humiliate me, and when I say something you just laugh."

He pursed his lips, "Pratha I said I was sorry."

"You still don't respect me." she moved away from him, and he sighed, "Pratha." he breathed deeply then took a step back, "I shouldn't have behaved the way I did, and I am sorry." She turned towards him, "Nothing hurt me more than that. You spoke to me that way the other day. It never mattered before when they used to treat me like garbage because you'd be on my side- but that day I just saw how easily you could change."

"Pratha, I felt insecure. I said a lot of shit I didn't mean." He said in a little rough tone, "I cared about you and to just hear and see something indicating it wasn't really like I felt it- it hurt and you know how bad I am at handling that." He stepped forward and held both her hands, "I tried to control it but I couldn't, it's just what you do to me, I can't think when it's about you."

"You know that I love you right? I am just heartbroken." Her eyes filled with tears, he cupped her face making her look up, "Hey no, don't cry Pratha." He kissed her forehead, and she wrapped her arms around him, "I try to forget about it but it bothers me. Thinking I am in such a cloudy relationship, I don't know what to believe."

"Just trust me." he kissed the top of her head, and she parted and wiped the tears on her cheeks, "I am sorry I got mad over nothing- I am just a little sensitive nowadays." His phone rang loudly and he excused himself from answering it, going towards a corner, "What?"

Pratha could hear the feminine bold voice on the other end but pretended not to, he sounded annoyed, "Well someone has to work."

"I don't care, I won't go to this alone." She said in a snappy voice, "Then don't go." He hung up and turned to her, "Are you okay?"

She nodded and gulped down a whole glass of water, "Yes, I'll be fine, you go home."

"What are you talking about? I am not going anywhere leaving you this upset." He declared then as quickly as he could, he picked her up, and she squealed, "What's with the picking up."

He took her to the bedroom and placed her on the bed. She smiled as he moved his hands down to remove her sock and lightly pressed her feet, "You're stressed, just relax. I'll get you some comfortable clothes." He disappeared into her closet and picked out black lingerie with a loose shirt, "this looks-"

"Yes, hand them here honey." She held out her hand and grabbed them, she got on her feet and pulled her dress over her head, she caught him looking up at her with his hungry eyes and she winked wearing what he picked out for it, he was watching her like it was the best form of entertainment when she got done, he threw the dress she had changed from on the couch and settled in bed with her after taking off his shirt and shoes. She looked up at him, "I want to spend my birthday with you."

"I know, I'll manage somehow, I can't have you being heartbroken, What do you want us to do?" he pressed his warm lips to hers, she moaned, kissing him back, she licked his lower lip, his tongue slowly danced with hers for a moment before she pulled back, "We should celebrate outside, somewhere quiet, you and me, no-one else."

"Notes taken."

She straddled him slowly, "I want you." She played with the buttons of his shirt and slowly moved her body against his, she grinned when she felt him get hard under her, "Birthday girl wants you."

Camera flashes, voices of conversations laughs, glasses- and beautiful dresses, she was at a corner table in the event. Silently sipping on her drink as she watched Veer at the furthest end with Kavya. They were talking to some other couple, laughing and talking, his arm was wrapped around his wife who looked beautiful in a golden mermaid dress.

Pratha got up and went to refill her drink when she turned, she just stood there getting a near view, he wasn't even looking at her, maybe she looked too long because Mrs. Sippi gestured for her to join them. She took the opportunity and walked to the table. "Take a seat, Pratha." The forty-year-old woman told her, "Mihir she's the girl I met at the fashion week. The one I told you about."

She had completely muffled all the voices looking at Kavya's hard eyes on her, "Doesn't she model for your company too Oberoi?"

"Yes." He gave a tightened lip smile, gesturing with his thumb sight movement for her to get the hint and go.

"Sorry, I am late." A curly-haired man sat on a chair near Pratha's. Pratha looked at him for a moment and, realizing that she didn't know him, politely said, "I am Ritwik Oberoi."

She frowned, but then Veer added, "My brother."

She had no idea Veer had a brother. She too managed to smile in time, "Pratha Gujral." She offered her hand, he held her hand shaking it, "Nice to meet you finally, I did hear some news."

Pratha got up, "I'll be heading back to my table, sorry for interrupting the conversation." She looked at Veer. Their eyes met briefly before Ritwik interrupted, "You are sitting all by yourself?"

"Don't worry I am okay." She gave him a warm smile.

"I am not worried, you'll be bored, how about I keep you company Pratha?" she didn't protest more before Ritwik joined her on her table, "You look down, is something wrong?"

"No, I just didn't get any sleep last night." She made up an excuse, "I was binge-watching Netflix."

Pratha had just barely slept when the door to her bedroom clicked, she knew who it was, Veer probably used his key, it was one in the night, he might be thinking she was fast asleep, but just the image of him and Kavya was enough to haunt her mind enough to keep her up, He took off his shirt and jumped into bed with her, he wrapped his arms around her, she rolled towards him, "Veer."

"Baby I am so fucking tired." He groaned. She almost laughed at his annoyed tone, he sounded completely exhausted, "What did that asshole want from you?"

"Who? Ritwik?" she asked in a low raspy tone.

"Mhmm." He said half asleep.

"He asked me out on dinner." She said hoping he'd not lash out. "What did you say?"

"I said I am too busy." She chuckled, resting her head on his chest, "Don't be worried about him."

"Dinner was kind of appropriate to ask- he usually just asks for a lap dance." He huffed pulling her on top of him, "I am sorry Pratha for not being with you today baby"

She caressed the side of his face, "It's fine, I chose this didn't I ?" he didn't answer and she thought he fell asleep, she rolled off him and kissed his temple, "I love you."

"Love you too." He mumbled and tucked her under his arm.

She woke up to something brushing against her face, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly to resist it, then moaned opening them anyway, she could see a red shade, she raised a brow focusing, Veer was by her side brushing a rose against the side of her face, she sat up a little holding the flower in her fingers, she smiled at him, "You're not hung over."

"A surprise, I didn't even drink last night. Three drinks only." He grinned.

"Three drinks only? You looked wasted last night." She sat back against his bicep. He shook his head, "Oh I was just tired, events drained me. I hate the whole deal, the cameras, and the elegance code." He pressed a kiss against her cheek, "It's like an over-time of the partial personality."

She huffed, "You are a good actor." He shrugged, "So you met my brother." She nodded, "He thinks of me as a socially awkward girl so he just came over for company-" Veer interrupted, "Socially awkward hot girl."

"Veer." She rolled her eyes, "I am making breakfast so go get a shower." He held her wrist, "Talk it out."

"Talk about what?"

"You were giving me the side eye throughout the event, you weren't happy." He pulled her back to his lap, brushing away the hair from her shoulder, he stroked her arms, "I don't want to complicate things more than they are Veer. I think about it too much"

"Think about what?" he entwined their fingers together. "About the future- I think about who I want to marry or who I want to have kids with." She blushed looking away, "To think about anyone but you hurt me but you already have – that in a way, I don't want to be a mistress forever."

He sighed, as she turned to look at his face, "I don't want to be someone who has to look at you from miles away while you pretend to be happy with someone else."

"Give me some time." He cupped her face, brushing the pad of my thumb against her lower lip, "I want to be with you too but I can't promise just yet but if it's about Kavya and my relationship Pratha, I haven't slept with her once for two years and now that I have you I wouldn't ever." He pressed his lips to her, immediately she kissed him back, his tongue licked at her lower lip- like he had wanted to since last night, she straddled him, letting her hands run down his hard chest. He held a handful of her hair at the back of her head, parting her mouth from his, he smirked, "If I see you pouting your pretty lips, giving me the glassy doe eyes for five freaking hours consecutively, you'll have a punishment, Miss."

"I wasn't giving you any glassy doe eyes and I wasn't pouting." She stated somewhat offended.

"You just know how it melts me right?" he chuckled, "You're a little manipulator evil genius. Do not try that again though."

"What if I do?" she asked playfully, "Will you punish me?", He rolled them so she was under him, she squealed as he nibbled on her shoulder, "You deserve one right now, you're a bad girl." He bound her wrists on either side of her head, his lips planting kisses all over her sun-kissed skin.

PRESENT

Anmol was watching Pratha pack for Mussoorie, she was still having trouble walking, "You're seriously going?"

"Yes, He is buried at some hill point in Mussoorie, I'll come back as soon as I get the tape- Ritwik says that he'll arrange for me to live somewhere out of the country for some time till things cool down."

"Pratha, why are you trusting Ritwik?" She asked annoyed, Pratha shook her head, "At this point, I just want Veer to hurt and I'll do anything to do that."

"So what is the sex tape going to do?" she asked. Pratha shrugged, "Maybe just ruin that image of his, give Kavya a reason to divorce him and take all his money, Veer is co-dependent on cocaine, he has several businesses related to the black market and connections with the mafia. When all of this stuff opens up after this- he will burst into flames Anmol."

"So? Pratha why are you so hell-bent on ruining his life? He can destroy you."

Pratha rolled her eyes, "He has destroyed me already, he screwed with me all he wanted and now it's time I screw him back."

"And you trust Ritwik?" she said sarcastically.

"If I have to trust Ritwik I will- this isn't your revenge, the reason why you don't support me, only if you knew what happened to-"

"To whom?" she asked, a brow raised. Pratha zipped her bag, Anmol got up from the bed and rushed across the bed holding her wrist, "Who Pratha?"

"No one."

"You're lying! Pratha tell me, is it – is it about Rudra?" she asked in a shaky voice.

"Rudra had it coming, Anu." She mumbled, getting her purse and calling Ritwik.

"What do you mean? Veer killed Ratan but is he responsible for Rudra's disappearance? Tell me, Pratha!" Anmol asked loudly. "You know it, Anu." She snapped. "Rudra wasn't a saint either Anmol. Everyone used me! It's time I stand up for myself!" she shouted, pushing Anmol out of the way.

When she left the apartment, Anmol cursed picked up her phone and she called Ritwik, he immediately picked up, "Pratha talked about Rudra, Ritwik we will do what we decided, if she has the guts to ruin Veer she can ruin us too, we can't leave signs behind us."

"Don't worry Anmol, Pratha won't be given a chance to tell her story." He chuckled, "I am sure Ratan has enough room for her in whatever ditch he is lying in."

"I have everything with me, just call me when it's time."

"Sure."

PAST

Pratha huffed loudly after the last shoot was done, she changed from the red halter front dress to an orange sweatshirt as her stylist started to unpin her hair and free it from all the heavy product, Mansi came inside with some files, "Here we have a few events booked for you, Sir also recommended you to for some projects."

She smiled sheepishly and looked at the papers, "One of your friends is outside."

"My friend?" Pratha asked with a frown, Mansi closely knew Anmol, so letting her wouldn't be such a big problem or formality.

"Rudra, Anmol's boyfriend." Mansi huffed, "I guess her birthday is coming up."

Pratha nodded, "Yes,- let him in already."

Mansi took the files from her hand and let in Rudra. The dark-haired guy came inside and rolled his eyes seeing everyone there, "I miss the times it was easier to see you."

"Oh sorry- guys can you please?" she requested and everyone piled up their stuff giving them privacy. She got up from her chair, "Don't worry I haven't forgotten Anmol's birthday either."

"It's not that." He grinned. Pratha narrowed her eyes as he made his way to a seat and sat on it, "Pratha, it must be hard getting into the industry, dealing with things, and especially getting yourself a name in such a short time."

She brushed her hair away from her face, "I uh- I guess."

"It wasn't that difficult for you obviously since you fucked your way to the top." His words shook her completely, she gulped, "Rudra are you out of your mind?"

"Quit playing dumb Pratha, that Tiffany and co bracelet on your wrist, you never spent that much on yourself- this lifestyle is bought by a fat cat." He threw an envelope on the floor, Pratha picked it up with shivering hands and felt the floor give away under her feet as she saw pictures of Veer and her from the time they were out of the city on her twenty-first birthday. "R-Rudra please listen-"

"Talk time is over baby, now you listen, I have plenty of stuff other than this, cute little videos of you and that guy- what's his name again? Veer Oberoi." He stood up walking towards her, "His wife hired my Dad to find dirt on him, now Dad hasn't been able to give her solid proof because she is God knows what country but he will soon, I can steal all the material and give it to you."

"Yes please, Rudra." She begged.

He chuckled, snatching the photos from her, "If I get my share, now your sugar daddy isn't a common guy right? You want to get your hands on those photographs and that tape of you riding his rocket- you have to get me protection money." She nodded, "Anything just please."

"And-"

"And?" she asked, her eyes growing in horror.

"I want you."

"What?" she asked in disgust, "How dare you?"

"That's the deal Pratha, take it or leave it, it's not like you haven't been a slut before-"

She gasped, "He loves me- I am not with him for his money."

"Well if you want to be with him you have to sleep with me." he cocked his face aside, "You don't have much of a choice right?"

"No Rudra please, don't do this to me" she begged almost, "I can't do it."

"Well I'll sell these to some reporter I guess, I'll get more than a million, more than you can give me." he seethed. She fisted her hands on her side, her eyes welling up with tears. He pouted, "Aw okay I'll give you till Friday to think okay?"

"Rudra, how can you do this to Anmol?" she asked, choking on her words, "She loves you."

He rolled his eyes, "I don't care." He shrugged. "You will come to me on Friday and if you don't, Friday midnight, you'll be seeing these pictures in the news."

She pursed her lips as he turned to leave, "Your lover boy finds out about this and he gets them mailed to his wife okay?"

"Huh."

He slammed the door shut after him.

So many things were going through her mind, Rudra, those pictures, Veer-he was sitting right in front of her checking some of the company's accounts, he'd eat a grape from the bowl set aside on the table. Pratha was constantly tapping her nails against the table, he looked up at her once, her eyes were wide open, staring into the air as if lost and her right leg shaking a little signaling her anxiety.

"Is something wrong?"

She didn't answer continuing the tapping, he shrugged as he dug back into the papers in front of him, the tapping went on and after some minutes he huffed, "Can you not do that?" his voice was a little loud to snap her out of her musings. She shook slightly and looked at him, "What?" she asked.

"The noise." He gestured to her hand. She just blinked and got up, he frowned as she went towards the bedroom, "Pratha?" he called, "Are you okay?" he got up from his chair following her to the room, she crawled on the bed towards her pillow and rest her head against it, curling into a ball. He walked to the bed, sitting beside her, "Are you tired baby? You're quiet today?"

She looked up at him, her voice was hoarse and low, "I am not feeling good."

He pursed his lips, then took off his shoes getting into bed with her, despite her protests he pulled her into his arms, patting her head, rocking her back and forth slowly "Umm I know what's wrong."

"What?"

"You miss your parents?" He took a wild guess. She didn't want to say anything, she nodded, he kissed the top of her head, "You want to go see Tina?"

She shook her head, "No huh I am fine, nothing you can't fix."

"That's right." He said in a fake smug tone, "I am here for you baby." He cupped her face and she looked up at him, "Veer you won't leave me, right?"

"I never want to and I never will." He smiled, "I love you, I am always going to be here for you."

"Me too, everything I do Veer, it's for us." She whispered and kissed his cheek.

"Boy, you're making me gloomy, and that too for no reason, how about we watch a movie?" he signaled towards the TV, "You want to?"

"Umm hmm." She smiled

She woke up early that morning, she wasn't sure she was even asleep but Veer holding her that close did calm her nerves, she was almost shaking when she saw the calendar, it was Friday, she looked back at Veer who was still asleep, she walked out of the room and went towards the balcony, she had to make a choice, Rudra would destroy her, her relationship with Veer, her reputation in society, most of all he'd ruin Veer- who will have to give up everything for her, she loved him way too much to see him broken or ruined, she clutched her phone as she dialed his number, "Hello" Rudra's voice boomed in her ears.

"It's me, Pratha."

"Yes, I have your number saved Pratha, what is your decision? You're coming tonight or are you running away as far as possible?" he asked

"No Rudra I am not going anywhere, you bring the proof with you, I am ready" she swallowed thickly, "I'll sleep with you if that's all it takes."

"Good, you're back to your senses now." he said in an ironic tone, "I'll be waiting."

"Whatever." She shut the phone. All she had to do was shut herself for one night, she thought, the other side of the curtain stood Veer, fisting his hands by his side, his mind telling him a thousand different stories and he chose one conclusion, he was going to ruin anyone who tries to screw with his life.