The unseen bargain

Sitting alone, taking a deep breath, Myra gazed at the beautiful stars in the sky. She closed her eyes, her heart racing as her mind replayed the incident from earlier. The cool night air was a relief, offering her a sense of calm. Her home, however, felt suffocating, a place where she couldn't find peace. But she knew she couldn't stay out here for long—her mother would start suspecting something, and if she didn't find her soon, Myra could only imagine the cruel ways her mother would devise to punish her.

Inside the mansion, Myra's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Singh, were anxiously waiting. They had been trying to finalize a deal with the CEO of one of the largest conglomerates in the country. But the main guest still hadn't arrived. Mrs. Singh, her patience wearing thin, began scanning the room for Myra. She approached one of the maids and asked where her daughter was. The maid replied that she had seen Myra heading towards the washroom, but it had been a while, and Mrs. Singh's irritation grew. Her frustration reached a boiling point, and she stormed towards the door, banging on it angrily.

"Come out! Don't think you can hide in there, Myra! I know you're in there!" she yelled, her voice filled with venom.

When no response came, she began knocking on the door even harder. "You little bitch! Are you deaf? Come out right now!"

Finally, the door clicked open, and Myra stepped out, her head hung low. "Sorry, it took me a while," she muttered.

"Did you lose your voice or something? Couldn't even reply to me?" Mrs. Singh snapped. "Now hurry up and get out here."

As the chaos continued inside, Mrs. Singh noticed the growing excitement outside. She rushed to the gate, and just as she reached it, a sleek, black Mercedes-Benz arrived, flanked by two Range Rovers in front and two behind. The car came to a stop, and the bodyguard in black, wearing earpieces, opened the door for the passenger. When the man stepped out, the entire crowd froze, eyes wide in awe. He was a vision of power and charisma—tall, broad-shouldered, and strikingly handsome. His mere presence made everyone around him feel a sudden chill. This was no ordinary man. His confidence and composure were undeniable.

Mr. Singh rushed forward and extended his hand, eager to greet the man who had come to seal the deal. "Welcome, Mr. Rajvansh," he said warmly.

After a firm handshake, Mr. Singh led him to the stage, holding a glass of champagne. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the star of the evening, the one and only, the biggest business tycoon in the country—Mr. Ranvijay Rajvansh!" The applause was deafening, a chorus of admiration for the man who had everyone in the room captivated.

Myra's eyes widened in shock when she realized who it was—the same man she had met earlier by the old gazebo.

"Mr. Rajvansh, allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Komal Singh, and my daughter, Ms. Myra Singh," Mr. Singh said, beaming with pride. Ranvijay shook Mrs. Singh's hand first before turning his gaze towards Myra, who instinctively looked down, avoiding his gaze. Mrs. Singh pinched Myra, urging her to extend her hand. Hesitantly, Myra did, and to her surprise, Ranvijay took her hand gently, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. Myra stood frozen, her heart racing at the unexpected gesture.

Before she could process it, Mr. Singh interrupted, directing everyone to sit. "Please, Mr. Rajvansh, make yourself comfortable. Would you care for a drink?" he asked, as a waiter approached.

While the business discussion carried on, Myra's attention drifted. She found herself eyeing the desserts, wondering which one to pick. She finally settled on a chocolate chip pastry when a small voice broke her focus.

"Can you hwelp me gwet the cake, swister? I can't rweach it," the voice lisped.

Myra looked down and saw a little girl, no older than five, in a pink frock, trying to stretch her hand towards the dessert table. Myra smiled and nodded, kneeling down to hand the pastry to the girl. The child took it gratefully and, to Myra's surprise, kissed her cheek before running off.

A few moments later, the little girl returned, grabbing Myra's hand excitedly. "Come with me, come with me!" she giggled, dragging Myra toward the garden.

They stopped at the edge of the garden, where the little girl excitedly pointed to her brother. "Look, brother! This is the beautiful sister who gave me the cake. She looks like the princess on TV! She's real!"

The boy, no older than six, walked up to Myra, mesmerized by her beauty. "Hi, Missy! Thank you for the cake. Since you gave us the cake, we'll let you play with us," he said seriously.

Myra smiled at the maturity of the little boy. She felt a warmth in her heart, a sense of connection she hadn't felt in the party. "Okay, let's play," she agreed, finally feeling like she belonged in this chaotic event.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Ranvijay's sharp eyes were drawn to the garden. His gaze settled on Myra, watching her interact with the children. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. It was the same girl he had seen earlier. The realization sparked something in him.

His attention shifted back to Mr. Singh, who was still eager to finalize the deal. "So," Ranvijay said, his tone cool and calculating, "what do you think? Should we sign the deal?"

Mr. Singh, sweating with nerves, nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! But what can we do to make the deal more attractive to you?"

Ranvijay raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "What do I get after signing this deal? The profit I could make from it, I can earn even without it."

Mr. Singh, nervous but desperate, pressed on. "But then why not sign? It would be beneficial for both of us. Just name your terms!"

Ranvijay leaned back, his gaze unwavering. "Do you really think you can give me what I want?" he asked, a slight challenge in his voice.

Mr. Singh was taken aback, stammering. "W-what do you mean? Just tell me your demand!"

Ranvijay thought for a moment, his piercing eyes never leaving Mr. Singh's. Finally, he spoke, his words sending a shockwave through the room. "I'll sign the deal… if you give me your daughter."

Mr. Singh's eyes widened, his face pale. "M-My daughter?"

Ranvijay nodded calmly. "Yes. I'll marry your daughter in exchange for the deal."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Myra, unknowingly, had become the key to the biggest deal of her father's career.