The Mysterious CEO's Domineering Devotion

CHAPTER 16 - Brewing Struggles

At 11:00 Pm

After a long ride, Shreya and Pranavi reached their home, exhausted from the heavy pressure and work they had done earlier that day.

Striding to her room, Pranavi changed into comfortable clothes and drifted off to sleep, too tired to think of anything.

Oberoi Entreprises

After leaving Pranavi in her room, Jwalin went to his office to take care of his business meetings.

Since he didn't want to be near Pranavi, it felt good to him because her presence disturbed him.

He's unknown to the effect she's having on him.

Shaking his head to focus on his work, while raking his hands on his silky hair, he was immersed in the documents.

After a few hours, Jwalin stretched himself, grabbed a coffee latte, and inhaled the brewing aroma with a satisfied smirk on his lips.

When Jwalin was about to shut off his work and leave, Ashok almost ran to his room without knocking.

Seeing that, Jwalin's gaze narrowed, and with his legs crossed, he gave a sharp glance at Ashok, making him sweat.

Gathering his courage, he blurted, "Mr. Oberoi. You have an emergency."

Hearing that, Jwalin's eyebrows twitched, and asked calmly, "what is it?"

"Mr. Ujjwal Khanna was in an accident and is in a critical condition," Ashok stated the news and gulped hard. He knew how close Ujjwal and Jwalin were from their childhood!

"Where is he now?" Jwalin rose to his feet and grabbed his suit that was lying on the side of the sofa.

"He's in Oberoi Hospitals, D City,"

Glancing at his watch, his brows scrunched, "10:00 Pm?"

Pressing his lips into a thin line, "Book me a ticket. Also, inform his assistant to keep the news undercover." Jwalin ordered, and strode with his hands tucked in his pockets.

Under the narrow moonlight with almost no stars visible in the sky, the night appeared even darker.

Hopping into his car, he rested his head on the headrest, with his eyes closed, he was in his thoughts, "how did an accident happen to Ujjwal out of the blue?

"Was it intentional?" As the question hit his mind, his jaw ticked.

Nobody in his proper sense of mind would target someone that was dearest to Jwalin Oberoi because they wouldn't get any good ending!

Then who dares to plot such a thing under his nose?

Was it any indication to Jwalin that something was going to happen when he was still on his throne?

Jwalin rubbed his temples to relax, and a sly smirk settled on his face, "let's see who will win in this game!"

He absolutely loved challenges, and he never lost one, but those who challenged him never lasted till the end.

They either admit defeat by falling on their knees in front of Jwalin or totally get ruined in the hands of Jwalin.

Jwalin doesn't give people chances. He never did. The earlier they understood that and behaved, the better it would be for them before it was too late to even have remorse.

...

01:30 Am, D City

Stepped out of the airport, an entire row of his personal bodyguards dressed in black followed Jwalin.

The cold, emotionless facade and the tinges of ruthlessness dancing in his eyes, and the oppressing aura emanating from him made him look like a royal prince in thirst for revenge.

Striding in the empty corridor of the hospital, Jwalin went into the VIP room where Ujjwal was resting after he had an operation.

Eyeing the charming man who was now comatose and tied with bandages on his forehead, shoulder, and chest, Jwalin's chiseled jaw ticked.

His eyes turned pitch black, and the glints of darkness in his contours made the people surrounding Jwalin remain on their toes.

Turning aside, Jwalin saw Ashok and Ujjwal's secretary, waiting for his orders.

"Investigate what happened. I need a complete report without even missing the minute details." Jwalin stated in his usual stoic tone.

Removing his suit and putting it on the nearby hanger, he asked, "Who is the doctor that operated on Ujjwal?"

The secretary instantly answered with the utmost politeness, "He's the top general surgeon in the entire nation. Dr. Deepak Oberoi arranged him, Mr. Oberoi."

Jwalin gave a satisfied nod and waved his hand at them to leave the ward.

His head throbbed as he began thinking about the possibilities of the accident, but he didn't remember Ujjwal having any enemies.

Moreover, Ujjwal left the town to deal with his personal issues without any security and got attacked.

It sure seemed fishy to Jwalin, but he couldn't pinpoint what exactly happened and their motive behind it.

Deciding that it would be better to analyze after getting a detailed report, he slipped himself onto the empty bed lying on the other side.

The moment he closed his eyes, Pranavi's face popped in, her brown eyes that held innocence, her dimpled cheeks, tiny nose, sweet cologne, plump lips, curvy figure, everything about her disturbed him and he was jolted awake.

As he remembered the kiss they shared, he automatically licked his lips, making him groan.

"What the fu'k is wrong with me?" Jwalin questioned himself in disbelief.

Shaking his head, he licked his lips, grabbed a nearby water bottle, and gulped hard.

Coming into another attached room, he leaned on the nearby wall with his one leg folded.

Sliding the window open, and instantly, the fresh breeze hit him as he muttered under his breath, "I'm not supposed to think about her. Then why the fu'k did I end up thinking about her again?"

Peeping at the wall clock, it showed 03:30 am.

Stroking his neck, he untied his tie, unbuttoned his first two buttons, and raked his silky hair.

With the heavy breeze, his hair was messed up, and he lit a cigarette to divert his attention from Pranavi, hoping that'd distract him from her!

"Come on, Jwalin. Get a grip on yourself." Jwalin mumbled as he rubbed his forehead in annoyance.

He sighed, stroking his beard, incredulity was written across his face, "How did she even affect me so much in just a week?"

Inhaling the cigar, he pondered, "She's clearly a vixen to me. I should stay away from her."

...

Soon, it was dawn, and the sun's rays hitting her skin, made her shift from her slumber.

With the alarm banging continuously, she frowned and searched with her fingers on the bed to reach the alarm and shut it off for good!

But to her annoyance, she couldn't reach it.

A frustrating sigh escaped her lips, and glancing at the time, she gasped with her eyes wide in realization.

"08:00 Am?" Pranavi shrieked in disbelief.

"Oh my god! I'd be late for class!" As the reality hit her, she ran to the washroom to freshen up and go to her college like usual.

Dressed in a coral baggy T-shirt with black denim, her wavy hair let loose, slipped into her sneakers, and stuffed her necessities into her clutch.

Grabbing her bike keys, she kept a note on their refrigerator for Shreya since she had an early class that day.

Glancing one last time in front of the mirror, with a satisfied nod, she almost ran to the parking lot.

In the next second, her bike came to life at full speed, with the roaring accelerator.

She felt at peace with the heavy breeze hitting her cheeks, making her hair messy, but she didn't mind!

She craved that thrill because it always calmed her down.

Her mind became clear with no heartbreaking thoughts, and struggling voices.

She felt good, and with a slight smile, she finally stepped into her class and occupied her seat.

For almost a week later, she listened to her class attentively without any thoughts of Jwalin!

In her hurry, she didn't even remember that she was married! Poor girl!

The hours fled in a hurry and Pranavi stretched her muscles to release the tension in them as her classes were over while everyone was leaving.

Soon, the class was almost empty and when she was about to get out, she heard her professor saying without much emotion in his tone, "Pranavi, you stay."

Hearing that, a frown settled on her plump lips, as if she didn't understand the reason behind it.

As far as she could remember, she submitted her assignments on time, and there was no pending work on her side.

Reminiscing it, her inner voice probed, "Then what would be the cause for this?"

"How would I know?" Pranavi shrugged her shoulders and concluded, "I'll find it out in a bit maybe."

Pranavi sat in her seat silently, waiting for her professor to say something, and someone entered the lecture hall facing her professor.

He was dressed in a formal white shirt and black trousers, his slightly curly hair neatly combed, his trimmed beard and his tall presence had attracted her attention, but she couldn't see his face.

His voice was calm and reserved, and immediately, it hit her, "Jwalin's voice was so deep and manly."

As her thoughts diverted to Jwalin, she almost jolted from her seat but controlled herself.

Her eyes went wide, and she pondered, "how did Jwalin come into the middle?"

Her hands resting on the handle of her seat, clutched them tightly, as she remembered the bruises he gave!

Shaking her head in disappointment at herself, she muttered under her breath, "anyone would be better in front of Jwalin's temper."

"What's so good if he's handsome? Hmph!" Pranavi couldn't help but sneer as she recalled Jwalin's arrogant attitude towards her.

With a determined nod, she mumbled, "I'm not supposed to think about him."

In the next second, she saw the tall man standing beside her, and she stood up idly, not knowing how to greet him or react.

Her professor, knowing the awkwardness, introduced by pointing his hands at the man who was now observing Pranavi keenly, "Pranavi, he's Veer, your parallel."

Veer instantly held his hand out, leaning forward to Pranavi, and said in a light melodic tone, "Veer Sachdev."

Pranavi stiffened for a second, unable to respond because she was never comfortable around strangers.

Moreover, he's too sexy for her eyes and appears gentlemanly, unlike her enraged husband, who knows only how to get angry at her.

She wanted to hit her forehead as her thoughts again drifted to Jwalin, but she gave a stiff smile and politely gave him her hand.

Her words went dry, and she gulped as she didn't understand whether to say, Pranavi Mehta or Pranavi Oberoi.

His hazel eyes glanced at her pale face with his brows raised, and Pranavi gathered her thoughts while squinting and clearing her throat, "since I decided to not let anyone know that I'm married, it'd be better to go with Pranavi Mehta."

With a slight soft smile plastered on her lips, Pranavi uttered, "Pranavi Mehta. Nice meeting you."

Glancing at her moving lips, his body stiffened and his throat bobbled. His eyes met her amber pools, and he murmured, "Pleasure is mine, Pranavi."

When the introductions were completed, their professor continued, turning to Pranavi and added, "Veer was taking part in the New Venture Challenge competition from our college and leads the team. I want you to join the team."

Hearing that, Pranavi choked on her saliva, she opened her mouth and closed it like a fish, unable to speak for a while in shock.

Gazing at the drastic reaction of Pranavi, her professor narrowed his eyes and gave a pointed look, "it was really a good opportunity to be a part of it. You should be grateful for it."

Understanding the hint in it, Pranavi nodded, baffled and excited at the same time.

On the other hand, Veer smiled with a cool look on his face. Tilted his head, he answered, "I'll let her know the procedure, Professor."

Listening to that, the old professor gave a satisfied nod and left, leaving Pranavi dumbfounded.

Noticing her dilemma, her subconscious attacked her, "what were you sulking about instead of jumping in happiness?"

Pranavi pressed her plump lips into a thin line, "I don't even know my classmates. How could I possibly know his teammates?"

"Veer seemed friendly. You could try to talk with them and befriend them. What's the big deal?" Her inner voice grumbled at her foolishness.

"Moreover, my plate was full these days.!" Pranavi raised a point with scrunched brows.

"So, what? Shut your crap and talk to him first." Her inner voice chided her nerdy self.

Pranavi rolled her eyes at herself and scoffed, "What else am I supposed to talk about instead of panicking with my social phobia?"

As she was busy dwelling in her thoughts, Veer put his hand around her shoulder and dragged her out of the room to his team when Pranavi shrieked in shock while he chuckled in amusement.

...