Scandalous Wedding

Chapter 16

"and I want all the sales report of the Lachlan Inc. Their last five years turnovers, their mergers, investors details, everything. Gentlemen, we are going to take that company down", Eli's voice was completely cold and ruthless.

Murmurs of approval echoed throughout the board meeting. "Carter", he addressed Zach who sat in the board room, looking bored and sleepy,

"I went through the building designs with my engineers and I approve the changes you've made. I think you can proceed to Luntberg as soon as the construction work begins", Eli added with a nod,

"You must be kidding me", he heard Zach mutter low, but since he was sitting beside Zach, he heard it, "McCoy", Zach turned his body towards Eli and gave him his full attention, "I know this is a huge project for your company. And I am glad to be a part of it", Eli frowned, he didn't like the way this talk was going, "But I don't think I can go to that village and actually live there to supervise the project", he shook his head like the mere idea of living away from the city scared him.

"I can send my best men. A team of architects, in fact, who will look over the construction and report back to me and you", at Eli pleading with his eyes but also containing a hidden warning, "don't make me go or else I will hunt you down!"

"Look Carter, I know leaving the city and its luxury behind would be tough" Eli managed to say in the most calmest and coldest voice he could manage,

"Hell yeah", Zach's outraged cry echoed in the silent board room, startling a few and making the rest shake their heads in disapproval.

"But", Eli stressed the word, making Zach halt from making further speech, "You are the best", he placed a hand on Zach's shoulder. He knew the game too well and was the best player at coercing people into agreeing to what he wanted. "We don't want such a million dollar project to be handled by a bunch of novice who are working for a pay check. We want a partner, who knows the thing and who will not compromise on anything for anything", he added making Zach look at him with narrowed eyes, "That's you my friend. This is the first major project I am handling, since I took the position of C.E.O and I want to make my dad proud. Wouldn't you do anything in your power to make your old man proud?" that was the last straw.

Zach was convinced and Eli knew this because of the slight twitch in his forehead. Zach and his dad were close, especially after his mum passed away when he was young. And Zach would do anything, quiet literally to make his old man happy.

"You sold me", Zach mumbled and a broad grin stretched on Eli's face.

"So, gentleman, that's settled then. Let's wrap up for today", he said with a finality and all the board members filed one after the other.

"You asshole", Zach mumbled leaning his head against the chair, "I am never coming to your board meetings, ever again", Eli erupted into a loud chuckle, "Seriously! I will send my manager as a representative from now on", Zach continued to whine for the next five minutes on how he hated Eli and his business skills.

"Chill bro! You still have over six months to go", Eli said flicking through his mobile for any emails.

"Yeah and then my life will be doomed", Zach said pouting like a baby

"There will be chics in Luntberg too", Eli added getting up from his chair and grinning devilishly. Zach followed him, dusting his coat, a frown upon his face.

"Yeah... country chics, no thanks. I like city women, who know what they are getting into when I take them to my place", he snorted at Eli

"And you think country chics don't know that?" Eli asked walking out of the board room and into the elevator

"I don't know, but I am not getting involved any emotional s**t", Zach said irritably and pressed the button to the parking

"Do one thing, come back to my place and I will get you a drink. Then we'll talk", Eli said smoothly maneuvering his way towards his car in the packed parking lot,

"Dude! You have a wife back home. I am not coming there to get a drink", Zach shook his head,

"It's okay Zach. We talked it out way before we got married. I can bring my friends over and she can do too", Eli shrugged

"So, is she?" Zach raised an eyebrow,

"I don't know",

"So, its going to be you me and her?" Zach asked

"Yup", Eli said turning to his car door and opening it,

"Eli!" Zach pulled him by his arm and turned him around to face him, "What are you not telling me?" he crossed his arms across his chest. Eli and Zach were both well built, with extensive exercise and continuous workouts at the gym. Eli had a sophisticated and charming looks while Zach looked Roguish. He looked handsome none the less, but it was the kind of handsome which would make the women swoon and their fathers scrunch up their nose in disgust. He didn't derive his good looks from his genes, instead he made it worthy with good exercise and workout. So, if women had to pick among the two, they would pick Eli, the wealthy family boy to marry and have their secret Tuesday affairs with Zach.

"Pft. What is there to not tell", Eli snorted rolling his eyes,

"You roll your eyes at only certain things and trust me, this is not one. Tell me why do you want me to come back to your place?" he asked narrowing his eyes at his best friend, "You already had me agree to leave to that no good country side, what else are you planning?"

"I didn't plan anything, okay? Jeez", Eli ran a hand through his hair in frustration, "Just come with me", he added after a sigh,

"Why?" Zach frowned,

"Because I don't want to be alone with her", he blurted out even before he knew it. It was there on his mind all the while, which he didn't want to voice and there, he said it. He didn't want to be alone with her, anymore, because he knew that if they were alone he would not be able to reign his need and want for her. She was so tempting and he wanted all of her. She was like a forbidden sweet, so enticing and delicious. Her innocence and naivety was just the cherry on the cake. He wanted to be the one to take her innocence away and show her all the wicked ways of passion. Alas he can't do that. Not yet. He was scared that he will lose control over himself like last time and so he needed a distraction and Zach was a perfect one. And besides there's also a little fact that if he lost his control then Sang will lose her temper.

"Oh", Zach gave out a wolf whistle, "It's getting hot in the house, eh?" he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, making Eli gulp. Images flashed in his eyes.

Sang throwing the paper weight at him. Sang punching the day lights of the blonde. He was lucky that, the night Sang threw that paper weight, it was dark. Because if there was enough light then she wouldn't have missed the target and his head would have smashed to pieces. And the way she looked at him when she saw him with that blonde... he didn't even want to imagine what she would've done.

"Penny for your thoughts", Zach snapped his fingers in front of Eli, "So, you want me to come home with you so that I can save you from another cold shower, huh?"

"Yeah", he dragged and shrugged nonchalantly.

Zach patted his back and agreed to come by his place. Eli drove in his car while Zach followed him in his. It was better to let Zach think that he wanted to avoid the s****l tension rather than let him know that he was indeed afraid to go home.

He shook his head. He would never let anyone know it. Not even Ace. No one can know that he, Elijah McCoy was scared of his wife. He involuntarily smile, "Wife", he whispered to himself. How quickly he started to love that thought, that Ace belonged to him and him alone. She was his wife, with whom he can..... And just like that his thoughts turned carnal and just like that another shiver of fear passed through his spine. An image of Sang beating the s**t out of him flashed in front of his eyes and he shuddered.

No. No more carnal thoughts regarding my wife. He thought to himself, with an ounce of self pity. He would be the only husband on the face of earth who was scared to even think romantically about his wife.

"I can't wait for the night to end and go back to bed", he muttered. Somewhere I know I will be safe!

***

Deep breathe in and deep breathe out.

She continued the breathing exercise for another ten times, before opening her eyes slowly. "Okay everyone. Now by breathing from the pit of your stomach, say "Om"" the instructed hummed the 'om' chant by stretching the 'o' until his breathe caught. The entire room followed his instructions and soon an 'Om' resonated from the walls.

After a good five minutes of humming 'om', the instructor opened his eyes and smiled at the pupils. "The Om karam is a very sacred word", Sangavi focused her entire mind on the instructor that she almost didn't hear the hissing from beside her.

"Hiss. Hiss", she looked at her neighbor from the corner of her eyes, "How long will this take? Cause my bladder will burst any minute if I don't attend to the nature call", Nimmy hissed angrily. It wasn't usual for her assistant to be rude and talk to her like that, but considering that from the past one hour she has been in this meditation room where everything was what she didn't believe in – calm, silence, patience...

"Sang!" she hiss/whispered making Sang's eyes turn towards her, "I need to pee", she widened her eyes to make them look furious, but Sang only rolled her eyes.

"Hold it for a few minutes. It's almost over now", Sang muttered lowly and returned her attention back to Vamshi Krishna Murthy, a yoga guru from India, at least that's what the website says.

After her violent and completely out of character behavior the previous night, she decided that she needed to pull herself together. Take a break and sort out her mess. She first went to her counselor, whom she met once in a while just to let out her steam and get the unsaid things out of her system and when her counselor reasoned out the reason for her odd behavior as the stress of her new marriage, she immediately agreed. She looked up in internet for a way to let out the stress and most of the sits insisted on yoga and meditation.

And after five hours, here she is, taking her first meditation classes after a long time. Once in a summer long ago, she took these classes on the insistence of her mother, but that was really long ago. She didn't even remember what happened in those classes. But after coming here and doing nothing but relaxing for the past two hours, she felt a unique serenity, which she badly needed.

She was sure that after this, she would never behave so violently again. Never. She took a deep breath and smiled.

****

"Whiskey?" Eli asked as soon as the duo stepped into the condo, and he realized that Sang wasn't home yet.

"Yeah sure", Zach said rubbing his neck uncomfortably, something he often did when he wanted to say something but hesitated,

"Here you go", Eli gave Zach his glass while taking one for himself. They both settled in the easy chairs in the balcony enjoying the view,

"So, you want to say something?" Zach turned his head to Zach and gave him a 'What?' look but Eli's knowing gaze made him sigh.

"You know...", Zach sighed shaking his head. He looked really uncomfortable and Eli wondered why. They have been together since college and they could always tell each other what was bothering them. He couldn't place his finger on what it would be that would make him so uncomfortable,

"what is it Zach?" Eli asked sipping his drink,

"This condo man", he motioned towards the house with his hands, "It's a bachelor pad and now that you're married, it feels weird to drink in here", he shook his head and gulped down the drink.

"Yeah, we were going to look for houses after our honeymoon but our parents are already insisting on gifting us a house and... we don't know. As long as I am concerned, condo or house, its all the same", Eli shrugged,

"But don't you want to start everything fresh? New life, new house. I mean there are lots of memories in this house", he said looking behind his shoulder at the living room, "How many women did you f**k in that bed where you sleep with your now wife?" he raised his eyebrows,

Eli chuckled and Zach joined in too. "But on a serious note, you need to get a new house, if you want that 'married' feel in your life", Zach pointed out

"Yeah", Eii sighed, "There are in fact a lot of things we need to do actually. First we need to finish off that honeymoon thing. Then we need to click pictures as a couple for the paparazzi and later we need to hunt down a house", Eli shook his head, "And don't even get me started on the other things we need to sort out. The list is long", he emphasized on the word 'long' by motioning his hands.

"Hm... so when's the honeymoon?" Zach asked,

"Soon. There's not much work for me right now. I can easily take a week off, but I can't say the same for Ace", he raised his brows

"Where is she by the way?" Zach asked looking behind his shoulders

"I don't know. I thought she'd be home but I guess she isn't done from work yet", Eli shrugged like he didn't care. But deep down he was worried sick. The night was falling thick, turning the entire view dark and dangerous. He didn't want her alone outside in the city, but he didn't have a say in that matter. She was a independent woman and a strong one too. Not to forget a violent one. And moreover until now, he didn't behave like a husband towards her to gain that right over her.

He sighed looking at his watch. It was quarter to seven, almost time for dinner. Where are you babe?

****

"Nimmy! Come on hurry up", Sang tapped her foot against the tiles, looking up at the ceiling. The meditation class was done and she even had a small talk with the guru. She told him about his violent behavior the previous night and he asked her to talk to Eli about it. To know how he felt about it and from there, figure out things. He said that we need to access our emotions and then everything will be clear.

She decided to do exactly that. "Nimmy! They are closing down the center, hurry up", she yelled again at the closed door of the washrooms. Nimmy's muffled response was ununderstandable so Sang gave up and wandered off into the corridor. Nimmy immediately agreed to accompany her to the meditation classes when she asked her so it would only be fair to wait up for her until she finished her business.

She was staring through the glass doors of various cabins, where differet activities were conducted. One had Pilates class, where as another hosted Bikram Yoga for men and women. The fitness center had around thirty different programmes to which you can register and it really impressed her.

She passed another glass door and surprisingly it was only half lit. She squinted her eyes to afjust to the dim lighting in the room and realized it was a gym. There were all kinds of weights and exercise machines in the room with mirrors lining up two of the walls. She was staring at all the equipment impressed when her eyes landed on a figure working on heavy weights.

She moved a little forward to have a better view at that person. As lights shone in that only region where he was working out, she glanced at the man's silhouette. He was tall, like really tall. Something around six three or something, and his build was beyond amazing. He looked like a fighter, or a warrior to be precise. His muscles were all ripped and his shoulders were bulging with muscle.

She was not into giant guys, but this particular giant appealed to her. She hasn't even see his face yet. How would he look? Handsome or horrible? Looks anyway never mattered to her, so she knew that no matter how he looked, Sang would immediately like him.

"Sang!" she jumped at the sudden voice from behind her. She turned around with her hand still clutching her chest, only to see Nimmy standing there with raised eyebrows.

"You scared me!" Sang accused,

"What were you doing?" Nimmy asked,

"Check him out Nimmy. He is ripped", Sang gushed turning around to face the man again who was busily working with the weights,

"Sang!" Nimmy sighed, "You are married and so what he is ripped – Holy molly! he is hot" Nimmy cried out as soon as her eyes landed on the piece of muscle.

"Oh my my", she squealed excitedly. "Why isn't he turning around? I want to see how he looks", Nimmy jumped on her feet impatiently, craning her neck for a better view,

"Hush now! Someone will see us and throw us out if you don't keep low", Sang shushed her as her eyes remained on the man who was exercising vigorously,

"I can stare at him all day", Nimmy sighed, "You know back at my pind, all young men are like this. Unlike here, they don't believe in lean muscle, its all about being bulk. I miss India so much", she said nostalgically

"God I want to visit that country too. Weird right! I am part Indian, yet I have never been there", Sang said thoughtfully,

"You can go there for your honeymoon", Nimmy added cheerfully,

"India has so many tourist places and it's one of the best place to have your honeymoon. I am sure it will help you bond with your husband", Nimmy's energetic voice made Sang smile,

"I don't see why not", she chuckled when Nimmy bounced up and down with glee, "Let me talk with my husband first", she added after a minute. Eli. The thought of him immediately bought a rush of guilt over her heart. She felt bad for staring at another man, while she was married.

"Let's go", she said and walked away from there, not looking back to see if Nimmy was following her or not.

I feel guilty for simply staring at another man. How can he not feel anything for doing all those things with those women, while he is still married to her? Is he really that bad? Her heart didn't agree. She saw the shades of childishness, vulnerability and even love in him to think of him as heartless. Then why Eli, why can't you just give up those women and be with me, like a real husband.

A/N: Please Read.

So, people how's the chapter? Like it? Hate it? Do let me know. And for the dedication... there were many new readers this past week and I would like to appreciate each and every one of them. But this special dedication is to that reader, who got involved into the chapter so badly that the comments they in the comment section made me feel so good.

And that reader is... @sadnah

"Thank you so much for appreciating the book, it really means a lot. And please do let me know how you felt about the chapter. Am i living up to the expectations?"

Coming to the next important announcement; I participated in a writing contest conducted by Radishfiction. I am sure you all heard about that app already, its just like w*****d but we have to pay there, to read those amazing stories. Well, I am a fan of Sir Rob, who writes historical fiction in w*****d. He's been updating more chapters in r****h, where to read we need money. So, by winning this writing contest, the app would give me a few coins, which will help me to access the bonus chapters in r****h. SO, I took part in it in hope to gain access to the story I am in love with.

The one shot story I wrote, is called 'A Night Of Acknowledgement, by crazygal' Its under Romance genre. So, please click on the given link below and vote on my story. You can vote only one story per genre so, please vote for me. You just have to fill the form and the list will appear. And.... here's the link to it.

http://goo.gl/forms/iTfNmR1UOR

Please log in into your google accounts before clicking open the link, since it is a google form, it will not open unless you are logged in. And I hope you all have google accounts. ;)

Thank you and have a great day. Read. Vote. Comment. Share.

P. S The photo given is Rana Daggupati's. He is the guy at the gym and I think he will play a good role in the book. So, do you like him? (Better say yes, cause he is my favorite. I am in love with him).