Kavya blinked. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"You heard me," her mother said, her tone light but unwavering. "You're getting married."

Kavya's mouth opened, then shut. Silence. The only sound was Patricia noisily sipping from the water bottle she'd just found on the desk.

"This must be your way of seeking attention right?, I'm on my way mom"

The line goes dead, Kavya pack her things and is about to head out.

Patricia looked at her confused

" What's going on dear? You look terrible "

"My mom is trying to play a prank on me, God help me it better be a prank"

Confused " What? You're going home ?"

"Yes, I'll fill you in later"

With that she left the office

AT HER PENTHOUSE

The house keeper reaches for her bag

"Good afternoon madam Kavya"

She barely gives him a glance

"Thank you, where's my mother?"

" She's over at the pool side, can I bring you anything? Maybe a fresh--

Without a response, she walks away calling out her mother

"Mom, Mom, I'm home now"

Finds her relaxing by the pool, with a glass of juice in hand

"There you are mom, well I'm here now. Please explain to me what this is all about?"

Madam Anita

" Well a very good afternoon to you too"

Rolling her eyes " Mom I'm not in the mood, you wanted to talk right? Well you have my attention"

Sits up and points to chair opposite her's

" Then you better sit down for it Kavya"

Sits down impatiently " I'm seated now, so please can we begin? I left a ton things undone just to be hear, so please quit stalling "

" Kavya darling you're getting married, I've taken it upon myself to find you a spouse. He's a good man from a reputable family "

They both stare at each other for some time "Well?... This is the part where you say...oh my God , you're amazing mom

"Is this some kind of joke?" Kavya finally asked, her voice flat.

"I wouldn't joke about something so important," her mother replied. "My friend and I have discussed it, and the match is perfect."

"Match?" Kavya repeated. "What the hell is this-The Bridgertons?"

"Don't be dramatic. This is stability, business and legacy."

Kavya sighs . "Mom, I'm 26. I'm running a multimillion-dollar company. I don't need a damn arranged marriage to secure my life."

"This isn't about you needing anything," her mother said coolly. "It's about wanting my daughter to have a stable life, it's about our name. Our family.

Kavya I don't want you to leave a lonely life, you need a husband --

Appears frustrated "What the heck? I don't need a husband, I'm okay with the way I am"

Reaches for her daughter's hand.

" My dear you don't have to hold on to what your father did to us, you need to move past my experience "

With determination she speaks. " Oh I have moved passed it, I'm just smart enough to know that Men aren't to be trusted"

Laughs painfully

"You know I blame myself for this Kavya, look at you, a beautiful, ambitious woman but yet you don't let men around you.

You hold so much fear and resentment towards men, baby girl please let go"

" He left us, He left my mother for another woman, after you fought the world to be with him" She speaks bitterly

"How can they be trusted?"

Placing her hand on her cheeks " You'll marry well and live a happy life with him, my failed marriage shouldn't be a model for you"

Pulling away from her mom

" I'm sorry mom I can't, I just -

" You can and you will, unless you want me dead"

Incredibly stunned by her mom's words and deeply terrified

" Are you blackmailing now Mom?"

Folds her hands stubbornly. " It's a fact, because I'll rather die than watch you take this route for yourself "

Kavya pinched the bridge of her nose. "Who is he?"

"His name is Gerald Van Dyke . CEO of V.D Groups ."

Kavya raises a brow. "The guy that made Forbes 30 Under 30?"

Madam Anita giggled " I see you're a fan "

Kavya shot her a glare. "No I'm not."

"I'm just saying," She whispered. "He's hot."

"Mom," Kavya said slowly. "I don't care who he is. I am not marrying a stranger for a damn merger."

"There's no merger," her mom said. "This isn't about business. This is about preserving legacy, having a family and uniting two empires while you're at it."

"Which is the same damn thing."

"I'm not asking you to fall in love, Kavya. I'm asking you to trust that I have your best interest at heart and give this a chance"

"No, what you're asking is for me to sacrifice my independence for some outdated fantasy of family, trust and loyalty."

"Kavya," her mother said calmy"

"This isn't optional. There will be a formal dinner next week.

You'll meet Gerald there. Be prepared, who knows? He might even propose there." She gracefully gets up and walks back into the house

Kavya sat frozen for sometime

"A fuckin proposal?"

Here you are girl".Patricia stepped into Kavya's room

" I heard ." She sat down next to her friend on the large bed

" And just like that, I'm loosing control of my life. Classic". She sinks deeper into the bed

" Don't say that, your mom loves you. Whatever she does is for your own good. Come on Kavya, you of all people should know that". She said, while stroking Kavya's head.

" A marriage." she snaps "An arranged fuckin marriage" She yells.

Patricia stood and walked towards the table for a class of water . "Breathe, girl." She hands the glass to her

Kavya looked up at her, her voice barely a whisper. " I can't believe this is happening to me, THE Kavya."

" Can't blame her ," Kavaya shot her a look " Okay maybe she went a little overboard "

Kavya laughed bitterly. "You think I've built everything just to be handed over to someone I don't even know?"

"No," Patricia said. "But maybe this guy is just as pissed off about it as you are."

Kavya leaned deeper into her bed,eyes narrowed. " Oh I highly doubt that, I'm sure Gerald Van Dyke must be please about this whole arrangement, elated even--

Patricia Screeches " Gerald? the Gerald of V.D groups? OMG babes you've just hit a jackpot"

" Will you stop fanning over him? " She throws a pillow at her

" He's so hot," she giggles catching the pillow

" Really stop, you're not helping". Get's out of bed. " His coming with his family for dinner next week." She sighs

Walking towards her friend " I'm sorry Kavya, truly I am. It's all happening so fast." She wraps her arms around Kavya.

Van Dyke's mansion

" She's pretty," He sets the picture aside

" Not to mention hardworking, ambitious and confident". Mr Charles, Gerald's father chips in

" You know how I feel about women, I'm sorry dad but I can't go through with this".

" Oh son", He spoke calmly " I understand you, which is why I've gone to great lengths in insuring I find the perfect bride for you"

" I won't do this and you can't make me" She spoke firmly

" Kavya's mother and I have known each other since our college days. She's an amazing woman. She has been through so much yet, she raised an incredible daughter and an amazing business woman".

" I am doing so well, infact I'm one of the top CEOs in the world, so I don't need a spoilt princess who would ruin my life"

" This is about your mother and I, isn't it"?

"You gave her a kidney, you gave her a better life, damn it dad, you gave that bitch everything! " He bellows."Yet she chose to run off with your business partner"

"Gerald you will get married to Kavya and that is final, she's not your mother or my ex wife." He stood up with his hands behind his back

" This union isn't just for business but also for your legacy" He sighs

" I'm a grown man". He stood up facing his father " You can't order me around pops

Laughs dryly " Perhaps, but I'm still your father". He gently makes his way to leave

" We'll be having dinner at her place next week,You'll get to meet Kavya and her mother. I highly suggest you propose to her---

" That won't happen " interrupting his father.

" Oh well, prepare to organize the grandest funeral America has ever seen then"

" What are you saying dad?" There was a hint of panic in his voice

" If you insist on going against this marriage and becoming a bachelor for the rest of your life then, it will be over my dead body".

" Dad come on " He moves towards his dad

"If you do not marry Kavy, His voice hanging in the air

" I will donate my last kidney to the hospital".

The soft click of heels echoed down the grand staircase as Kavya descended slowly, elegance wrapped in defiance. She wore a sleek, form-fitting black dress. It was simple, stunning, and unapologetically sharp.

Her mother, waiting at the foot of the stairs, looked up and sighed. "Black, Kavya? Really? This is a dinner, not a damn funeral."

Kavya raised a brow. "Well, it feels like one."

"You could at least try to wear a smile, you look like you're being held hostage," her mom said, forcing a smile. "Put on a happy face, darling."

"I'd rather be anywhere else but here, besides you are blackmailing your daughter, so technically, I am being held hostage." Kavya said, reaching the last step.

The front door opened.

In stepped Gerald Van Dyke, dressed in a crisp navy suit, flanked by his father, Mr. Charles Van Dyke, who carried himself like a man always ten seconds from delivering a TED Talk.

"Kavya," Charles said warmly. "You look absolutely radiant."

Kavya gave him a polite nod. "Mr. Van Dyke, it's a pleasure to meet you sir"

Gerald stood a few steps behind, hands in his pockets, jaw set. "Evening," he said coolly.

Kavya didn't move. "Hello," she returned, just as dry.

Their parents exchanged glances for some time . Charles gave her mom a warm embrace.

"Shall we?" Kavya's mom said, gesturing toward the dining room.

Just then, her phone rang.

"Saved by the bell," she said dryly, stepping away to take the call ,swiping to answer. "Yes Claire?"

"Hey, boss. Just a quick reminder-your winter line strategy meeting is in twenty minutes. The creative director from Paris just landed and is already at the office."

Kavya's face lit up with false hope. "You're telling me there's still a chance to escape this torture?"

"Wouldn't recommend it," Claire replied, chuckling. "Unless you want your mother to storm the office and drag you back."

She sighed. "Fine. I'll suffer through it. Keep them warm until I'm back tomorrow."

She hung up, turning back toward the hall, only to find her mother standing with arms folded.

"No more work tonight," her mom warned. "Kavya, do you need me to remind you that we have guests ? Please I need you to be physically and mentally present."

They met up with Mr Charles and Gerald at the dining hall.

The four of them took their seats. A table dressed in candlelight, floral centerpieces, and fine china stretched between them. A five-star meal none of them really wanted.

For a few moments, it was painfully civil.

Until Gerald said, "I appreciate you squeezing out time from your busy schedule just to host us Ma'am"

"I was more than happy to," Madam Anita replied cheerfully.

Then he muttered "Nice of you to dress like you're in mourning." Referring to Kavya

Kavya didn't miss a beat. "I am."

Charles raised a brow. "Everything okay, kids?"

"Wonderful," Kavya said sweetly. "Absolutely thrilling evening."

Gerald leaned toward his plate, voice just low enough to be heard. "Didn't think empires were built on attitude."

She cut into her steak. "Didn't think tech boys were this boring."

Both parents were chatting heartily to notice the knives and daggers being thrown between their children.

"So Kavya, I hear you have a new line coming up " He enquired

"Yes sir" she affirms

"How is it going?" He asked with a hint of curiosity.

" It's been hectic, especially when most people don't share your work ethics" She sips her wine

" Kavya is a workaholic. I keep telling her that she needs a break once in a while"

" Same here, Gerald travels a lot. It's always work, work and work."

But the tension was palpable-and every servant who walked into the room felt it. If the table were any colder, it'd be a crime scene.

Then came the final course-dessert, champagne, and awkward silence.

Until Charles raised his glass. "To new beginnings."

Kavya didn't lift hers. Gerald stared at his glass for some time

"To a new beginning " Kavya raised her glass lazily.

Gerald groans and does the same

That was when it happened.

" You have been a fantastic host ma'am, I wonder why your daughter didn't take after you"

Raising an eyebrow " What are you yapping about tech boy?" Kavya folds her arms.

Mr Charles gave Gerald a look " Behave yourself som" He smiles anxiously

"My dear please be calm" Anita tried to appease Kavay

"Oh I meant no disrespect. But you must have gotten that attitude from your dad"

" You're such a jerk, I'm sure you got that from your mom" Kavya fires back angrily