Married To A Stranger

Sreesha Pov:

I’m back, darling.

Ps- I’ll never leave you alone.

Your secret admirer ?

I stared at the message for a while and burst into laughter. This is definitely her kind of thing.

This Anju needs to work more on her silly pranks I thought, smiling evilly.

I decided to ignore it, but maybe I should have a little fun with Anju feigning fear. It would be great if I win her little game making her loss, right?

Game on Anju! I thought, smirking.

I sent her saying who’s dis?

(SA: Secret Admirer, Me: Sreesha)

SA: Told u, sweetheart, dis is ur Secret Admirer.

Very well Anju…

Me: what do u want?

SA: you.

Yeah right!

Me: what?

She might think that her prank was successful, stupid Anju. Wait and see Anju, I would love to share your unsuccessful prank to everyone in our group and take my revenge for the other pranks you played on me.

SA: yes Sweetheart, I want to meet you personally. Don’t you want to meet your Admirer?

Meet me at Coffee day.

Saturday at 5 Pm.

Goodbye ???

This girl is behaving too weird these days I thought, shaking my head.

Karthik Pov:

I reached my office in record time and didn’t bother to return the greetings from my employees. There were more important things to take care of than returning their greetings.

I sprinted into my cabin and apologized dad and uncle for being late who were already waiting here for some time. Dad called the reception asking to send them in.

Two guys and a girl entered my cabin. The two burly men were looking alike with a trained stoic face. The women next to them is not a helper material at all. She looks like a runway model.

If I take her home saying that she’s a helper, Sree would give me ‘do you think I’m that dumb’ look and dwell on her insecurities. I don’t want to add more than she already had.

I already learned my lesson a few days ago.

“Dad! She doesn’t look like a helper” I whisper yelled at my dad.

“Then tell Sreesha that she was your long-lost cousin or something Karthik.” He said, annoyed.

Long lost cousin? Yeah right! I thought sarcastically.

“Karthik, this is Ron and Sean. Sreesha’s bodyguards outside the house. And she is Julie, your long-lost cousin for your wife but just an employee for you. Clear?” He said in his usual dominant voice. He can be scary if he wants to. “Prepare a story to tell your wife about her” he added.

Just wait until mom knows about this arrangement and I’ll have fun watching you sulk.

“We need to inform this arrangement to Tej, he already threatened me to kill if I ever hide something about Sreesha’s safety,” I said sulking.

That guy can be scary at times!

“You’re afraid of that kid?” Dad and uncle said at the same time.

“Believe me, He can be scary when it comes to his sister’s safety,” I said sighing.

“I like him already,” Uncle said with an amused look.

I called and asked Tej to stop by my office as soon as possible. He is here in less than 20 minutes. When I told him about the notes, he was shocked at first and looks ready to kill anyone who reaches one-meter radius to his sister. He doubted his father at first but there is no way his father could know about us this early. I usually don’t attract media much and people don’t know about our personal lives either. I was known to some elite businesspeople because I had to attend a few parties which my mom forced me to attend. I know Veni, Sreesha’s friend through her dad who wanted to make a deal with us to which I rejected without thinking twice. It was more like a marriage deal than a business deal. So, I’m not shocked when her friends know about me. My family maintained a low profile about my marriage until last night party. And I personally made sure no paparazzi enter the party premises. So, there must be a rat in either our security or our guests.

“So, they are her bodyguards and the lady there, live with you guys in your home?” He asked making sure or more like a warning for me to stay in limits.

“Yes. They are her bodyguards and no Ms Julie will be living in my guesthouse in the backyard as she needs some privacy. She will look after Sreesha when I’m not at home and follow her everywhere to keep a close look at her premises.” I said in exasperation.

I don’t want someone to intrude our privacy. I want her all to myself. I planned to take her for our honeymoon and spend a week or two there thinking of ways to woo her. That would have been the longest vacation I’d ever planned. I was about to blurt out my plans to her about our vacation, but our conversation was rudely interrupted by my mom and dad’s bickering. I sighed and glanced at the Tej, who was giving instructions or more like threats to those three.

“Is he always this protective of her?” Uncle mumbled I nodded smiling. He was nothing against those three trained bodyguards, but I really appreciate his protectiveness. A proud look crossed my uncle’s face when he’s watching Tej. That was the same look he used to give me when I was training under him. He was my mentor. I can guess the thoughts running in his head. When our eyes locked, he nodded his head in approval. I know this will change Tej’s life completely but in a good way.

“He is perfect” Uncle said to dad, who smiled and nodded in approval. He is very fond of Tej from the very beginning when I mentioned him about the threats Tej gave me on the first day at his house.

“I’ll leave now. I have a job interview in like 20 mins” Tej said and was about to leave.

“You have a job interview? You could’ve told me Tej, I might have introduced them to you later” I said worriedly.

“Nothing is more important than my sister jiju, I need to leave now-”

“Work for me Tej” Uncle said in a determined tone making him still in his place. I know the authority in his voice is too much to ignore.

“With all due respect sir, just because my sister married a billionaire doesn’t mean I would take advantage of his influence and money. You’re his uncle and he must have asked you a favor but I’m sorry, I can’t accept it” he said in the same tone as my uncle’s.

No one. I repeat no one ever talk back to Jayanth Thakur.

“I didn’t offer you this job just because you’re related to Shekhar’s family young man! I’ve gone through your Résumé here” he said waving his file in the air “when you’re busy giving threats to your sister’s bodyguards” he said gesturing to the three stone-faced people in the room.

“You’ve some leadership qualities and command in your voice, kid. I know you are the right one to work under me. Think about it. Well, if you want the job, meet me at my office tomorrow at 9 Am sharp and I hate tardiness” he added the last part sternly passing his business card to Tej, who took it hesitantly. He left, bidding us goodbye. After an hour dad and uncle left to attend a meeting too.

I told Ron and Sean to take off for the day as I was leaving home with Julie. After they left, I turned to Julie and said “Now about your story, you’re my Aunt’s daughter who eloped with her love of life and lost our family’s trust. You’re staying with us because of your personal reasons which you will not share without discussing them with me. Clear?”

“Yes Sir” she said in full business mode.

“You will be calling me as Karthik when my wife is around and talk friendly but not too friendly. Don’t try to take advantage of the situation and try to be strictly professional with my wife too. If she asks any personal questions dodge them or change the topic. If you are in a dire situation, lie but I need the complete report on your lies too. When she’s not around address me as sir or Mr. Shekhar and when we talk, it should be strictly about your job. I don’t want you to take advantage of this situation and create havoc in my marriage life. One wrong move is all it takes to kill your career and future Ms. Julie. Just one and you’re out. Clear? ”

“Yes sir” her voice faltered but she did a good job hiding it. I gave her a stiff nod and asked her to follow me. I can’t wait to spend some time with Sree.

Sreesha Pov:

”Sreesha’s World famous chicken curry ready. Now Mr. Karthik Shekhar, would you please taste this and let me know what you think about my recipe?” I said mimicking the anchor in a cookery show.

“I would love to Mrs. Sreesha Karthik, will you please pass me the bowl so I can taste your world-famous chicken curry?” Karthik’s voice startled me.

“Karthik” I gasped “you’re not supposed to hear my words” I stated, crossing my arms across my chest.

“It’s quite entertaining thou,” he said taking the curry from me and tasted it like a professional chef who’s trying to judge his assistant. I rolled my eyes and crossed my hands.

“Yum yum” he said licking the spoon he just used to taste the chicken.

“You like it? ”

“Love it” he said kissing my cheek whispering, ‘this tastes better’. I slapped his hand away from my waist.

“I want you to meet someone,” he said suddenly.

“Who? ” I asked, already feeling uncomfortable.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Julie” he called someone. I seriously hope it was a dog. To my disappointment, it was a girl, a beautiful one in that.”Sree, this is Julie my cousin and Julie this is my wife Sreesha”. We shook our hands. She seems to be polite but there is this dangerous aura around her which gives a warning ‘don’t mess with me unless you have a death wish’.

“She’s facing some problems in her personal life right now. So, I kind of offered her to stay here with us for a few days. She will be staying in the guest house in the backyard. You’re okay with this arrangement, right?” He said hesitantly as if I will say No. I’d have said no if this is my house, but it is his. Who am I to make decisions? This is his house. He can allow anyone to stay here. I nodded, he smiled thanking me.

Our relationship will be fine right?