Page 50 of Every Move You Make
Janak shrugged, unperturbed. “Becauseyouare my granddaughter, and I want this marriage to benefityou. Besides, you love this company as deeply as he does, and I won’t overlook that for the sake of convenience.”
“This is ridiculous,” Akash told Janak. “I can convince the board. I don’t need to marry anyone to do so.”
God, how had his life narrowed to this? In the space of a few moments, he had not one but two prospective brides laid out before him, neither of whom he had ever considered marrying, when he was perfectly content being single.
“Wait,” Shauna cut in, her eyes going to Janak. “I want to know why you think this marriage would benefit me?”
Akash looked heavenward. Why was she behaving as if she were considering this option when he was the last man she’d want to be tied down to in a contract marriage?
“He owns Sehgal Media,” Janak said simply. “And you’ve always wanted it. The most effective solution for everyone involved is for the two of you to run it together.”
Her gaze sharpened. “He’s already offered me complete autonomy as Creative Director.”
Janak looked genuinely taken aback. “He has?”
“Yes,” she said coolly. “So why would I need to marry him? How is that more beneficial for me?”
Janak studied her for a moment, then gave a small, thoughtful shrug. “There could be something bigger that your heart desires.” He threw his hands in the air. “This is something the two of you would need to figure out if you agree to it. I’m certain you can arrive at terms that protect both your interests and make you both happy. It is a contract marriage, after all.”
Shauna sat very still, her eyes fixed on Akash. Akash could practically hear the wheels in her mind turning. His own heartbeat quickened. Was she actually considering this? And worse, was he?
Could he tie himself down to her? It would be the easiest solution. The board would be appeased, the unrest silenced, and he could focus on running the company without the board trying to undermine him. But marrying Shauna… Fuck. How had his reality shifted so quickly? So suddenly?
Janak rose slowly. “I’ll leave you both to talk this through,” he said, already moving toward the door. “Try not to kill each other.”
The door closed behind him. Silence fell between them, thick and loaded.
Then Shauna lifted her chin, breaking the quiet. “I’m not saying yes. But I’ll consider it.”
Akash went still.
“Why?” he finally asked. “Why would you even think about marrying a man you so clearly resent?”
She stood and closed the distance between them. When she placed a hand against his chest, his heart slammed hard.
“In the end, it boils down to choosing between power and pride,” she said quietly. “And as you know, I’ve always wanted the power. Marrying you will give me that.”
For a moment, he was too stunned to respond. Then he forced himself to speak. “And if I don’t agree?”
She let out a soft laugh. “As of now, you need the marriage more than I do. No matter how capable you are or how noble your intentions may be, the board is not convinced. We both know Suveer Malhotra will eventually get everyone on his side.”
Her hand remained on his chest. “So, from where I stand, marrying me is your strongest move. The real question is whether you can tie yourself to me knowing I’ll demand equal authority and an equal voice—more than what you’ve currently offered me as Creative Director. Significantly more. Because that,” she said calmly, “will be the first of my terms.”
Disbelief flickered through him. Fuck. She was actually considering this.
She looked at Akash one last time before turning away. Her hand had just closed around the doorknob when he said, “You may want power at Sehgal Media, Shauna. But I’ll want power in your life.”
She froze.
“I won’t be a footnote in your life. I will not disappear into a corner,” he continued. “I won’t be treated as expendable or as an afterthought. And I won’t exist at your convenience.”
His gaze held hers, steady and uncompromising.
“If this happens,” he said quietly, “it will be a partnership inside the company and outside it. That will be the first ofmyterms. So you’d better think it through too.”
Her expression wavered for the briefest moment before she turned and walked out.
Akash stood rooted where he was, the air in the room altered, charged. Fuck. What the hell was he doing, and why? Marrying Shauna for the sake of the company made no sense. And yet, in some warped, undeniable way, it made perfect sense for both of them. Now all that remained was to think it through carefully.
