Chapter 5. The marriage punishment.

Samanvay lightened His cigar and took a puff as He eyed Anthony through His peripheral vision. "You don't understand Anthony, this is my city now. I rule over ‘The Syndicate’ now, not Milan Goenka. What understanding you had with him, it ended with his rule. Now, you have to pay taxes like everyone else does." He said taking another puff of cigar and blowing the smoke on Anthony's face.

Anthony's face tightened in fury. He glanced at Milan with anger-filled eyes.  "Your son is insulting me, Milan. We have a twenty-year unwritten arrangement. You can't change the rules just like that. Don't forget who helped you when you were in jail."

John's eyes were on the man standing behind Anthony. His restless eyes were telling him that this meeting could soon turn into a bloody one. John was ready to spread blood too.

"I returned the favour to you, Anthony. As my son said, He rules over ‘The Syndicate’ now,  not me. You should have taken His permission before bringing your goods to His docks."

Anthony looked at Milan dumbstruck. "That's not how we did business before, Milan. My Boss is not going to be happy with you backing down from your words."

Samanvay chuckled. "Your boss, Anthony, can kiss my ass."

And just like that the energy of the room turned alarming with Samanvay's words. "You are inviting war, Samanvay. Roger is not going to sit back, he will reciprocate."

Samanvay couldn't help but chuckle again. "As I said, he can kiss my ass."  

The guard standing behind Anthony reached for his gun but John shot him right between his eyes before he could even touch his gun. 

Anthony’s eyes widened in horror as he turned around in the chair and watched his guard’s lifeless body. 

Milan closed his eyes. He didn't want the bloodshed but he was not wearing the crown. He had no say in the matters of Syndicate anymore.  

Horrified, Anthony raised his eyes and watched Samanvay's smiling face. "He loves shooting," Samanvay gestured at John with His thumb. "Your guard was a fool to think he could pull a gun on me with John standing here." 

Anthony swallowed on his salivia to wet his suddenly dried throat and looked at Milan once again for help. "I am not here to fight. I came under friendly circumstances, Milan."

"You are talking to the wrong man again, Anthony," Samanvay said parting the desk twice, "I am the man of authority here now," He said with a curt nod as He got into Anthony's face. "So let's talk."

Anthony gaped at the volatile look in Samanvay’s eyes. He knew that one wrong word from his mouth and he could be dead the next second just like his guard. "I will give Roger your message if you let me leave here."

Samanvay snorted. "No. Not in the mood to leave you, Anthony.  You can give your message to Roger once he meets you in heaven."

Anthony jerked in his chair, his face paled. Samanvay chuckled. "Shocked that I am sending you to heaven not hell. It's for your own good trust me, Anthony. Because hell is my empire and I don't want to see you in my empire anymore so sorry, pal but you are not getting any seats there." He said before pointed His gun at Anthony.

  "Saman.." A bullet landed in his head before he could finish Samanvay's name. 

Milan Goenka held his head and sighed. Samanvay’s bad mood was affecting his plans. "Roger will hit back, Sam. You have to be ready for the outcome of this act."

Samanvay killed His cigar in the ashtray before tossing it in it. "Let him. The great Samanvay Goenka is waiting for him with open arms."

Milan thinned his lips. There was no point in talking to Samanvay when He make up His mind about something. 

Samanvay gave a disdained look at the lifeless bodies in His office before turning to John. "Clean up this mess, John," Samanvay said, pointing His index finger to the corpses. "And keep the gold he delivered to my docks."

"This is an open invitation to war,” Milan couldn't help but warn his son. 

Samanvay chuckled at his father's worried tone. "I promised you one thing when we were in jail. I will avenge your son's death, Father. I am only doing it."

Milan closed his eyes and nodded. "In doing so, I don't want to lose another son, Sam." 

Samanvay laughed. "You will not. It's impossible to kill the already dead and I am a dead man,  Father." 

John swallowed. He knew why Samanvay was saying it. He lost someone dear to Him a long time back and since then considered Himself dead.

Samanvay stood up and rested a hand on His father's shoulder. "Go home and rest. Leave the dirty business to me now. If you want, handle the legal business but this is my empire now. Samanvay’s Hell. You…" He stopped when his eyes landed on the woman who stormed his life. He watched her having drinks in the bar area through the huge windows in His office. 

"What the hell is she doing here?"

"Who?" Milan asked, turning around and looking through the window.

"Your daughter-in-law," Samanvay replied as He  walked out of His office to go downstairs at the bar leaving an astounded John and Milan behind.

.

.

"Are you sure you want another drink, Miss? You already had five."  The bartender asked Manya who gave him a stern look.  "Yes," she said, passing her glass towards him for another drink. 

"But Miss?" 

"Your queen wants another drink, fetch her one."

Manya frowned when she heard the voice of the man she loathes. She was about to turn around but Samanvay took the seat beside her and gave Her His most charming smile. "You came to Surprise me, My sweet? I like your way of apologising."

Manya closed her eyes and let out a small tiring sigh before opening Her eyes again. She didn't want this, not when she was here to calm Her mind. Manya gave Him a stern look and said: "Leave or I will call the manager and throw you out of here." 

He chuckled. "I want to see you try."

Manya glanced at the bartender who was looking at Samanvay warily. "Call the manager here. This man is harassing me."

He swallowed in fear. "He is the owner of this club, Miss."

Manya looked at Samanvay's grinning face. Angrily, she curled Her fingers tightly in Her palm and decided to leave this club immediately. "You can stay here as long as you want. Unlike you, I know how to host guests in my place," He said and gestured the bartender to hand her the drink. 

"I don't need it anymore," Manya said standing up but she stumbled on Her steps. Samanvay held Her before she could fall. "Watch your steps, My Sweet. I don't want you to get hurt before our marriage."

Manya's eyes went to slits, the word marriage deepened her bleeding wounds. "Stop this nonsense." She said, jerking Him away from Herself. Even though she was drunk, she was still managing Herself well except for the little stumble. 

"Oh yeah, I forgot the ice queen is already in a relationship with Oberoi's son. But he is marrying Sara Merchant. I received the invitation for their wedding. Have you? Are you going to your boyfriend’s wedding, Sweetheart? I would love to see you there."

Manya clenched Her jaws together and looked in another direction to escape Samanvay’s mocking gaze.  

But Samanvay didn't give Her the chance, He moved forward and cupped Her face making Her look at Him. Manya's eyes hardened at His action. "Get your hand.."

"Sh. Don't try to look strong. I know you are hurt. It's okay, I understand your anger and pain, Sweetheart. Let this anger and pain go and marry me, My Sweet.  I promise to keep you happy. Unlike him, I will treat you like a queen. My Queen!"

Manya stiffened as Neel’s words buzzed in her ears: You deserve a man who can treat you like a queen. A man who can stand against anyone for you unlike me.

Samanvay caressed Her lower lip with the pad of His thumb. He was enjoying the feeling of Her full lip. He could imagine those plum lips around Him and His breath turned heavy imagining Her in that position. On Her knees with Her pink lips around Him giving pleasure.  Samanvay wanted to make this imagination His reality as soon as possible. He shifted his attention back to Her and said: “No one can keep you like me, Manya. Forget him and marry me.” 

Manya blinked and nodded. "Do you really want to marry me?" She asked in a stern voice. Her eyes lacked any emotion, they were as cold and hard as ice. 

Samanvay raised His eyebrows at Her question. “Are you saying yes to my proposal now?" 

"Yes. I am,” Manya answered. 

Samanvay was not expecting this answer from Her. He could see that she was drunk and but she still looked conscious enough to make decision. And she was serving Herself on the golden bloody platter so who was He to deny Himself such a sweet treat. After all,  He was the devil not the good man who plays by the rules.

 Samanvay Goenka was THE RULER OF HELL. People also call Him Hades  and just like him, He wouldn't allow His Persephone to leave hell now that she wanted to enter it willingly. 

Samanvay nodded. “Then why wait, Let's get married now, Sweetheart," He suggested. 

Manya clasped the strap of her bag tightly as she agreed to His suggestion. "Fine. Let's get married now," She said without blinking a gaze.

Samanvay grinned. This was surely His lucky day today. He snapped His fingers to the bartender, "call John and ask him to bring a priest here in fifteen minutes. I am getting married to My Queen."

And just like that Persephone decided to marry Hades. The only difference was Manya was not marrying Samanvay because she loves Him. She was marrying Him to punish Herself for loving a weak man.