The Deceit - Exclusive Bonus Chapter
BONUS CHAPTER
Timeline: 2 months after Vishnu’s Birthday in India! (Where the Epilogue of ‘The Deceit’ book ended)
SIMRAN
New York
I sit on the plush couch of our home in New York, my laptop balanced on my lap as I wait for the video call to connect. It’s been a long week of back-to-back meetings, and my team is still struggling to finalize a male model for our upcoming men’s fashion collection shoot.
Vishnu, Veer, and I had come to New York for a month specifically for this brand shoot and campaign of mine. We would be flying back to India in a week, and still, the shoot wasn’t happening—only because the male model hadn’t been finalized. My team had picked a few options, but none of them felt right. The men lacked the aura I envisioned for this collection. The designs I had created carried a bold, commanding energy, and none of the models exuded that presence. Now, I was stuck, time slipping through my fingers. In one week, Vishnu and I had to return to India. He couldn’t afford to take a long break from his political work—after all, as the party president of NEP, his responsibilities were endless. The pressure was building, and I was growing more nervous by the day. How was I going to fix this?
Frustrated, I turn to my best friends—Meher and Devika—for some much-needed distraction.
The screen flickers to life, and in a split second, Devika’s face fills the screen, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “There she is! Our New York boss lady.”
Meher pops in right after, waving dramatically. “And look at her! All serious and grumpy. What’s up? Missing us already?”
I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips. “I swear you two only call to torment me.”
“Well, of course,” Meher says with a wink. “What else are best friends for?”
Devika leans in closer to the camera. “Spill, what’s got you looking like you’re ready to commit murder?”
I groan, rubbing my temples. “I need help. My team still hasn’t finalized a male model for the shoot, and the deadline is closing in.”
Devika gasps, feigning horror. “You mean, in the whole of New York, you can’t find one hot guy to wear your fancy clothes? What is this world coming to?”
Meher laughs. “Wait, wait! What about Vishnu?”
I choke on air. “What about Vishnu?”
Devika grins. “He’s tall, broody, and built like a damn Greek god.”
Meher nods enthusiastically. “And let’s be real, Simran. You’d rather have him looking sexy in your designs than some random model, right?”
My cheeks warm at the idea, but I shake my head.
“You two are so delusional. Vishnu would never agree to this.”
Devika smirks. “That’s because you don’t know how to convince him properly.”
I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean?”
Meher leans in conspiratorially. “You, my dear, need to use your wifely charms.”
Devika nods sagely. “Exactly. Men can’t resist when their wives ask sweetly. Or… you know, if they offer incentives.”
I burst into laughter. “You two are the worst influences.”
Meher shrugs. “We try.”
Devika tilts her head, eyes sparkling. “Come on, Simran, just imagine it. Vishnu in one of those tailored suits, smoldering at the camera. Are you telling me that wouldn’t be the best campaign ever?”
She is right. It would be. But convincing Vishnu for this is going to a tough challenge.
Just then, the sound of the front door opening makes me glance up. Vishnu walks in, his broad frame filling the doorway, looking every bit as commanding as ever. He has just finished a workout, evident from the way his T-shirt clings to his body and the sweat glistens on his arms.
Meher and Devika notice too. Meher lets out a low whistle. “Simran, forget the male models. Vishnu is your answer, babes.”
Devika sighs dreamily. “Do you even concentrate on work when that man is walking around your house looking like that?”
I roll my eyes ready to shut the laptop, standing up. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”
“Good luck convincing him! Tell my bro I am missing him.” Meher calls out just before the call ends.
I turn to Vishnu, who has been watching me with quiet amusement. “Was it Meher on line? Why did you disconnect? I would have talked to her as well,” he says, tugging off his T-shirt and wiping his face with it.
“You can call her later.” I clear my throat, trying not to get distracted by the sheer male perfection before me. Meher and Devika do have a point. He is perfect. My model hunting ends right here.
“Where’s Veer?” I ask.
Vishnu’s expression softens instantly. “Claire fed him, and he’s sleeping in his nursery. He was a little fussy, but she handled it well.”
I smile, relief washing over me. “Good.” Then, I take a deep breath. “Vishnu, I need a favor.”
He arches a brow, crossing his arms. “The way you are asking me this with all that mischief in your eyes, makes it sound dangerous.”
I laugh nervously. “It’s not. It’s just that my team couldn’t finalize a male model for the shoot, and… I was thinking maybe you could step in?”
Vishnu’s shocking expression is immediate. “Me? A model?”
I nod quickly. “You’d be perfect.”
His smirk fades slightly. “Simran, you know I don’t like the limelight. At least the kind which makes me an eye candy before the eyes of the public. I’m a politician back in India, not a model or actor to agree to something like this.”
I sigh, biting my lip. “I know. But this is just one shoot. No interviews, no attention, just some photos in the collection. And you’d look incredible in them.”
He exhales, shaking his head. “Ask Abhay. He’s trained, professional, and already works as your security. He’d be a much better choice than me.”
I fold my arms, my chin lifting stubbornly. “I don’t want Abhay. I want you.”
Vishnu frowns. “Simran—”
“No, Vishnu. I designed these pieces with a certain image in mind. And you… You are the only one who fits it perfectly.”
He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “You’re being unreasonable.”
I step closer, my fingers grazing his arm. “Am I? Or are you just afraid you’ll enjoy it too much?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
I press my body against his, looping my arms around his neck. “You’d be helping me, Vishnu. And when have you ever denied me anything?”
He groans. “That’s unfair.”
“All’s fair in love and fashion,” I tease.
He sighs in defeat. “Where’s the shoot?”
My grin widens. “Right at the opposite apartment. The one you bought. The security team will be there, so it’s completely private.”
He takes a step closer, pressing our bodies. “And what do I get if I agree?”
I roll my eyes. “A happy wife?”
He chuckles. “Tempting, but not enough.”
I pout, stepping closer, placing a hand on his chest. “Please, Vishnu. It’s important to me.”
He stares at me, eyes darkening as he considers it. “Fine. But I want advance payment.”
Before I can ask what he means, his strong hands grip my waist and pull me flush against him, the sudden movement stealing my breath. My back meets the cool wall as his hard body presses into mine, his heat searing through the thin fabric of my dress. His lips crash onto mine, taking control, demanding, and I surrender instantly.
My fingers tangle in his hair as he deepens the kiss, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, teasing, claiming. A deep growl vibrates in his chest, sending shivers through me.
One of his hands trails lower, gripping my thigh, hitching it up against his hip. The position forces me to arch into him, feeling the evidence of his arousal. His other hand tangles in my hair, keeping me exactly where he wants me.
I gasp into his mouth, my body trembling. “Vishnu…”