“I know he did dirty but why did you join the mess? You know what all happened after you left? Mr. Roy is boiling…”

I followed Ted mindlessly. I could hear what was being said to me, but was not listening. My thoughts were stuck on the moment when Muskan said her third statement.

Third, stop—” Muskan choked a bit, clenched her eyes and hands, and gathered the confidence to speak the most important thing.

“Stop dwelling on the past. Whatever happened ten years ago is over. It’s high time you accept that fact. I hope you won’t forget these three things from now on. And for the final time, let’s keep things professional until the collab is done.” With a heavy heart, she left Jay alone on the terrace.

“... what cost will Roy Fashions have to pay? And without any second thought-”

“What?” I snapped back to my senses when I heard my father talking. How could a woman’s dignity be less important than the cost Roy Fashion had to pay?

“You didn’t hear me? I said, do you even understand what cost Roy Fas—”

I interrupted him, as I could no longer tolerate his nonsense.

“Are you in your right mind, Father? Do you think a woman’s dignity and an insolent freeloader’s crime are less important than your drowning brand?” I questioned him with the same arrogance he had when he dared to question my actions.

“People become sensible with age and you? You become more insolent as days pass? What was the need to fight with that boy? There were other ways to stop what happened. Do you know who you beat? You beat Sherma’s son. Do you know who Sherma is? He is the biggest dealer in textiles in the country and the third largest in the continent. He’s no small fly you can flap away. If he pulls his hand back, then your “drowning“ Roy Fashion will sink even faster. How long will you destroy yourself with that anger of yours? You’ve failed at your first job, Jay. How will you handle the empire?” 

My father’s words were stabbing me further. How could he not understand what happened? He kept repeating the same thing. I needed time to think.

I closed my eyes and remembered my Grandpa’s words. “ Jay! Son, in our life money is very important. It’s money that helps you fulfill your and your loved ones' needs. But my child, there’s something more important than money for a man. It’s respect and dignity. Protecting one’s and others’ respect and dignity is what differentiates a man from a gentleman. Especially that of a child and a woman.”

“Why Grandpa is it because women and children are weak?” Young Jay questioned.

“No, my child. Absolutely not. Women are the strongest creation of god. They can destroy and make homes. They are the reason a man can become successful at any and every phase of his life. Take your grandmother and your mother for example. Your mother built Roy alongside your father. And your grandmother, she built our home so I could go out there and work without any worries.”

“Then why protect them if they are so strong?”

“Because women have one weakness. They forget to protect themselves while guarding their loved ones. So, as gentlemen, it’s our duty to repay that favor by guarding them and their dignity.”

“Maybe you couldn’t learn what Grandpa had taught you as a kid. That’s why you’re like this. But I’m different from you. I clearly remember his teachings. He taught me that dignity and respect come above money. And he also said a man must stand up for a lady’s dignity. And you say I got angry unnecessarily.

So let me be clear: this anger of mine is a gift from my parents. When I finally settled in my life, leaving all my anger behind, it was you and Mother who dragged me back. So, Mr. Roy, you have no right to question my anger.” I blasted out everything in my heart. He knew everything, yet he dared to say this.

As I said all those things, I saw Ted’s jaw drop at the way I answered the CEO of Roy Industries.

“And yes, I didn’t fail at my job. Roy Fashions has not shut down yet. And I will never let that happen. So keep your worries aside because, Mr. Roy, your investment will give you high returns.”

I needed to have my last word as I exited the room. It sounded funny after I left, and Ted’s reaction throughout added a cherry on top.