CHAPTER 5 #2
She let out a laugh. “Prestigious client, huh? How can someone be so much self-obsessed?”
His cold stare didn’t budge. “Keep going. You’re making it harder for yourself.”
The teasing smile faded from her face. He was right. She was ruining her chances. She cleared her throat and stepped forward.
“Okay, look,” she said more seriously. “Please agree. Or else I’ll have to use... alternative methods to convince you.”
His brow arched. “Alternative methods?”
“Yes,” she said, stepping closer.
The scent of his cologne, the sharp lines of his jaw, the commanding presence was all intoxicating.
And those eyes... smoky, intense, capable of hypnotizing any woman foolish enough to hold their gaze for too long.
How many were still hoping to be his ‘escape’ from power and stress?
A man like him who was disciplined, dangerously composed even under pressure, had to find his release somewhere.
And men like him didn’t chase peace in silence.
They found it in the softness of a woman.
The thought made something twist violently in her gut. It wasn’t jealousy. It was possession. And it burned.
“You were going to enlighten me about those… alternative methods,” he coaxed, dragging her deeper into the very storm she thought she could control.
She snapped out of her daze, realizing just how close she was standing. Her confidence faltered. She’d planned to use her charm, even a kiss, if necessary, but now that she was here, facing him, her nerves frayed.
She stepped back. “Huh! I don’t think this is the right place. This is your office, not… a bedroom.”
She almost winked again but stopped herself recalling his earlier advice or not lip biting or winking all the time.
He noticed and his lips twitched seeing her accepting his advises so soon.
“So?” she asked, trying to sound upbeat. “Are we good? Will you go ahead with the deal?”
Reyansh grinned and then crushed her hope with one word. “No.”
He walked back to his desk and sat down, effortlessly distant.
“And I’ve tolerated your presence enough at the moment. You may leave.”
Although rude, she knew he was testing her. Pushing her.
“I’ve never been so patient in my life!”
“Neither have I.” He didn’t even look up as he opened his laptop.
Aanya groaned, then took a breath.
“Okay, fine. One last offer. I’ll do anything you say if you agree to this deal with my father. Anything. Deal?”
Reyansh slowly raised his head, leaning back in his chair. “Now you’re talking.”
Really? Aanya had no idea why he had said that.
What exactly he expected from her in return.
A dozen reckless, dangerous possibilities flashed through her mind, each one enough to bring heat crawling up her neck and staining her cheeks crimson.
But then came the sting of memory...how easily he had discarded her after their so-called marriage, how deliberately he had detached himself from any responsibility toward her.
He had no right.
Not anymore.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice sharper now, cutting through the thick silence.
“Means—” he began, rising from his chair and sauntered toward her, enjoying every second of her unease. She could see the smug satisfaction in his eyes. He was enjoying this far too much.
“For the next few days, until you disappear back to wherever it is you came from,” he said with maddening calm, “you’ll follow every single thing I say.”
He ended his proposition with a polished, professional and soulless smile, that felt more like a threat than a grin. And it terrified her.
Aanya got back in her defensive mode.
“Are you insane? You want me to be your slave?”
He shrugged. “Kind of. In exchange for the deal.”
“No, thank you, Mr. Chopra. I’m not some puppet. Aanya Malhotra doesn’t take orders. I’m not yours to command.”
He sighed. “Alright. Let your father know my decision stands. The deal isn’t happening, and I’m sure he’ll understand why.”
Aanya groaned in fury, snatched her purse off the chair, and stormed toward the exit.
Reyansh watched her silently, arms folded, eyes narrowed—not stopping her, not calling her back.
He didn’t need to. She’d come around. Maybe not today, but soon.
Because deep down, she knew this was the only way.
The only way she could get what she wanted.
And the only way he could ensure she stayed under his roof, at least until Radhika returned to India.
She halted at the door and spun around, fire flashing in her gaze.
“You are the meanest man I’ve ever had the misfortune of knowing, Mr. Reyansh Chopra,” she hissed. “But karma’s real. And it doesn’t forget.”
With that, she stormed out, leaving behind nothing but the echo of her defiance.
Reyansh rolled his eyes with a smirk and muttered, “Whatever,” perfectly mimicking her tone from earlier, then returned to his desk without missing a beat.
It had been their first real conversation in months.
..completely raw, messy, and full of sparks.
He never expected she’d make him laugh, but damn…
she had. He had always pegged her as a spoiled, impossible brat.
But the woman who stood in his cabin today?
She had bite. She had wit. And she had a dangerously sharp sense of humour that could disarm anyone… including him .
Radhika would adore her. Of that, he had no doubt.
Singh’s Residence
Aanya recounted every detail of her conversation with Reyansh to Navya, who listened in utter disbelief.
“I... I don’t know what to say. I don’t support it either,” Navya admitted, brows furrowed. “God knows what he plans to do with you under such a ridiculous condition.”
“Exactly, Navya! What if he makes me cook for him? Or clean his bed? Or worse…” Aanya shuddered in mock horror, “what if he expects me to warm his damn bed every night?”
Navya burst into laughter at Aanya’s wide-eyed expression of terror.
“Relax. He’s not interested in you. Trust me,” she said between giggles.
Aanya’s eyes narrowed instantly.
“What do you mean by that?”
Navya turned her laptop around, typing ‘Reyansh Chopra’ into a search bar. Dozens of images popped up—photos of Reyansh with clients, at award functions, and surrounded by elegant, refined women.
“That’s his type,” Navya pointed out, tapping on the screen. “Poised. Polished. Manicured to perfection. Sophisticated right down to their perfume.”
Then she dragged Aanya in front of the mirror.
“And you, darling, are... none of that.”
Aanya scowled, ready to pout and protest, but somewhere inside, she agreed.
“You’re right. I don’t want to be his type anyway. I’m terrible at commitments, you know that.”
Navya smirked.
“Dumbo, you’re already stuck in the most non-committed marriage ever. Just walk out of it. This whole deal is ruining your spirit.”
Aanya paused for a second, then shook her head. “I can’t. If I back out now, Dad will find another high-bidding fool and shove me into another ‘perfect’ deal. At least with Reyansh, I know where the knives are pointed.”
Something tightened in her chest, the emotion creeping up her throat like poison.
Navya reached out and rubbed her arms gently.
“I get it. But what now? If you don’t accept Reyansh’s condition, your dad loses the venture. Kyle will make sure you don’t see a penny of your inheritance. What then?”
Aanya bit her lip in thought.
“You’re right. Kyle’s been hating it every time Dad sends me money. This is her way of cutting me off.”
“Exactly. And like it or not, you don’t have a choice.”
Navya gave her space to think, retreating into silence, knowing her friend needed time to process what her pride wouldn’t let her admit out loud.
Reyansh’s Mansion
“No, Di, I’m fine,” Reyansh said into his laptop camera, trying to mask the tension clinging to his jaw.
Radhika, watching from her California home, caught it instantly.
“Don’t lie to me. I know every wrinkle on that forehead.
Who messed up your mood today?”
He exhaled sharply. He had debated whether to tell her.
“Aanya,” he replied. “She’s here in Delhi.”
Radhika’s face lit up like a thousand-watt bulb.
“Really?! She’s back? Oh my God! Did you meet her? Did you talk? Did she agree to patch things up?”
“Di! Please. Slow down,” he chuckled. “And stop getting so excited. Don’t forget you’re carrying my future niece or nephew.”
Radhika pouted, her hand resting protectively over her baby bump.
“The baby is equally thrilled. We both want to see Aanya. Reyansh, I swear, I can’t wait to land in India.”
“I know. And yes, you’ll meet her soon,” he assured. But the weight in his tone didn’t go unnoticed. “But I’m still not sure this is right. Aanya doesn’t belong in our world. Her choices, her attitude, her whole outlook—everything’s... different.”
“Reyansh,” Radhika interrupted softly, “opposites build stronger bridges. If you’re waiting for someone perfect, you’ll die waiting. No one is perfect. It’s love that needs to be perfect, whether the people in it are flawed or not doesn’t matter.”
He rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Di, you’re far too romantic.”
“And you’re far too cynical,” she shot back. “But remember this—I want Aanya by your side when I arrive. That’s an order.”
He nodded slowly. There was no saying no to Radhika. It was hardly a matter of two months. Once his sister was back to California, Aanya would leave too.
That’s when his phone buzzed.
Radhika leaned forward, curious. “Who is it now? Sunny again?”
He tilted the screen slightly to show her. Her mouth fell open in surprise and delight.
“Aanya? Aanya’s calling you? Oh my God! Don’t leave me hanging here. Tell me everything!”
“I’ll talk to her first. Then I’ll call you back,” he said with a grin.
“Deal. Love you, Rey. Give my regards to your wife.” She grinned before the screen went dark.
Reyansh picked up Aanya’s call.
“So? Is that a, yes?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
Aanya was not surprised that he guessed the reason why she had called him. But however hard he enjoyed her temporary yes, she knew he was soon going to repent it bad.
“YES.”
“Perfect. Meet me at the office tomorrow. We’ll get this on paper.”
She groaned inwardly. Of course, he’d want everything legally documented. First the marriage. Now this ridiculous deal.
“Can we meet somewhere else for a change? Like a disco?” she countered.
He paused.
“Fine. I’ll text the address.”
“Great. And please ditch your boring suits. Try looking hot for once. Also, don’t bring your army of assistants and lawyers. It’s a date. With your wife. Not a board meeting.”
Her sass caught him off-guard, but he didn’t argue.
“In that case, you too dress like a human being. And for God’s sake, don’t create a scene.”
Aanya laughed softly, a sound that made his chest tighten unexpectedly.
“You have no idea what kind of scene I’ve planned for you,” she whispered before ending the call.
Reyansh stared at the blank screen. She had hung up again, like always, on her terms. But this time, he didn’t mind. There was something strangely addictive about her unpredictability.
Aanya Malhotra was trouble.
And for the first time in eighteen months, Reyansh Chopra was starting to look forward to it.