CHAPTER 8 #2
He could already tell these three months were going to test his patience to the core. She wasn’t going to let a single opportunity pass to poke and prod.
“Let me show you our room,” he muttered, grabbing her hand and leading her inside.
Neither of them noticed as their right feet stepped in together, unknowingly completing yet another ritual of her Grihapravesh as his wife.
Once they entered the bedroom, Aanya momentarily forgot her sarcasm.
The room was stunning, monochrome elegance in grey and white.
The centrepiece was the large bed, sleek and inviting.
A white recliner by the window hinted at where Reyansh probably worked late into the night.
And beyond the French doors, she spotted a private pool shimmering in the sunlight.
“Pool in the room? Fancy,” she said, tilting her head. “Do you actually use it or is it just for aesthetics?”
“I use it,” he said casually. “But there’s a bigger one near the gym downstairs.”
“Living the luxurious life, huh?” she teased.
“I worked for it,” he replied, calm and matter-of-fact. “Every inch of it.”
The jab was subtle, but it hit hard. She wasn’t earning anything. Not yet. That truth stung more than she expected.
He slid the closet door open, revealing a wardrobe full of clothing, designer sarees, tailored dresses, high-end heels, matching jewellery, and premium makeup kits. Everything a woman like her would be expected to have.
“That’s too much,” she muttered.
“Consider it complimentary.”
“Complimentary with this charming contract?” she scoffed. “Fine. I’ll use them responsibly… within the limits of our fake arrangement.”
She stretched her arms, clearly tired.
“So, no office today?” she asked, eyeing him. “Surprising. I thought every minute of yours was worth a fortune.”
“I didn’t plan on staying,” he replied. “But asking Nani to give you the home tour wasn’t right. Hence, I stayed back.”
“Thank God you did. She doesn’t like me and believe me, the feeling’s mutual.”
He gave her a sharp look. “Aanya, listen carefully. While Di is here, don’t show that dislike. I’ve already explained the same to Nani. Just…keep things civil.”
Aanya nodded slowly. It was obvious how much Reyansh loved his sister. She must truly be special to him.
“Alright,” she whispered.
“Good. Dinner will be ready in half an hour. You can explore the house until then. I’ve got a few calls to make.”
He turned and walked away, leaving her in the middle of their new “home,” alone, surrounded by opulence and deception.
Aanya exhaled slowly. Her throat felt parched, her nerves refusing to settle.
Everything about this arrangement still made her uneasy.
For the next two to three months, her entire world would be turned upside down and there was nothing she could do to change it.
No drinking. No parties. No friends. Just the Chopras and a list of non-negotiable terms from that damned contract.
It was going to be dull. And suffocating.
A little later
“So much food for just one guest?” Aanya murmured, eyes wide as she took in the lavish spread of Indian dishes laid out for dinner.
Reyansh, seated across from her, paused mid-reach for the serving spoons and shot her a sharp look.
It hit her instantly.
Right. She wasn’t a guest here. Not for the next two or three months. She was part of this family now.
“Sorry,” she mouthed quietly, almost instinctively.
Then, without another word, she picked up a spoon and began serving dinner onto her plate.
“Nani won’t be joining us,” he informed casually.
“I know,” she replied. “She only eats fruits for dinner. And that too before eight p.m.”
He nodded in quiet approval. That titbit had been part of her training with Sunny, and he appreciated that she’d memorized it.
“What did you eat while you were abroad?” he asked, more out of curiosity than conversation.
“I tried everything under the sun. But honestly, nothing beats Indian food.”
“Do you cook?” he asked next.
She froze mid-motion, her spoon hovering over the rice bowl, as she looked up at him.
“Wait… was I supposed to learn that for this contract? Sunny never mentioned a thing about cooking.”
Reyansh leaned back in his chair, amused. “Relax. I was just asking.”
“Thank God,” she exhaled, continuing to serve herself. “I can make sandwiches and burgers. Oh, and I can mix a mean cocktail too,” she added with a cheeky wink.
“That’s strictly prohibited under the contract,” he snapped. “I made that very clear.”
“I remember,” she said quickly. “I was joking. Can’t you say when I’m serious and when I’m not?”
“I’ve never seen you serious,” he shot back without blinking.
Her jaw dropped. “Then you should probably get your eyes checked.”
“Aanya…” he growled, her name a low warning. “Don’t speak to me like that.”
She dropped her spoon. “My bad. I forgot you’re the boss.”
“And the boss is always right,” he added smugly. “Now eat.”
She threw him a sharp glare from beneath her lashes but returned to her food without another word.
***************
“The hardest part comes now,” Aanya muttered once they returned to the bedroom after dinner. Her gaze flicked toward him. “Sleeping arrangements.”
Reyansh raised a brow. “What’s so hard about that? We’re sharing the bed.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re serious?”
“Not even slightly. Should I be worried?” he teased.
Aanya let out a dry laugh and dropped onto the mattress.
“No. I mean, I don’t exactly jump on men who can’t stand me,” she said.
“And what about men who flirt with you?” he asked, his voice dipping into something darker. “Do you flirt back?”
There was a strange possessive note in his voice, maybe even jealous but she didn’t dare analyse it too much.
“Healthy flirting’s good for the soul. Keeps the mood light, makes you feel wanted. What’s wrong with that?” she said breezily.
He didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped forward, cupped her jaw in his hand, and tilted her chin until their eyes locked. Then he leaned in.
“For the next three months… you’re mine . Flirting, healthy or not, is off the table.”
Something inside her jolted. Power surged through her veins, and for the first time in forever, she felt truly wanted , even if it came with conditions.
“Are we clear?” he asked again.
When she gave a slow nod, he let go of her jaw.
Just like that, the moment shattered. He walked away, grabbing his phone off the nightstand and heading toward the pool, already mid-conversation as he stepped outside.
Aanya sat frozen, pulse still racing. She didn’t know who he was talking to. Didn’t know if she wanted to know.
Was it a girlfriend? A man like him, technically single, dangerously attractive, and rich, had to have someone.
She’d seen the glossy magazine shots: him, arm-in-arm with stunning, high-profile women.
Maybe this arrangement would finally bring her the answers she once craved but never had the courage to demand.
She shrugged those thoughts and stood up, tugging at her salwar kameez.
There was no way she could sleep in this.
She padded to the wardrobe, sliding the door open.
The clothes inside were breathtaking. There were designer outfits, luxury labels, gowns, sarees, everything. .. except a single nightdress.
Seriously?
She groaned under her breath. He hadn’t thought of nightwear? She could have brought her own if he had given her the heads-up. With a smirk tugging at her lips, she reached for one of his white shirts and headed into the bathroom.
By the time Reyansh returned, he stopped dead in his tracks.
There she was, lounging on his bed in his white shirt. The top buttons undone, the collar loose around her shoulders, the hem brushing her thighs. Oversized. Casual. And utterly, dangerously tempting.
“Where did you get that?” he asked, his tone clipped, eyes not moving.
She glanced down at the shirt as if just noticing. “This?” she asked innocently. “Oh. You forgot to get me any nightwear. So…consider this your punishment.”
She sat back against the pillows, fingers combing through her hair, letting it fall in waves over her shoulders. Reyansh bit the inside of his cheek. He should have thought of that. But that didn’t mean she could help herself to his wardrobe like she owned it.
“I don’t like people touching my things without asking,” he said, voice edged with irritation.
She raised an eyebrow. “Not even your wife ? Is that the attitude you’re planning to show in front of your sister?”
He exhaled heavily. She wasn’t going to make this easy. Not one bit.
“C’mon, Reyansh. I couldn’t sleep in that stiff dress,” she said, stretching out just a little more. “And there was literally nothing else here. Your poor shirt was just sitting there… lifeless. I gave it some purpose. You’ve got a dozen white ones. You’ll survive.”
He still frowned.
“Fine,” she said dramatically. “Take it back.”
She reached for the button.
“Stop it!” he snapped.
She froze, barely suppressing a grin. He was flustered and she enjoyed it.
Without another word, Reyansh strode over, switched off the bedside lamps, and slid into his side of the bed…his back rigid, jaw locked, mind anything but calm.
“Di’s arriving for breakfast tomorrow. We need to wake up early,” he said stiffly.
“Then you wake me,” she replied, stretching like a cat and curling onto the cushion.
What the hell… He continued to stare at her in disbelief, baffled by her unapologetic childishness. She clearly didn’t care. Her eyes fluttered shut and within minutes, her soft snores filled the room.
Reyansh next to her stared at the ceiling, wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into.
It was going to be a long night. He had never shared his bed like this before, certainly not with a woman who managed to infuriate and intrigue him in equal measure.
She was a storm in shiny lip gloss and attitude, and for the first time in years, he didn’t know how to weather it.