CHAPTER 15
Aanya found it nearly impossible to concentrate with Reyansh sitting so close.
Ever since that impulsive kiss earlier, her thoughts had turned to chaos.
She sat quietly in the backseat beside Navya and Radhika, while Reyansh drove with Rishi sitting next to him at the front passenger seat.
Determined to avoid looking at him, she distracted herself by recounting her interview experience, especially the part where she had boldly refused to accept the job if it was offered using her father’s or Reyansh’s name as reference.
“References strengthen your profile,” Reyansh interrupted from the driver’s seat. “There would’ve been no harm if they considered you because you’re my wife.”
Aanya leaned forward slightly, voice sharp. “Did you need a reference when you built this empire?”
Reyansh said nothing, though the tight clench of his jaw said plenty. Radhika quickly stepped in.
“Reyansh, let it go. What matters is that Aanya got the job. This is a new beginning for her, and I know she’s going to do just fine.”
Aanya gave Radhika a grateful smile, comforted that at least someone in this family truly believed in her.
Then, instinctively, her eyes flicked upward and she caught the rearview mirror.
Reyansh was already looking at her.
His gaze didn’t falter. He kept his hands steady on the wheel, face unreadable, but his eyes held something different. Something quiet... and proud. It was a look that said more than words ever could.
The kind of look a man gives when he won’t say what he feels… but can’t hide that he feels it.
She held it for a moment longer than she should have, before she turned away and rejoined the conversation with Radhika and Navya, pretending her pulse hadn’t just betrayed her.
They arrived at the Bristo pub within thirty minutes. As Reyansh handed the keys over for valet parking, Aanya trailed behind the others.
“Reyansh, isn’t this the place Shagufta owns?” Radhika asked casually as they walked toward the entrance.
Reyansh cast a quick glance at Aanya, whose face paled at the mention. “Yes, Di. She owns it.”
Aanya’s stomach sank. She grabbed Navya’s arm and pulled her back from the group.
“In the entire city, this was the only place you found to celebrate my job?” she whispered with clenched teeth.
“Why? You don’t like it?”
“I hate the woman who owns it.”
Navya blinked. “Seriously? Why?”
“Long story,” Aanya snapped. “Just pray she doesn’t show up tonight.”
Reyansh turned just then, looking back to check on Aanya and Navya, and Aanya immediately stepped forward, forcing herself inside before he grew suspicious.
As if summoned by name, Shagufta appeared out of nowhere.
“Reyansh,” Shagufta greeted with surprise and a little too much delight.
Reyansh stiffened, then gave her a courteous hug. Aanya crushed Navya’s hand in a death grip, making her yelp.
“Ow! What the hell?” Navya muttered.
“That’s the she-devil I was talking about. Shagufta Khanna .”
Navya subtly scanned Shagufta from head to toe and then zeroed in on how the woman kept finding ways to graze Reyansh’s arm while talking.
“She’s… beautiful,” Navya muttered.
Aanya glared at her. “Whose side, are you?”
“Yours, obviously. But now I get it. She totally wants your spot. The way she’s eyeing him? Yeah, she’s got plans.”
“They’ve known each other since childhood,” Aanya muttered.
“Just friends… or childhood lovers ?” Navya teased.
“Shut up.”
“Oh my God. You’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous.”
“Liar,” Navya grinned. “I can read your face. You’re getting attached to him. You can’t stand seeing him with another woman. And that kiss at the house? Sealed the deal. Admit it.”
Before Aanya could snap back, Shagufta approached.
“Hello, Aanya. So nice to see you again,” she said sweetly, offering a handshake and then a hug, one that was far too rehearsed.
“Same here,” Aanya replied, keeping her voice neutral.
“Congratulations on the job,” Shagufta whispered in her ear before pulling away.
Aanya froze. How the hell did she know? There was only one way. Reyansh . He’d told her? When? The thought made Aanya’s blood boil.
“I’ve got a few things to handle. You all enjoy,” Shagufta said, flashing Reyansh another radiant smile before sauntering off.
Aanya swallowed her irritation and followed the family to their table. Reyansh trailed close behind.
Just as Aanya was about to take a seat beside Radhika, Radhika raised her hand. “No, not here. Sit beside your husband. That’s your place, always beside Reyansh.”
Aanya gritted her teeth but faked a smile, then took her seat next to Reyansh. Moments later, a chilled bottle of Champagne was placed on the table.
Her eyes widened.
“It’s fruit Champagne,” Reyansh muttered under his breath, anticipating her reaction.
She rolled her eyes. Alcohol was forbidden under their contract, but honestly? With Shagufta hovering nearby, even fizzy juice might as well be vodka.
She popped the bottle and poured drinks for everyone.
“To Aanya’s new job,” Rishi said, raising his glass.
Everyone toasted. Aanya downed her glass in one go and set it down with more force than necessary. Reyansh noticed.
“Stop acting like that,” he warned under his breath. “Di will catch on.”
“You should’ve thought about that before inviting your best friend ,” she snapped softly.
“I didn’t invite her. And this was your decided celebration spot, not mine.”
“But had warned me this was her pub, I’d have cancelled.”
Before he could reply, Radhika interjected.
“What are you two whispering about over there?”
Aanya forced a quick smile. “Your brother wants to take you for a dance, but I told him we haven’t even started eating.”
Radhika beamed. “That’s so sweet! But Rey, you don’t need to dance with me. You have a wife now. Take her.”
Aanya’s eyes widened in horror. Out of all the excuses, she had to go with dancing?
“Di, I don’t want to dance,” Aanya protested.
“Why not? This is your night. Celebrate with the best man in your life. My Rey is the best husband in the world.”
Aanya shot a look toward Reyansh. Best husband? Yeah, right. But she was trapped.
“Don’t deny a pregnant woman’s wish,” Radhika added with a grin.
Reyansh shifted in his seat, clearly embarrassed by all the attention. Rishi didn’t help either.
“Rey looks ready for a spin on the dance floor,” he teased.
Navya leaned in. “Go,” she whispered. “Show him what you’ve got.”
Aanya sighed, knowing she couldn’t back out now. “Okay.”
“That’s like my sister-in-law,” Radhika cheered. “Rey, take her.”
With that, the couple rose—one reluctantly, the other already planning her revenge on the dance floor.
The music pulsed with a lively western rhythm. Determined not to let her thoughts spiral, Aanya focused on the beats instead of the man standing next to her. She began to move, swaying in perfect time, deliberately maintaining distance, having no intention of touching him unnecessarily.
The coloured lights flickered and shifted across the dance floor, casting flashes of gold, crimson, and sapphire across her face.
Reyansh stood frozen, completely entranced by the way she moved.
She twirled, and when she turned, she caught him staring.
A faint flush climbed her neck. Flustered but unwilling to show it, she reached out, brushing her finger under his chin to nudge his attention elsewhere.
“Eyes off, Mr. Chopra,” she said with a teasing smile.
But the moment her hand dropped, his eyes drifted right back to her.
“Haven’t seen a woman dance like this before?” she called out over the music. “Not even your beloved Shagufta?”
The smile on Reyansh’s face vanished. Without warning, he slid his arm around her waist and yanked her flush against him.
“Mention her one more time,” he growled near her ear, “and I swear I’ll punish you for it.”
One warning from him and all her anger dissolved into something warm and electric. Why did this man have such a hold on her?
“And what punishment should the rule-breaker plan for the one who’s only pretending to play by the book?” she shot back, her sass barely covering the storm brewing inside.
“I haven’t broken a single rule,” he bit back. “But I can’t stop your ridiculous suspicions either.” He paused. “Honestly, I don’t know if I should worship you for behaving like a jealous wife or spank for doubting my loyalty.”
Her mouth parted in stunned disbelief. Worship? Loyalty? Spank? What on earth was he saying? She almost got visuals of him spanking her and the worse, the visuals showed her enjoying it. Damn!
“Shagufta is just a friend, Aanya,” Reyansh said quietly, as they moved in sync to the soft rhythm playing around them. His arm rested firmly around her waist, their bodies swaying gently—too close, too connected. To anyone watching, it looked like a picture-perfect romantic moment.
“I’ve never seen her as anything more,” he continued, eyes locked on hers. “I don’t care what she feels for me. What matters is...I know what I want in my life…”
He paused, then pulled her closer, just enough for her breath to catch.
“…and who I want in it.”
His gaze didn’t waver. To everyone around them, it was just a dance.
But to Aanya, it felt like a warning and a promise all at once.
She wanted to believe him.
And maybe she would have…
If not for that one stubborn doubt still clinging to her heart.
“Then how did she know I got the job?” Aanya demanded.
“She saw you walking into the building for the interview,” Reyansh said calmly. “So, I had to mention you were job hunting. That’s it. I never told her you were selected.”
“And she just happened to be there?” Aanya scoffed. “How did she magically appear there the moment I stepped in?”
“She has an office in that building,” he replied simply.
Aanya blinked. Of course she does. So now, Shagufta had an office in the same building as Chopra Group… and Icon Interiors where Aanya was going to work. Three corners of a triangle. Just her kind of luck!
“When we stopped at the entrance to greet Shagufta,” Reyansh continued coolly, “when you were too busy whispering your jealousy to Navya to notice, Di mentioned to Shagufta we were here with the whole family… to celebrate your job.”
Aanya exhaled slowly. Right. She’d missed that part. She’d been too wrapped up in her own thoughts to pay attention.
“Oh,” she murmured, a little deflated.
“Anything else you’d like to falsely accuse me of?” he added dryly, one brow lifting.
She bit the inside of her cheek to hide her amusement. Maybe Reyansh wasn’t as terrible as she thought.
“Can’t think of anything... yet,” she said, tossing her hair with theatrical flair as she slipped out of his hold. “But right now, I need food.”
“Let’s go eat.” He guided her back to their table, where Navya was deep in conversation with Radhika and Rishi. The three of them seemed to be getting along like old friends.
“You two are back already?” Radhika asked, her eyes lighting up.
“Aanya’s hungry,” Reyansh replied, pulling out a chair for her. Aanya raised her brows slightly but sat, appreciating the small gesture.
“Aanya,” Navya chimed in excitedly, “I was telling Di and Jeeju about us and our favourite hangouts in California, the cafés, the stores we shopped relentlessly during sales season. And you know Di lives close to our apartment there, isn’t that amazing?”
Aanya forced a smile. She didn’t feel like revisiting those memories anymore. They belonged to a version of herself she no longer wanted to be.
“Once we go back, we’ll hang out together, the four of us,” Navya added. “You, me, Di and her little baby. Sounds fun, right?”
Radhika’s smile dimmed.
“Why would Aanya go back to California,” she raised her concern. “She’s staying here… with Reyansh. Her job is here now. Right, Aanya?”
Reyansh stiffened beside her. His glare shot to Navya, warning her to tread carefully. Aanya, quick on her feet, reached across the table to hold Radhika’s hand and diffused the tension.
“Yes, Di. I’ll be here,” she said warmly. “But we can always meet there sometime. Just for a visit, to hang out like old times.”
Radhika’s eyes softened. “Yes, we will. I can already imagine it—me, you, Rishi, Reyansh, Navya… It’ll be so special.”
Aanya nodded, relieved the potential storm had passed. Reyansh, too, relaxed beside her. Once again, she had skilfully handled the situation and he couldn’t help but admire her for it.
The Next Morning
When Reyansh stirred awake, his hand reached instinctively for the other side of the bed but it was empty.
He was getting used to waking up with Aanya tucked beside him.
No matter how the night started, she always ended up on his side, curled into him like she belonged there.
And, annoyingly, it was starting to feel normal.
But at the moment, he blinked, frowning. It wasn’t even 6:30 yet.
“Aanya?” he called groggily.
The bathroom door opened a second later, and she emerged wearing a bathrobe, towel in hand as she dried her damp hair. He sat up.
“Am I dreaming or you really woke up this early?” he asked, his voice still thick from sleep.
She flashed him a grin. “Mr. Sleepyhead, it’s my first day at work. I don’t want to be late.”
She turned to the closet and began pulling out a crisp formal dress. Reyansh watched her for a moment, the realization dawning again. She was no longer just the woman he’d married in haste. She had a life now. A routine. Purpose.
“What’s your in and out time?” he asked, swinging his legs off the bed.
“In at 9:00, out at 5:00. Why?”
“I’ll have the car arranged for you.”
Aanya paused, thoughtful, before replying. “No thanks. I’ll take a cab.”
“Don’t argue,” he snapped mildly. “You didn’t use my name to get this job. Fine. But I’m still your husband. At least let me ensure your safety.”
She exhaled. “Fine. Do it. But only until this deal ends. After that, I’ll manage on my own.”
She disappeared into the bathroom again, leaving Reyansh perplexed.
Forty-five more days and the deal ends.
That was all they had left. Until his sister returned to California. Until Aanya would leave, free to go wherever she pleased.
And yet, just the thought of it made something ache in his chest. Letting her go would be much harder than he had ever imagined.