CHAPTER 31
The Goldman Hotel
Aanya waited in the lobby as Reyansh spoke to the receptionist, clearly giving instructions she wasn’t privy to.
A few moments later, he returned, slipped his fingers through hers, and silently led her to the elevator.
Her cheeks were still warm with colour by the time they stepped into the presidential suite he had booked.
He slid the key card in, and the lights blinked on, casting a soft glow over the room.
Aanya took a moment to absorb the grandeur of the suite. It felt too expansive, too luxurious, stirring a faint memory of their wedding night suite back in India.
Her phone rang, snapping her out of the moment. It was Radhika.
“Hello, Di,” she answered quickly.
“Aanya… how was dinner with Reyansh?” Radhika asked.
Reyansh disappeared deeper into the suite, while Aanya continued her conversation.
“It was good.”
“I’m sure it was. Did he drop you back yet? What time is his flight tomorrow?”
Aanya glanced toward the room where Reyansh had just stepped in. He sat on the edge of the bed now, removing his shoes, looking impossibly handsome. She had never taken the time to really notice him before. At least not like this.
“Aanya? You there?”
“Uh, yeah… Di, I’m staying the night with Reyansh. At his hotel,” she said, biting her lip the moment the words left her mouth.
There was a brief pause on the line.
“I was hoping for that,” Radhika said warmly. “You two didn’t disappoint me. I’m so happy, Aanya. Enjoy the night… and your time with each other.”
Aanya smiled, her heart suddenly full. “Thank you, Di and good night.”
“Good night, sweetheart.”
She ended the call just as Reyansh’s voice drifted over from behind her.
“Who was it?”
“Di,” she replied, turning to face him.
He came out, now changed into an expensive charcoal-grey night T-shirt and matching lounge pants that hugged his tall frame a little too perfectly. The relaxed look somehow made him even more irresistible.
“I told her I’m staying with you tonight,” she added, unable to take her eyes off him.
He studied the delicate blush blooming across her cheeks, but just then there was a knock on the door which broke the spell.
Reyansh reluctantly turned. “Wait here. I’ll be back in a second.”
As if she could go anywhere.
She watched him walk to the door, take a box from a hotel staff member, and shut it behind him.
“That’s your nightgown,” he said, a subtle smile playing on his lips. “You’re not sleeping in those clothes.”
Aanya blinked, momentarily stunned, her heart tripping over itself. So that’s what he had been arranging downstairs.
“You really thought of everything,” she whispered.
“How could I not? My wife’s comfort matters. Now, go change while I make our bed.”
She nodded, clutching the box to her chest, her heart still echoing with the quiet ways he was showing her just how much he cared.
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The nightgown was a soft, rich red and elegant against her skin.
It wasn’t overly revealing, but the delicate straps and smooth fabric made her feel just exposed enough to stir a flutter in her chest. As she stepped out of the bathroom, her eyes found Reyansh standing by the floor-to-ceiling French windows, his silhouette outlined by the golden glow of California’s city lights.
She moved to stand beside him, her eyes following the dazzling skyline.
“Stunning view, isn’t it?” she said softly.
He turned to her, his breath catching for a beat seeing her in his favourite colour once again.
“Not even close to how stunning you look, Mrs. Aanya Chopra.”
Her breath hitched as colour returned to her cheeks. Then without a word, he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
“Another surprise?” she asked, her lips curling into a smile. This man had been sweeping her off her feet since the night before, and her heart wasn’t sure how much more it could take.
He handed her the box and nodded for her to open it. Inside, nestled in satin, was a glittering diamond ring. Aanya let out a soft gasp.
“We never really got engaged, did we?” he said, voice gentle.
“You never proposed,” she replied, half-teasing, half-serious.
Reyansh’s eyes narrowed with that familiar spark. He stepped closer, backing her gently against the glass wall, the lights outside turning her skin golden.
“Do you really want me to propose?” he whispered. “Because I’m afraid of being denied again .”
She stilled at that recalling how in Cape Town when the first time he’d laid his heart bare, she hadn’t been ready to accept it.
“Well,” she whispered back, “how would you know unless you ask again?”
He accepted that challenge without hesitation.
Reyansh slowly dropped to one knee, the ring in hand, and looked up at her.
“Mrs. Aanya Reyansh Chopra… will you still have me? As your husband. From now, till forever?”
It was the perfect proposal for them . Not a question of marriage, but of commitment. A promise to continue what they had rebuilt from something that had once felt broken.
“I know this is a big promise,” he added. “But I swear… you won’t regret it.”
Tears shimmered in Aanya’s eyes as she extended her left hand, her voice barely a breath. “I do.”
Relief and love flashed in his eyes as he slipped the ring onto her finger, then brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. She stared at the ring, then at him—her husband , her second chance, her Reyansh.
The moment he stood up, she simply reached him, cupped his face with both hands, and kissed him. Her fingers curled into his jaw as he leaned into her, deepening the moment.
“We need to capture this,” she murmured, pulling away, breathless. “This moment… it’s too special to forget.”
Reyansh loosened his hold slightly, watching her as she reached for her phone and switched it to selfie mode. She nestled beside him, her smile still fresh from their kiss. He slipped his arms around her from behind...one hand settling low on her waist, the other helping steady the phone.
Just as her cheeks flushed under his touch, he leaned in, and they both smiled. Click.
“We make a great pair,” he whispered into her ear, his lips brushing the shell of it.
She turned her face slightly toward his. “We do,” she said quietly. “And this... is going up as my profile picture.”
“Really?”
“Mmhmm. To make someone jealous,” she replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
He didn’t have to ask who. He already knew.
“Where’s Shagufta? Did you find out anything about her?” Aanya asked.
He let out a sigh. “You were right. She’s in California.”
“She’s here ? Why?”
“Some work. Nothing personal I hope.”
“And how sure are you?”
“Very sure. But I’m not taking chances. I’ve assigned sources to watch her movements. If she plans anything malicious, we’ll know.”
Aanya rolled her eyes. “Do you also have your men watching over me?”
“Aanya,” he said, shutting down the accusation before it could fester.
“I want to know. I won’t be angry even if you say yes.”
“Yes,” he finally answered. “But only when it is absolutely necessary. I know Di and Jeeju are here to look after you. But as your husband, I have a duty to protect you at all costs.”
She absorbed that quietly, choosing not to argue.
“I’m going to miss these late-night talks with you once I’m gone,” he said softly, brushing his fingers over her cheek, a touch that made her eyes flutter shut.
Then, without a single word, Reyansh bent down and swept her into his arms. Aanya let out a soft gasp, surprised by the sudden gesture, her arms instinctively circling his neck.
He carried her to the bed and Aanya had no idea what to expect next.
But instead of the heated passion she’d half-expected, he gently placed her on the bed, turned off the lights, and lay down beside her.
Her brows furrowed slightly in the dark. That was it? Just sleep? But something about the silence, the comfort of him beside her, felt deeper than any physical intimacy could offer.
“I miss this,” he whispered, his voice low and raw. “Sleeping beside you in the Chopra Mansion. You used to roll over and curl right into me every night.”
She tucked her face into his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of him, her fingers softly splaying across his heart.
“Thank you for bringing Dad here. It didn’t go exactly the way I imagined, but… I’ll speak to Kyle tomorrow. I’ll try again.”
“I know you will,” he said gently. “Let me know how it goes.”
She nodded against him, her eyelids growing heavy.
This wasn’t what she had expected tonight to be, not after how impatiently they’d looked at each other all day.
But strangely, this felt more intimate than she had imagined.
She snuggled closer and he pulled her tighter, wrapping his arms around her like never wanting to let her go.
“When will I see you again?” she whispered against his chest.
His lips brushed her hair as he murmured, “Anytime you want me to. Just say the word, Aanya… and I’m there.”
His answer only deepened the sting in her chest. The clock was ticking. In just a few hours, he would be gone, and she would feel that ache of his absence again.
“Wake me up before you leave,” she mumbled.
“I won’t.”
She lifted her head, frowning. “What do you mean you won’t?”
“I can’t say goodbye to you, Aanya. It’ll hurt too much. I’d rather leave while you’re still sleeping.”
“You won’t do that,” she said, lightly hitting his chest.
“I don’t have a choice.”
“But—”
“Please,” he whispered. “It’s already hard enough.”
A single tear escaped the corner of her eye which he stroked off.
“We’ll stay in touch,” he promised.
“How are you going to send kisses over email?” she asked, her voice wobbling into a chuckle.
He pretended to ponder. “I’ll send them through dreams. Every single night.”
It was only this night she had and she would make the most of it. She smiled through her tears and curled into him again. They talked some more, and soon, amidst their sweet talks, sleep finally claimed them both.
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