Chapter 44: CHAPTER 41: HONEYMOON PLANNINGS

Adolph

The sound of fingers tapping against a keyboard echoed through my office as I skimmed through the reports on my laptop. A cigarette burned lazily between my fingers, its smoke curling into the dim light of the room.

Pranav sat across from me, his own laptop open, but I doubted he was getting any actual work done. His expression was too relaxed, his eyes flickering toward his phone every few minutes.

“Stop texting her,” I muttered, not even bothering to look up.

Pranav scoffed, leaning back in his chair like the overgrown child he was. “I’m not texting anyone.”

I lifted a brow. “You’re checking for her replies.”

He groaned dramatically, running a hand through his already messy hair. “She left me on read, man. Read. Do you know how cruel that is? I sent her good morning texts. Memes. Even a picture of a puppy! And nothing!”

I exhaled a breath of smoke, unimpressed. “Aliya’s not interested in you.”

“She just doesn’t know me yet.”

“She knows you stalk her.”

Pranav placed a hand over his heart as if I’d wounded him. “That’s not stalking. It’s observing from a distance.”

I shook my head, returning to my work. “You’re an idiot.”

He grinned. “And you’re obsessed.”

My fingers paused on the keyboard. Slowly, I turned my gaze toward him, narrowing my eyes.

Pranav smirked. “You say I’m bad, but at least I didn’t buy the girl I wanted.”

I clenched my jaw. “Careful, Pranav.”

But he only leaned forward, resting his arms on my desk. “Careful? Of what? The truth?” His smirk widened. “You’re worse than me, Adolph. At least I’m a lovesick fool. You? You’re playing a different game.”

I exhaled slowly, forcing my irritation down. “And what game is that?”

“The kind where you make her yours while making her think she has a choice.”

I leaned back in my chair, watching him. Pranav might be an idiot in many ways, but he wasn’t blind. He saw things. He understood things.

I smirked, tilting my head. “And you think you’re any different? You put a hidden camera in Aliya’s dressing table.”

His smile didn’t falter. “At least I admit I’m a red flag. You, my friend, are in denial.”

I huffed out a low laugh, shaking my head. “We’re both red flags, Pranav.”

He grinned, raising an invisible glass. “To being complete and utter disasters.”

I tapped my cigarette against the ashtray. “To ruining their lives, one day at a time.”

We both chuckled. And in that moment, I knew we were both very aware of just how far we were willing to go

The steady clicking of my keyboard filled the office, the glow from my laptop screen casting sharp shadows over my desk. I was buried in work—files, reports, the usual weight of an empire resting on my shoulders.

Across from me, Pranav was also at his laptop, though I had my doubts about his productivity. Every now and then, he’d let out a sigh, run a hand through his hair, or—most annoyingly—glance at his phone, hoping for a notification.

I didn’t have to ask. I already knew he was waiting for Aliya’s reply.

The fool.

But whatever distractions Pranav entertained, I remained focused. Numbers, logistics, shipments—it was a world of control, and I thrived in it.

Then, in the midst of my concentration, a soft voice drifted through the hallway.

I frowned.

Neti.

I didn’t turn, but my ears caught onto the sound. She was talking to someone, her voice carrying hints of curiosity and, oddly enough, boredom.

I reached for my cigarette, lighting it with a flick of my lighter. "What is she doing?" I muttered to myself.

Pranav, ever the nosy idiot, perked up at my words. “Who?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I leaned back in my chair, listening.

Neti had been restless since morning. I hadn’t paid her much attention—she was still adjusting, and I was still deciding how far I wanted to push her today. But now, she seemed to have found a distraction.

I pushed my chair back and stood, stepping toward the open door.

Down the hallway, Neti was standing in front of one of the maids—an older woman I had specifically appointed to serve her.

"Really?" Neti was saying, curiosity evident in her tone. "So he makes you call him sir all the time?"

The maid nodded politely. "Yes, Miss."

Neti crossed her arms, looking unimpressed. "So dramatic."

I arched a brow.

Dramatic?

Pranav had followed me to the doorway, peeking over my shoulder. The second he heard her words, he stifled a laugh.

“Oh, this is gold,” he muttered.

I shot him a look, and he quickly shut up.

Neti was still chatting with the maid, completely unaware that I was watching.

She sighed, shifting on her feet. “I swear, if I stay here any longer, I’m going to lose my mind.”

I exhaled a slow breath, smirking.

She was already losing her mind. She just didn’t know it yet.

Neti was still talking to the maid—Eliza, a woman I had personally chosen for her. She was old enough to know discipline but gentle enough not to anger Neti too quickly.

“I don’t get it, Eliza,” Neti muttered, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. “Why do you work for him? Doesn’t it drive you crazy, calling him sir all the time?”

Eliza offered a small, knowing smile. “He pays well, Miss.”

Neti scoffed. “That’s it?”

“That, and I value my job,” Eliza added carefully.

Neti rolled her eyes. “You could at least rebel a little.”

I smirked from where I stood, still listening from the hallway. Pranav, beside me, was practically dying to jump into the conversation.

“You know,” Neti continued, tilting her head, “you don’t have to call me Miss. I’m not some rich, spoiled heiress.okay maybe I am,but atleast I am not a complete asshole”

Pranav coughed beside me, barely hiding his laugh. I gave him a warning glance.

Eliza hesitated. “I appreciate the offer, Miss, but I’d rather keep things formal.”

Neti groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “This place is impossible.”

Pranav leaned closer to me, whispering, “You sure she’s Spanish? Because she sounds exactly like an Italian mafia princess.”

I didn’t respond. I just exhaled slowly, watching.

“She’s bored,” I finally said.

Pranav grinned. “Yeah. Do something about it.”

I flicked my cigarette, stepping out into the hall. Neti’s back was still turned to me as she went on about how suffocating the mansion was.

“Let me guess,” I drawled, making my presence known. “You want to be entertained?”

Neti froze.

Eliza straightened immediately, her posture going rigid. “Sir—”

“Leave,” I ordered smoothly.

Eliza nodded, walking away without another word. Neti turned around slowly, her gaze guarded.

“You were eavesdropping,” she accused.

I smirked. “If you wanted privacy, you should have whispered.”

She huffed, glaring at me. “What do you want?”

I took a step closer. “The real question is, what do you want? You’re restless, aren’t you?”

Neti shifted uncomfortably. “I—”

Pranav popped his head into the hallway, grinning. “She’s definitely restless. Maybe she just needs—”

“Shut up,” I and Neti snapped at the same time.

Pranav laughed, raising his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll leave you two to… bond.”

I ignored him, my attention still on Neti.

“If you’re that bored,” I murmured, voice low, “I can find ways to keep you entertained.”

Neti’s eyes narrowed instantly. “No, thanks.”

I smirked. “Shame.”

She turned to walk away, but I wasn’t done.

I reached out, catching her wrist. “You don’t get to ignore me, tesoro.”

Treasure

She froze at the nickname, her shoulders tensing.

I leaned in just enough to lower my voice, ensuring only she could hear. “I like you better when you’re fighting me.”

Her breath hitched slightly, but she quickly masked it with an eye-roll.

I released her wrist, letting her step back.

“Enjoy your boredom, then.”

And with that, I walked away, smirking as I heard her mutter under her breath.

Restless, indeed.

_______________________________

Neti

Eliza sighed as she folded a towel, shaking her head. “Men are exhausting.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Tell me about it.”

She placed the towel on the neatly arranged pile, giving me a knowing glance. “So, the childish one—Pranav. He’s been bothering Miss Aliya, hasn’t he?”

I rolled my eyes. “Bothering is an understatement. He’s been texting her non-stop, and she’s been cursing him in every language possible.”

Eliza chuckled. “Yet he doesn’t stop?”

I shook my head. “Nope. He just enjoys annoying her. He calls it ‘persistence,’ but honestly, it’s just stalking at this point.”

Eliza smirked. “And what about your fiancé?”

I nearly choked on air. “What about him?”

She gave me a pointed look. “He seems… intense.”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “That’s one way to put it.”

She shrugged. “Cold, then?”

I thought about it for a moment before sighing. “He’s infuriating.”

Eliza sat beside me, smoothing her apron. “How so?”

I shot her a dry look. “You mean aside from literally buying me?”

She raised her hands in surrender. “Fair point.”

I huffed, crossing my arms. “He’s always so composed, so unreadable. He does whatever he wants, says whatever he wants. And the worst part? He enjoys getting under my skin.”

Eliza hummed thoughtfully. “Sounds like he enjoys your reactions.”

I groaned, rubbing my temples. “Don’t remind me.”

She chuckled. “And yet, you’re still here.”

I shot her a glare. “Where else would I go?”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Fair enough.”

We sat in silence for a while before she smirked. “At least Pranav is entertaining.”

I scoffed. “Only because he’s a walking disaster.”

She laughed. “I suppose he balances out the coldness of the other one.”

I sighed dramatically. “Exactly. One is too much, the other is way too much.”

Eliza chuckled. “Well, Miss Neti, at least your life isn’t boring.”

I groaned, flopping back on the couch. “I wish it was.”

Eliza’s laughter faded into a knowing smile as she folded the last towel. “You say that, but I don’t think you’d actually want a boring life.”

I scoffed. “Trust me, I would. Anything is better than dealing with these two lunatics.”

She tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Then why do I feel like you secretly enjoy their chaos?”

I shot her a glare. “I don’t.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”

I hesitated before scowling. “Absolutely.”

Eliza hummed, clearly unconvinced. “Alright, alright.”

Before I could argue further, the sound of a door opening echoed down the hall. Pranav’s unmistakable voice rang through the mansion.

“NETI!”

I groaned, already regretting whatever nonsense was about to come.

A second later, Pranav practically skidded into the room, arms flailing dramatically. “You will not believe what just happened!”

Eliza sighed. “Here we go…”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What now?”

Pranav dramatically collapsed onto the couch next to me, clutching his chest. “Aliya blocked me.”

I blinked. “And?”

He gasped. “And? Do you understand what this means?”

I deadpanned. “That you finally annoyed her to the point of no return?”

Pranav pouted. “It means she’s playing hard to get.”

Eliza snorted. “Or she genuinely hates you.”

Pranav waved her off. “Nonsense. This is textbook enemies-to-lovers.”

I rolled my eyes. “Pranav, she despises you.”

He smirked. “Exactly. Passion.”

Eliza covered her mouth to suppress her laughter while I groaned. “You’re delusional.”

Before Pranav could argue, another voice cut through the room—cold, authoritative, and laced with amusement.

“What exactly are you yelling about this time?”

We all turned to see Adolph standing at the doorway, arms crossed, expression unreadable but eyes sharp.

Pranav immediately sat up, grinning. “Ah, perfect timing! Tell Neti that Aliya totally likes me.”

Adolph stared at him for a long moment before deadpanning, “She wants to kill you.”

Pranav waved a dismissive hand. “Same thing.”

Adolph sighed, rubbing his temples. “I don’t have time for this.”

Pranav wiggled his eyebrows. “What, busy planning your wedding?”

Adolph gave him a warning look. “Don’t start.”

Pranav smirked. “Ooooh, touched a nerve, did I?”

I sighed. “Both of you are insufferable.”

Adolph’s lips twitched slightly, his gaze shifting to me. “And yet, you’re still here.”

I scowled. “Unfortunately.”

Pranav grinned, nudging me. “See? Enemies-to-lovers.”

I shoved him. “Shut up, Pranav.”

Eliza laughed while Adolph just sighed, clearly regretting walking in here.

_______________________________

Adolph

I should have never walked into this room.

Pranav, looking way too entertained, leaned back on the couch with a wide smirk. “So, Adolph…” he started, dragging out my name in that infuriating way he does when he’s about to be insufferable. “Four days left until the big day, huh?”

I ignored him and sipped my coffee. Maybe if I pretended he didn’t exist, he’d stop.

He didn’t.

“Oh, come on,” he drawled, leaning forward. “You’re not even a little excited? Your wedding, Adolph! The day your life changes forever! Your honeymoon—”

I gave him a flat look. “Shut up.”

Pranav gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “No need to be shy, my friend! I mean, we all know how this is going to go…” He smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief. “A romantic candlelit dinner… a luxurious honeymoon suite… just you and Neti—”

I threw a pen at his head.

He dodged it, laughing. “Ohhh, someone’s getting defensive.”

Neti, who had been silently watching this stupidity unfold, finally groaned. “Pranav, shut up.”

Pranav turned to her with a fake innocent look. “Why? I’m just preparing our dear Adolph for his future.”

Eliza, standing by the doorway, snorted. “You’re just enjoying annoying him.”

“Damn right, I am.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Pranav—”

He gasped again, cutting me off. “Oh! Wait! Have you picked your honeymoon destination yet? Somewhere romantic, I assume?” He grinned. “Maldives? Paris? Italy?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Oh wait, you’re already Italian. Maybe Spain—make Neti feel at home—”

I glared at him. “Do you ever shut up?”

Pranav grinned wider. “Not when I have premium material like this.”

Neti sighed. “I regret ever meeting you.”

Pranav put a hand over his heart. “Wow. That hurts, Neti.”

I rolled my eyes, setting down my coffee. “If you’re done being an idiot, I have actual work to do.”

Pranav gasped again, as if something just hit him. “Oh no, wait—Adolph.” He gave me a devilish smirk. “The wedding night.”

I grabbed the nearest thing—this time a book—and threw it at his head.

This time, it hit.

Totally worth it.

But that jerk didn't shut up

Instead he grew more annoying,"Violence Adolph, really? Is that what you do to your wife-to-be  too?"

I am going to choose murdering him if he didn't shut up

"Shut up" Neti finally snapped and he gasped like she just cursed his whole bloodline

"Neti, just look at your fiance and try not of thinking about riding his–"

She threw the pillow square at his face

But who could stop him

"Fine keep those thoughts for the wedding night then"

"Shut up" I exhaled the words,I am inches away killing him

And the worst part

He knew

"Fine I'll stop," he turned to me,"but only if you answer one question"

"What?" I gritted my teath

"Where are you planning to take Neti on your honeymoon?"

I stared at him blankly

He wiggled his eyebrows," Oh c'mon,I know it's going be somewhere romantic, somewhere sexy.Maybe Maldives? Santorini? A private island? Or maybe a secluded private villa, where no one can hear–"

I grabbed my coffee cup contempt to throw it at his face

"Or are planning to stay at home and break the new fancy bed"

Neti choked on air at this while Eliza was just laughing

Pranav was still grinning like an idiot, clearly enjoying how much he was grating on my nerves.

“C’mon, Adolph,” he drawled, leaning back with a smirk. “You have to have plans. I mean, what’s the point of being stupidly rich and powerful if you’re not going to whisk your wife away to some place where she’ll be completely at your mercy?”

Neti groaned loudly from the couch. “Pranav, shut up.”

He ignored her, his eyes locked on me, waiting—no, begging—for a reaction.

I exhaled through my nose, keeping my face unreadable. “Unlike you, I don’t waste time fantasizing about things I already own.”

Neti choked on her drink.

Pranav? Oh, the bastard lived for this. His smirk tripled. “Ooooohhh, possessive.” He fake shivered. “That’s hot. I mean, if I were Neti, I’d be melting right now.”

Neti threw a pillow at him. “I swear to God, Pranav—”

He caught it with one hand, completely unfazed. “I’m just saying! He basically called you his in front of everyone.” He turned back to me with a devilish grin. “Next thing we know, you’ll be growling at any guy who so much as breathes near her.”

I gave him a blank stare. “I already do.”

Pranav burst into laughter.

Eliza, traitorous as ever, just shook her head, clearly entertained.

“Alright, alright,” Pranav continued, holding up his hands like he was so innocent. “But back to the important topic—”

I groaned. “God, what now?”

“The wedding night, obviously,” he said smoothly. “Do you have a game plan? Are you going to go slow and romantic?” He tilted his head in fake curiosity. “Or just ruin her?”

Neti gasped, turning bright red. “PRANAV!”

Pranav cackled, completely shameless. “Hey, I’m just asking!” Then he turned to me again, all mischievous delight. “You do have a game plan, right? I mean, you’ve been waiting so long—”

I gave him a slow, dangerous smirk.

Pranav blinked. Then—realization hit him like a truck.

“Oh, holy shit,” he muttered, his grin faltering for the first time. “You already have something planned, don’t you?”

I tilted my head, not answering.

Pranav stared. “Wait. WAIT. Don’t tell me you—” He gasped, pointing a dramatic finger. “You’re gonna destroy her, aren’t you?!”

Neti grabbed a second pillow and hurled it at his head. “GET OUT!”

Pranav barely dodged, laughing so hard he almost fell off his chair.

I just smirked, sipping my coffee

Pranav was still wheezing, wiping fake tears from his eyes. “God, I love this. This is the best entertainment I’ve had in years.”

Neti, however, looked murderous. “I swear, Pranav, if you don’t shut up—”

He wagged a finger at her. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. You should be thanking me, Neti. I’m just making sure your dear husband-to-be is properly prepared for the most important night of your life.”

She groaned, burying her face in her hands. “This is a nightmare.”

Pranav ignored her, grinning at me again. “So? Where’s the honeymoon gonna be? Some luxurious private island? A seven-star penthouse in Paris? Or—” He wiggled his eyebrows. “—are you just gonna keep her locked in your bedroom for a week?”

I took another sip of my coffee, eyes locked on him. “Two weeks.”

Pranav choked.

Neti’s head snapped up, eyes wide. “WHAT?!”

Pranav, after nearly dying on his own spit, slapped the table. “I KNEW IT! You sick bastard!”

I just smirked, leaning back. “You started this conversation, Pranav. Don’t be shocked at the outcome.”

Neti looked between us like she was about to combust. “I hate both of you.”

Pranav patted her shoulder sympathetically. “You’ll love it soon enough.”

That was the final straw—Neti lunged at him, but Pranav, knowing her all too well, was already running.

“YOU’RE DEAD, PRANAV!” she yelled, chasing him down the hallway.

Pranav’s laughter echoed through the mansion. “WORTH IT!”

I watched them go, shaking my head in amusement.

God, they were both idiots.

Well that makes three of us

After she almost murdered him and he almost died choking on his own spit

"So Neti...," he started casually, draping his arm over her shoulder like they best friend,"Are you by any chance deep sleeper?"

She glared at him with pure hated and murder in her eyes,"What. Did. You. Say?"

"I mean just imagining waking up after your wedding and–"

She kicked him on shin

"OW, WHAT THE HELL... WOMAN",he said jumping on his one good leg

"You deserved that" I commented lazily

"So you're just gonna let Neti Adolph Alessandro assault your best man"

She nearly grabbed the nearest knife

I chuckled as he dodged her next move,"Keep barking and you'll be the one sleeping with one one eye open for the rest of your life"

He winked,"She should be the one sleeping with one eye open after four days for the rest of her life "

That earned him another kick

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