Chapter 10: The Reluctant Meeting

Kiara’s POV

It took me an eternity to gather myself after running upstairs. My heart was racing, and my mind couldn’t stop replaying the scene downstairs. Reyaansh Rathore, of all people, was sitting in my living room, and I had greeted him in the most ridiculous way possible. What was worse was the way he looked at me—calm, confident, and entirely too smug.

I threw open my wardrobe, desperate to find something appropriate. My hands landed on a black anarkali with delicate gold embroidery, and I decided it would have to do. Pulling it on, I paired it with gold jhumkas that swayed delicately as I moved, a matching necklace, and a stack of black-and-gold bangles that jingled softly with every step.

Her look~

I took a deep breath, glancing at myself in the mirror. My outfit was perfect, but my face still betrayed the nervous energy bubbling inside me. Steeling myself, I squared my shoulders and walked back downstairs, determined to face whatever awaited me.

---

The living room was just as I had left it—except now, Reyaansh’s eyes were on me the second I stepped into view. His gaze swept over me, lingering for a moment before he smiled that infuriatingly knowing smile.

I ignored him and addressed my parents instead. “I’m ready,” I said curtly, avoiding everyone else’s gaze.

Mom looked at me, relief washing over her face. “Good, Kia. Come, sit down.” She gestured to the seat directly across from Reyaansh. Of course.

Reluctantly, I sat down, keeping my hands clasped tightly in my lap to stop my bangles from betraying the slight tremor in my fingers. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the polite conversation between my parents and his. It felt like everyone in the room was waiting for something, but I didn’t know what.

---

Finally, Reyaansh leaned forward slightly, his deep voice cutting through the awkward quiet. “You look stunning,” he said, his words directed at me but loud enough for everyone to hear.

I felt my cheeks flush. The compliment was simple, but coming from him, it felt like a statement—a reminder of his confidence, his power. I didn’t respond, keeping my eyes fixed on my lap.

“You’ve outdone yourself, Kiara,” he continued, his tone teasing but firm. “Though I have to admit, the bunny slippers had their own charm.”

My head snapped up at that, and I shot him a glare. Was he seriously bringing that up? I opened my mouth to retort, but my mother’s warning glance silenced me. I bit back my words and looked away, determined not to give him the satisfaction of a response.

---

Sneha, who had been sitting quietly so far, finally broke the tension. “Kia, why don’t you take Reyaansh for a walk in the garden? You two should talk privately.”

I froze, my heart sinking. “I don’t think that’s necessary,” I said quickly, but Dad’s firm nod told me I didn’t have a choice.

Reyaansh stood, his movements smooth and effortless, and extended a hand toward me. “Shall we?” he asked, his voice as calm and confident as ever.

I hesitated, every part of me screaming to say no. But with all eyes on me, I couldn’t refuse. Taking a deep breath, I rose to my feet and followed him outside, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on my shoulders.

This wasn’t just a meeting. It was Reyaansh’s move, and I had a sinking feeling that he was always three steps ahead.

---

The cool breeze of the garden brushed against my skin as I stepped outside with Reyaansh. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the stone path. My heart was pounding, but I kept my expression neutral. I refused to let him see how much his presence unnerved me.

Reyaansh walked beside me, his steps calm and deliberate, like he had all the time in the world. He didn’t speak at first, and the silence stretched between us, thick and unyielding. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and there he was—perfectly composed, with that infuriatingly confident smirk playing on his lips.

“You don’t have to be so tense, you know,” he said finally, breaking the silence. His voice was low and smooth, carrying a teasing edge. “I don’t bite... unless you give me a reason to.”

I shot him a sharp look. “I’m not tense,” I lied, my voice firmer than I felt. “I just don’t see the point of this little charade. We both know this wasn’t my decision.”

He stopped walking, turning to face me. His dark eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I couldn’t look away. “You’re right,” he said softly, surprising me. “This wasn’t your decision. But it’s happening, Kiara. And if it’s going to happen, wouldn’t it be better if we understood each other?”

---

“Understand each other?” I repeated, crossing my arms. “What’s there to understand? You barged into my life, and now you’re trying to take over everything.”

A flicker of something passed through his eyes—amusement, maybe? Or was it something deeper? “I didn’t barge in,” he said, his tone still calm. “Your family welcomed me. I only came because I wanted you.”

His words hung in the air, heavy and unrelenting. I felt my breath catch in my throat, and I hated the way my pulse quickened. “You don’t even know me,” I said, my voice quieter now.

He stepped closer, his gaze never wavering. “I know enough,” he replied, his voice dropping lower. “And I’ll learn the rest. Trust me, Kiara—I always get what I want. And right now, that’s you.”

The intensity of his words made me take a step back, the heels of my sandals crunching against the gravel. I didn’t know how to respond, didn’t know how to handle someone like him. Reyaansh Rathore was a force of nature, and I felt like I was caught in the eye of the storm.