12) Someone tell me how do we breathe

By soon, I meant SUPER SOON!

I hope no one wants to kill me anymore. Hehe.

Happy reading :)

Kiara's POV

Tapping my fingers on my knees while sitting in the car, I looked out of the window to calm my nerves.

After Tina threw a bucket full of ice water on my head (not literally) aka informed me about the visit, I went berserk. Well, how else do you expect me to react when I get to know that I have to meet my potential future-in-laws in 2 hours to discuss my marriage with an arrogant, ridiculously hot billionaire whom I don't give a shit about?

Right now, we were going to meet the Singhanias' and I was dying to see my lovely fiancé. Get the sarcasm? I was wearing a peach coloured top with stone washed jeans and white converse. What? Were you expecting me to wear traditionals? Oh puh-lease! I did not want to impress anyone at all. If anything, I wanted to un-impress Mr. Singhania so that he would cancel this whole thing. I was secretly hoping that they would reject me somehow. But who am I kidding? We are talking about Rajveer Singhania here. He is well known for his sharp mind. If he wanted to reject me, he wouldn't have chosen me in the first place. That man gets what he wants - by hook or by crook.

Thinking about the marriage, I wondered whether Arjun knew about this or not. And if he did, then did he agree to marry me or was all this forced upon him? But if I seriously consider it, I don't think Arjun is the type of guy who can be forced to do something. I mean have you seen that guy? His one glare is enough to send people running in the hills with their tail between their legs. What if he decided to marry me just to annoy me? Nah! That would be so stupid of him.

I hate him and as far as I know he isn't particularly fond of me either. How the hell are we gonna survive this? More like...

How the hell are we gonna survive each other?

"You are overthinking this, honey." Mom brought me back from my thoughts as she looked at me from the front seat. "He is just a couple of years older than you. You both will get along very well." She smiled while I frowned at her.

Tina, who was sitting beside me at the back seat, sniggered and muttered under her breath, "Yeah sure. Why not? If you consider ruining each other's clothes as getting along, they will be best buddies very soon."

I turned towards her, trying to burn a hole through her head with my glare but it didn't work. Apparently, only Tina and my friends knew about my encounter with the devil himself. My parents were totally clueless about it and I intended to keep it that way.

You know that feeling when your younger sibling knows something about you that they really shouldn't and you can't do anything about it and just listen to their whims and get blackmailed by them? No? Well, let me tell you, it SUCKS.

"We are here." Dad announced as he pulled the car into the driveway. WHAT? We are here already? It's just been 45 minutes. Why couldn't it take a little longer? Like a decade or so.

As I got out of the car and looked at the house in front of me... Scratch that. When I looked at the mansion in front of me, I was awestruck. It was one of those beautiful homes that you would see in movies only.

The mansion was adorned by a huge swimming pool in the front, followed by rounded stairs that led to the porch and large mahogany doors. The mansion was beautifully lighted giving it an extravagant look.

"Woah." Tina whispered from beside me, mesmerized by the view in front of her eyes. She nudged me and whisper-yelled in my ear. "You are one hell of a lucky girl." I was too busy drooling over the house to retort.

"Language." Mom scolded Tina while she just rolled her eyes.

After a few seconds of gawking at the house and standing there awkwardly, dad decided that we should move inside. Just then, a middle-aged woman came rushing towards us, dressed in a maid's attire along with a black apron.

"Mr. Sharma?" The lady smiled at us, her honey coloured eyes crinkling at the end, her gaze warm and welcoming. Dad nodded while her smile grew further. "This way, sir. Mr. Singhania is expecting you all." She led us inside.

Of course, he was! I thought bitterly as we moved inside.

If I said that the exterior looked amazing, the interior was totally breathtaking.

As soon as we entered, we were welcomed by Rajveer and a lady around his age whom I assumed to be his wife. A young girl was standing there too, busy on her phone.

Rajveer came and hugged dad and smiled at us, "Welcome Mr. Sharma. This is my wife, Roshni and my daughter, Riya." He gestured towards them. Mom hugged Mrs. Roshni while I just smiled at everyone. I didn't want to be judgmental but I think Riya was eyeing me with distaste. That made me uncomfortable and I averted my gaze from her.

"Please come." Mrs. Roshni smiled and led us to the drawing room as we all settled down on couches.

So far, so good.

"So, what do you do, Kiara?" I was so busy talking to myself that I nearly forgot the question was directed at me. I looked up to see Mrs. Roshni gazing at me expectantly.

"I... umm.... I am a student. Still in college, pursuing my bachelor's degree." I replied nervously.

Get a hold over yourself.

After that, all of them started chatting as if they were best friends since diaper years, leaving me to awkwardly stare around the room. Riya was busy texting someone on her phone all the while, giving me the stink-eye every few minutes.

Like brother, like sister.

"Where is Arjun?" Mom asked after some time. Jeez mom! Can't you see your daughter happy?

"He was busy with some work at the office. Must be coming. I don't know what's taking him so long?" Rajveer replied, a crease forming on his forehead.

Maybe he got in an accident while driving and now he's dead.

Ha! I wish it was true. All my prayers were answered when I saw the devil himself walking in the house like he owned the place. Well, he actually did.

Ugh! Why the hell he had to be so good looking? It would have been so easy to hate him if that rude, gorgeous face wasn't attached to that model body of his. Damn him. Damn his good looks. Damn my life. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt underneath, hugging his body perfectly, outlining his toned muscles. His hair were a little messy as if he had run his hand through them multiple times, his face wearing his oh-so-famous scowl as he typed something furiously on the phone. Of course. Mr. Grumpy. Does he ever smile?

As he entered the room, he looked up, to be initially shocked but he covered it pretty soon, his eyes wandering around the room before meeting mine and settling into a glare. I glared back at him with the same intensity, not backing down. No way in hell would I be scared of him.

Sensing the thick tension between us, Rajveer cleared his throat and smiled, "Ah. Here he is. Mr. Sharma, this is my son, Arjun Singhania."

We all stood up in acknowledgement as I stifled an animalistic groan. I had always been a lazy person and it took a lot of effort in me to stand from such a comfy position.

He shook hands with dad while nodded at mom and Tina maintaining a monotonous expression on his oh-so-perfect face. Of-freaking-course! That's the most he can do. His eyes then moved to mine and I swear I saw a small challenging smirk on his lips. I tried to smile but I know it must have looked like I was constipated.

"Arjun Singhania. " He introduced himself.

Oh really? I didn't know! *gasp*

Controlling the urge to roll my eyes, I spoke as politely I could, "Kiara Sharma."

"Well, the dinner is ready. Why don't we talk over there?" Mrs. Roshni suggested and we all went to the dining room. The dining table was so long that at least 20 people could sit there.

Everybody sat down and guess who sat across from me? Surprise! Surprise! It was Arjun. The dinner went well except a few occasional glares here and there either from me or from Arjun.

"Arjun, why don't you show Kiara around?" Mrs. Roshni asked after we had finished eating causing me to choke on my own saliva.

Do they want this house to be burned down? Don't they love their home? If this is so, then they can give it to me, I will happily live here. Or they could simply sell it. Why do they want it to be destroyed? Leaving me and him alone is as dangerous as lighting a fire near petrol. What if we end up blowing the house or worse, killing each other?

I looked up at Arjun cautiously to gauge his reaction. His jaw was clenched tight, his right hand holding a death grip on a fork which was ready to snap into two pieces any time. His other hand was balled into a fist causing his knuckles to turn pale. He casted a glare towards his mom, he looked like he was ready to kill her. How can someone be so insensitive towards their own mother? Much to my surprise, Mrs. Roshni averted her eyes from his gaze and started fidgeting as if ....nervous and scared? What the actual hell?

"Yeah. Even I was going to suggest it." Mr. Rajveer interrupted, giving a rather pointed look to Arjun which he returned with his own stubborn stare. It seemed as a silent understanding passed between the duo and Arjun sighed.

"Follow me then." Arjun replied... Wait! He ordered me gruffly and went towards the stairs. That devil! I stood up quickly and followed him like a lost puppy.

This is going to be one hell of a long night.

He started walking upstairs and I had no choice but to follow him.

"I don't want to marry you." I grumbled like a small child who has been denied his favourite chocolate.

"Oh no. Shit. And here I had planned everything for our happily ever after." Arjun replied in a fake hurt voice, sarcasm evident in his tone. I didn't realize we had reached the top.

"Why do you have to be so mean?" I whined.

"It's the way I am. So, suck it up, princess." He replied in a non-chalant, boring voice whereas I fumed in anger. I stalked towards him and narrowed my eyes into slits.

"Don't!" I growled.

"Don't what?" He asked, confused. And I hate to admit it but he looked extremely cute wh-

Just stop right there. He is NOT cute! Got that? He is a DEVIL! A DEVIL!

"Don't call me that." I huffed.

"What?" He knew what I was talking about but still acted like an innocent lamb.

"That.... That word." I spat.

"Princess?" He asked, raising his perfect brow and I just nodded my head.

"But it suits you, princess." he mocked. His face was as usual devoid of any emotions but his eyes sparkled with amusement.

I was this close from punching him hard in the face but I seriously doubt it would have hurt him, considering his well-built body.

"Ugh...Do you see a crown on my head? A ball gown that I'm wearing? My servants and personal maids? Huh?" I yelled, frustrated.

This guy surely knew how to rile me up.

"But you surely act all spoiled and sensitive. Like an entitled princess." He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall.

Was he being serious?

And then what did he do? He smirked. Whenever I say something, he smirks; I shout, he smirks; I rip my hair due to frustration, he smirks. All he does is smirk, smirk and smirk.

I wish that his face gets plastered like this from so much smirking.

"I have a name. And I would prefer if you call me by that." I closed my eyes.

Count to 10, Kia. Breathe, breathe.

Remember Kia, you can't kill him in his own house. You don't even know this place well to hide a dead body.

"What makes you think I'll do what you ask?" He looked at me as I was stupid.

"Do you prefer a more suited name for you? How about doll? You definitely act like a glass doll who'll break at the slightest of pressure."

I immediately stiffened at the name. Nobody has called me that since... him. And this word always brings some unwanted memories.

Arjun didn't seem to notice my uneasiness and continued as if nothing happened "Nah! I'll stay with princess."

Seriously? Is this guy bipolar?

"Yeah, I'll call you princess from now on. And I'll be your Prince Charming." He winked. Like, actually winked. Like, he closed his left eye and then opened it.

Boy, he can wink. And he look extremely hot doing that.

Snap out of it, Kia.

I swear this guy has worse mood swings than a girl on her periods. One minute he was ready to go all hulk on me and now he was being his cocky, arrogant self. His mood swings were giving me a serious whiplash.

Oh no! What if he suffers from split personality disorder? Oh god. I am going to marry a psychopath.

I was so busy panicking about my future husband's mental health that I didn't even reply with another comeback.

We continued walking and stopped when we reached a room. I don't think that's how you show around your home to someone. We were just wandering around the house with him walking in front and me following him. Arjun opened the door and stepped inside. Isn't there any chivalry left in the world? Aren't guys supposed to hold the door to let the lady inside first? Oh, I forgot. He isn't a gentleman. He is best friends with Satan.

I entered the room. The walls of the room were cream coloured and there was a king-sized bed in the middle. One wall of the room opened into a balcony that gave a beautiful view of the garden. As I was busy admiring the room, Arjun interrupted me.

"Why did you agree to marry me?" He asked out of nowhere. I could sense a hint of annoyance and frustration in his tone so me being me decided to provoke him even more. What? From now on, I'll do anything and everything in my power to irritate him. This is going to be my New Year's resolution. Yes.

"I am studying zoology, you see. So, I just thought, why not try and experiment living with an animal to see how it feels like." I smiled sweetly at him, watching his expressions drop into a murderous scowl.

Ha! Take that.

Without waiting for his reply, I turned away from him and decided to go to the balcony. I needed some fresh air before I did something that could end me up in jail. I had barely taken a step when an arm curled around my waist and I was pulled back, my back colliding with a hard, warm chest. A gasp escaped my lips at his sudden movements as he leaned ever so slowly near my ear.

"What did you just say?" He whispered in my ear, his hot breath fanning across my temple, causing hair to rise at the nape of my neck and a shudder to pass through my body. With each word he spoke, his lips brushed against my earlobe and my breath hitched in my throat.

Ok, someone tell me how do we breathe!

It's very simple, you know. You just take a deep breath and then exhale. Moreover, it's involuntary.

"An animal, huh?" His voice was barely above a whisper and I gulped. "Be careful with your words, princess. This animal is quite wild."

I thought he was going to pull away but he nearly ended me with his next words. "And a statutory warning, I bite."

Holy fungia!

My heart skipped a beat at his insinuation.

I just had a mini heart attack here. Nothing serious. Nothing serious at all! Thank god he was holding me otherwise my knees would have given up a long time ago.

With that, he turned me around to face him, his hand still resting on my waist, tingles erupting from the contact. I gulped harshly looking into his eyes. He was enjoying this. The devil here in front of me was enjoying watching me all uncomfortable and shocked.

His lips quirked up in a devious smile as he watched my stunned expression. With flushed cheeks, eyes wide as saucers and my heart beating a mile per minute, I looked like a deer caught in headlights.

Arjun stepped back, still smiling and I refrained from choking him with a cable tie or something. A knock sounded at the door and we turned our heads to see a maid with her head bowed down.

"Sir, the dessert is ready." She informed us.

"We'll be down in a minute." Arjun nodded at her and she left.

I blinked heavily to get out of the daze I was in.

Oh god.

What the hell happened just now?

That's it. He is suffering from split personality disorder.