35) Why are your hands trembling?

The only reason I'm updating this early is cause one reader commented 'ayeeee jaldi update de naaa' and I CRACKED UP SO BAD.

I love your guys' comments. 😭 They keep me so entertained.

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Kiara's POV

Sliding the glass door and stepping in the balcony, I took in a deep breath as a breeze flew past me and tightened my arms around myself.

It was 7 in the evening, almost two hours since we came back from the orphanage and I had a sudden urge to come here.

Closing the door behind me, I noticed Arjun sitting on the couch, his legs propped on the small table, one leg over the other. His arms were crossed over his chest, a calm look on his face and his gaze fixed on the sky.

What was he doing here?

Half an hour back, when I had gone to his office to take one of my books that I had left there earlier, I had seen him entering the secret room that he always kept locked. I had tried to catch a glimpse of inside but he had already shut the door and it left me more curious as to what was actually inside that room.

"Look who's here." I grinned, jogging towards him and he tore his eyes away from the sky at my voice.

"Can I sit here?" I asked, pointing at the space next to him although there were two more chairs and a bean bag. Before he could open his mouth, I plopped down on the couch beside him, a decent space between us and flashed him a wide smile.

Bringing knees to my chest, I wrapped my hands around my legs and placed my chin on my knees. A content sigh left my lips and my eyes searched for the stars that seemed to be hidden behind the clouds. Minutes passed like this, neither of us saying anything, just basking in the serene atmosphere. While Arjun being silent wasn't anything new, what surprised me was the fact that I enjoyed spending time with him. I was starting to relish these rare moments, where both of us would sit in silence and they thrilled me as much as the times when we would bicker non-stop.

And this new realization scared me.

But then again, I am Kiara Shar- Singhania and I can't quit talking for long. I waited for merely 5 more minutes and then my insides started clawing, begging me to talk.

"You know -" I started excitedly but was interrupted with his chuckle.

"I was wondering when you would start talking." Arjun checked his watch. "This is the longest you have been quiet. Congratulations."

I gaped at him.

"You were saying?" He probed, tilting his head and I looked away.

"Well, now I don't want to say it." I huffed, crossing arms over my chest, my chin held high.

"Fine by me." His voice held a tone of indifference as he shrugged and it irked me. "But I know you'll start talking within the next 15 seconds."

Narrowing my eyes at the smug look on his annoying hot face, I shut my mouth, ready to prove Mr. I'm-always-right wrong and started counting to 15 in my head.

And guess what?

I didn't start talking within fifteen seconds.

I started talking within seven.

"Okay fine. You win." I almost yelled after 7 seconds when I couldn't handle it anymore and tried my very best to ignore that I-so-knew-it look plastered all over his smug face.

"I was just saying that I really enjoyed today." I grumbled moodily.

His face turned sober and he cleared his throat. "I know I've already thanked you but-"

Oh, I would love to be thanked like that again. Do continue.

"Thanks." He finished. "Once again."

"Two thanks in a day." I mused with a teasing grin. "You're improving."

He rolled his eyes. "Forget I said that."

"Nope. Not so easily." I shook my head giggling, stressing on the 'p' and wrapped my arms around myself as another breeze flew past. Shivering a bit, I rubbed my arms and glanced down at my clothes. I was in Arjun's tee that he had given me in the evening and the thin fabric did nothing to stop the goosebumps that arose on my skin in the cold night. My eyes flitted to Arjun who sat there all warm and comfortable in his black hoodie. Not to mention, he looked extremely cuddly and I had a sudden urge to snuggle to him.

I need a brain check-up

"Stop eyeing my hoodie like it is chocolate." I jumped at his sudden voice. Turning to him, I found his eyes still focused on the sky.

How does he do that every time?

Rubbing my arms, I looked at him expectantly. "Isn't it cold?"

"It's mid-October, what else do you expect?"

"Sooo..." I inched closer to him.

"So what?" He glanced at me weirdly when I made a puppy face at him, trying to bat my eyelashes.

"I'm cold." I pouted.

"Then go back to your room."

"Ughh." I groaned aloud, my head falling back in resignation. "You don't know anything."

What am I gonna do with him?

"Be a gentleman and offer me your jacket."

He turned to me, amusement dancing in his eyes as he rested his arm against the headrest of the couch. "And who said I'm a gentleman?"

Huh?

"If I remember correctly, I'm the devil straight from hell, right?" He cocked his head to a side, raising one of his brows, his lips adorned in a lopsided smirk.

This... This ugly, snarky, cocky.... hot, irresistible specimen of a male!

I didn't know whether to kiss the hell out of him or push him from the balcony so I settled with sticking my tongue out like a child. Contemplating my options on sacrificing my comfort to stand and go back to bring something warm to wear or dying here out in the open freezing from cold, I finally made a decision.

Guess some sacrifices are worth making.

I was too busy mourning over the fact that I would have to get up that I didn't notice warmth enveloping me. I looked down to see a cream-coloured Cashmere shawl draped over my shoulders. My bewildered face snapped to Arjun who was sitting closer than earlier, arranging the shawl around me.

Did he learn magic?

Where did he get a shawl out of nowhere?

Sensing my confused gaze on him, he looked up. "What? You were cold, right?"

My brain racked with a thousand possibilities of him being a supernatural being and having special powers.

I was too dumbstruck to say anything, my mouth slightly open. At his voice, I blinked twice and then composed myself. "Thank you." I snuggled into the shawl, sinking deeper into the couch. Oh, this felt so nice.

"If you're so cold, why are you here?" He asked after he made sure the shawl covered my upper body properly.

"Because I like this place. It's so calm here. Whenever I'm stressed, I come here to relax. Or sometimes I just like to sit and admire the view" I closed my eyes for a second, it felt good.

Opening my eyes after a few moments, I turned to scowl at him. "You stole my favourite place. And you're sitting in my spot." I gave him a stink-eye.

He cocked a brow. "Excuse me, you're sitting in my house. Did I say anything?"

Point taken.

"Where did you get this shawl from?" I ran my fingers on the soft material.

"None of your business." My face twisted at the sudden change in his mood. His voice had suddenly turned harsh and indifferent and he wore his ever-so-favorite 'I'd-rather-kill-you-than-answer-your-dumb-question' look.

What even goes in that head of his?

Oh right. One of his multiple personalities were out for display.

I didn't probe any further and we lapsed into silence again.

"Do you have your passport?" He asked after some time.

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"We are going to Maldives."

My face lit up. "Why?"

"For our honeymoon."

"What?" I choked out.

"No need to get your hopes high, princess. It's a business trip."

Why was he taking me on a business trip?

I scooted closer to him, grinning mischievously. "Don't tell me that you can't stay away from me so you are tagging me along on this trip." Putting a hand of my heart, I gave him my best overwhelmed face and placed my head on his shoulder. "I'm touched."

"Are you done?" His bored voice asked from above and I leaned back, sitting straight.

Gazing at his flat expression, I put all my teeth on display with the proof that I brushed twice daily. "Yes."

He shook his head, rolling his eyes with the tiniest twitch of his lips and I found myself laughing merrily.

"Remember John Walter? The guy we met at the party?"

I sat there clueless for some time but then it clicked me. "Oh yeah. He had invited me to Maldives too."

"And you being the pure, kind soul that you are, didn't have it in your heart to disagree with him." His sarcasm hit me straight in the face.

I smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of my neck. "I was trying to irritate you back then."

"You succeeded in that." He stared blankly at me. "I'm going to Maldives to finalize the deal next week."

"Uh... if you don't want me to accompany you, it's okay. I wasn't serious that time. I was just trying to rile you up." I didn't want to be a burden on him.

Arjun glanced at me for a second. "No, I am fine with it if you don't have any problem."

"Okay, I would love to go there." I grinned, excited at the prospect of going to Maldives with Arjun.

I debated on asking him whether he would like to join me for a visit to my parents on Wednesday but dropped the idea.

Mom had called an hour ago when I was still in a trance, staring at a vase for the past hour with a hand on my cheek where Arjun had kissed me. I hadn't visited home for a week and she had asked to bring Arjun along.

I don't think he would be interested so I would just make up some excuse.

While I had an inner monologue and my brain searched for another lame excuse, I didn't notice Arjun standing up and walking inside.

"Come inside. You're freezing."

"Awh. Are you worried for me dear husband?" I asked as I stood up, following him and stepped inside.

He slid the door shut behind me as we entered back in the hall. "No, I don't have the energy left to entertain police in my house after you freeze to death outside."

I giggled, actually giggled at his remark.

What was happening to me?

I could have retorted with another remark but I didn't.

Yawning, I tightened the shawl around my shoulders, ready to go to my room when Arjun's voice halted me in my steps.

"Kiara."

I turned to him expectantly, rubbing my left eye. "Yes?"

His eyes flitted to the shawl and then back at me, a fleeting look passing in them as he opened his mouth to say something but then deciding against it the last second, he shook his head a bit. "Nothing."

I had noticed his gaze lingering on the shawl and I shrugged out of it with the intention to hand it over to him but before I could give it back, he was already gone.

While I stood there mum with a bugging thought in my mind.

Whose shawl was this?

*

"How did you lose the file?" A loud, angry voice bellowed behind me and I jumped in my seat, the coffee mug almost dropping from my hold. I turned around to see a very furious and scary Arjun barging in the kitchen.

"I don't care how much time it takes, Peyush. I need that file on my desk by evening." He banged his hand on the counter loudly and I gulped my coffee slowly, sinking lower and trying to hide my face behind the mug.

Uh-oh, looks like the hulk mode is on.

I wish I was a ninja so that I could camouflage in the background. At least it would save me from his wrath.

Maybe if I stay extremely still, I will blend in with the furniture and he won't be able to see me.

"If you don't find that file today, keep your resignation letter ready." He dropped the phone on the counter recklessly and got rid of his tie in anger, removing the loop from his neck in a quite aggressive manner.

Oh no. Was he planning to choke Peyush with this tie?

Rolling the tie in a ball, he threw it against a wall and then shrugged out of his suit jacket next.

Was he going to strip?

Someone bring me popcorn because we are going to be here for a long time.

I crossed my legs as discreetly as I could, relaxing in my seat and ready to enjoy the show.

Throwing his coat on the floor, he paced around the kitchen, raking a hand through his hair every now and then.

Oh boy.

He does this only when he is angry or frustrated. And judging by his face expression, he was definitely both.

I sat still in my place, not daring to utter a single word. What if it pissed him off? He could bury me anywhere in this huge place and no one would ever know what happened to me.

His sharp eyes snapped to me and I froze, my eyes slowly widening. I was almost going to make a run for the door when he looked away, the frustration lines on his forehead deepening and I blew a small sigh of relief.

His phone beeped and he picked it from the counter. His eyes roamed on the screen, his face darkening as he clutched the phone tightly in his hand.

Perhaps living with him for so many days, I had a good idea what was about to come as I screamed a loud-enough-to-make-your-neighbours-deaf 'NO' as soon as his hand began to sway back.

Setting the mug on the counter, I ran towards Arjun, snatching the phone from his hand. Hiding it behind my back, I quickly created some gap between us. "Are you mad? You're not throwing away the phone."

This guy would burn down the house with his temper issues someday.

His jaw clenched tight as he asked for the phone. "Give it back to me."

"No."

"Kiara." His voice had a warning undertone.

"You need to calm down first." I spoke sternly.

"I am calm."

"Yeah, I can see that." I scoffed, propping a hand on my waist. "If Peyush comes in front of you right now, you will eat him alive."

Rolling his eyes at my words, he stalked towards me and I let out a scream, running behind the counter.

"Give me my phone." He ordered, emphasizing on each word as he stood in front of me, the counter between us.

"No." Clutching the phone to my chest as if it was some prized possession, I backed away slowly. "Promise me that you won't be angry anymore."

"Fine."

"Say it."

"Enough!" He whispered menacingly and ran after me while I let out another loud scream, making a dash for the dining hall.

I didn't even step outside the kitchen when Arjun caught hold of my wrist and twisting it behind my back, pulled me to him causing my small frame to collide with his rock-hard chest. I froze for a second and then tried to free myself but he held my other hand and locked it behind my back too.

He tugged me closer, pressing me against him and all breath left my lungs in a whoosh.

My whole body was flushed against him and he glared at me with a frown. "Why do you keep annoying me?"

I managed to pass him an extra sweet smile, despite our closeness. "It's my favourite past time."

His head tilted to a side, his eyes glinting mischievously. "I thought your favourite past time was drooling over me?"

I gasped, throwing daggers at him and then looked away. "Oh please, you're not that handsome."

Beep. Beep. The lie detector in my brain went off like a blaring siren.

"So, you're not affected by me?"

"Not at all." I snorted, hoping he didn't hear my erratic heartbeat. Only I knew how hard it was to lie straight through my teeth while standing pressed against him.

"Are you sure, princess?" He leaned to my eye-level, his lips only a mere inches away from mine and an inhuman voice escaped my throat.

Don't come any closer or I won't be responsible for my actions.

"Because the way you are reacting now, I would say I have quite an effect on you." His voice turned low and he stared deep in my eyes.

If he came any closer, I would faint.

Shifting my gaze away from his black pools that were ready to drown me, I struggled against his hold and tried to break free from his iron-vice grip. "Leave me."

"No." He leaned back, giving me some space to breathe.

I looked at him like he had lost his mind. "What do you mean no?"

"You said no to me earlier, I'm saying it now."

"Wh-. You're being completely irrational." I cried out.

"So were you."

"You're insane."

"I learnt from the best." If he wasn't holding me like this, I would have tackled him to the ground.

"You-" I squirmed in his hold but my voice died in my throat as he leaned towards me.

For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me but he went past my lips, his jaw teasing my cheek with a feather touch and my eyes fluttered close on their own.

I think I heard a small whisper of 'I win' beside my ear but all my focus was on the loud pounding of my heart and the blood rushing to my ears.

And then, just like that, he was gone. One second he was there, his hard abs pressing in my stomach and the other second he vanished.

I peeked my eyes open one by one and saw him standing a few feet away with...his phone?

When did he take it from me?

While you were busy hyperventilating at his closeness.

My mouth formed a big O and my wide eyes darted between his hand and his face as he leaned against the counter, casually checking his phone like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Like we weren't wrapped around each other like snakes a moment ago.

"You cheated." I yelled. "You know how your proximity affects me and you took advantage of the fact."

He was busy in his phone as I rambled but as soon as those words left my mouth, he stopped, raising his eyes to me and a tiny smirk broke on his lips slowly. While I realized, only three seconds late, what I had blurted out and clamped a hand over my gaping mouth.

Turning around, I hastily pushed some hair behind my ear and looked around the kitchen to find an escape from the embarrassment.

I might just write a book titled '101 ways of embarrassing yourself in front of your smoking hot husband'.

It's going to be a bestseller. I can already feel it.

"Care to repeat that, princess?"

My eyes fell on the stove and I wanted nothing more than to set myself on fire.

"Don't you have work to do?" I snapped at him and picked up his crumpled tie, smoothening it down.

He was seated on the high seat near the counter and I walked up to him, offering him the tie. Instead of taking it from me, he swiveled around in his seat and faced me.

My eyes widened slightly as I understood what he was referring to. With a strange pitter-patter in my heart, I took a timid step forward, raising his collar and looping the tie around his neck. I was standing at least 3 feet away from him, trying to knot the tie with my hands extended straight ahead.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when Arjun put his hands on either side of my waist, pulling me between his legs. My hands froze and my eyes clashed with his. Since the seat was high enough, he was almost at my eye-level.

I was trapped between his legs now.

"Relax. I won't eat you, princess."

I think... I think someone possessed him.

"Are you going to stare at me the whole day? I know I'm hot. You have told me many times but I would like to reach office on time."

I just stood there like a dummy, unable to speak.

Would someone look at this? The chatter of a box can't even form a sentence in front of her husband.

I sent a silent prayer to God to pick me up from here and end the torture.

My hands started working on the tie again as I stood there with his thighs touching my legs and grew extremely uncomfortable of his hot stare on me.

"Who's staring at whom now?" I mumbled and received a chuckle from him.

I am nearly dying here and he finds this funny.

His amused gaze fell on my hands. "Why are your hands trembling? You're not diffusing a bomb."

Cause you're behaving weird, you handsome dinosaur!

Choosing not to reply, I tried very hard to concentrate on the work at hand but his cologne wasn't helping at all. I had half a mind to bury my nose in his shirt and smell him but seeing how inappropriate and creepy it would be, I controlled myself.

Unless I want him to admit me in a psychiatric health care, I'd better stay where I am.

"You know," I started, trying to divert myself from the unholy thoughts that clogged my dirty mind. "you shouldn't yell at your employees like this."

"They work for me. If they don't like it, they can work somewhere else." His voice turned cold and I scrunched my face at his illogical explanation.

"Just because they work for you doesn't mean you will treat them the way you like. You can be a little polite, you know."

He raised a brow as if asking 'Seriously? Me and polite?'.

Oh right. You don't ask a lion to become a vegetarian.

"People work more efficiently in a happy environment. Your employees are scared of you."

"They respect me." He objected.

"Out of fear. Not admiration. Think of it this way, if you start talking nicely to them, it will be a pleasant change for everyone at the office." I tried to explain him the best way I could.

"You don't need to smile at everyone all the time. Just don't shout at them unnecessarily and answer them properly. That's it. It's not too much to ask."

He fell silent after that and I adjusted the collar of his shirt when I was done.

"This is better than last time." I said, looking at the tie.

I really need to learn to make a tie.

He stood up, deep in thought and I picked up his jacket from the floor, handing it to him.

God, when did I start behaving like a typical wife?

As he shrugged into his coat, I peered at his face, a few unruly strands falling on his creased forehead. I hesitated for a second but then throwing caution out of the window, I combed my fingers through his hair, trying to make them presentable. His eyes bored into me but I pointedly ignored those intense black orbs and stepped back when I was done.

He turned around to take his phone and an idea popped in my head.

"Okay, here's the deal." He looked back at me as I spoke. "You talk to Peyush right now, apologizing for your behaviour and I'll do as you say."

His face turned amused, his lips lifting in a microscopic smile. "Are you trying to make a deal with me, princess?"

"Maybe I am." I raised my left shoulder in a slight shrug. "So, what's your end of the bargain?"

He looked down as he seemed to be thinking about something but when he glanced up, his eyes shone with something very close to mischief and I decided I didn't like that look at all.

And I was right.

"No chocolate for a week for you."

"What?" I shrieked, holding the edges of the counter as if he had just told me I had cancer.

Folding arms over his chest, he leaned back and crossed his ankles, looking thoroughly entertained at the expression of horror on my face. "You heard me."

I think I heard him wrong. He didn't say what I heard, did he?

As if reading my thoughts, he repeated. "No chocolates for a week."

Well, he only said chocolate. He said nothing about ice-cream or shakes.

"And by chocolate, I mean anything related to it. Be it ice cream, cake or a smoothie."

That's it. He's definitely not a human. He has supernatural powers.

How could he say that so easily?

I bit my lower lip, thinking hard. "2 days. No more."

"Four. Take it or leave it."

I immediately took a step forward. "Then you will have to talk to all your employees nicely for four days. And you will call Peyush in front of me."

"Fine." He forwarded his hand. "Deal?"

My eyes glanced back and forth between his hand and his face. It seemed like someone had paused his face in the smirking mode.

Was it really worth?

I didn't know what got into me as I shook his hand. "Deal."

The twitch of his lips turned into a full-blown smirk as he dialed Peyush's number.

"Put it on speaker." He did as I said and we waited for Peyush to pick up the call.

"Hello." A strained, timid voice spoke from the other side.

"Peyush?"

"Y-yes, sir. You don't need to worry about the file, we are searching for it and we will find it by evening. I've also arranged a meeting with Mr. Singhal at 2 today. You have to sign the papers and the deal will be finalized." He rushed out in a go, probably afraid that the devil's reincarnation beside me would fire him.

Poor guy. He sounded terrified.

"Peyush, relax. You don't need to worry about the file. I shouldn't have shouted at you like that when it wasn't even your fault. Take your time and please try to find the file before I go to Maldives."

He hadn't actually said the word 'sorry' and I sighed at his behaviour. Why was it so hard for him? It's just a five-letter word.

The line went silent and I thought we had lost signal but then we heard a loud thump.

My guess was either Peyush had fallen or he had dropped a hell lot of files in shock.

There was another moment of silence as Arjun and I stared at each other. And then, Peyush uttered in a small, terrified whisper. "Sir, a-are...are you okay?"

Arjun's brows furrowed. "Why?"

"I mean are you feeling well? Should I book a doctor's appointment?" The confused look on my lovely devil's face wiped off and a flat expression took its place while I guffawed lightly.

Arjun clenched his jaw, ready to shout at him but I immediately held his arm, gesturing through my face that he had promised not to lose his temper.

"No, Peyush. I'm completely fine." I have never seen Arjun so rigid. "Arrange for the next meeting. I will be there in half an hour."

"Okay, sir."

Arjun cut the call and I flung my arms around him. "Thank you."

Squeezing my arms around his neck, I broke the hug grinning widely while he maintained the stoic look on his face and turned to leave.

"Have a bad day, dear." Soaking my words with extra honey, I waved at him merrily. His sharp gaze landed on me and his eyes twinkled with something.

This was not good. Definitely not good.

"Oh shoot, I forgot something." He pretended as if he just remembered something important, his face mocking.

I looked at him suspiciously. "What?"

Passing me a smile that was too sweet to be real, he walked back in the kitchen. "My dessert."

My jaw dropped on the floor as he purposefully strode towards the fridge and took out a chocolate sundae tub.

He wouldn't!

"God, I'm famished." Chucking out a spoon, he put it in his mouth and then moaned as if he hadn't tasted anything better his whole life. "Damn, it's so tasty."

My eyes were ready to roll out of my sockets as I watched him eat ice cream like he was starving for a whole week. My mouth watered at the delicacy in his hand and it took all my will power to not run there and snatch it from his hands.

He stalked towards me slowly, his gaze not leaving my shell-shocked state as he ate another spoon.

Bringing the spoon near my lips, he leaned to my level, asking in the most innocent voice I've ever heard him use. "Would you like some?"

My mouth opened slightly and I craned my head forward towards the spoon, ready to eat the piece of heaven in front of me when Arjun pulled away.

"Oops, I forgot." He blinked at me innocently. Too innocently. "You can't eat this." He leaned forward to whisper. "For four days."

Clenching my hands into fists, I wondered if I could murder him.

What is the penalty of strangling someone?

Circling around me, he reached behind my back and then bringing his arms around me, he fished out another spoonful of ice cream. He ate it with his face adjacent to mine and hummed along. "Delicious."

Curse him to hell and back.

I hope you die of diabetes, you teasing chimpanzee.

"Have a good day." He whispered, waving the ice cream tub in front of me, my desperate eyes following it like it was the elixir of life being offered to a dying me. "Princess."

Sending a last smirk and a cheeky wink my way, he sauntered out at a lazy pace.

Choke on that ice cream, you rat!

Go drown in a pool of chocolate.

What did I get myself into? Why did I even say yes?

How was I going to spend another four days with him teasing me like this?

Still pouting, I trudged my way to Arjun's room and sneaked inside like a thief, thankful for the fact that it was unlocked. Although there was no one else in the house, I still tip-toed my way across his room to the walk-in closet but got distracted mid-way as my gaze fell on the French windows. With my hands and face pressed against the glass and my wide-owlish eyes staring at the view in front of me, I stayed like that for a few minutes.

I would love to wake up to this view every day.

Guess some things are just not meant to be.

Sighing, I retreated back and made my way to the walk-in closet. Opening the drawer containing the ties, my hand roamed on the various colours and I took out a blue one quickly. Closing the drawer, I rushed back to my room.

My classes started late today so I had ample of time before college.

Quickly searching for a How-to-knot-a-tie tutorial on YouTube, I stood in front of the mirror with Arjun's tie around my neck and followed the steps with utmost concentration.

All the while, I kept repeating in my head that I wasn't doing this for him.

Right, you're learning to knot ties for your future children.

Effectively ignoring my conscience, I continued with the task and eventually got the hang of it.

While I was on my fifth trial, someone cleared their throat behind me and I was about to throw my phone at the intruder in shock when I realized it was only Ritu standing at the door with a smirk, leaning against the threshold.

When did she come?

"Hi." I squeaked out, locking hands behind my back.

"Hi. What are you doing, Kia?" Her smirk widened as she spotted the tie around my neck.

"No-nothing." My voice cracked and my face flushed red.

"Okay." She nodded, obviously not believing a word I said.

"Uh-I am hungry. Can you make me something to eat?" I said, mentally hitting myself for stuttering like a fool.

"Sure." With another sly look my way, she left and I dropped on my bed, slapping hand over my forehead.

Way to go, Kia. Way to go.

Arjun's POV

"ARE Y-" I stopped mid-way as I realized I couldn't shout on him because of the stupid bet I made with Kiara. It was Wednesday and I still had to control my anger for one more day.

"No, Peyush. I want the plane ready for Friday." Signaling David to bring the car out from the parking lot, I walked towards the road. "Yes, Friday evening. And book a suite in our hotel under my name. Top floor. No disturbance."

I hadn't expected Kiara to say yes to this bet. But this girl always had a new way of surprising me.

With my phone pressed between my ear and shoulder, I arranged the files, flipping pages through them. Since my whole concentration was on the task, I didn't see where I was walking and bumped into someone. A scowl made its way on my face as I almost lost my balance and turned back. But the crease on my forehead vanished as I came face to face with Kiara's mom. The polybag that she was carrying dropped from her hand and the contents littered on the ground.

I immediately bent down, helping her pick the vegetables when she looked up surprised. "Arjun?"

"Hello, Mrs. Sharma."

She smiled at me, her eyes crinkling at the edges, a kind look in them. "What are you doing here?"

"I had some business in a nearby place." By business I meant we bought the whole block.

"Oh, would you like to come over to our home? Kia is already there."

Kiara had informed me about her visit and I had instructed David to drop her there. She had put up a fight, saying that she could manage on her own but I didn't want her being chased by paparazzi again and that too when she was alone.

"I am...not really sure." I spoke slowly, my voice lined with hesitation.

"Come on! You haven't been to our house even once."

I guess an hour or two won't hurt.

"Okay." I said and at the same time, David stopped the car beside me. I took the car keys from him and drove Mrs. Sharma to her house.

An awkward silence prevailed in the car during the first few minutes.

What does one converse about with their mother-in-law?

"You didn't go to your meeting today?" She asked after some time.

"Meeting?" I gave her a fleeting glance.

"Yeah, I asked Kia to invite you too but she said you had an important meeting this evening."

"Uh...yeah. The meeting got cancelled." I changed the gear, my fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel.

Why would she lie? She could've simply asked me.

Yeah. Like you would've said yes.

After that, she made small conversation with me about my health and family and I politely answered her questions.

We came to a stop in front of a decent looking house five minutes later. I insisted on carrying the groceries as we got out and walked up to the main door.

Mrs. Sharma rang the bell and I stood beside her patiently.

"OMG. My baby is here!" A familiar, shrill voice rang in the house and a ghost of smile appeared on my lips, unknown to me.

Kiara's mom just raised the ice cream in front of me, giving me a helpless smile and I chuckled under my breath.

We heard a loud thump from the other side of the door and a loud 'oww' and I stifled my laugh with a cough.

The door opened and Kiara came into view, rubbing her knee with a scowl. The scowl was replaced with a huge smile when she spotted the ice cream but the elated look vanished as soon as her eyes shifted to me.

"Hi." I smirked.

She screamed and closed the door with a bang.

Her mom looked at the closed door with a bewildered expression and yelled. "Kia? What's wrong with you? Open the door."

The door opened slowly, her head peeking out as she frowned. "What is he doing here?"

She whipped her head to me. "What are you doing here?"

"Kia!" Her mom chided, passing me a sorry look. "What is this behavior? Open the door now."

Grumbling under her breath, Kiara opened the door wide and her mom entered, followed by me.

Walking past her, I winked at her and conveniently ignored her glaring eyes.

This is going to be a lot of fun.

Playful Arjun bursts my ovaries like ANYTHING.