39) I want a divorce

GUYS I'M ALIVE AND BACKKK.

I'm sorry for updating late, I was studying for an exam and I have another one coming soon 😭

Funny story before we start- A couple years back, I participated in a word building competition in my college where we were given some words and we had to come up with new words by rearranging the alphabets of those words. The one who came up with the maximum number of words would win.

So, one of the word was 'Acclimatize'. Time was running out and I was stuck on this word. I could only come up with words like mat, mate, it, late- the simple words you know. But I knew I needed to find more words if I wanted to win. And me being the amazing genius I am, came up with the word 'Clit'. YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT. With full confidence, along with some other words, I wrote 'Clit' down as the last word.

The funny part?

My professor was the judge of the competition.

The funnier part?

I WON THAT COMPETITION.

So yeah I have always been this crazy.

Anyway, happy reading you lovely people.

Arjun's POV

"You're the evil witch who captured me in this tower."

I sighed, on the verge of ripping my hair in frustration.

Squinting her eyes, Kiara leaned towards me. "I'm never going to let you touch my hair."

What the f-

Why would I want to touch her hair?

She moved towards the railing and tried to let her hair down which only reached her back and then started sobbing as that stupid Eugene had no way to come up.

My head is going to explode.

"Come on, princess. Let's go inside. It's freezing here." Holding her shoulders, I turned her towards the room.

"What about my Eugene?" She peered up at me with a pout.

I pursed my lips, my jaw clenching as I stared forward with knitted brows.

I need to have a talk with this guy she keeps talking about.

"He isn't coming." I answered rather rudely and then frowned at my own behaviour.

What was happening to me?

My eyes caught her sad face and I cursed myself.

"I mean he has some important work right now."

What was I even saying?

She scrunched her nose in anger and crossed arms over her chest, scowling. "I don't want to talk to him anymore. If he can't give me time, then it's over between us."

I felt oddly satisfied when she said that and the thought itself made me want to jump from the balcony.

Her eyes caught mine and she jabbed a finger in my chest. "You are going to be my Eugene from now on."

I immediately straightened my face as I got aware of the smile playing on my lips.

When did I start smiling for no fucking reason?

Had Kiara finally turned me insane?

We stepped inside the room and I locked the glass doors, pushing Kiara in the direction of the cupboard.

"Now go and change first."

She scrounged through her bag while I sat on the bed, rubbing my temple and worrying about my involuntary cheek muscles.

"Should I wear this?"

I looked up at her voice and nearly fell off the bed.

My mouth pried open, my eyes turning into round saucers as they darted between her face and the flimsy, transparent material she held in her hand.

I blinked.

Is it... a swimsuit?

That was the only thought that came to my mind. It could barely be classified as a dress.

"Well?" My eyes snapped to Kiara who was standing there with a hand propped on her waist.

"Will it even fit you?" The question left my mouth before I could stop myself.

Her lips tugged down in a scowl as she raised the dress, holding the thin straps which seemed ready to break apart even on the slightest pressure. The middle section was completely see-through and the size seemed extra small even for Kiara.

"Then what about this one?" She picked out another outfit, more scandalising than the last one and I frowned deeper, if possible.

Is that all she packed for the trip?

"What about my tee that you were wearing the other day?"

Her face brightened as she seemed to realise something. "Right! I will go and wear that."

Squealing, she threw the dress back in her bag and rushed to the bathroom like she just spotted her favourite actor.

I leaned against the headboard, shaking my head to myself.

I was about to lie down when Kiara's phone started blaring and I checked the caller ID. It was Anushka. Weighing my chances, I picked the call, in case there was something important she wanted to talk about.

"Bitch, where were you the whole day? A weekend in Maldives and you forget me already?"

Her loud voice reached my ears and I tried to correct her that it was me whom she was speaking to, but she didn't give me a chance. "Or is that hunk of a husband giving you a tough time?"

I cocked a brow at her smug tone.

"I don't know. Maybe you can ask him."

"Arjun?" She squeaked in a nervous voice, a complete contrast to her teasing tone before. "I thought Kia w- but h-how?"

"She was busy at the moment, so I answered the call."

"Oh." There were a few moments of silence and some hushed whispers before I heard her voice again. "Can you pass the phone to Kia?"

"Uh...I don't think so." My eyes flickered to the bathroom door as I contemplated how to tell her that her friend was completely wasted and was now singing songs about letting it go. "She is drunk."

"WHAT?"

I had to cringe away from the phone when she screamed in my ear. Quite literally.

"Well, we went to a club and -" I was struggling to explain how I couldn't resist the puppy eyes Kiara made when Anushka started squealing.

"Ohmygosh! Finally! I was waiting for this day for so long." She shrieked; her tone unusually high.

"God has finally answered my prayers." She gushed and I moved away from the phone, blankly staring at it and wondering why the heck was she so happy.

As I glared at the phone, I only came to one conclusion.

She is Kiara's friend.

Ah. That explains a lot.

Yet out of all the things, I wasn't expecting this kind of reaction.

"No way! She's drunk?" I heard a familiar, excited voice in the background. "Give me the phone."

Sid?

"How's your honeymoon going, Mr. Singhania?"

My face fell flat. "How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not on my honeymoon?"

"Whatever you say." He replied in a sing-song voice, flaring my irritation to another level. "By the way, what did you do to Kia?"

"I didn't do anything." I scowled. He was blaming me as if I forced her to drink. "She was the one who wanted to try alcohol."

"Look, I know you are an arrogant idiot who's too stubborn to listen to anyone but please take care of princess, okay?"

My eyes narrowed infinitesimally at the phone as if I could see that moron straight through it.

Who gave him the right to call her princess?

Only I am allowed to call her that.

"What's the matter Arjun? Are you jealous that I called her by the special nickname you gave her?" He snickered.

What the hell? When did he learn to read minds?

"Cat got your tongue, Mr. Singhania?"

I could bet all my money that he had that creepy smile on.

"Shut up." I snapped when my mind processed the meaning behind the words.

"Oh god. Give it back to me." Anushka yelled from behind and they started bickering while I waited impatiently for them to get over with it.

"I'm sorry for his behaviour." It was Anushka who spoke this time. I could hear Sid whining in the background and I rolled my eyes.

He'll never change.

"We won't disturb you any further. Ask Kia to call me later." Anushka said.

"Sure." I was about to cut the call when I remembered something. She might know. "Anushka?"

"Yes?"

I hesitated. "Who's Eugene?"

"Huh?"

"Eugene. Kiara was talking about him." I told her and then added after a moment. "And someone else named Flynn."

I wasn't expecting the loud laugh that escaped her mouth. "Eugene is a fictional character from the animated movie 'Tangled'. He also goes by the name of Flynn Rider."

After she was done explaining, I felt like banging my head on the wall.

Where do I find the makers of this movie?

So...

I was jealous of a fictional character?

Wait, I wasn't jealous.

Right, and Kiara hates chocolates.

Come on, Arjun Singhania doesn't get jealous. It's the others who are jealous of me.

"And Arjun..." Anushka trailed off and I understood her reluctance.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of her."

"Thank you. Bye."

I cut the call and that's when Kiara emerged from the bathroom in my tee and some shorts, going straight to the sofa chair across the bed.

"What are you doing?" I questioned as she moved around the room, her eyes searching for something.

"I'm looking for a spaceship."

"In... the cupboard?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

She whirled around, her hair whipping me in the face. She held my shoulders and looked at me with huge, serious eyes. "Because we need to rescue Iron Man. We can't let him die."

Not again.

"Okay, that's enough." I picked her up bridal style, walking towards the bed and she let out a squeal, clinging to me like she would fall anytime.

"My knight in shining armour." She sighed, placing her head on my shoulder but jerked upright the next second. "Oops! I forgot. You are the devil with red horns."

Squinting her eyes, she waved a hand over my head. "But I can't see them."

"Don't worry, they will grow back." She patted my back sympathetically and snuggled closer to me.

I made her sit on the bed while she kept on muttering about how she wanted to go to Hogwarts with a unicorn as her pet. I covered her with a blanket and she stopped talking, blinking her eyes.

"God, you're so hot." She kept staring at me dreamily and I chuckled, fixing her pillow.

After making sure she was comfortable, I stepped back with the intention of going back to my room but Kiara fisted my t-shirt and pulled me towards her, taking me by surprise. I ended up sitting in front of her, my hands resting on her either side on the bed.

"Kiss me." She whispered and I choked on air, my jaw hanging on the floor.

This is the vodka talking.

My eyes flickered to her soft, pink lips.

Did I want to kiss her?

Was that even a fucking question?

Closing her eyes, she neared my face and my brain stopped working. It was a miracle she couldn't hear the sound of my heart thumping loudly in my chest.

She was an inch away from me when my conscience butted in.

She is drunk, you fool.

I leaned back immediately, causing Kiara to fall on my chest with a thump. She muttered some gibberish about me being her favourite pillow and made herself comfortable, not bothering to move away. I softly pried away from her, made her lie down and collapsed on the bed beside her, too tired to even stand.

Her inebriated state wasn't helping my case, especially when I couldn't forget how fucking gorgeous she looked in the evening.

Lying on my back, I berated myself for the thoughts revolving in my mind when she called me.

"Arjun?"

I turned towards her silently while she was already facing me, lying on her side.

"How many kids do you want?"

I started coughing loudly, almost choking on my own saliva while she looked at me concerned.

"Do you need water?"

No. I need you.

.

.

To stop talking.

"I'm fine." I managed to splutter out, rubbing my chest after my near-death experience.

"You didn't answer my question."

Wha-

Never mind.

"How many do you want?" I fired the question back at her.

"Two. A girl and a boy." She answered eagerly and my face turned amused at her immediate reply.

"You have already decided the names, haven't you?" I asked and let out a laugh when she nodded excitedly.

"I was th-"

"You're not naming our kids." I cut her off and she gasped like I told her she can't watch Thor for the rest of her life.

"Why not?"

The blank look I gave her made her giggle non-stop and she laughed out loud.

Knowing her, she will end up finding the weirdest names in the world, I don't doubt it. She's crazy.

And how fucking weird will the introductions sound?

Hello. This is my wife Kiara and our daughter Chocolate Singhania. Our son? Thor was here only. Look! He's playing with his friends over there.

I don't want my kids to disown me after they grow up, thank you very much.

No way in hell I'm letting Kiara name them. I'd rather -

Wait a fucking second.

What was I even blabbering about?

Why was I even discussing this?

Did someone spike my drink earlier or was it an indication that I had finally lost my mind?

"I love your dimples." Kiara's voice brought me back from my thoughts of a brain check-up and my eyes flickered to the right to find her poking my cheek, her eyes twinkling as if I was the most interesting thing in the world.

Stop looking at me like that or I might kiss you.

I definitely needed an immediate brain check-up.

Rubbing my face, I let out a breath. "Thank you."

"Do you think I'm pretty?"

I made a face at her question. Where were these questions coming from?

"Yes." Should I be embarrassed that I didn't even let her complete the sentence?

She buried her face in the pillow. "But he thinks I'm ugly."

"Who? Eugene?" I scoffed lightly but she shook her head, her face turning distraught.

"Dhruv."

My brows pulled together and I stared at her puzzled. "Who's Dhruv?"

"I hate him." She mumbled, completely disregarding my question and it left me wondering if this Dhruv guy was real or another one of her fictional characters.

I ran a hand through my hair, a pounding headache forming in my head when Kiara spoke again.

"I want a divorce."

What!?

I whipped my head to Kiara so fast that I was surprised I didn't snap my neck. "Why?"

Throwing me an accusing look, she grumbled. "Because you are so irresistibly hot and you are making it too difficult for me to hate you."

I blinked and suppressed the laugh that threatened to escape my mouth.

Boy, she's gonna regret saying all this.

I'll make sure of that. I smirked.

"You know what? Don't talk to me." She turned away, huffing and muttered to herself. "Stupid hot male messing with my brain. Go back to your stupid laptop."

"Goodnight, princess." I closed my eyes, well aware of the smile playing on my lips.

"I hope someone steals your chocolates in your dreams."

*

Letting out a soft hum, I tried to turn in my sleep but something weighed me down.

I groaned, thinking it was another one of Sid's pranks.

When we were children, he would leave different animals on my bed while I was asleep. I woke up to a different animal on my bed almost everyday- a dog, cat, rabbit, birds, duck, goat, sheep! He even managed a freaking pony once.

Sid stopped doing that after I threatened to chop him into pieces and then feed them to all those animals but he often joked that one day he would bring a bear to sleep at my side.

Frowning, I tried to turn again but the weight increased and I heard grumbling at my side.

What the fuck?

Did Sid actually bring a bear?

But it didn't seem that heavy. Was it a baby bear then?

My eyes slowly opened as my disoriented vision came into focus and my hand came up to rub my eyelids.

As I glanced down, I found a hand sprawled across my chest.

Okay, this was definitely not a bear.

The remnants of last night came to my mind.

Yawning, my eyes shifted to Kiara who was sleeping with a content smile on her face. She was curled into me, her head on my shoulder and her hair tickling my ear while one of my hands was wrapped around her.

How did we end up like this?

Her body stirred as she groaned slightly, stretching out like a cat and a small smirk made its way on my lips.

This is going to be fun.

Let's see how my princess reacts.

Her hand formed a tiny fist as she rubbed her eyelids, blinking her eyes open.

"Good morning." I smirked and she smiled back at me with her half-raised lids.

"Morning." Wishing me in a sleepy voice, she snuggled back to me, setting her face in the crook of my neck.

Okay, what?

Damn, and here I thought I was going to start my morning on a fun note.

I was going to silently slide away so as not to disturb her sleep when I felt her stiffening beside me and I stilled, the corner of my lips uplifting in a lopsided smirk.

And here it comes.

I wish I had a camera installed here.

She leaned back slowly, her eyes still closed. After two seconds, she peeked one eye open, then another as her mouth formed a big O and her expressions turned horrified.

She let out a shriek, trying to move away from me but her legs got tangled in the blanket which made her more frantic and she landed straight on the floor while struggling to escape from it.

A loud laugh left my mouth and I sat up, leaning my body forward to look at Kiara who was sprawled on the ground with a confused frown on her face.

"Hi." I grinned and she looked up, her face paling like she saw a ghost.

Kiara's POV

What just happened?

One second I was sleeping peacefully, dreaming about handsome vampires and the other second I'm on the floor with my dear husband staring at me as if he's having the time of his life.

And why does he look so hot in the morning?

Arjun forwarded a hand and I took it gratefully as he helped me stand up. A striking pain shot through my head and I grimaced, immediately sitting on the bed.

"Hangover is a real bitch." Arjun sat beside me, his tone mocking and I glanced at him, clutching my forehead.

"What?" I croaked. "I...-"

I didn't know hangovers were this bad.

I shouldn't have drank last night.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I tried to recall the events of last night but everything seemed hazy. I couldn't exactly remember what happened.

"How much did I drink?" I asked Arjun, swallowing rather harshly.

I was regretting my decision now.

"I have no idea. I went outside to attend a call and when I came back, you were drunk enough to sold me off to a girl in return for 55 chocolate shakes."

"I WHAT?" I stood up with a sprang and then sat back as my headache intensified.

Only 55 shakes?

I screwed my eyes shut, a blurry memory of me dancing on a table and then jumping in Arjun's arms lingering at the back of my mind.

Oh god.

Hiding my face in my hands, I groaned audibly, partly because of the stunt I pulled, which I can't even properly remember and partly because of the loud ringing in my head.

Way to embarrass yourself, Kia. Way to embarrass yourself.

"And then you proceeded to talk to a cat and a dog, thinking they were McGonagall and Sirius Black." I looked up at him flabbergasted as he spoke, my face turning horrified every passing second.

"You were also ready to leave me for Thor." He added, maintaining the stoic look on his face and placed a hand on his heart. "I'm hurt."

Was he teasing me?

If a car could run over me right now, it would be very helpful.

I slapped a hand on my forehead and mumbled in a small voice. "Did I really do that?"

He nodded gravely and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, the divorce papers are ready."

"The WHAT?" My jaw hung open.

He's going to divorce me over such trivial matter?

"Divorce papers." He repeated. "You wanted to divorce me, remember?"

"Why would I do that?" I screeched, blinking furiously to keep the tears at bay.

I would start crying anytime, I could feel it.

I am never, ever going to drink alcohol again.

I sniffled quietly when he took me by surprise, coming closer to me and I leaned back, baffled by his actions. He didn't let me though as his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me to him and a distinct squeak left my lips.

"Because," His voice dropped a few octaves, a husky edge to his voice that had me squirming in my spot. "it's too hard for you to control yourself whenever you see this irresistible, hot piece of body." He pointed at himself and I pushed his chest lightly, gasping.

.

.

.

"I want a divorce."

"Why?" Arjun snapped his head to me shocked.

"Because you are so irresistibly hot and you are making it too difficult for me to hate you."

.

.

.

I stilled in my place as another flashback hit me and closed my eyes in resignation, waiting for lightning to struck and kill me on the spot.

I just need a cup of water to drown myself into.

He wasn't going to actually divorce me, was he?

"Oh god." I buried my face in my hands, not having the courage to look at him. "Please don't ever let me drink again."

God knows what else did I blurt out in my state of intoxication.

"But I thought you enjoyed selling off your husband for chocolates?"

"Arjun!" I whined, ready to hit myself with the bedside lamp.

His lips twisted in a smirk that I had begun to love so much but right now I wanted nothing more than to wipe it off his face that clearly screamed how much he was enjoying this.

"Are you okay?" Arjun asked as he saw my face contorting in pain and I shook my head.

"You need to rest." He stood up, giving me some space to breathe and I sighed in relief. His proximity always clouded my senses, rendering me unable to form a single coherent thought.

I settled in bed again, my upper half resting against the headboard.

Arjun was going to walk out of the room but stopped mid-way, turning back to face me. He came and sat at my side, gazing at me intensely. "And one more thing."

Placing his arms on either side of me, he leaned forward and I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Wh-what?"

I clutched the bedsheet tightly as his face slowly neared mine. My eyes fluttered close at their own accord, my breathing getting heavy. I felt rough lips touching the corner of my mouth, barely missing my lips and I jerked in shock. My eyes flew open, my heart ready to beat out of my rib cage.

"Here's the kiss you asked for." He whispered against my lips, with every word his lips brushed against mine and my heart nearly leapt out of my mouth.

.

.

'Fisting his tee in my hands, I pulled him to me, taking him by surprise. "Kiss me." I whispered to him.'

.

.

Shit.

I gulped, remembering the words I said to him last night.

Avoiding his eyes, I ducked my head as my hair curtained my flaming cheeks from his view. I was sure he could hear my heart beating like crazy.

Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he stood up. "Get some rest. I'll bring you some medicines."

He walked out while I sat frozen in my place, thinking if it was the end of the world.

I get it now why people say that alcohol is not good for health. Just like the man who exited the room a few moments ago and was hell bent on giving me a heart attack.

Arjun came back after some time with a tray in his hands. He brought me breakfast and some painkillers, the thoughtful action almost had me crushing him in a tight hug, had I not been so over-conscious of what happened moments ago.

I fell asleep soon after meanwhile Arjun sat in the lounge, working.

I woke up to the sound of my phone beeping and found the same weird texts from an unknown number. I had already blocked the previous number but I started receiving similar messages from another number. By now, I was pretty sure who was behind this.

Dhruv.

With tears prickling the corner of my eyes, I rubbed my eyelids with the back of my hand, helplessness and fear seeping in my heart.

What do I do now?

I left my room, searching for Arjun and trying to seek some comfort in his presence.

I found him sitting on the couch, reading newspaper. He looked up when I sat beside him without a word.

"How's your headache?"

"Better." I answered.

Just then, a flash of lightning struck the sky with a roar and my eyes strayed to the balcony. "Looks like it's going to rain."

"Looks like the God of thunder is here to take his sweetheart to Asgard."

I glared at him blankly. "I hate you."

"I don't think those were the words you said to me yesterday." He winked and I found myself smiling idiotically at his adorable expression.

He always manages to lift my mood.

It was almost evening when a particular thought crossed my mind and I couldn't help but feel bothered about it.

"Arjun?" I sat on the edge of the sofa, twiddling my thumbs in nervousness.

He hummed, his eyes focused on that stupid laptop that sometimes made me want to smash it against a wall for taking so much of his time.

Facing him, I tried to sound as casual as I could. "Do you know Susan from before?"

The way Susan had behaved at the golf course clearly showed that she had some history with Arjun. Not to mention, the looks she kept giving him every 2 minutes like he was a meat piece.

He looked up from that forsaken laptop, arching his brow and pursing his lips. "Yeah."

"How?"

"She is the daughter of dad's friend. We were in the same class in school."

My shoulders slumped in relief but as soon as I thought there was nothing to worry about, he dropped a bomb on me.

"And we dated for some time."

Say WHAT?

My eyes popped out of my sockets as I stood up like the couch was on fire. "What? Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't think it was important." He shrugged casually as if it was no big deal.

He didn't think it was important?

Was he being serious?

"Wha-"

"Oh no, no, no." Chewing my nails, I turned away from him.

"What?"

"She is your ex. And now she is back in your life. This is where it goes wrong." My hands flailed around me as I desperately tried to make him understand.

He glanced at me with a puzzled expression, not understanding my dilemma. "What could possibly go wrong?"

"Everything!" I shrieked, my hands gripping my hair tightly, on the verge of tearing out the hair roots.

"Oh, this is bad. This is very bad." I muttered under my breath, a hand on my forehead while the other propped up on my waist as I paced around.

"I don't understand." He spoke slowly, unsure of my reaction and I whipped around to face him.

"Of course, you won't." I snapped and then bit my lower lip, fidgeting with my fingers.

"Now that everything is finally falling in place for us, Susan barges in with her evil intentions to separate us and win you back because she still likes you. She has already started making small advances."

Arjun's face scrunched up as if I was talking in a foreign language that he couldn't decipher. He opened his mouth, trying to speak but I didn't let him.

"And when nothing will work, she will bring a kid out of nowhere saying it's your child."

"What!?" He stood up, nearly screaming but I turned away from him, shaking my head remorsefully.

"Of course, you will believe her because she will have enough evidences. You will be too deep in your guilt to notice anything but me with my smart brain," I gave an over-confident shrug. "will find this odd."

"Still, me being me, the kind person I am," I wiped my non-existent tears and sniffled, "wouldn't want to separate an innocent soul from his father so I will agree for that kid and Susan to meet you occasionally. But then," I gulped, dread settling in my heart. "that witch would start showing her true face as she will make me look like a bad person in front of you, telling lies about how I don't like her and her child. And you will believe her easily." I screeched as my eyes widened and I pointed an accusing finger at him while he stared at me with eyes as wide as saucers.

"Did you drink again?" He asked slowly and I glared at him.

"You being your arrogant self will shout at me, saying mean words and I'll get all upset and leave you." I cried out.

"Kiara-"

"Only then, you will realise that I was right all along and Susan is lying just because she wants your money."

"Princess-"

"You will come searching for me after that but it will be too late as I will be gone!" I finished on a hysterical note, panting like I had just run a marathon.

I looked at Arjun, who stood there stunned, gawking at me dumbly.

"We have to do something. We have to-"

I couldn't finish what exactly we had to do because Arjun tugged me towards him and locked my hands beneath my back.

"Breathe." He told me and I exhaled heavily, my cheeks flushed red in anger.

"Princess, I know you love it but you really need to stop reading those novels."

My mouth dropped open at his blunt words and I struggled against his hold but his fingers tightened around my wrist, pulling me more into him.

"You need to calm down, Mrs. Singhania. I can assure you that Susan and I don't have a kid together. Our relationship only lasted a month and that too because it was a long distance one."

I peered up at him through my lashes, my lips jutting out in a pout.

"So, there's no reason for you to get worried. Okay?" I nodded at his sincere words.

"Though you look cute when you're jealous."

"What... I... No! I-I wasn't je..jealous."

"These tomato cheeks say otherwise." He tapped a finger on my cheek and I became more flustered if possible.

What did I get myself into?

Biting my lower lip, I pressed a quick kiss on his jaw. Arjun wasn't expecting it and his hold loosened on my wrist. Taking advantage of the situation, I ran away from there, not before muttering a 'now we're even'.

*

"Tell me again why are we doing it?" I sighed annoyed as I looked at the crowd outside the hotel.

"Because," Arjun replied from beside me, adjusting his cuff links. "we are leaving tomorrow and John wanted us to attend this charity ball. Since he's our business partner, we cannot disappoint him."

He got out of the car and I waited, with sagged shoulders for him to come around and open my door although I was perfectly capable of doing it on my own.

Arjun had strictly ordered me not to get out of the car until he was at my side. I had rolled my eyes at his bossy tone but his chilling glare had me sitting there like an obedient child.

He opened the door to my side, offering me his hand and I got out, being extremely careful with the floor length gown I was wearing. Arjun didn't waste any time in wrapping his arm around my waist and my eyes darted to the four men in black in front of us.

My brows shot up. "That's a lot of bodyguards."

"I don't want a repeat of what happened last time."

When the reporter manhandled you.

He didn't say it aloud but I knew he was referring to the same incident.

"Stay close." He murmured in my ear, his hold tightening on me and I nodded as we neared the hotel entrance.

The paparazzi finally noticed us and went crazy, asking questions while I casted my gaze down, their camera flashes irking my eyes.

Paying no heed to their questions about our personal lives, we entered the hotel and I was mesmerized by the decorations, feeling as if I had entered an ancient castle.

"There's a dance floor too." My excited eyes took in the place as I touched Arjun's arm to get his attention.

"It's called a charity ball for a reason, you know?"

Shoving him lightly, I rolled my eyes and gazed around.

"You need not worry though. You will have your first dance with me."

"And what makes you think I'm gonna dance with you?" Folding arms across my chest, I narrowed my eyes slightly as a smirk appeared on my lips.

"I don't think so, I know so." He awarded me with his infamous smirk and I arched a brow at his confident tone.

"Quite confident in yourself, huh?" My smirk widened but soon vanished as Arjun went behind me, his arm wrapping around my midriff, pulling me to him as my back touched his chest.

He leaned down to whisper in my ear, his lips brushing against my earlobe. "No. Quite confident in you, Mrs. Singhania."

My hands clutched his arm reflexively as I opened and closed my mouth repeatedly, no words coming out.

"Arjun! I'm glad you came." John's voice snapped me from my frozen state and Arjun created some distance between us, his hand now resting on my back.

Then started another round of meet-and-greet session as Maria took me near the bar to introduce her friends.

How many friends does she have?

I glanced back helplessly but Arjun only winked at me, mouthing 'Enjoy'.

"Ladies and gentlemen." John's voice boomed in the mic after 10 minutes and I was so happy for the interruption that I would have started weeping then and there. "It's time for the first dance of the night. I would like my beautiful wife to come here and join me."

Maria walked to him, blushing and everyone looked for their partners while my eyes roamed around for my Devil.

A pout formed on my lips when I couldn't spot him anywhere.

A man approached me, seeing me standing there alone as he asked for a dance and I hesitated.

I wanted to dance with Arjun first.

Before I could politely decline him, a hand enclasped mine and a small, knowing smile formed on my lips as I glanced down at my feet. Raising my eyes to the tall figure beside me, I found Arjun nodding at the man in front of me, his own lips curved in a smile.

He entwined our fingers and no words exchanged between us as we moved to the dance floor.

The music changed to a slow song as Arjun took me in his arms, a proud, winning smile plastered on his face. I chuckled, shaking my head and wound my arms around his neck. We swayed to the soft tune, a serene feeling washing over me.

My husband is a great dancer, I have to hand him that.

The way he effortlessly glided on the floor left me stunned. With every twirl, he would bring me closer to him that had my heart beating a little faster every time.

We exchanged teasing smiles and soft touches, bantering every now and then on who was a better dancer. As the song neared the end, he lowered me in a dip and I giggled softly, my hand tightening around his shoulders.

"It was so much fun." I grinned at him but didn't get a response as the song changed and so did our partners. I guffawed at the look on his face when he had to dance with another woman while my dancing partner was John. John and I made some occasional talk and the song changed again.

My eyes searched for Arjun but he was nowhere in sight. Excusing myself from my partner, I walked away from there, looking for my husband and hoping he wasn't glaring at some poor soul.

My eyes caught his familiar figure near the reception. His back was facing me and he was talking to a woman. A beautiful woman by the looks of her. Sending a smile his way, she walked away from there but Arjun didn't move from his place. He raked a hand through his hair and I knew he was annoyed by something.

I walked towards him and I could judge his tensed shoulders even from far. Something was definitely bothering him.

"Arjun?" I placed a hand on his shoulder and he turned around, making me gasp at the look on his face. He was furious, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes swirling with rage. I had seen this expression on his face before but only a couple of times.

He shrugged away my hand, his face hard and ran fingers through his hair again.

My brows pulled together in confusion at his odd behaviour. "Is everything alright?"

John and Maria chose the exact moment to interrupt us.

Great timing!

"Arjun." John shook his hand. "It's been a wonderful experience working with you and we look forward to many more such projects."

Arjun smiled, or at least tried to, barely restraining his anger and nodded at John, just for the sake of it.

I had still no idea what ticked him off.

Does it have anything to do with that woman?

"Before you leave, my wife and I will like to give you a parting gift."

Maria signaled a waiter who brought a big canvas in his hands. It seemed like a painting.

My breath caught in my throat as the waiter turned it around for us to see. It was a painting of me and Arjun. Arjun was hugging me from behind, his chin on my shoulder as a soft smile played on his lips while I was looking back at him with a bright smile of my own.

"We asked your father for a picture of you both. He gave us this one from the party in his mansion."

I remembered that day very well. The only reason we were standing like that was because the strap of my gown had torn apart and we were trying our best to not let anyone know.

God bless the photographer who captured the moment.

I couldn't seem to take my eyes off the painting, I was awestruck.

"It's so beautiful, isn't it?" Smiling widely, I glanced at Arjun who stood there with an uninterested look on his face.

He gave a curt nod in response, standing rather stiffly and my smile dropped immediately.

What got him so angry all of a sudden?

"I'm sorry, Mr. Walter but I have an emergency and we need to leave right now." He spoke and I frowned.

Bidding our goodbyes, we left from there quickly and an eerie silence prevailed in the car.

"I loved the painting." I started, trying to ease the thick tension that surrounded us. "Where do you think we should put it up?"

"I don't give a fucking damn about that stupid painting." Arjun said harshly. "You can throw it for all I care."

Throw it?

A silent gasp escaped my lips at his crude words. I looked down, blinking rapidly to control my tears that were threatening to spill out of my eyes.

How could he say that?

I kept silent after that, trying to gain a control over my emotions.

The car screeched to a halt after a few minutes and I got out, without waiting for Arjun as a traitor tear trailed down my cheek.

"Kiara?" Anger bubbled inside me at his voice. Pursing my lips in a thin line, I ignored him and entered the hotel.

"Kiara!" His voice rose to a higher volume and I increased my pace, getting in the elevator and pressing the top button. The last thing I saw before the elevator doors closed was the livid face of Arjun Singhania.

*runsawaybeforeyoucancatchme*