43) Make a wish

Cause I'm a sweetheart, a little Dussehra gift to you all :)

Quick question- Which is your favourite chapter in this book?

Kiara's POV

"Ouch." I hissed when I accidentally touched the hot pan and immediately pulled my finger back, sucking on it.

Who thought it would be a great idea to bake a cake all by yourself when there are hundreds of bakeries in the city and especially when you are the clumsiest and the most accident-prone creature on earth?

Right, Kiara Singhania.

"Kia." Ritu sighed as she took the pan away from me, keeping it in the freezer. "We have talked about it, haven't we?"

"But I want to help." I insisted, nursing my slightly burnt finger.

You must be wondering what was a disaster like me doing baking in the kitchen.

It was Arjun's birthday tomorrow and I didn't know about it till the day before yesterday, that too because Sid had accidentally blurted it out and received a you-speak-one-more-word-and-I'll-kill-you look from Arjun. Later, Sid told me that Arjun didn't really like celebrating his birthday but I wanted to do something special for him.

So, I decided to bake a cake for him.

Not a wise decision on my part, I'm realizing it now.

Since I was a helpless case in anything related to kitchen, I asked Ritu for some help and she immediately agreed.

And no, I hadn't blown up the kitchen.

.

.

Yet.

It was almost 10 in the night. Arjun was busy in the study attending a video conference call with some international clients. The meeting was supposed to be over at 11:30 so I had enough time to prepare the cake by then.

"Okay, I'll be leaving now. Take the pan out after an hour." Ritu gave me further instructions and I listened carefully, paying more attention to her than I do to my professors.

I want everything to be perfect.

After explaining everything to me, she left and I busied myself in cleaning the mess I made, my thoughts drifting to the recent happenings.

I've been sleeping in Arjun's room for the past few days, both of us coming up with a new excuse every night to spend some time together.

And what creative excuses they were!

Once it was a cockroach in my room, the other day it was the horror movie that we watched. One day it was the speech that needed to be finalized and the next day it was the accidental spilling of water on my bed.

Last night was no different but I had made a complete fool of myself in front of him, which was not surprising to be honest. We both were used to it by now.

Combing a hand through my hair, I hurried to Arjun's room. As I was about to knock on the door, it opened on its own and Arjun stood behind it with a slight smirk on his face. Leaning against the doorframe, he folded arms across his chest and I bit my lip to hide my smile.

"Uh.." I tried to act casual. "My air conditioner stopped working. I can't sleep in my room."

"Right." He nodded, his lips tilted in a lopsided smirk and narrowed his eyes. "You need AC in the month of November?"

This wiped the smile from my face.

Shit.

Uh-oh.

Out of all the excuses in the whole damn world, this was the best you could come up with?

"Yes." I blurted out in panic. "Because I'm very hot."

His smirk widened, amusement dancing in his eyes and I immediately corrected myself. "No, I mean.. I.. Uh.. Ac-"

His chuckle cut off my rambling and I tried to smile nervously, fumbling with my fingers and mentally kicking myself for my stupidity.

Can't even make a simple excuse.

"Fine. Uh. I'll just sleep... in my room."

I was ready to flee away from there when another loud chuckle from him stopped me in my tracks and Arjun held my wrist, gesturing me to come inside with a ridiculously annoying yet hot smirk playing on his lips.

I walked in with a sheepish smile, wringing my hands together and internally questioning my IQ and my tongue which always seemed to stop working in front of him.

"You left your books here." Arjun yawned, ruffling his hair and walking to the bed.

It took a lot of effort to avert my eyes from him when he looked this good.

When does he not?

True that.

My gaze wandered to the night stand on my side of the bed. The space which was usually filled with his files was empty, two of my books neatly settled there.

My heart warmed at his small yet sweet gesture and I sat on the edge of the bed, smiling to myself. It made me feel I belonged here. With him.

And if you think we woke up cuddling in the morning, then you are so wrong. Arjun sleeps like a dead body, not even moving an inch while I usually roll around in my sleep like a hyperactive seal.

Once, I had accidentally smacked him in the face while sleeping which caused him to shoot up in panic and fall down the bed in shock.

In my defense, I was fighting aliens in my dream.

He had spent the whole day throwing accusing glares at me and grumbling about domestic abuse even after I had apologized numerous times.

I also came to the realization that Arjun behaves like a cranky, stubborn kid if he doesn't get enough sleep. So, I made sure he slept at 12 at all cost unless I wanted a sulking, growling dinosaur roaming around the house next day.

A ping from my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. It was a message from Anushka saying she had done what I had asked her to.

I owe her big time.

I had planned a surprise for Arjun tomorrow. I just hoped he liked it. Sending a thank you to Anushka with five different coloured hearts to show my gratitude, I spent the next hour making preparations for the big day and decorating the cake.

The cake was ready by 11:45 and I slowly walked to Arjun's room with extreme care, setting the cake on the small table. I sat on the bed, glancing at the clock every five seconds and tapping my foot impatiently.

Sid and Rohan were already on their way to the penthouse. They had tried to refuse but I had insisted them to join us. I think Arjun would appreciate the company of his friends on his special day.

Or maybe not.

He doesn't even like celebrating his birthday, what makes you think that he will like them to be present when you sing him 'Happy Birthday' like a 6-year-old kid?

Oh my goodness. What did I do?

I slapped a hand over my face.

I shouldn't have done that, I shouldn't have done that.

Too late.

Just as I was about to go in a panicking mode, the door creaked open and I leaped from the bed, singing loudly. "Happy birthday to you. Happy bi- Sid? Where's Arjun?"

Sid resembled a confused chipmunk (a cute one though) when he found me clapping like a kid on his entry.

"Shouldn't you know that considering you live with him?" He cocked a brow and I huffed at his sassy tone.

Rohan entered behind him, hitting the back of his head. "I think he's still busy in the meeting."

Would they mind if I asked them to leave?

Don't be absurd.

Sighing, I nodded at them. "I'll go and check on him. You guys wait here."

With a fluttering heart, I made my way to the study. The door was ajar and I stopped on the threshold as I spotted Arjun sitting behind the desk engrossed in a file. A few tendrils fell on his forehead while he worked with utmost concentration and I fisted my hand, resisting the urge to run my hand through his silky hair. My nerves were on edge as I knocked on the door and he looked up from his file.

"Hey." I said softly. "Are you free now?"

"Yes. Almost." He muttered distractedly, glancing at the laptop in front of him and just then the clock on the wall behind him struck 12.

My face split in a wide grin as I ran towards him with a squeal and sat on his lap, surprising both him and me. Hugging him with all my might, I squeezed my arms around his neck.

"Happy birthday!" I kissed his cheek, grinning from ear to ear.

Now as far as I remember, people usually respond to wishes with a smile and a 'thank you'. But this is my husband we are talking about, the first of his line, his Royal majesty from the land of smirks and glares, the great emotionless Arjun Singhania.

God forbid if he ever does anything expected of him.

As I gazed at him with expectant eyes, I wanted him to show any emotion, surprise, happiness or even anger and annoyance but I wasn't ready for the aghast look on his face. He looked mortified as he snapped the laptop shut within a nanosecond, his horrified eyes staring straight ahead.

My face scrunched up in confusion as my eyes darted between him and the laptop.

What got into him all of a sudden?

It took another 5 seconds for my slower-than-the-snail brain to come to the conclusion that the video call was still going on when I practically jumped on him, assaulting him in front of his potential work partners.

My eyes widened and I whipped my head to him, gaping like a fish out of water.

"You told me you were done." I squeaked loudly.

"I never said that the meeting was over. I said I was almost free." He snapped back.

"How would I-" I covered my mouth. "Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry." I blubbered out.

"Wha-" He stopped, closing his eyes and holding his forehead between his thumb and forefinger.

Kia, please go and jump from the balcony.

"Do you think they saw me?" I gulped.

If someone would like to exchange their brain with mine?

He looked up, his face blank as he answered in a monotonous tone. "You mean when you came hopping to me like a rabbit, sat on my lap as if I was going to offer you some carrots and gave everyone a show?" He paused for a dramatic effect and then shrugged. "I guess so, unless they all turned blind all of a sudden."

Can he stop with his sarcasm for like one second and not send me on a guilt trip while I am already dying from embarrassment?

"Oh god." I hid my face in my hands.

I'm packing my bags and shifting to Pluto.

Cause Arjun was surely gonna kill me after this.

Peeking through the space between my fingers, I saw him rubbing a hand over his chin, his jaw clenched hard as he glared at the desk.

Oh no. The jaw muscle is ticking like a bomb and the forehead vein is ready to burst anytime. I am so dead.

Timidly, I followed his gaze and my breathing hitched when I spotted a paper cutter kept in the pen stand.

That's it.

He's gonna plunge the cutter in my stomach, twist it around to see me writhing in pain, take out my intestines and then dip his fingers in my blood and paint my dead body all around the house.

My breathing entirely stopped when a thought dropped in my mind like a mini nuclear explosion.

Is that what he's hiding in the locked room? The dead bodies of his victims?

Someone book me a ticket for Pluto!

I tried to stand but he didn't let me, his arm coming around me to keep me in place. "What are you trying to do?"

"Please paint my gravestone blue." My words came out as a muffled, rambling mess and I cracked one eyes open, trying to gauge his reaction.

"What?" His baffled voice rang in the air.

I kept mum, reciting my last prayers to the Almighty.

Bye bye world. Miss me.

"Kiara?"

Kiara? Who's Kiara? I don't know any Kiara. Never heard of that name ever. Nope.

I sucked in a sharp breath when his fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling my hand away from my face while his other hand was secured around my waist.

"I'm sorry!" I spoke up before he could say anything.

A sigh left his lips and I could clearly hear the disappointment in that sigh.

"It's okay."

"No, I'm really sorry I shouldn't have ent- Wait what?" I gaped at him.

"It's not your fault. I should have made it clear beforehand that I was still in the meeting."

Did I hear it right or was I in dire need of some hearing aids?

I blinked, unable to process his words and he held my chin, closing my mouth which was apparently wide open on listening him.

"And...the meeting? What will they think?" I voiced out my concern with hesitation.

"Peyush will handle it." He answered off-handedly and I was once again left in surprise at the way he controlled his anger. For me.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded in response and waved a hand through his unruly hair, his jaw still set in a hard line.

I leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on his jaw, my eyes closing on their own accord. My lips spread in a smile when I felt his jaw relaxing under my touch.

His arm tightened around me and I relaxed against him but stood with a spring the very next second, looking at him with big, owlish eyes.

"Wait! It's your birthday!"

"Glad you noticed." Sporting a sarcastic smile on his face, he crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in his chair.

Okay, calm down Kia. It's his birthday so we are gonna let his sarcastic comments slide for one day.

"Come on."

"Where? To spoil someone else's meeting?"

The smile that I had forced on my face vanished in a blink as I regarded him with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows.

Scratch that. He is, and always will be, a cocky, annoying, extremely gorgeous ape.

Before I could reply with a smart-ass comeback, he stood up himself and walked out of the study while I tried to match his large steps with my tiny feet.

Bloody giant.

We reached his room and as soon as Arjun opened the door, a loud pop echoed around that had me screaming for my life, my first thought being terrorists planting a bomb in our house.

Not paying attention to the confetti falling on us, I plastered myself to Arjun, still screaming when the familiar voices registered in my ears.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

With one hand on my heart and another coiled around Arjun's arm like a snake, I blinked a number of times as my eyes got accustomed to the grinning faces of Sid and Rohan.

Oh.

It was only a party popper.

I took in a staggering breath, shaken to my core while my favourite human-statue stood beside me unfazed, his expressions as interesting and lively as a blank canvas.

I should have married a rock instead.

Arjun looked down at me with an and-you-say-you're-an-adult look which I ignored with a small huff.

One day I'm going to scare him. I don't care if I have to die to become a ghost and then haunt him, but I will scare him.

"Happy birthday, honey poo." Sid cheered enthusiastically and came forward for a hug but with Arjun shooting lasers at him through his eyes, he stopped in his tracks pouting like someone deflated a balloon.

"Awh, come on. Give your best friend a hug." Sid cooed in a baby voice and it took all my strength to not burst out laughing at the look on Arjun's face.

"Don't test my patience." He fixed Sid with a freezing glare.

"Okay, you can turn him into an iceberg with your eyes later. Come with me." Holding his arm, I pulled him towards the table. "Look what I made."

His gaze fell on the cake and he scrutinized it with squinted eyes as if waiting for a ghost to pop out of it.

I nudged him lightly. "Relax. Ritu helped me bake the cake."

He exhaled dramatically, slumping his shoulders. "Thank god."

I gasped. "Excu-"

"Let's cut the cake." Sid cut me off with a giddy squeal, his eyes twinkling like a small kid being offered candies.

He handed the knife to Arjun, jumping up and down, looking more excited about it than all of us put together.

I turned to Rohan with a baffled smile and he chuckled in response, shaking his head. "He loves birthdays."

I let out a small laugh and my eyes focused back on them as Sid pestered Arjun to wear a birthday hat that he had specially brought for him, earning another death glare from a very pissed off Arjun.

How has Sid survived till now is still a mystery to me.

We made Arjun stand beside the table and I started singing 'Happy birthday' for him, knowing very well how annoyed he would get.

I get it why Sid loves annoying Arjun even when his life is at risk sometimes. It's too fun.

Sid joined me, yelling the lyrics at the top of his lungs as if he was singing to a big crowd while Rohan magically apparated cotton out of his pocket and stuffed it in his ears, glancing at the ceiling and muttering something along the lines of 'give me strength'.

Arjun looked at us mildly terrified.

Okay, I admit I'm a horrible singer. But I even practiced singing before so that his ears won't start bleeding on the spot.

"Make a wish." I said after I was done blessing him with my melodious, nightingale voice.

Arjun arched a brow, his deadpanned face glaring at me like I had asked him to throw away his precious laptop.

"I'm not a kid." He said gruffly.

I whined, stomping my foot on the ground. "Don't be a spoilsport. Close your eyes and make a wish."

Rolling his eyes, he did as I asked and I smirked in victory.

"Now blow the candles."

Like an obedient child, he followed my instructions and I giggled at his cute expressions.

Only if he would listen to me like this always.

Guess it's too much to ask.

Rohan sniggered but one glare from my personal glare machine shut him up.

"Cut the cake."

He sliced out a small piece, bringing it near my mouth and I gawked at him, surprise evident on my face. Covering my expressions with a wide grin, I placed a hand on my heart.

"Aww, you're feeding me the first bite?"

"Yes, I wanna make sure the cake is not poisoned."

Blatantly ignoring his comment, I ate the cake directly from his hand and immediately moaned at the taste.

I never knew I was so talented.

The cake was delicious (much to my relief) and I've never been prouder of myself, except from that one time when I killed a cockroach on my own. Granted it took me half an hour and I was screaming all the time.

Guess I'm ready to open my own bakery and set fire to the kitchen everyday.

I fed him some of the cake as well and his expressions said it all. "You sure you made this? Cause this is amazing."

I beamed at him, a giddy feeling in my tummy.

"If you are done flirting, can we have the cake too?"

Arjun threw the knife at Sid casually which made him scream like someone unleashed a python on him and he leapt to hide behind Rohan.

Rohan caught the knife easily and silently moved to the table, helping himself with the cake while Sid bickered with Arjun.

"What? I just passed the knife to you." Arjun swiped his tongue over his lower lip and certain U/A images popped in my head that had me shifting on my foot uneasily.

"With the sharp, pointed edge aiming towards my heart?" Sid's voice was shrill and unbelievable to which Arjun barely shrugged.

It was then Sid noticed that while he was wasting his time, Rohan was gobbling down the cake like there was no tomorrow. He rushed to him and snatched the cake away, well whatever was left of it.

Both of them showered me with praises and I nearly wept at their compliments. My hard work had paid off. Granted that the kitchen looked like a gorilla had gone on a mad rampage and thrown around any ingredient he could get his hand on.

Again, minor details.

They weren't ready to leave anytime soon, having too much fun annoying the hell out of my temperamental husband and it was hilarious to watch Arjun throw them out of the room.

Sid left, though not without a suggestive comment and a wink that made me blush from head to toe but Arjun just showed him the finger with a straight face while Rohan hooted in the background, wiggling his brows at us.

"Time for presents." I clapped my hands together when Arjun had closed the door, bouncing on my tip-toes. "And before you say 'I don't like presents'," I tried to imitate his deep voice but it only made me sound like I had a sore throat, "I know that but you have no option other than to accept them."

Smiling cheekily, I made him sit on the bed and gestured towards the three neatly packed boxes on his nightstand. Sitting beside him, I waited impatiently as he picked the first box and began unwrapping it.

I was brimming with anticipation when he opened the lid, his face unreadable.

It was a baby blue tie.

His face was still devoid of any emotions when he took it out of the box, his thumb brushing over the soft fabric.

Yeah, yeah. Go on. Don't show any emotion. Keep that facade up. No worries. I'm just have a mini nervous breakdown here. Nothing special.

I mean it isn't like I had spent 40 minutes deciding between the two shades of blue that seemed the same colour to everyone except me and the salesgirl.

I thought I saw a flicker of smile on his handsome face but it vanished as soon as it came and I was left wondering if I was hallucinating.

Arjun didn't say anything and took the second present and opened it, his curious eyes turning blank as soon as the wrap came undone. Giving me a deadpanned look, he raised the deodorant in his hand and I started cackling like a drunk chimpanzee.

"Of course." He let out an annoyed breath, giving me a I'm-so-done-with-you look. "Axe chocolate bodyspray."

His voice and face only made me laugh harder, tears sprouting out of my eyes.

"What am I gonna do with you?" He muttered to himself, trying hard to fight a smile.

Well... I have a few ideas if you're ready to co-operate.

He picked the third present, inspecting it. One could easily guess it was a photo judging by its shape and size.

He looked at me. "I hope it's not a photo of Chris."

I giggled and then winked at him. "No, it's of someone better."

He tilted his head to the side in a mocking look, tearing the wrapping paper.

It was a framed photo of him, Kriti and Raj that I had clicked back at the orphanage with my amazing stalker abilities.

My heart did a little jump when I saw his face, his eyes soft and full of adoration and his lips spread in a miniature smile. It was so small you would've to squint your eyes real hard to spot it, but it was there nonetheless.

"Do you like them?" My voice trembled in nervousness and I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

Arjun looked up, his smile widening and all my fears ebbed away.

His hand snaked around my waist as he pulled me closer to him. "I love the gifts."

O-oh.

"Thank you." He whispered, his gaze fixed on my round, brown eyes and then dropped to my lips.

He placed his other hand on my jaw, his thumb caressing my cheek and I melted faster than ice on a hot day.

He was about to close the distance between us when we heard a crash sound and I craned my head towards the door. The sound seemed to have come from the other side.

I glanced back at Arjun who leaned against the headboard, rolling his eyes. "I know you are eavesdropping on us, Sid."

My jaw hit the floor.

"Uh.. No. It's not Sid. It's a cat. Meowww."

Arjun stood up. "I'll be back in a second."

He went and opened the door, chasing Sid and Rohan down the hallway while I kept sitting there, sulking.

I love Sid but I really wanted to punch him at that time.

Couldn't he wait a minute later to reveal himself? I had an important work at hand.

A few moments later, Arjun reappeared on the threshold and locked the door, stalking towards me with a mischievous smirk. "So, where were we?"

I cracked a grin and ran towards the love of my life, squealing.

"Chocolate cake!"

*

"But it's your birthday today." I frowned when I saw Arjun coming out of his closet dressed in a suit.

Suppressing a yawn, I sat cross-legged on the bed, rubbing my left eye. I had just woken up with the hope of seeing his godly self lying next to me but rather found him strolling out of his closet like a model walking on ramp.

I'd pay millions to watch this fashion show.

He looked up, adjusting his cuffs. "So?"

"We have to go somewhere."

His brows creased. "Where?"

"Somewhere. It's a surprise."

He picked the box from the nightstand and came towards me. Giving me his hand, he helped me stand up and handed me the box. "I can't postpone this meeting."

I took out the tie from the box and put it around his neck with a pout.

"Karan Sehgal is leaving for Greece today and he wants to finalize the deal before he leaves." He explained and although he made complete sense, I still didn't want to listen to him.

I made his tie rather begrudgingly, my lips tugged in a frown.

Stupid meeting and stupid Karan Sehgal.

.

.

Whoever he is.

"It will only take an hour or so." Arjun said but I refused to look at him, still maintaining the frown on my face.

He sighed when I didn't answer him. "Okay. Here's the deal. I will go attend this meeting and after that, I'm all yours."

My excited eyes snapped to him.

"Promise?"

"Promise." He kissed my forehead and backed away while I stood here dazed for a few seconds.

As he was about to exit the room, I remembered the important thing and ran after him to remind him about it.

"Don't yell at people!"

45 minutes later, Sid and Rohan arrived at the penthouse. We were supposed to pick Arjun from office and then go to our destination.

Sid whistled lowly when I came out of the building, all dressed up. "Would you look at that?"

I was wearing the dress that Arjun had brought for me from London.

Rohan smirked. "Someone's going to lose their shit over you."

Paying no heed to their teasing grins, I sat in the car with flaming cheeks.

I was a nervous wreck during the whole ride and Rohan would occasionally glance at me and chuckle at my anxious state, making me want to push him out of the car.

Oh god, what was wrong with me? I was never this violent.

It's all because of that handsome goblin.

"Wow." I gawked at the building standing proudly in front of me when the car stopped. We got out and I had to crane my head to look at whole building.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Sid asked from behind me and I nodded in a trance, too busy estimating the height of the building.

I nearly got a cardiac arrest when we walked past the guards at the entrance and they saluted us.

They need to chill.

"Good afternoon, sir." The receptionist welcomed us, batting her eyelashes at Sid and he gave her a curt nod.

"Where is Arjun?" Rohan asked.

"Sir just got out of a meeting. He is in his office right now." She gave another suggestive glance to Sid which he completely ignored.

If Anushka was here, she would have broken her long, witchy nails one by one and then feed them to her for eyeing her man like that.

Before she could start openly flirting with Sid and invite her own death through the hands of my best friend, Rohan ushered us towards an elevator that looked quite fancy.

"This is Arjun's private elevator." Sid explained as he pressed the top floor button. "Only a few people have access to it."

"This is so cool." I looked around in excitement, resembling a child who had entered Disneyland.

This was the first time I was visiting his company.

The elevator stopped at the 40th floor and we stepped out, running into a frantic looking Peyush.

"Hello, sir." His eyes shifted to me and he nodded. "Ma'am." He adjusted his glasses nervously and patted his face with a handkerchief, his face giving away his nervousness.

"What happened?" Rohan frowned, looking at his anxious figure.

"Sir lost the deal." He informed us. "He's quite...angry and has asked no one to disturb him for a while."

I mentally face-palmed.

It's his birthday and he's out here breathing fire on his employees.

And if Peyush looked this scared, things must be pretty serious.

"What do we do now?" I chewed my bottom lip.

Sid and Rohan exchanged glances while Peyush seemed like he needed to lie down for a second. He was too pale.

Although I was busy fretting over my personal, sexier version of hulk, I didn't miss the two pair of eyes fixed at me. I squinted my eyes at Sid and Rohan who were staring at me unblinkingly as if they had found a pot full of gold.

"What?" I barked out, feeling conscious of their unwavering stares.

Sid's face broke into a grin and warning sirens blared in my head. My gaze shifted between the two of them and it didn't take me much time to catch on to their plan.

"Oh no no no." With wide eyes, I took a step back, my hands in front of me. "I'm not going in the lion's den."

"Come on, Kia." Rohan pleaded. "You are our only hope."

"Only you have the chance of making it out of his cabin alive. Arjun won't hesitate to decapitate us if we as much as breathe in his direction."

"What makes you think he won't take out his anger on me?" My voice rose a pitch.

Sid only widened his eyes at me like I had suggested that 1D will never get back together. "Are you kidding me? He will rather feed everyone in this entire building to hungry hyenas alive than hurt you."

That's...oddly comforting.

My cheeks decided it would be a good idea and a perfect timing to change their colour to tomato red.

This is not the time to blush and gush over your husband.

Hey, that rhymed.

Concentrate!

I bit the inside of my cheek, pondering on what to do. My gaze darted to Sid who was trying to make a puppy face but failing miserably while Rohan tried to bat his eyelashes at me but it only made him look like as if he got some dust in his eyes. Peyush, the poor thing, looked like he was having a nervous breakdown of his own.

I sighed.

Screw my life.

"Where's he?" I asked Peyush and he pointed at the door straight down the hallway.

"Arjun hasn't killed anyone in his anger, right?" I rubbed my knuckles, glancing at the door.

"I don't think so." He answered slowly, eyeing me queerly.

I hope he keeps it that way.

Letting out a heavy breath, I moved forward with a new found determination but retraced my step after a second. "Wait."

I glanced at Sid and Rohan, giving them my most genuine smile. "If I don't make it today, I just want you to know that you both have been really good friends."

I knew I should have eaten that left over cake this morning.

Guess I'd never get a chance again.

"Take care of Anushka, okay?"

Sid nodded solemnly, his eyes full of promise.

"And Arjun too. I know he can be a handful at times but- No wait." I shook my head. "Not you. You will drive him crazy and he will kill you. I can't let that happen."

I turned to Rohan instead. "Take care of my husband."

He took my hand in his and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"I will."

Peyush looked at us like we had gone bonkers but I ignored him and walked towards Arjun's cabin.

Let's hope he cares enough about me to not kill me on the spot. Or at least he cares about his floor that might get bloodied if he murders me in his office.

As I neared his cabin, I felt like I was walking towards my doom, my heart beating in a frenzy.

I halted in front of the door that seemed more like an easy access to hell to me and my hand enclosed around the doorknob.

Out of nowhere, a wave of sudden confidence washed over me and I slowly opened the door, revealing a furious Arjun throwing something across the wall.

A gasp threatened to escape my lips but I slapped a hand over my mouth, recalling the words of Alan Grant in Jurassic Park.

'Don't move and don't make a noise.'

He's a human, not a T-rex.

The whole place was a mess. Files scattered on the floor, papers flying around and a chair knocked over. My eyes snapped back to Arjun who was breathing heavily, his chest heaving up and down. He ran a hand through his hair and kicked another chair in frustration, yelling out a loud 'fuck'.

He was only a step away from tearing down his shirt and turning into a werewolf.

And as much as I loved werewolves, I didn't want to be killed by one.

The tiny amount of courage that I had gathered vanished into thin air and I was left with nothing but my pounding heart and a very scared conscience.

Did I say anything about confidence? Yeah? Scratch that. I was scared shitless.

I stepped back with the intention to run away with my tail between my legs but then again, why would God ever let me live in peace?

I wonder if Satan has bribed my guardian angel against me.

My body parts, as always, decided to disobey my brain and I ended up stubbing my toe in a magazine stand beside the door.

"Oww." I bit my tongue as soon as the word left my mouth and whipped my head to Arjun whose back was facing me.

Oh no. I made a sound.

I'm doomed.

He spun around so fast that it nearly gave me a whiplash. His frown deepened even further when he saw me crouching at the door and I immediately straightened up, eyes wide and frightened.

"Kiara?"

"Hi." I squeaked and gave a little wave, trying to smile but I can bet I looked like I would start crying anytime. "What's up dude! Long time no see."

I raised a hand for a high-five and his jaw tightened, the forehead vein popping out.

Shit.

I don't know what happened to him all of a sudden as he made a beeline for me, striding towards me in large steps and I let out a shriek, backing away until my back hit the wall beside the door.

Before I could react, his fingers enclosed around my wrist in a tight grip.

Please don't throw me out of the window.

He tugged on my wrist and I fell in his awaiting arms. My palms rested on his chest while his large hands gripped my tiny waist, pulling me closer.

My mouth dropped open and I struggled to find words to say, stunned with his bipolar behaviour.

"Calm me down." He growled, pushing me against the wall.

The only sound that left my lips was a disgruntled 'huh'.

Calm him down? Who was I? His ringmaster?

"Before I lose my mind and end up killing someone, calm me down." His voice was dangerously low.

I looked at him carefully. His uneven breathing, the tightness in his jaw and the swirling fury in his eyes told me that he really needed to calm down.

But how do I calm him down? Do I kiss him? Slap him? Dance for him? Do acrobats? What do I do?

I don't think he would appreciate any of those things so I did what I'm best at.

I talked.

"What happened?"

His muscles tensed under my palms, his face shady and dark.

Wrong question.

"Meera happened." He forced the words out of his mouth.

"What do you mean?"

His eyes turned stone cold and he leaned back a bit, allowing me to breathe properly.

"She came to the meeting today with Karan. I didn't know she was his business partner."

"And you got angry on seeing her?" I asked tentatively.

"No. She," Arjun paused, looking away for a moment while I marvelled at his sharp jawline. His gaze focused back at me and I snapped out of my pervert thoughts. "She said something about mom. And you."

She what?

Talking about me was okay but she crossed a line when she mentioned Arjun's mom.

When I get my hands on that bitch, I'm going to kill her.

How dare she?

"I don't give a single fuck about the deal. But she had no fucking right to say anything about the two most important people in my life."

My breath faltered, butterflies having a party in my stomach.

I know this isn't the moment but I really want to kiss him senseless.

I didn't know whether he said that intentionally or the words just slipped out but it did make my heart thud in my chest violently.

I pecked the corner of his mouth and touched my forehead with his, his hold on me tightening when I encircled my arms around his neck.

He let out a soft sigh.

"Did you kill her?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"You should have. I would've helped you make it look like an accident."

He let out a small chuckle. "I will keep that in mind next time."

I did a victory dance in my head when I saw his relaxed face, devoid of any harshness. He didn't look as angry as before.

I straightened his shirt, smoothening a hand over his crumpled tie. "I agree you look very hot when you're angry but your poor employees are scared to death seeing you in this avatar."

"I can't help it when everyone is hell bent on pissing me off."

Dusting imaginary dust from his shoulders, I peered at him. "Maybe that's why God sent me in your life. To make sure you don't end up killing half the population in the world cause everyone seems to piss you off."

"Ha ha." He mocked and I laughed, running my fingers through his silky locks to set them back in their place.

"Now you look perfect." I chirped and then scowled, poking his chest. "You cocky, arrogant, obnoxious son of a chimpanzee."

"What?" His face reflected pure confusion as he took a bewildered step back and I grinned at him.

I patted his cheek. "Nothing, I was just testing you. You aren't angry anymore. Let's go."

His lips parted, brows pulling together as he tried to speak but changed his mind, shaking his head. "Never mind. It will take me a century to understand how your brain works."

"Come on." He held my hand and I casted a last look to his office while we walked out from there.

All the best to the poor peon who'd have to clean the mess up.

As we crossed the hallway, I could see people gawking at us.

Haven't they seen a couple holding hands before?

Peyush was sitting with Sid and Rohan in the waiting area and his eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets when he saw Arjun.

"We are ready to go." I announced in a cheerful tone as we stood in front of them.

All three of them stared at Arjun, gobsmacked.

"What?" Arjun asked sharply and Peyush jumped in his seat.

"Uh, sir. I wanted your signature on this file before you leave."

"Just a second." Arjun told me and walked to Peyush.

"Where do you keep your magic wand?" Rohan appeared on my right, still gazing at Arjun with an unbelievable look.

"What?"

"Your magic wand. The one you wave in front of him and his mood changes in an instant and he agrees to everything you say." He explained and I rolled my eyes.

"Is it safe to approach him?" Sid whispered in my ear, his squinted eyes fixed on Arjun as he stood on my left side.

"I guess so."

Sid tip-toed towards him and poked his arm, squealing when Arjun snapped his head to him.

Rolling his eyes at Sid's antics, Arjun focused back on the file, scrawling his signature.

Sid whipped his head to us and whisper-yelled. "He didn't say anything to me."

I face palmed.

All my friends are idiots.

I was about to reply him but Arjun interrupted at the exact moment. "I'm done. Let's go."

PS- Those who don't know me personally, I'm a H.O.E for Rocky from the movie KGF. That man can step on me and I would thank him in return. He is the literal personification of a dream mafia man and I will die on that hill.