I chuckle softly, still stroking her cheek. “You thought I was always cold and harsh?” She shakes her head.
“Well, let me remind you, my soon-to-be wife—I’m human too. And a handsome one at that.”
I grin, watching her cheeks flush. She looks down shyly, and I can’t help teasing her more. Her reactions are addictive. This innocent shyness is mine—and I love that. I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear.
“I have a hard side too... would you like to see it?”
She trembles slightly, and I catch the sweet scent of roses mixed with something uniquely hers. It pulls me in even more.
“Rudraksh... wh-what are you doing?” She stutters.
I straighten up, taking in her tightly shut eyes and pink cheeks. “I’m just teasing you, Shivani. I won’t ever do anythingwithout your permission.” I mean that. As much as I’m drawn to her, I want her to feel safe with me.
“Give me your phone, darling.” I extend a hand. She looks confused but hands it over.
“I’m saving my number.” I call myself from her phone and then hand it back to her. “This is my private number. Only my family has it. Save it. And here—” I hand her my business card—“this has my office landline and number. But always contact me on my personal number. I’ll pick up.”
She nods and smiles at me, a small but genuine one. “I think I should go,” she says. As much as I don’t want her to leave, it’s late and I have a meeting.
“I’ll walk you out. I would’ve dropped you home, but there’s something urgent I need to handle. But the driver will drop you home.” I say, and she nods her head understandingly.
“I understand,” she replies softly as she clutches the card in her tight grip.
That smile of hers? It’s quickly becoming my favorite thing.
08
RUDRAKSH
“You bastard, you couldn’t even tell us?” Aryan storms into my office without knocking, Siddhant right behind him. A tired sigh escapes from my mouth as I see them entering my office. The only people who walk through that door uninvited are my family and these two idiots. I look up from my laptop to see both my best friends glaring at me.
“What?” Siddhant says. “We found out about your wedding from your mother—because she called to invite us?”
“What the fuck, dude? We’re your only friends—we’ve been together since we were kids, and you didn’t even tell us?” Aryan adds.
“Are you two done?” I ask, staring at them, tired of their theatrics. It’s not even a big deal. I’m just getting married. And they know I’ve never been overly excited about marriage.
I sigh, rubbing my temples.
“Guys, calm down. It all happened really fast. I just met her a week ago.”
Silence deepens after my statement, and it was Siddhant who broke it. Their eyes widen and jaws drop as they stare at me silently.
“Holy shit. And you’re okay with that?” Siddhant asks, both of them clearly shocked. I get it—I’m always in control, always doing things my way. Now I’ve suddenly agreed to an arranged marriage.It feels out of my style. I know that.
“Do you really think I'd find someone on my own?” I don’t wait for their answer. “No. I am not the guy to settle down, but you both know how adamant Maa is about getting me married.” I pause and shake my head while leaning back on my swivel chair.
“This is her wish, and I’m just fulfilling it. She likes the girl. And honestly... she’s not that bad.” I mutter out loud, my eyes stuck up on the ceiling.
“Did I just hear Rudraksh Malhotra say ‘she’s not that bad’?” Aryan passes Siddhant a look, and I shake my head, already knowing what's coming next.
“Did he just imply he likes a girl?” Aryan looks at Siddhant, both of them amused beyond reason.
“Excuse me, when did I say I like her? I said she’s not that bad. That means I can spend my life with her—it won’t be that difficult.” I snap at them with my eyes narrowing. They both burst into laughter, and I roll my eyes at them.
“I’m really curious to meet our future sister-in-law now,” Aryan says, wiping his fake tears. “She must be special if you agreed in just one meeting.”
“No, come on. He probably did a full background check. I’m telling you,” Siddhant says, both now looking at me expectantly. Mischief glinting in their eyes.That's why they are my best friends.
