It was already 10. They had their dinner. After that, no one feels sleepy. Riyan and Arhaan were watching some cartoons while Ariya was sitting on the recliner using her phone.

Riyan stood up and asked, "You both aren't feeling sleepy, right?" He asked the both of them, and they nodded yes.

"How about a horror movie?" Riyan asked.

"Yes, I am in," Ariya said excitedly.

"I am not," Arhaan said .

"Yeah, bhai, I know you are scared of horror movies," Riyan said, rolling his eyes at him.

"Rii, it's not like that, okay," Arhaan said, his gaze fixed on him.

"Yeah, I know you very well," Riyan said and turned towards Ariya.

"Smally, you know, bhai is scared of horror movies," Riyan said, giggling, and Arhaan was glaring at him hard.

"Riyan shut up; I'm not scared." "All right, let's watch your so-called horror movie," Arhaan said as he rose from the couch.

"Bhai, you arrange food items. I am checking all the essential things in the theatre room," Riyan said, and he nodded and went to the kitchen.

Ariya went to the bedroom and changed into comfy nightwear, and tied her hair in a bun.

She took her phone and went to the theatre room. She saw Arhaan was using his phone, and Riyan was checking something.

"Which movie, smally?" Riyan asked Ariya.

"Annabelle comes home, evil dead or the nun," she said, giving them options.

"No, not evil dead!" Arhaan exclaimed, and Ariya looked at him as if he were an alien.

Riyan giggled, seeing Arhaan's face. "Okay, Annabelle comes home," Riyan said, bobbing his head and turning on the movie.

But Riyan sat beside Arhaan while Ariya was also beside her patidev (husband), as Arhaan was in the middle between them. But Ariya maintained a good distance.

They started watching the movie by having cheese puffs, popcorn, and cold drinks. Arhaan was actually getting scared, but he made a stern expression. He wanted to use his phone, but his evil baby brother had already snatched it.

Riyan uploaded a picture on his Instagram handle.

"Bhoo," and the bowl of popcorn fell from Arhaan's hand as Riyan scared the shit out of him.

"Riyan!" Arhaan yelled, and Ariya laughed loudly.

"Bhai got scared," Riyan said, laughing and high-fiving Ariya.

"I am not scared. Okay, that's just a misconception," he said sternly and continued watching the movie.

And finally, the movie got over, and Arhaan sighed in relief. Poor him. He didn't know the plan of his evil little brother.

"Hey, smally, let's watch The Nun," Riaan said.

"No, no, it's late. It's already past midnight. We should sleep," Arhaan said, shaking his head no.

"I am not feeling sleepy," Riyan and Ariya said in unison.

Arhaan said to them, "Ariya, you have college in the morning, and Ri, you have to go to the office."

"Aahaa, it's alright. I am not feeling sleepy. I want to watch that movie," Ariya said, looking at him.

"Bhai, don't take tension. I will be there on time. Let's watch this movie together," Riyan said like a baby.

"Okay, fine," Arhaan said, sighing in defeat.

They turned on the movie The Nun and started watching while Arhaan was looking down, or sometimes here and there.

The lights of the theatre room were also dimmed, and it was scaring him more.

It was already the second half of the movie when he felt a weight on his shoulder. He turned and smiled, seeing Riyan sleeping like a baby, keeping his head on his shoulder.

His body literally got jerked up, feeling a weight on the other shoulder. He turned, and his eyes widened as he realized Ariya was also sleeping. He smiled as he saw her sleeping soundly. He took the remote and turned off the movie.

For the first time, he looked at Ariya's face, her chubby cheeks, her eyes, and the mole on her brow, his gaze shifted lower and locked on her lips, her pouty kissable lips.

He wanted to feel these lips.

He wanted to feel those lips against his.

He wanted to suck those petals.

His one hand encircled her shoulder as he gazed at her face, and soon he also drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Riyan was the first to awaken. He took in his surroundings and realized he had been sleeping in the theatre room with his head on Arhaan's shoulder.

He stood up and looked at Arhaan and Ariya, who were sleeping and snuggled close to each other.

Riyan's POV.

Hayee, they look so cute together. My eyes traveled to Bhai's face. I found a peaceful smile. I know, Bhai, you are still the same soft Arhaan. My brother has the power to transform.

God, Jii, please be with them. I wanted to make them a happy couple. I took my phone and clicked their picture, and walked out of the room.

I am feeling so sleepy. It's 6 a.m. I went to my room and dumped myself on the bed, and went to my dreamland.

___________________

When Ariya woke up, she was shocked to see her state as she found herself in Arhaan's arms. She sat up with a jerk, due to which Arhaan also woke up.

She gave one angry look to Arhaan and walked out of the theatre room.

Ariya's POV

How can I sleep in his arms? He must have dragged me into his arms while I slept. I despise him.

I went to the bedroom and dumped myself on the bed. I should sleep a little more. I closed my eyes, and darkness engulfed me.

_________________

When Arhaan came inside the bedroom, he found her sleeping on the bed. He sighed and took out his gym outfit.

After changing, he went to his personal gym room. He started running on the treadmill. His mind was occupied by Ariya's touch, her face, her lips, her eyes..he was getting angry at himself, but those thoughts weren't leaving his mind...

He turned off the treadmill and huffed like a bull.

He took his sipper and made an energy drink for himself, and started sipping...

____________________________

It's been ten days..10 freaking days. Arhaan was ignoring Ariya, and Ariya didn't give a damn. She was busy with her life and happy that Arhaan wasn't talking to her.

Arhaan was angry at himself as Ariya's thoughts weren't leaving his mind. The more he tried, the more those thoughts occupied his mind. He used to go to the office in the early morning and come home late at night just to avoid coming face-to-face with her.

They slept in the same bed, maintaining their distance, but every morning they woke up in each other's arms.

Arhaan's POV.

Shit, shit, shit. I forgot the next day is my business partner's reception, and I have to go there with Ariya..damn..now I have to talk to her ughh.

I stepped inside the room to find her studying. My eyes traveled down to her bare legs as she was wearing a t-shirt and shorts.

I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I had come here to talk. I walked towards her and cleared my throat to attract her attention.

She looked at me with questioning eyes. "Tomorrow we have to attend one reception party. I hope you don't have any problem with that," I said, maintaining a stern expression.

"What if I say I don't want to go?" she asked, smirking.

"You have to go, Ariya," I said, and she chuckled and stood in front of me, looking into my eyes without any fear.

"I won't go, Mr. M," she said, making me angry.

I smirked and let my hand slide into her waist as I drew her close, making her gasp at my sudden action. "You said you didn't want to go, huh?" I said, leaning close to her face.

"What are you doing to leave me?" she pushed, but I tightened my grip on her.

I said in a hushed tone, "Answer my question, Mrs. M."

"I said I wouldn't go, and it's final," she said angrily, and I smiled evilly.

"Okay, so you don't want to go. Fine. I don't have any problems," I said, tucking her strands behind her ear with one hand while holding her with the other hand.

"Don't go, Mrs. M, and I will stop investing in your dad's company," I said, and her face went pale.

"You are kidding me, right?" she asked, and I chuckled.

"I am not Mrs.," I said with a tight-lipped smile.

"You can't do this..you wanted to marry me, and now I am married to you, but you are backing off from the promise," she said, shaking her head. She looks cute.

I smirked, "I am withdrawing from the promise."

If she can be sassy and witty, then why can't I? I am not innocent.

"Fine, I will go now, happy," she said angrily.

"Very happy," I said with a tight-lipped smile. My thumb went to her lower lip as I rubbed it.

"What are you doing?" she stuttered, shivering slightly.

Am I affecting her?

I pulled her closer, slamming my body against hers. She gasped, placing her hand on my chest to balance herself.

I placed my index finger on her chin and made her look at me. I can say that she was nervous. My breath fanned across her face as I leaned closer to her lips.

Our lips were about to stick, but we parted away, hearing the unwanted voice.

Ohh yeah, her phone started ringing. I left the room, taking a deep breath.

What the fuck has just happened? I was about to kiss her too forcefully.

Why were her thoughts not leaving my mind?

My heart said to me, "Because she is your wife, dumbass, and these types of thoughts are normal,"

"No, it's not normal. We are just a namesake couple," I replied back to my heart.

What a shit, eh? My heart was attempting to persuade me.

Chance? Yeah, right, we can give each other a chance...

________________________

Next day,

Ariya's POV

I don't want to go anywhere, but I still have to attend his business partner's reception. I hate him so much. He was freaking blackmailing me for all this.

I wore the outfit that my designer had chosen for me. I did my makeup and wore the necklace. The phasi ka phanda, aka my nuptial chain, was already in my neck...I filled my hairline even though I still hated it...I left my hair open and sprayed perfume.

Damn. I am looking pretty.

I put on my heels, picked up my clutch, and walked out of the room.

"Smally, you're looking so pretty," Riyan said as I walked down the stairs. Arhaan looked at me, his gaze locked with mine.

"Thank you, Riyan." I smiled and turned towards Arhaan..he was looking hot, ughh, whatever...

"Aren't you going with us?" I asked Ryan.

I laughed as Riyan made funny faces.

I hate those parties, but I am going because this jerkass has blackmailed me.

"Riyan, you will have your dinner on time and sleep okay. No parties, nothing chup se sojana, "he said to Riyan, like a guardian."

"Chill, bro. I am not a kid. I will have my dinner on time," Riyan said.

"No drink. Okay, you have an office tomorrow," he said sternly, and Riyan nodded as if he were a good little boy.

"Shall we, Mrs.M?" I forced a smile..he walked out of the mansion, and I walked behind him...

I was about to sit in the back seat when I stopped listening to his voice. "I am not your driver, Mrs. M. Kindly sit in the passenger seat."

I muttered some curses under my breath as I sat in the passenger seat, and he drove off.

Chapter 8

"I'm expecting good behaviour from you, Mrs M," he said, his attention focused on the road.

"Apki aarti utaru main Mr.M (should I worship you)?" she asked, gritting her teeth.

"That's not needed. Bas aap thodi acchi se baatein karlena (just behave and talk in a good manner")," he replied, and she muttered some curses and started using her phone.

His car halted outside the reception venue, and he stepped out only to be surrounded by the media.

"At least maintain some distance and move back. My wife is here. She isn't comfortable with all this," he said sternly, and they moved back.

He opened the gate for her like a gentleman. She stepped out and held his left arm, making him shocked. He looked at her while she was already looking at him with a smile and adoration.

"Ohh yeah, she was acting," he thought and smiled at her.

They looked like a power couple.

They posed in front of the camera like a newly wedded couple and stepped in. All the girls were drooling at Arhaan and shooting daggers at Ariya as they were jealous of her because she got the Arhaan Mehra page 3 businessman and also one of the hottest men on earth.

"Saali kutti kamini" (asshole bitch) muttered Ariya, looking at those girls who were giving her weird looks.

Arhaan's eyes widened as she spoke.

"Behave, Mrs. M," he whispered in her ear.

"What the heck, huh? Those bitches were giving me weird looks," she said angrily as she stood in front of him, fixing the bow on his neck.

There were other people who were admiring them also.

"What kind of language is this, Mrs.M? I can't believe you're Yogesh Mittal's daughter," he snarled back, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Don't drag my dad here because I know so many Hindi curse words. If you want, I can teach you." she said with a tight-lipped smile.

"You are impossible, Ariya," he said, and she rolled her eyes at him.

They met with the newly wedded couple, then Arhaan started talking with some of his colleagues.

"Hiii Arhaan!" they heard the voice while Arhaan was searching for a place to hide himself.

"Umm hii Miss," he wished, smiling forcefully.

"Call me Soha," she said, smiling seductively.

"Who is this behenjii? She is wearing such a cheap dress," she said, glancing at Ariya and her anger rising.

"Ahaa Miss Soha, I am not behenjii and I think you don't know about fashion sense. Ohh yeah, seeing your dress, I can sense you are wearing one of the cheapest quality outfits from the cheapest designers. INR 20K. Is the price correct? Damn, I knew it. "Well, the outfit I am wearing is from one of the best designers in India and it cost umm nevermind tumhari aukat nahi hai,(You cannot afford it)" she said with a tight-lipped smile while Arhaan was looking at her with a shocked face.

His mouth was open, his eyes were wide.

Soha said, "You goldigger, just because you got Arhaan's money, that's why you are showing off," and Arhaan was about to shout at her, but Ariya stopped him, holding his palm.

"Do you know Yogesh Mittal?" Ariya asked, and her eyes widened.

"Shocked?" Ariya asked, chuckling.

"Miss Soha, I am Yogesh Mittal's daughter. Your father lost in front of my dad, and I know that behind your father's downfall it was your father's plan, but don't take tension, he will get the position he deserves because he is not like your father, an evil, cheap, backstabbing jerk," Ariya said gritting her teeth.

Arhaan was shocked. He didn't know about all this.

She held Arhaan's arm and walked away. "What was that, Ariya?" he asked.

"Nothing," she mumbled and wiped the tears from her eyes without smudging her makeup.

"Mrs. M, what happened? Why are you crying?" he asked. His tone wasn't cold this time.

"I need to use the restroom. I will be back in a few minutes." She excused herself and went to the restroom.

Ariya's POV

So fucked up. Ariya Mittal's life is so fucked up. I hate that Soha and her family, just because of them, my dad needs to get help from Mehra's. We are helpless just because of that bitchy family.

Shit, why did I cry? I don't want to show my weak side to Mr. M. I hate him so much. He also took advantage of my dad's helpless state.

Except for my Vihan, everyone in this cruel world is selfish and deceitful.

I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes without removing the eye makeup, then took out the lipstick and compact from my clutch and applied them, and now I looked presentable, but my eyes were red.

I heard the knock and opened the door.

"Ariya, are you OK?" It was Mr. M.

I said, looking at him, and then walked out of the restroom.

The party went well. I met with his friends and their wives, plastering a fake smile on my face. Why me? I don't want this life. There is no peace, nothing. This forceful life is suffocating me.

"Mr. M, if we are done, shall we leave for home? I am not feeling well," I said in a hushed tone.

"What happened? Any problem?" he asked.

"Nothing, I just want to go home. It's pretty late," I said.

We met with the couple once again and walked out of the venue. Arhaan helped me to sit inside the car safely as it was really crowded with media.

I sighed as he drove off. I looked out the window aimlessly, thinking about my fucked up life.

the end of the pov.

He halted the car outside the Mehra

mansion and turned towards her.

"Ariya," he called her softly, but she didn't respond.

"Ariya," he said, shaking her shoulder to bring her back to reality.

"Huh?" was her reply.

"We've reached," he said, and she nodded, still lost, and stepped out of the car.

They stepped inside the mansion. Arhaan went to check on Riyad, while Ariya went straight to their bedroom.

Arhaan's POV.

After checking on Riyan, I stepped inside the room, opening the bow and locking the door. Where is Ariya? My eyes travelled to the balcony. I walked ahead to find her standing on the balcony looking at the stars aimlessly. She hadn't even changed her outfit.

"Ariya", I called her.

"Leave me alone." She tried to sound stern, but her voice broke at last.

Was she crying?

"Are you OK? Why are you crying?" I asked, and she turned towards me. Her eyes were red with tears.

"I am not okay. Can you hear me? I am not okay," she shouted in tears.

"I am not okay," she whispered, looking down.

I raised my hand to wipe her tears, but she stopped me, showing her palm. "Don't you dare touch me," she shouted.

"I hate Soha and her father just because of them. My father was about to lose his business. They snatched my dad's dream project." she cried..

"But you know what, Arhaan, you are worse than them." My eyes widened.

"You are worse than they are. You snatched my everything. You forced me into this unwanted relationship." I cut her off .

"Shut up, Ariya, just shut up!" I shouted, fisting my palm to control my anger.

I am not saying anything wrong. You are evil. You did the worst with me. You are an asshole. You destroyed my life. I cut him off by slamming my lips on hers and pinned her on the wall, kissing her roughly.

She struggled to get out of my clutch, but I was holding her tightly.

What does she think of herself? They are always blaming me for the things I didn't do.

I felt her kiss me back, slowly sucking my upper lip. I left her hand and grabbed her by her waist, and she encircled her hand around my neck.

Our first kiss turned into a more passionate and soft one as our tongues played with each other, tasting each other. My finger traced her bare shoulder and arms, all thanks to her off-shoulder outfit.

We broke the kiss and breathed heavily, needing oxygen. I looked at her. She was already staring at me, taking deep breaths, and the next moment we kissed again, this time with more passion and desire for each other. She scratched the blazer from my shoulder and threw it away.

Breaking the kiss, my lips found their way to her cheeks, moving down to her jaw and neck. She fisted my shirt tightly, arching her neck. I kissed her ear. She gasped and moaned softly, evoking me.