"Rudransh? What on earth—" Sonica was shocked, her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the multi-billionaire getting drenched in the rain without a care in the world.She was bewildered and slightly ashamed of cowering away. "I did not run away, okay." She meekly defended herself. "I have a genuine assignment in Jaipur.""I know." Rudransh nodded."He knows!" A little voice in her head mocked her. "Then let him be. Shouldn't it be him who should be terrified? He wronged me. If he hadn't compelled me I wouldn't have ever run away in the first place." Sonica waited for the storm of emotion to wash over her.Hatred. Anger. Bitterness. And a strong desire to punch him in the face. But nothing happened."You're just exhausted," Rudransh stated, his gaze lingering on her face. Whatever he saw made his eyes soften slightly, "Dwelling on the past takes a toll. Don't beat yourself up for it. It's hard to let go of anger, especially when I hurt you so bad."A flicker of something unreadable flitted across his eyes before a familiar smirk returned. "Shoot, almost forgot," Rudransh exclaimed, abruptly changing tack. Mischief brightened his features as he leaned in and whispered huskily, "Are you lost, baby girl?"Sonica's eyes narrowed a fraction. "I was not paying attention," she gritted her teeth. An irritated huff escaped her lips while Rudransh grinned ear to ear. He clearly enjoyed this side of her – the unguarded, slightly flustered Sonica, not trying to shield her heart."Sureeee." Outwardly, Rudransh smirked while inwardly he was terrified of how hard his heart was pounding. After the terrible breakup, it was the first time they were chatting without her trying to bite his head off.Rudransh hadn't realized how much he had missed this normalcy."I wish you could hear how my heart longs for you, Soni. I love you," he thought, the emotions both encouraging and upsetting."I was scrolling for options and accidentally clicked on it. I didn't watch it," Sonica repeated, folding her arms stubbornly. Her ears heated up although she had nothing to be ashamed of. She was over eighteen. Eligible to watch 365 days or anything. Then why was she annoyed and embarrassed?"Not that it has anything to do with you!" she added, narrowingly her infinitely."That's where you're most wrong, baby girl." Rudransh chuckled, stepping closer. "It has everything to do with me. After all, I'd be the one fulfilling those filthy erotic fantasies, not some Mafia Lord Mossimo." He purred, draping his arm around her waist. "No rules. No boundaries. As kinky and indecent as you want.""I don't want anything from you." Her mouth was dry, her voice betraying her."It's the weather," Sonica told herself. The intensity in his eyes was affecting her. Warmth pooled between her legs as she noticed the dilated pupils of his eyes. He is aroused. The thought made her shudder. She had to bite her lips to refrain from the moan threatening to slip out.His damp white shirt clung to him in a way that made her skin feel hot. Intuitively, she clung to him."Stop fighting against yourself." Rudransh breathed in her ear. His fingers itched to curl around her neck and pull her into a passionate kiss, to drag her to a private chamber, pin her on the large Maharaja bed, and spread—"I want to make babies with you," he growled at the lecherous flashes. But as tempting as the idea was, he knew he had to wait.If only he knew how badly the weather and her thoughts were messing with her sanity. The fire has inflamed both of them alike."Plural?" Her eyes widened. The question slipped almost instantly."Plural," Rudranhs confirmed, nodding his head.A jolt of electricity awakened something within her. A sensation she was sure she'd buried long back. What's wrong with me? Sonica wondered, clenching her thighs without making it too obvious. I know he's a player but can't be his game just for once?"No." Her eyes widened, startled by her thoughts. "Get off me!" Sonica pushed herself off his arms and hugged herself, firmly believing that the crimson on her cheeks and her even breath was due to the harsh downpour and not the overwhelming effect of a certain individual.Rudransh immediately felt the void of her warmth but didn't mention it."It's fine." He assured as if he knew of the tortures of her ethical dilemma. "We'll get there. One step at a time.""I don't wanna take any step at all." Her voice came out breathier than she had intended to."Okay." Rudransh nodded. "The rain," he cleared his throat. "I hope it's not unbearable. Thought it's sort of..." His eyes turned heavenward before meeting hers. Arousing. "Romantic.""Then it's good. I'm anti-romantic. You didn't tell me what you're doing here?" She tilted her head towards the palace."Mayasabha," Rudransh told her. "Let's get inside before we catch a cold." He motioned towards the drenched palace. "And you're not fine out here. Please." He beat her before she could verbalize her reluctance."Besides, we need to talk. You can't keep taking stupid assignments to run away from me. Whether you like it or not, we gotta live together at least for the next couple of months."Sonica contemplated his words. As much as she hated to admit it, Rudransh was right. They must lay down a formal code of conduct. She sighed, feeling the weight of his plea."Fine. But this better be quick. I've got work to do.""It's the weekend." Rudransh deadpanned, already marching ahead. "Follow me, I know my ways around here."As they walked toward the palace, the rain continued to pour, creating a surreal backdrop. The ancient walls of Amer loomed over them, adding an air of uncertainty to the moment.The rain, his clothes – everything was a deja vu. Sonica had lived these emotions before, spoken those words before. It was exactly how they first met."And why would I let a stranger help me out of a thunderstorm?" The words slipped out of her mouth mechanically.Frustrated, Sonica groaned, running a hand over her face. She should be resisting the temptation. She could at least give him a good fight. She shouldn't be this pathetic.As if it wasn't enough, a hearty masculine chuckle danced over the downpour and resonated with the ambiance. A silent understanding was passing between them. And just like that, Sonica knew she was doomed once again as she was on—July 18th, 2019."Leaving you stranded isn't an option," the man said firmly, shaking his head. "Besides," he continued with a hint of challenge, "we're not exactly strangers, are we?" His lips, a deep red, were pressed into a thin line. "In fact, shouldn't I be the most important person in your life...now?"That's right! The past week — the first week of her unofficial engagement to the man her father had chosen—the face's constant reappearance in her dreams was a valid confirmation.Growing up, Rudransh Shenoy had been a vague familiarity in her household. A constant presence that hovered through the periphery of her childhood and beyond—but Sonica only remembered seeing him at the Shenoy group's annual festivities. She had heard whispers and seen him flit across the pages of society – undeniably handsome, with dark brown eyes reflecting his dark curls, a fair complexion, and a shapely figure that was just barely intimidating. He towered over her, probably almost two meters tall.The son of her father's boss and heir apparent to the Shenoy corporation, a title whose suitability was questioned by some, his reputation had been described with words like "spoiled" and "delinquent" and was only redeemed by a master's degree from a fancy Ivy League school – from which one, Sonica couldn't say."Is the frown permanently glued?" Sonica meekly mumbled the question that had piqued her curiosity all along.Rudransh Shenoy never smiled.She hadn't bothered digging in for the reason but now, an undeniable urge to unravel the reason rose within her. Why were his eyes always empty? Despite being surrounded by people, why did he always seem lonely and irritated?"You talk to much. You gotta work on that." He slurred, motioning with his hands to follow him.And just like that, a bucket of cold water was splashed on her. The grand entrance of her dreams became a fumbled approach to the palace door. Instead of the perfectly gelled hair, his disheveled dark curls framed sharp features. Sonica blinked.Disappointment gnawed at her. Was this all he could muster for their first meeting?A small voice in her head whispered doubts. Is he even sober? Would he even remember meeting her tomorrow? The carefully crafted dreams of stolen glances and whispered promises crumbled under the weight of his indifference."Are you alright?" she asked, her voice small.Rudransh snapped, "What did I say about unnecessary prodding? I didn't know you'd be here." He raked his hands through the wet curls. His words carried a flicker of annoyance.Sonica flinched, a wave of doubt washing over her. "Does he even want to marry me? What was Dad thinking?" she thought, but quickly stopped herself. "It's only the first few minutes. I shouldn't judge." She took a deep breath. "Maybe there's a reason. Even I snap at people who interrupt my workflow," she reasoned. "I'll be patient.""I'm sorry. I didn't expect to see you here," she replied softly. "I was just exploring when your father insisted I visit the palace. It's beautiful, and I wanted to revisit the history."Rudransh let out a humorless cackle. "Of course, Dad," he muttered, shaking his head. He started climbing, leaving Sonica unsure how to follow. Hesitantly, she fell into step beside him.She honestly didn't know he was here or she would have postponed her visit no matter how badly she wanted to explore the ancient palace. Their engagement was peculiar.Sonica bit her lower lip. "You seem to have quite the hold around here..." Her voice trailed off, unconsciously straying to assess the strong lines of his back. "Also, I don't see anyone here. Isn't it one of the most visited tourist destinations?""The storm warning." Rudransh deadpanned as he had just heard the dumbest question of his life. The nibble on her lower lips became more violent. "And I do have a certain level of control over some parts of this palace." A slight pause, then, "For the next five years, at least.""Five years?" Sonica echoed, perplexed."The top floor," Rudransh clarified, finally turning back. "The one directly above the Queen's chamber, that's leased by the Shenoys. We're starting a new hotel chain – Mayasabha – across Rajasthan. We needed inspiration, a glimpse into the soul of these historic structures." He explained, gesturing towards a large door that swung open silently at his touch.Revealing the Maharaja's abode."Welcome to the world of royal magnificence of the infamous Kachhwaha Lineage. Don't engage in the antique antics. You're soaked and would ruin it. You can explore it from a distance though." He fired the instructions with the audacity of a boss, and not with the subtleness of her fiance.Sonica didn't mind. She was too engrossed in the portraits and the magic of the chamber to notice that he was changing his clothes or getting back on the desk in the east corner where his laptop was casting a warm glow.However, it felt short before the crystal chandeliers's warm glow, bathing the room in golden light. The walls, adorned with stories of battles and feasts in vivid frescoes, seemed to breathe history. Tapestries woven with gold and silver threads whispered tales of bravery and love.A huge bed draped in luxurious fabrics dominated the room, promising a night of royal slumber or endless love-making sessions. Each piece of furniture, an antique masterpiece, was carefully placed and the large window offered a breathtaking view of the sprawling palace grounds and the distant Aravalli hills.A reverent silence descended upon Sonica. The grandeur, the echoes of the past, and the sheer beauty of it all stole her breath away. As she turned to face Rudransh, her initial skepticism had softened, replaced by a spark of newfound curiosity."It's—" Sonica's heart pounded with excitement, and a million words bubbled up to greet him. But his voice, sharp as ice, cut through her enthusiasm."Just..." Rudransh started, not bothering to look up from the papers. "Pretend I'm not here. Repeat after me. He isn't here. He can't see me. I am alone...on my own."His words slammed into her, leaving her breathless. A shiver crawled up her spine, the warmth of her excitement replaced by a chilling emptiness.She watched, dripping, drenched clothes clinging to her like a second skin. The damp fabric bit into her chilled flesh, contrary to the warmth radiating from Rudransh.He sat across the room, a picture of indifference, engrossed in paperwork and the open bottle of scotch. Or was it whiskey?Sneezes wracked her tiny frame, but he remained oblivious. She shuffled to the grand window, her arms tightening around herself, teeth cluttering as she gazed out at the world. Even the dreary winter landscape seemed more inviting than the cold reality unfolding before her.Back then, Sonica had convinced herself it was just work pressure.Years later, however, the truth had settled heavy in her heart. She truly was alone...on her own.The magic of a new love story had evaporated, leaving behind a hollow echo of a love that would never bloom."I am sorry."Sonica blinked, ripped from the past by the unexpected apology."I am tired of the repetition, Rudransh." She didn't avert her gaze from the massive portrait of the Maharaja that looked down his nose. "You are dumb, stupid, ridiculous, and your self-respect is insulting," it seemed to tell her. "I tried telling you. You didn't listen, you fool."Her head hung in shame."Yet it would never be enough," Rudransh's voice echoed from behind. "There's a pair of dry clothes in the closet. I keep them for emergencies. Please change. I'll make coffee for both of us.""I am fine," she retorted, more bitterly than she had intended. "I have some experience getting through these things.""I know, but it doesn't mean you have to get through them alone. Please change. I'll be back in a minute."Her ears perked at his retreating footsteps. The ancient wooden door creaked open, and only then did she drop her hands to her sides, shoulders slumping in defeat as if she had been shouldering a huge burden for the world."Sonica," her body stiffened at the realization that he hadn't left yet. "Though I can't undo my actions of the past, what I can give you are new versions and choices you never had before. It's for you to decide which ones you want to keep. Please change and make yourself at home. The antiques have survived centuries; I'm sure they can survive a bit of wetness." And with that, he left her with her privacy.Sonica stood there, feeling the weight of his words. She glanced around the grand room, the portrait's eyes seeming to follow her, judging her. She sighed deeply, the ache of old wounds mingling with the tentative hope that maybe, just maybe, things could be different this time.