Raj's questioning voice came through the phone. "Where have you been for the past two days? Meera and I sent you so many messages, but you didn't reply."
As Ananya tied the sash of her robe, she glanced up and met Arjun's gaze. Arjun's presence was imposing—his high nose bridge, well-defined double eyelids, and eyes with upturned corners exuded a distant and indifferent aloofness. Seeing his face, Ananya's anger from Raj's questioning subsided significantly. Despite her entire body aching from the previous night's activities, she felt a sense of satisfaction knowing she had made Raj a cuckold.
"Oh, I haven't checked my phone in the past two days. What's up?" Ananya casually picked up the suit on the ground.
"Uncle Arjun is back in town. I'll pick you up for dinner in ten minutes." Raj hung up without waiting for Ananya's response.
Ananya raised an eyebrow and paused before looking at Arjun. "Uncle Arjun is back?" Her tone was sultry and seductive.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Raj had arrived so quickly?
Ananya scanned Arjun's face for any sign of guilt, but there was none—he remained as composed as ever.
Ananya pointed towards the bathroom and snorted. "Uncle Arjun, my fiancé is here. Can I trouble you to hide?" she said casually. Arjun remained nonchalant. At the same time, an unfamiliar male voice called from outside the door. "Miss Ananya, I'm here to deliver clothes for the President."
Ananya raised her eyebrows.
So, it wasn't Raj.
She opened the door and saw a man who looked like an assistant holding a suit and bowing respectfully. He did not seem curious about her relationship with Arjun; extreme professionalism as expected of Arjun's staff.
Ananya took the suit and handed it to Arjun.
"Good girl." His tone was cold and indifferent. The lust in Arjun's eyes was evident, yet his detached persona returned once he put on the suit. Ananya felt that his title of "Sage of the City" was at odds with his behavior, as she recalled how Arjun had been such a beast in bed.
Even so, when Ananya saw the marks on Arjun's back, her face felt inexplicably hot. When she helped the inebriated Arjun to the apartment, she did not expect they would be so intimate.
The atmosphere was awkward and ambiguous. Ananya wanted to say something to break the ice, but her phone rang again—it was Raj. His tone was very impatient. "Are you downstairs already?"
Ananya thought:
"The star of the show is still here. What's the hurry?"
Raj didn't hide his impatience or his disgust for her. "It's raining heavily outside and there's a traffic jam. Don't make me wait any longer. Ananya, know your place." Ananya didn't bother to respond. After hanging up, she tiptoed and kissed Arjun, who responded by gripping the back of her neck.
The thought that Raj's car might be downstairs secretly pleased Ananya.
"Ananya, be careful not to burn yourself."
As Ananya got into the passenger seat of Raj's car, Arjun's words echoed in her mind.
Playing with fire?
Her marriage to Raj was arranged by her family. The Kapoor family's status in the city was supreme. The Sharma family might be among the top ten families, but they were still incomparable to the Kapoor family. Although her revenge had eased her anger, she had also entangled herself with the one person she should never have trifled with.
It was raining heavily outside, so visibility was very low and the car moved slowly. They had barely driven two kilometers when they were caught in a traffic jam. Raj was in a bad mood. When he saw Ananya wearing a turtleneck sweater—with her chin tucked into her collar—he couldn't help but frown. "You're going in this?"
Although the weather was a little cold, it didn't warrant a turtleneck sweater. Ananya was beautiful and looked good in anything. But still, this outfit seemed rather strange.
Ananya thought of the marks on her neck left by Arjun, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly. "Yes, it's raining. It's a little cold."
"You're so delicate." Raj grew even more impatient. Ananya touched her collar nonchalantly and asked, "You haven't been to the office for half a month?"
Raj hated Ananya's tone—it was as if she had to control everything. "Where I go is none of your business." He honked twice impatiently. Being in the same space as Ananya was torture for him.
A while later, Raj's phone rang. Ananya saw the caller ID from the corner of her eye: Meera