She shot up from the bed, attempting to make a break for the door, but Arsh was faster. With one fluid motion, he grabbed her and tossed her back onto the mattress. She let out a startled gasp as he loomed over her again, his hands braced on either side of her hips.
"You're insane!" she spat, her voice shaking with frustration.
He leaned down, his face inches from hers. "And you're reckless," he murmured, his voice a dark caress. "Reckless enough to involve the wrong man in your petty revenge. But don't worry, I'll make sure you understand the price of your mistake."
"The price? What price do I have to pay?" Eve asked.
"The price for my services," Arsh replied.
"How much?" Eve asked directly.
Arsh laughed, mocking her. "It's not about money. You know I don't need that."
Arsh's eyes glinted with dark amusement as he straightened, his commanding presence filling the room. "Here's the deal, Eve," he began, his tone sharp and deliberate. "You're going to be my fake girlfriend."
Eve blinked, caught off guard. She'd been prepared for some wild demand, but this? Her mouth fell open as she tried to process his words.
"You're joking," she finally said, her voice laced with disbelief.
Arsh's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Eve stared at him, her brow furrowing. "You, the one who called this the worst drama you've ever been part of, want to drag me into your drama?"
"Yes," he said simply, his unwavering gaze locking onto hers.
The absurdity of the situation hit her, and she couldn't stop herself from laughing. It wasn't a polite chuckle. It was sharp, derisive, and filled with disbelief. "Oh, this is rich," she said, shaking her head. "The mighty Arsh Winewood, needs me to play girlfriend in some ridiculous charade? What, you can't find someone else to put up with your antics?"
Arsh's jaw tightened, his smirk slipping as her laughter echoed in his ears. He stepped closer, the predatory glint in his eyes growing sharper. "You think this is funny?"
"Yes," she shot back, meeting his glare with defiance. "It's pathetic, really."
Before she could say another word, Arsh moved, his hand brushing her cheek in a way that felt more like a warning than a caress. "Careful, Eve," he said softly, his voice deceptively calm. "We are in the same boat."
She slapped his hand away, her glare unwavering. "And you're out of your mind if you think I'm just going to go along with this."
Arsh's smirk returned, darker and more dangerous than before. "Oh, you'll go along with it, or I'll walk back into that ballroom and tell your dear Lucas that the man by your side was nothing more than a paid date. Let's see how your precious reputation holds up after that."
Eve's heart skipped a beat, but she refused to let him see her fear. Instead, she crossed her arms and met his gaze head-on. "Go ahead," she said, her tone daring. "Do it. Let's see if you have the guts to make that scene."
For a moment, they stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. Then, without another word, Arsh adjusted his suit, his movements slow and deliberate, and turned toward the door.
Eve's confidence faltered as she watched him walk away, his hand reaching for the doorknob. Panic clawed at her chest, and before she could think, she lunged forward, grabbing his arm.
"Wait!" she said, her voice trembling.
Arsh didn't stop. Her grip was no match for his strength, and he continued toward the door as if she weren't even there. Desperate, she threw her arms around his waist, pressing herself against his back to hold him in place.
"Don't," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Arsh didn't stop. Her grip was feeble against his strength, like a whisper of resistance that barely brushed against him. He moved with unrelenting purpose, his steps steady as though she were nothing more than an afterthought. Panic flared in Eve's chest as she watched his hand inch closer to the door.
Desperate, she threw her arms around his waist, her smaller frame pressing tightly against his back. Her heart pounded as she clung to him, a mix of fear and frustration swirling in her chest.
"Don't," she whispered, the word barely audible, trembling with vulnerability.
Arsh froze mid-motion, his hand hovering over the sleek brass doorknob. The tension in the room crackled, and for a moment, Eve thought he might shake her off like an inconvenience. Slowly, he turned his head, just enough for her to catch the sharp edge of his profile.
When his gaze met hers, his lips curved into a wicked grin, a spark of amusement lighting up his eyes. "Changed your mind, have you?" His voice was low, dark, and dripping with taunt.
Eve swallowed hard, trying to suppress the tremor in her voice. "I—just don't…"
Arsh turned fully now, her arms still wrapped around his waist. His presence loomed over her as he leaned down, bringing his face dangerously close to hers. "Don't what?" he murmured, his breath warm against her cheek. "Don't leave? Don't ruin your perfect little illusion?"
Eve glared at him, her defiance flickering despite her vulnerable position. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she hissed, her voice barely masking her frustration.
His grin widened, predatory and smug. "Oh, immensely," he said, the deep timbre of his voice laced with mockery. He reached up, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her face with a deliberate slowness that made her shiver. "Seeing you desperate like this, after all your arrogance… It's quite the turn of events."
"Let me go, Arsh," she said, her tone firm but tinged with unease.
He chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "But you don't want me to, do you?" he mused, his fingers trailing down her cheek to her jawline. "You're clinging to me, Eve. Do you even realize it?"
Her cheeks flushed with heat, but she refused to back down. "I just—don't do this," she insisted, her voice faltering.
"Do what?" he pressed, his tone full of mock innocence as his fingers continued their teasing path, stopping just beneath her chin. He tilted her face up, forcing her to meet his piercing gaze. "Don't walk away? Don't leave you to deal with the mess you started? Or…" His lips quirked into a smirk. "…don't make you admit you're not as in control as you like to pretend?"
Eve bit her lip, her grip on his waist tightening as she struggled to find the words. "You're impossible," she muttered, her frustration boiling over.
"And you're adorable when you're flustered," he shot back smoothly, his grin turning smug. "Now, tell me, Eve. What exactly do you want me to do?"
Her jaw clenched, her pride refusing to let her say the words he wanted to hear. Instead, she glared at him, her silence defiant.
Arsh arched a brow, clearly amused by her stubbornness. "No answer?" he said, his tone dripping with mock disappointment. "Then maybe I should leave after all. Seems like you don't need me as much as I thought."
He made a move toward the door again, his hand brushing the knob, and Eve panicked. Without thinking, she tightened her hold on him, her voice a rushed whisper. "Please… don't."
The single word hung in the air between them, raw and unguarded. Arsh turned back to her fully now, his smirk softening into something more unreadable. For a brief moment, he simply stared at her, as if trying to decipher the emotions swirling in her eyes.
Then, slowly, his lips curled into that familiar, maddening smile. "That's more like it. Now we're getting somewhere," he said, his voice a velvet tease. "I want you to play your part," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Be my girlfriend, keep Cassandra away from me, and in return, I'll keep your little secret safe."
Eve frowned, her brow furrowing. "Cassandra?"
Arsh rolled his eyes, straightening. "Obsessed, psychotic, refuses to take no for an answer. She's been a thorn in my side for years, and I'm done dealing with her. You'll help me get rid of her."
Eve's lips parted in disbelief. "This is insane."
"Maybe," he said with a shrug, "but it's happening. And don't think this is some quick, one-night performance. Cassandra doesn't give up easily. This arrangement lasts until she's out of my life for good."
Eve stared at him, her mind racing. She hated being backed into a corner, but the alternative was worse. She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Fine," she muttered. "I'll do it."
Arsh's grin widened, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "Good girl. This is going to be fun."
Eve scowled, already regretting her decision. "Don't push your luck."
"Oh, Eve," Arsh said, his tone dripping with amusement. "You have no idea what you've just signed up for."