Page 41 of Always? Forever.
“I was. But he got annoying and I got hungry. So here I am.”
He reached for a macaron, tossed me a look, and added, “Careful. If you don’t choose fast, someone else might swoop in.”
I looked at him sideways.
“You always speak in riddles, or is that reserved for when Aria’s in the room?” He choked slightly, which was all the answer I needed.
He held out his hand, “Care for a dance milady?” he asked. It wasn’t a bad offer, Kartik was busy for the moment too. I shrugged and kept my plate down as I put my hand in his as he dragged me to the dance floor.
“So, I know about the arrangement, but what I actually want to know is do you love him?” I looked at him surprised that he got straight to the point of what he wanted to ask.
“If I did, he would be the first person to know before anyone else. And since you’re his best friend and are genuinely looking out for him, I’ll give you an answer that’ll solve your doubts” I said, he looked at me curiously as we swayed to the music.
I take a deep breath before saying, “When I look at him, it’s like my whole world stops. It becomes better. You know I used to think my ex boyfriend was the one for me, but then I moved on from him and he entered my life. He makes me laugh, he understands my reasons, and he is there when I need him. I want his attention, never in my life had I craved for a person’s attention until I have started craving his. It is a whole new chapter for me. Because he sees me when I feel I am invisible, him because we became friends or frenemies first before we started this ruse.” I end up looking at where Kartik is standingand to my surprise, he is staring right at me. Aarush hums before he glances at Kartik and back at me.
He smiles kindly at me before it turns mischievous. His hand that rested on my back now goes below my waist before he leans in and says, “I know you love him, you want to know if my dear best friend does?” I nod as he looks at me for confirmation. Just as I glance sideways, I see Kartik, he is now holding a glass of whiskey. But gripping it so tightly I am surprised it hasn’t broken yet. He sayssomething to the person he is talking to before he marches in our direction. His jaw clenched.
“Just let me do this then” Aarush winks at me as he pulls me closer. It’s not even two seconds before I hear a throat clearing.
Kartik
Aarush pulls away way too slowly for my liking. It was confirmed that I was going to kill him and get convicted. I knewwhat he was doing and it didn’t matter, I didn’t like him touching her, or being so goddamn close withmy woman. Aarush smiles viciously at me. I clench my teeth in anger. Samaira looks baffled. I turn to look at Samaira.
“May I have this dance?” I ask her, completely ignoring him, who was going to be dead soon. She looks at Aarush and my blood boils. Before Aarush can answer I drag her out of his arms and glare at him in warning who raises his hands in surrender. He still leans down to kiss Samaira on the cheek before whispering something, making her blush. Once he leaves, I pull her close. We sway to the music. “What did he say to you?” I ask
“Huh?” she asks dazed
I try to control my temper, “What did he say to you that made you blush?” I ask again
“Oh,” she says softly before blushing again, my anger reaching beyond its limit.
I hold her tightly forcing her to look into my eyes.
“Listen to me, fake or not,you’re mine. Am I understood?” I say sternly
Her eyes widen before she nods.
“I didn’t hear you,” I say, wanting her to utter those words out loud.
“I’m yours” She whispers
“Good girl” I smirk.
Chapter 30
Kartik
As we swayed on the dance floor, she couldn't help but ask, "There must be something about weddings that you secretly enjoy, right?"
With a playful grin, I quipped, "Well, the open bar is always a plus."
She responded with a firm shake of her head. "No, that's not it."
"Alright," I conceded, "here's the real deal. When the bride makes her grand entrance, I like to sneak a peek at the groom. Even though I sometimes question the wisdom of willingly entering what some might call the last legal form of slavery, he always seems genuinely happy. And, for some inexplicable reason, I... what the hell are you looking at me like that for?”
She gazed at me, mouth agape in disbelief. "Are you serious right now?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
