Chapter 40 :

Anika's POV

"Excuses are given by those who're cowards. And I'm Arnav Rai Mehrotra", he replied.

I scoffed, "You're so proud of yourself, aren't you?"

He nods.

"Let me go. I need to get fresh before getting ready. The MUAs and stylists would be here soon", I speak while trying to get out of his hold.

He didn't reply but leaned down before snuggling his head into the crook of my neck. I gasped in surprise when he placed a chaste kiss there. My hands on his shirt fisted tightly, as I closed my eyes tilting my head to give him access.

No matter the resistance I tried to have, his touches were sinfully magic and seductive.

He slowly sucked on the place several times before finally letting his teeth sink in. I bit on my lower lip keeping the moan back to myself because I'm already losing against him by letting him touch me and if moan, I'd actually feel defeated.

I hissed when he bit on the skin sharply, the stinging sensation spread over the area. Maybe to distract me from the pain, he started caressing my waist from both the sides, his palms moving up and down my curves. He nibbled on the place a few times before placing soft and slow kisses to soothe the pain.

But that wasn't the last one. He moved his lips to my upper exposed chest before marking that place too followed by my cleavage. I was so lost in his seductive trap that I had lost the track of time until there was a knock on the door.

Quickly pushing him away, I fixed my robe while shooting a glare at him before walking to the door. Opening the door, I let the MUAs enter along with the stylists.

"You can go", I spoke to him while they were taking out their things. He nodded walking towards the door. But just at a few inches from the door, he stopped.

Turning around he called out, "Who's the head makeup artist?"

Ms. Navami raised her hand and said, "It's me Mr. Rai Mehrotra."

"Remember not to cover those marks. Don't listen to her if her if she asks to cover them and don't let her do it on her own too if your job is precious to you along with your teammates", he spoke sternly.

My eyes widened at his words. Tilting my head I saw her bowing her head. I quickly turned my head to face him to ask him to take back his words but it was too late. He was already gone.

I sighed in frustration and sat infront of the vanity to do the makeup.

Fine. If he wants me to show them, the I will, I don't care who thinks what. And if any controversy takes place, he'll be the only one to clear it up.

After hours of makeup and styling, I was finally ready, clad in a black lehenga with heavy golden designs on it. A black translucent veil was put on my head, falling down my back. Small golden beads were there in the middle area and the borders were designed in golden. Another white shoulder piece was drapped over my right shoulder. It also has golden border. The overall set was actually gorgeous even if heavy. Since the blouse was full sleeve and plain black, a choker and moderately heavy earrings made up for my jewelry. I had minimal makeup.

It's good that the marks were covered by the blouse's high neck or else I'd have been embarassed but the thing is that my neck has three marks and those hidden marks would be exposed the moment I wear the next lehenga. Because the set has a deep cut blouse.

I sighed at his confusing behaviour.

•

7:30 p.m.

After I was ready, I was escorted to the back stage downstairs. As I stood there, Arnav also joined a little later. He said he wanted to see me before anyone did.

Isn't he being dramatic?

"Come vorrei strappare quella camicetta e mostrare al mondo i miei segni su di te", he mumbled under his breaths while standing by me waiting for the MC to call my name.

(How I wish to tear that blouse and show the world my marks on you)

I hissed, "What do you mean?"

Tearing away the gaze from the stage to me, he smirked, "Nothing important."

"Then don't fvcking speak", I gritted before tearing away my gaze from him.

He chuckled, "Why are you getting angry? Because of the marks?"

He was asking as if he didn't even know about it. I didn't speak anything but clenched my jaws and glared at him.

"By the way, did you like my gift?", I asked as I remembered the handkerchief.

His smirk faltered and the glow his eyes had dimmed. I knew I triggered that sensitive nerve but it had to happen.

He didn't reply but kept staring at me blankly.

"You did it willingly, didn't you?", he asked.

I raised my brows, "Why'd you say that?", I asked.

"Because you had said that you'd punish me for touching you everytime and you hate me enough to not gift me anything, regardless of my birthday", he replied slowly enough for just us to hear.

I smirked, "Oh you're smarter than I thought", I spoke, my tone tinged with sarcasm.

He didn't say anything but smiled, "I like it."

I was about to reply but I heard my name being announced. Not saying anything, I walked away from there to the entry of the stage.

I waited there for the MC to speak a little and in the meantime, I noticed Arnav getting back to his seat in the VVIP section.

He sat there, but his eyes were directed towards the part from where I'd enter. How stubborn he is even after being reminded of such a past.

After a few moments, I walked out on the ramp. The crowd roared with the sound of applause as I walked down with elegance. I'm not a smiling person but since I was the main attraction today, I had to smile a bit.

Walking towards the end of the ramp, I posed a few poses while the photographers clicked my pictures. I even noticed his parents and Aisha were clicking pictures but surprisingly he himself was also clicking my pictures.

Was he so serious while promising me to change?

I question myself like this everyday when I come across his new behaviour towards me.

Focusing on the audience, I turned around and posed before the MC walked over to me and started speaking.

She elaborated about the beauty of the lehenga and talked about the making process. After few minutes of talking about the outfit, I walked back to the green room to wear the final outfit.

Taking off the outfit, I sat infront of the vanity and soon the makeup artists joined me to help me take off the makeup.

I stared at my reflection on the mirror. It's me only but a new version. The weak and unknown to many Anika isn't there anymore. I don't need anyone's support like I used to. Now I can stand on my feet on my own, I'm strong and I'm known by many. My parents, who turned out to be foster but my heart still considers them as my real ones, would've been proud of me.

A tear escaped my eye which I quickly wiped off.

After almost two hours I was ready and set to walk on the ramp for that last time today.

The lehenga was very different and elegant. It had vintage vibes along with traditional sense. It's black too but the designs are so good that I actually happened to like it. I rarely wear such heavy clothes but whenever I wear, they happen to be the best ones.

There's no shoulder piece this time and the blouse actually reveals a lot for my cleavage. The marks are totally visible and I don't care if someone considers me unprofessional.

Once set to go, I walk outside to the ramp when the MC called out my name.

I walked gracefully down the ramp with a mild smile on my lips. And as usual, he was admiringly staring at me. His eyes were glowing and the fact that those grey orbs were the only ones with which my eyes get locked everytime. No matter how much I try to look away for focus somewhere else, I happen to end up looking at him even if for once.

I don't know why this happens but I find some strange comfort in him. I wasn't told this but I know that he'll protect me no matter what.

I smiled at him for the first time while walking down the ramp. His smile widened as he winked at me.

Something suddenly clicked my mind and without giving a second thought, I blew a kiss at him before giving a wink and turned around to show the back of my outfit.

I then gave a twirl and then finally walked back.

As soon as I entered the green room, I kept my hand on my chest. My heart was beating so much after I pulled that stunt infront of everyone without thinking anything else. I also remember how his eyes had widened before I turned around.

Gosh! Did I actually have to do that? Do I perhaps, regret it? I don't know.

Shrugging away the thoughts, I walked inside the changing room to get changed with the help of some stylists and wore back the saree I had worn earlier while coming to the show.

Once done, I walked outside to the ramp along with all the models and Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee to end the show and thank everyone for coming.

I was tired after changing and walking for three times because it's actually tiring to change such heavy clothes numerous times, makeup is a cherry on top.

I smiled at the audience while Mr. Mukherjee spoke. I glanced at him who was smirking at me. Involuntarily my cheeks heated up so I looked away.

But the moment I looked away, my gaze feel on a man at the far end corner. He was dressed in black suit and red shirt. He was wearing black sunglasses and a mask was there too. A few bodyguards dressed in deep grey stood at his back.

It felt weird because everyone was dressed in so many colours and that corner of the hall seemed so dark because of his and his men's clothes.

I don't know that guy but the way my eyes were fixed on him and the way he kept staring back at me felt actually weird. My heart raced in my chest, goosebumps erupting all over my skin. My throat too went dry causing me to look away.

A sudden wave of discomfort was felt inside me because of that man's presence. He wasn't giving good vibes at all but the main thing is that I felt bad but familiar vibes from him. It felt like the cold vibes he was giving me, I was used to it. It felt very familiar to ignore.

I didn't show any discomfort on my face but tried to keep smiling.

Soon I was handed over the mic as I spoke a little and ended the show.

•

10:45 p.m.

"Are you tired?", Arnav asked, sitting beside me inside his car.

I had my head rested on the backrest because of exhaustion taking over me so I just nodded and hummed.

I woke up startled when I felt myself being pulled and till I realised, I was already in between his legs, my back resting on his chest.

I tilted my head to look at him and asked, "What're you doing?"

"Rest like this. I'll massage your head and comb your hair", he spoke softly before he pressed a button and the seat tilted back a bit.

I didn't speak anything else and closed my eyes, letting him do whatever he wanted.

He silently took off the hairband and all the clips before starting to comb my hair. It actually felt good because the warmth of his body and the feeling of his long fingers in my hair relaxed me. I didn't want to think of anything else right now but live this moment.

His one hand was wrapped around my waist while the other softly combed my hair back. In the middle he'd even massage my scalp causing me to moan slowly at the pleasure I was getting.

"Do you like it?", he slowly asked.

"Yes."

The rest of the ride he kept combing my hair and I didn't even realise when I fell asleep.

•

2 December, Monday, 2024

6:30 a.m.

"Doll, wake up. Don't you want to go meet your family today?", I heard a deep voice calling me out.

The sunlight peeking into the room was falling on my face which finally made me stir in my sleep and open an eye. I tried to adjust the vision of the one open eye to look at who it was calling me out.

My face scrunched up when the sunlight directly hit my face while I was turning my face. I was about to raise my hand to stop the bright light hitting face when a tall figure hovered over me, standing by my side of the bed.

Rubbing my eyes I opened them before blinking a few times while getting up on the bed.

I heard a deep chuckle, "So the waking up process is complete I guess?", he questioned.

Turning my head to my right I saw Arnav standing infront of me dressed in dark blue suit and white shirt. His wet hair was messed up as he stared down at me with a smile.

I just nodded before getting down the bed and wearing my sleepers. I was still a bit sleepy. Indeed I'm a heavy sleeper.

"Take bath quickly, we all are leaving to meet your family", he spoke as I was walking over to the walk-in closet.

I stopped and turned around. A frown on my face.

"What do you mean by we all? Your family is also going?", I asked.

He nodded, "Your mami had invited all of us to have all the meals of the day with them today. She had even asked to have a night stay but maa denied because she and papa have to leave for Italy tomorrow. You can stay if you want to", he replied calmly.

I nodded, "Then you're also staying with me", I replied monotonously.

"No I can't. I have some work to handle tonight", he replied.

I scrunched my brows, "Can't you ditch your work for once?"

He laughed, "It's impossible. The firm and the mafia team won't survive like that."

I rolled my eyes before walking inside  to pick out clothes to wear.

I chose a light blue saree with white border embroidery. The blouse was white with hand embroidery and has a deep cut.

After taking bath, I wore the saree and went downstairs. It was 7:45 in the morning.

Maa, papa, Aisha, dadaji, dadiji and Arnav were there in the main hall waiting for me.

But what caught my attention was two more males with them.

One was Rohan, who had arrived late last night from New York. He's a businessman so he had went for a business trip. I'm meeting him for the second time after my marriage. I don't know much about him but as per Aisha, he's also a bit like Arnav—less spoken and calm. It's just Dhruv who's a bit loud and funny.

Talking about Dhruv, he was also there, standing beside maa, who was sitting on the sofa.

His eyes fell on me the moment I stepped on the ground of the main hall. I just smiled at him which he returned back. It wasn't like the smiles he used to give. It was just small and simple, not reaching to yeh eyes.

I walked over to the elders before bending down to take their blessings and then greeted the youngsters of the house.

When it was Rohan's turn, I spoke out, "How're you Rohan?"

He smiled at me, "I'm good bhabhi. What about you?"

I nodded with a smile, "I'm fine. I heard you arrived last night"

"Yes, actually the trip was along and the jet lag made this happen", he replied calmly. He's a tall man with her black hair like both of his brothers but his were short unlike Arnav. He had light brown eyes. These three brothers actually have sharp features and we'll maintained bodies.

"I'm talking to you for the first time. Isn't it?", I asked with a small laugh.

"Yes bhabhi you are. You're beautiful by the way", he spoke and the compliment felt so new from him. And not to forget, he was smiling while talking to me. Maybe he doesn't know about the things between me, Arnav and Dhruv. It's good, atleast.

"Thank you for that", I replied when maa spoke, "You both will talk more later on at her house. Let's go now?"

She was laughing at us because of the way we were so lost in our talks.

He seemed so friendly and cool to talk  with. I had expected him to be a bit strict and cold.

After a ride of twenty minutes, we all were the my mama's mansion.