Page 76 of One Hellish Love

“I just want to repay this family for everything it’s done for me,” Kashish replied, though both she and Daadi knew that wasn’t the full truth.

Daadi stood, her pride swelling.

“Are you willing to put the bad blood between us behind?” she asked.

“For this one job? Yes,” she admitted.

Daadi nodded, satisfied. “I have a friend whose granddaughter is interested in this alliance.”

“Good. Give me her details. I’ll arrange a meeting between them soon,” Kashish responded, eager to get things moving.

Daadi looked impressed by Kashish’s enthusiasm and commitment to the task.

“I’ll send you the details,” Daadi promised.

“Okay,” Kashish replied and quickly left Daadi’s room, only to find Rudra at the breakfast table, hastily finishing his meal. He glanced at her, then continued eating. She approached Anjali to inform her of her plans.

“Anju, I’m heading to work, but I might be late tonight,” Kashish said casually.

Rudra’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. Late? Why? What was she planning? He didn’t like the sound of this.

“Kashish, is something important?” Anjali asked.

Kashish glanced briefly at Rudra before answering.

“I have to buy a gift for the person whose Secret Valentine I am.”

Rudra chewed thoughtfully, reminded that he too needed to get a gift. Anjali nodded, distracted by her phone ringing. She excused herself to answer the call, leaving Rudra and Kashish in an uncomfortable silence. Just as Kashish turned to leave, Rudra muttered, swallowing another bite.

“Let’s hope your Secret Valentine isn’t getting a bride as a gift.”

Kashish froze, her eyes widening in shock. How did he know she had drawn his name?

“You saw my chit?” she demanded, anger flaring in her voice.

Rudra wiped his lips and stood. “I didn’t need to see it. I read it on your face—the way you reacted when you opened that chit. That displeasure? It was unmistakable.”

Kashish’s heart raced, a lump forming in her throat. What now? He knew. He’d figured it out without even trying.

“You don’t hate anyone as much as you hate me. No one else could provoke that kind of reaction from you. Reading you, Miss Kashish Bedi, has never been difficult,” he smirked.

His words struck a nerve. Did she really still hate him that much? She wasn’t so sure anymore. If she still hated him, whywas she even talking to him? Why did she find herself engaging with him, even if it was just to argue? Rudra didn’t wait for her response. He walked toward the door, pausing briefly.

“I’m heading to the office. I can drop you,” he offered.

Kashish snapped out of her thoughts, her voice sharp. “I’d rather walk than get a ride with you.”

Rudra smirked. What was it about this woman that made him fall so hard for her? She was never kind, never soft, yet he couldn’t help himself. He checked his watch before glancing at her again.

“You’ve got twenty minutes to make it. Good luck,” he said, his voice laced with amusement.

Kashish’s eyes widened. She was running late? She cursed herself for spending so much time talking to Daadi. What was she supposed to do now? Rudra headed out, his car waiting for him, and left her standing there, flustered and fuming.

But she wouldn’t ask for his help. Never.

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After an hour, Kashish finally made it to the office, fully aware of how late she was. But there was nothing she could do—her cab had arrived ten minutes later than expected, and the usual Delhi traffic didn’t help. As she stepped out of the elevator onto her floor, she spotted Rudra in conversation with Jay Mathur. The moment Rudra saw her, he looked straight at her and pointed to his watch, a smug reminder that she was late. Kashish knew exactly why he was doing that—he was mocking her for not accepting his offer of a lift. She frowned and tried to walk past him, but his voice stopped her cold.

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