Page 240 of One Hellish Wedlock
“Reyansh… not there,” Aanya stopped him from setting her favourite vase in the corner. “It should go here, in the centre.”
“Yes, Mrs. Interior Designer,” he muttered with mock seriousness, bowing slightly as if taking orders from royalty. He moved the vase to the centre table. “Anything else, Ma’am?”
Aanya giggled.
“What’s gotten into you? Why are you acting like my personal house-help?”
However tempted Reyansh was to pull her close, he kept his hands to himself… for now.
“I have no higher purpose in life than to become yourpersonalhouse-help forever.”
She laughed harder and patted his arm.
“Give up already, Reyansh Chopra. If I liked this house-help idea of yours, I’d keep you glued to me all the time. Your multi-billion-dollar empire would have to survive without you.”
“That’s the goal,” he finally gave in, tugging her into his arms and pressing a kiss to her temple.
“Oh, I forgot, I haven’t unpacked the books yet,” she pulled away. “Do you know I’ve got a whole thriller collection? Serial killers, dark minds… you’ll love it.”
“My serial killer is already here. Why would I read about others?” he murmured, brushing a kiss across her cheek.
She giggled again.
“I’ve never heard of a woman serial killer before.”
“That’s the tragedy,” he replied dramatically. “I get to live with one for life.”
Her jaw dropped. She smacked his arm in mock offense.
“Are we ordering lunch?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“No invite from Di today?”
“I turned her down. We can’t eat there every day. Plus, I need some‘me’time with my husband.” She looped her arms around his neck with a mischievous smirk.
“Now you’re talking,” he said, reaching for her, but she quickly tickled his stomach and dashed away.
“What the! Aanya! Come back here!”
“Three more boxes to unpack!” she shouted from the bedroom. “Then I’m all yours!”
Reyansh sighed. She knew how to drive him to the edge and walk away like nothing happened. But two could play this game. He smirked to himself and got back to work. It had been her decision not to hire help for unpacking. She wanted to set up their home personally, and Reyansh couldn’t say no. He’d never done this kind of thing before, but doing it with her made it feel… right.
A phone rang from somewhere under the chaos of boxes. After a frantic search, he found it buried beneath a cushion.
“Yeah, Sunny,” he answered, sinking onto the couch. But as Sunny spoke, Reyansh’s body stiffened. “How sure are you it’s Vicky’s number?”
He listened carefully.
“So, he is really here...” he muttered. “You know the protocol. Follow it to the letter. And stay in touch.”
He ended the call and dropped the phone on the couch. His fingers dug through his hair as the weight of the news settled in.
“Whose call was that?” Aanya asked from behind. He looked up quickly, forcing a smile.
“Sunny.”
“Any update?” she sat beside him, eyes scanning his face.
