Page 52 of One Hellish Wedlock
“Sorry,” she said cheerfully. “I just came to borrow a phone charger.”
Reyansh grabbed one from the bedside drawer and handed it to her.
“Thanks. You’re heading out now?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Just about to leave.”
“Great. Have fun. Bye!”
Shopping Mall
Reyansh leaned against the wall of the boutique, scrolling through his emails while Aanya browsed through racks of nightwear.
“Pack all these,” she told the salesgirl, dropping a selection of satin sets on the counter.
Reyansh lifted his head from his phone. “Done?”
“Almost,” she said with a teasing smile, enjoying his boredom.
Suddenly, her expressions changed as she saw someone across the store. Reyansh followed her line of sight and spotted Kyle Malhotra.
“That’s your mother,” he said under his breath.
“Step-mother,” she corrected curtly.
“Whatever.” He pulled out his wallet. “Do you want to say hello?”
She gave him a look of disbelief. “Do youseriouslythink I want to acknowledge her?”
“Why not? You don’t like her?”
“She’s the last person I’d ever want to greet.”
“I thoughtIwas the last on that list,” he muttered with a half-smirk.
Aanya’s expression shifted. Something wicked gleamed in her eyes.
“I need a favour,” she said suddenly.
He narrowed his eyes. “Favour?”
She leaned up on her toes and whispered in his ear.
When she was done, he pulled back and rolled his eyes. “That’s stupid.”
“Maybe. But it’ll entertain me. Please?”
“That’s not in the deal,” he reminded her.
“Try showing some humanity once. Think beyond the deal.”
He stared at her for a second, then sighed. “Fine.”
“Yes!” she beamed.
A moment later, Reyansh approached Kyle with a polite nod.
“Hello, Mrs. Malhotra.”
