Page 99 of One Hellish Wedlock
Aanya gaped. Since when did Reyansh Chopra adjusthiscalendar for anyone?
Kyle raised her brows in approval. “Must say... our son-in-law is a gem, Anand.”
“Of course,” Anand nodded. “But my daughter is no less. Right, Reyansh?”
Reyansh turned to Aanya, the smirk back on his lips.
“Absolutely. Aanya is no less. She’spriceless.”
And just like that she stared at him again. What the hell was he playing at? And why... for the first time in forever... did she wish she actuallyknewthe answer?
CHAPTER 18
Icon Interiors – Next Day
The following morning, Aanya approached Prem to discuss her leave, hoping for some leeway. As expected, he firmly declined her request for three days off. She didn’t know whether to be relieved that she might avoid traveling with Reyansh, or anxious that he wouldn’t take the refusal well and might try to interfere by speaking to Prem himself. That was the last thing she wanted. So, she persisted convincing him for at least two days. Eventually, Prem gave in.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Aanya made a mental note to update Radhika and Reyansh later that evening. Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from the man himself.
‘Did you talk to Prem?’
His eagerness to take her to South Africa made her stomach knot in confusion.
‘Yes. But only 2 days.’she replied.
The next message arrived almost immediately.
‘What the!! Didn’t you stress on 3 days?’
Aanya groaned aloud. Only she knew how hard she’d tried today.
‘You should be grateful I managed even that, considering I’m not thrilled about traveling with you.’
She hit send and returned to her laptop, but her phone buzzed again with yet another message.
‘What the!!’
Muttering under her breath, she fired back.
‘I’m so done with your ‘What The’s’. Try going beyond half-sentences and dramatic pauses like ‘What the’ for once, Reyansh Chopra.’
This time, his reply took a minute to hit her phone, and when it did, it sent a shiver down her spine.
‘If I decide to move forward, and complete my half-sentences... it might get difficult for you.’
The words echoed inside her, teasing, taunting. What did he mean by that? She almost typed out a response but stopped herself. No point dragging a conversation she hadn’t even meant to start. She shoved her phone aside, though her gaze flickered to the screen again and again.
Buzz. Another message.
‘Sunny is arranging the visas. Do you have any specific itinerary in mind? Anything you’d like to see or do there?’
That was it. She was done with these cryptic texts of his. Picking up her phone, she dialled his number and waited. As soon as the call connected, she didn’t hold back.
“You do realize this is yourbusinesstrip, right? And as far as I know, I’m just the showpiece you plan to parade around. So don’t make this personal.”
There was a long pause before a woman’s voice responded smoothly.
“Hello, Aanya.”
