Page 70 of One Hellish Wedlock
When he tried to grab Aanya’s wrist, she danced away.
“See? He is so controlling,” she accused. “It’s alwayshisway or no way.”
He closed his eyes briefly, trying to rein in his frustration. If she kept babbling like this, she’d blow their secret. He needed to get her out of there.
“Aanya, come with me,” he commanded.
“Nope. Not until you say sorry.”
“Sorry?” he snapped. “For what?Youare the one misbehaving.”
“Reyansh,” Radhika interrupted gently, “she’s drunk. You can’t reason with her right now. Handle her with patience. Take her inside. She hasn’t even eaten yet.”
Aanya gave him a toothy grin.
“Did you hear that, Mr. Arrogant Chopra? Take me inside,” she teased, stretching out her arms dramatically as if expecting him to lift her.
Reyansh muttered something under his breath. “Fine. Di, you look after the guests. I’ll take her.”
“Go ahead,” Radhika smiled. “I’ll handle everything here.”
As Radhika walked off, Reyansh turned to Aanya only to find her gone.
Damn it.
He spun on his heel, searching frantically. He couldn’t afford to let her wander off in this condition. He finally spotted her marching straight back to the bar counter. And worse, she was heading straight towardShagufta.
Reyansh stormed after her.
Aanya stood a few feet away from the bar counter, her gaze fixed on Shagufta Khanna when Reyansh appeared beside her and caught her hand, halting her in place.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“That lady’s sitting alone,” Aanya slurred dramatically, feigning drunkenness as she pointed a wobbly finger at Shagufta.
“She doesn’t need your company. Come on. We’re going inside.”
He tried to pull her along, but she dug her heels into the floor, resisting with all the strength her petite frame could muster.
“How do you know she doesn’t need me? She’sourguest, and I refuse to let her sit alone. That’s bad manners. I want to be a good host,” she hiccupped for added effect.
He rolled his eyes, exasperated. “You can barely stand upright and you want tohostthe party? You’re not ruining this, Aanya. You know how much the family’s reputation means to me. Let’s go.”
He reached for her again, but she shook off his hand.
“Party? Oh yes… themightyReyansh’s grand party,” she mocked with an exaggerated bow.
As she turned to head toward the bar again, Reyansh stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
“Aanya, stop this now or else—”
“Or else what?” she challenged, her pout mocking his helplessness. “She is your friend, isn’t she? I know. Di told me.”
“Yes, she is my friend. So what?”
“So nothing,” Aanya giggled. “I just want to know how you were in college. She seems like the type who would spill all your secrets.”
Aanya was enjoying every second of this. Reyansh couldn’t raise his voice, couldn’t drag her away, and certainly couldn’t let the guests or media catch on to the drama. For once, he was athermercy.
