Page 22 of Always With You

This is not an ideal marriage where I look forward to these little things. It’s just a business transaction. Pain slashes and swamps my mind.

A merger to save my father. That’s what it is.

“You should learn to be more alert.”

My scowl deepens. “Is that so?”

“Relax. I simply meant that your scatter-brain will only add tardiness, which, as a businessman, I cannot afford. Each second of my time counts.”

Is it possible to feel even worse than I already am feeling?

“Of course,” I respond with a sarcastic smile. But then again, what did I expect from an arrogant man such as him?

“We should go,” he drawls, turning on his heel before I can say anything else.

Groaning, I gather my stuff and lock the store behind me. I notice him leaning against his car door, looking sexy as sin. My pulse is firing in all directions. Quickly, I mask my reaction before he can notice the mortification in my eyes. As I walk up to him, he takes his seat behind the steering wheel, and I make my way to the passenger seat. Once I buckle myself, he kick-starts the engine and we are on the way to our destination.

The drive is silent. Both of us are lost in our thoughts. I am looking out of the window, as I think about this marriage, which is only in name. He will continue his affairs, and I will — I swallow the lump in my throat — I will work on clearing my dad’s debt, for this is to be my fate. The thought terrifies me, but I push it away. After all, sooner rather than later, he will undoubtedly release me from this bond. I sigh softly.

“We are here.” His voice breaks my trance as the car stops at a huge jewellery store. “Come on,” he says, and I hop out of the car and enter the elegant store with him.

“Mr. Seth. It’s nice to see you. What can I help you with?” The old man, who I am assuming is the boss of the store, asks.

“I need a wedding ring for my fiancée,” he replies.

At the realisation that he is addressing me as his fiancée, my heart starts to thump harder in my chest.

The old man turns his attention to me. “Hello, ma’am. I am Mr Khanna, the owner of the store. I’ll try my best to help you to find the perfect wedding ring.”

“Thank you,” I smile as he assures us to a private section in the corner.

We settle down on the luxury seats in front of the huge glass display as Mr Khanna starts pulling out the blue velvet trays and placing them in front of us.

“How about this?” he asks.

“Anything will work,” I reply causally. To be honest, jewellery has never piqued my interest, even more so now as it’s a wedding ring that will always be a reminder of an unwanted bond.

“I need a ring that will do justice to my beautiful fiancée,” Ranveer waves a finger to my face. “Show me nothing but the best.”

This guy is a pro at displaying false PDAs. Bending my face close to his, I whisper, “Can you stop?”

He dips his head towards me and grins. “Stop what?”

Now it’s my turn to display my best plastic smile. “Your fake affection.”

Bringing his lips closer to my ears, he whispers, “Do you not trust my words?”

I don’t reply this time. I am nervous beyond bearing at this proximity and turn back to the rings in front of me.

“Right, Mr Seth, I know exactly what you are looking for. Give me a second, and I will be back.” Saying that, Mr Khanna disappears into the room.

“You do know how to keep this charade?” I taunt.

“After all, this is the foundation of our unwanted marriage. Don’t you think so?”

My stomach rolls. He might as well have punched me. I feel the ready sting of tears and wished I could think of something to say that might refute his horrible words. But deep down, I couldn’t. This is the truth.

I nod, my eyes haunting when they lock with his. My voice though is cool, my temper restrained. “Very well.”

---