Arranged to love

#19: Perfect Princess for my Prince.

Chapter Nineteen: "Perfect Princess for my Prince."

"Damn girl, you look sexy" Nithya exclaimed as soon as the final touch ups of Meera was done.

Meera laughed thanking her cousin. She was currently getting ready for the charity ball that evening.

Nithya like always had offered to help her out. Sweta would have joined but she was taking care of Ramya who has been nauseous for the past few days, her pregnancy was already taking a toll on her.

Meera was in a full bodycon mermaid dress which formed a gradient of green to silver. Her hair was in an updo so as to showcase the emerald necklace on her neck which would be auctioned towards the end of the ball.

That was her main job that night, raise funds for an upcoming project of building five schools in a rural village in Denmark to provide free education for them by posing as a model to auction off the necklace.

"If you're thinking about how Ajay will react, trust me, his jaw will drop on the floor as soon as he sees you," Nithya teased, making Meera shoot a glare at her which only made her cousin laugh more.

Nithya may have joked about that but when Meera came into Ajay's view, his mouth did part. His eyes travelled from her head to toe and back up. Meera stood there, not moving an inch as he took her in.

"Say something," she said after awhile as Ajay had not spoken at all.

"Do I even have to? Anyone with eyes can see how beautiful you are," his hoarse voice responded, making Meera blush.

"Well, thank you, you don't look bad yourself" Meera joked as she held onto his arm by his elbow, making him chuckle.

Really, he looked dashing in that suit but she will never say that to his face. She would save it for a special day. Together, they made way to the limousine that was waiting for them.

The chauffeur opened the door for them and helped Meera in, followed by Ajay.

"Wow," Ajay said, looking at the red interior.

"Ajay, earth to" Meera clicked her fingers in front of him. "You're behaving like you've never been on a limo before,"

"I know I have but it's been a long time coz I only attend the events where the entire family is needed, otherwise it's just dad and Arjun now. It's been a long time," Ajay reasoned.

One of the guards in the limo offered them both hot chocolate which they accepted immediately, warming themselves in the cold evening.

Soon, they reached the venue. Ajay lent her his arm as the couple walked down the red carpet which was crowded with reporters and cameras as the security tried to contain them. It was the first public appearance of Meera and Ajay as a couple after the engagement announcement.

Meera kept her head high as she avoided all the questions and walked towards the entrance with Ajay by her side who had also kept quiet.

He was not a fan of cameras flashing in his face which was another reason why he stayed out of the corporate field but his fiancé was the heir of one of the biggest companies in India and soon to be the official head.

Hence, he would be exposed to the cameras once in a while as the husband of a leading business woman.

Though he was out of his comfort space, he did it and would do it in future for her for he knew she would try her best to let him stay out of it as he wished.

She was well aware of his distaste for the type of life that had cameras and paparazzi as a major element. He prefered a quiet life. He knew that Meera would try her best to keep him out of it so the least he could do was not complain when she really could not help it. Besides, he felt proud to be the one beside her.

"Wow you have heads turning," Ajay mused.

As soon as they entered the enclosed venue, eyes were on them, particularly Meera. Young men and even older ones, much to Ajay's disgust, eyed her, some in awe and some in lust.

Ajay protectively wrapped his arm around her waist, a scornful look on his face. Meera smiled at him reassuringly and tapped his chin, reminding him to smile.

Ajay and Meera met their fathers inside who had come separately as the hosts of the ball.

"I see you two have warmed up well to each other," Uday, Ajay's father commented as he noticed his son's arm gripping Meera's waist.

"Yes uncle, turns out we were compatible after all," Meera replied, turning a slight shade of pink.

"That's good, this is why we told you trust us on this," Sunil, Meera's father said, delighted that the couple were happy with their decision.

"Yes uncle, I am glad we did. I don't think I'll be able to find a better girl anywhere," Ajay said earnestly.

"I am so pleased to hear that son, Meera is the perfect princess for my prince," Uday said, making everyone smile.

-

"Hey you alright?" Meera asked, taking a seat next to Ajay who was sitting at a table with a glass of water which was half-full, in front of him.

Meera was talking to one of her important clients with her father and Ajay by her side when he had excused himself to get some water.

"Yeah, yeah" he said, unconvincingly.

"Ajay, what's bothering you? You can tell me anything,"

Ajay hesitated before he spoke. It was not that he didn't trust her. It just felt silly to him.

"Well, I feel a little out of place. I come from a family who has done business for ages but I don't know the first thing about it. These people here are smart and posh and I just feel like I don't belong here. Also all those men who have been gazing at you are making me feel worse," he opened up.

Meera placed her hand on his cheek as she tilted his head to look at her.

"Sure these people are smart but so are you. I don't think stupid people can become professors at such a prestigious college. If anything, you would be way smarter than many of them. You are following your heart Ajay, you don't need to know anything about business to fit in. Also, you have nothing to worry about. I'm yours," Meera comforted him.

"You're mine," he repeated, listening intently to her

"That's right," Meera confirmed, her finger skimming his cheek.

Ajay leaned in and captured her lips in a short but sweet kiss.

"Thanks Meera, you're the best"