A Bargain Made with Frosting

Ch-7 Contract to "I Do":

With a triumphant smirk, Shivay gestured to the plush seating area across the room. "Excellent. Now, let's get down to business and hash out the details of this little arrangement."

The next two hours flew by in a whirlwind of contract wrangling, punctuated by playful jabs and heated debates. But what truly caught Shivay off guard were Annika's stipulations.

Top Secret Spouse: Clause number one: absolute secrecy. Their marital status would remain under wraps; no public acknowledgement of Annika being Mrs. Shivay Singh Oberoi.

Social Butterfly on Demand: Attending his social gatherings? Only in emergencies. Annika wasn't about to be a social fixture on his arm.

Strictly Business: The contract stipulated a purely professional relationship. No room for emotional entanglements here.

Mutual Respect - Workwise: They would tread on each other's professional turf. No interference allowed.

Public Display of Disinterest (PDA): Public displays of affection? Tolerated, but kept to a minimum, as per the contract.

These were just a taste of the many stipulations Annika presented. Shivay, accustomed to women vying for the perks of the Oberoi name, was pleasantly surprised by her independent spirit and unconventional approach.

"Secrecy, that's understandable," Shivay conceded, a playful challenge in his voice. "But social gatherings? Surely you'd benefit from the association with the Oberoi name."

Annika raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "The Oberoi name comes with a hefty price tag, Mr. Oberoi – expectations I have no desire to fulfill. Besides, I cherish my privacy."

Annika's realised this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Negotiating with a man used to getting his way would be a challenge, but she was determined to have things on her terms.

The back-and-forth continued, each point a negotiation. Shivay argued for more flexibility in public appearances, while Annika countered with the importance of a clear line between work and (non-existent) romance.  The "no feelings" clause, however, Shivay found himself oddly attached to.

With the contract hammered out, Shivay summoned his secretary, Mishra, with a curt wave. "Mishra, bring a final copy for our signatures."

A brief pause descended upon the room as they awaited the document. Annika sought refuge in her phone, while Shivay busied himself with a file, the silence thick with unspoken tension. Yet, it wasn't an uncomfortable quiet; it crackled with a captivating mix of challenge and undeniable intrigue.

Mishra's arrival broke the spell. He entered with a crisp copy of the contract held out on a silver platter. Shivay took it, gesturing for Annika to do the same.  They both scanned the document, their eyes lingering on the clauses they'd debated so fiercely. 

"Ready to seal the deal, Mrs. Oberoi... to be?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Annika met his gaze, a spark of challenge igniting in her own. "As long as the terms are clear, Mr. Oberoi," she replied, her voice steady.

Mishra placed two pens beside the contract, and with a silent exchange, Shivay and Annika leaned forward. As their fingers brushed while signing the document, a jolt of electricity seemed to shoot through the air. The tension in the room had morphed into something different, something charged with a potent mix of anticipation and unspoken desire.

The marriage of convenience was just beginning, but the lines between business and something more were already starting to blur.

Mishra, ever the professional, cleared his throat pointedly.  Shivay schooled his expression into a mask of indifference.

"Excellent," he said, his voice a touch too clipped. "Thank you, Mishra. You can be excused."

Mishra bowed slightly and retreated, leaving them alone once more. The air in the room felt thick, the silence heavy with unspoken possibilities. 

A hint of amusement danced in Annika's eyes as she rose to her feet. "So, Mr. Oberoi," she said, her voice cool yet playful, "when is the big day? I need some time to prepare, you know."

Shivay stood as well, a slow smile tugging at his lips. "Next week works best," he replied. "And with the secrecy clause in mind, don't worry about a big production. It'll be a short ceremony with just our families at the temple.  Of course, if your parents have their hearts set on a grand wedding, by all means, speak up."

Annika shook her head. "No extravagant ceremony for me, Mr. Oberoi. A simple temple wedding is perfect. See you next week then, at the temple."

With a decisive nod, Annika took her leave, leaving Shivay alone in the room. .  The prospect of their upcoming wedding, however small, sent a jolt of anticipation through him.  This marriage of convenience was shaping up to be far more intriguing than he'd ever imagined.

***************************************

A glance at the clock confirmed it was past noon, and Annika headed out from his office for her afternoon shift at the cafe.

The cafe bustled with the usual lunchtime crowd. Annika juggled orders, delivering steaming cups of coffee and clearing tables with practiced efficiency. A snippet of conversation from a nearby table snagged her attention. Two young women were gossiping, their voices laced with a familiar name – Shivay Singh Oberoi.

Annika couldn't help but lean in subtly, her movements disguised as cleaning the next table. The short-haired girl was saying, "I can't believe it! I was on a date with the Oberoi heir himself, but he acted totally disinterested. Here I am, a beauty pageant winner, and he wouldn't even acknowledge me! Now I hear he's getting married."

The other girl chimed in, "Right? But apparently, she's some poor nobody. Maybe some kind of contract marriage, or she trapped him for his money. You know how these girls operate. If I knew who she was before the wedding, I'd put her in her place."

The first girl scoffed, "Absolutely! And wait till that Oberoi sees me crowned Miss India! He'll realize his wife can't hold a candle to my beauty. That poor girl must be a total nobody."

Annika's stomach clenched. Hearing their callous remarks about her, a wave of indignation washed over her. This was just a taste of what she might face after the wedding – judgment, assumptions, and malicious gossip.  Thankfully, the secrecy clause in the contract offered some protection.  Imagine a world where every girl felt entitled to comment on her looks or her place beside Shivay?  Shivering at the thought, Annika steeled herself and refocused on her work. The negativity wasn't worth her energy.

********************************

Kindly  vote 🙏 and leave a comment for improvement of story.

********************************