LOVE AGAIN | 18+ || ✔

☆ || E n c h a n t m e n t || ☆

"One way or another?
Every breath you take."

* * * * *

A A R N A

Right now, we're in his vanity van while he discusses some work with Jess. And what am I doing? Gawking at the marvellous set-up of his vanity. There's comfortable seating, makeup stations, mirrors with good lighting, a restroom, storage space, a gym, a living area, a bedroom, a restroom and more. This is wholesome.

"Alright. Mail me the copy of this script I will read it later." He orders Jess.

"See you later at the party," Jess hugs me before leaving. I press a small smile waving my hand.

"Which party she was talking about?"
I ask him as soon she leaves and his attention turns to me.

"There is a celebration for the director's success of another movie under Emma Parker's production house."

"Oh."
"Won't you go there?" His fingers run through his hair as he avoids looking at me.

Director's party it is. This Means Heer will be there too, and if he does, Paris will also be there. Is that why he's not willing to go there?

Before answering, his eyes stare into mine innocently, stopping for a needed silence when he asks, "Will you accompany me if I go?"

I bite my lips in anticipation, wondering over his question.

My lips pressed together when giving him a small smile, "You want me to?"

He observes my face with emotion and then gives a curt nod. I smile fully. "I'll come with you."

He stands to wash his stained hands in the wash basin.

"Ford and Alara's wedding reception is going to be there in the coming week. She's coming home to meet you maybe tomorrow." He washed his hands and turned to look at me. "Okay,"

"Why did you ask Ma to cancel our wedding reception?" He inquired catching me off guard. I inhale briefly. Then shrugged my shoulders. "You didn't seem settled with our marriage and it felt to me—"  I suck on my breath before eating back the words. "What felt to you?" He halts in his steps turning to face me while unbuttoning his shirt In slow steps. I inhale sharply.

"It— it felt to me like— I  didn't want you to feel burdened with this alliance. You asked me to expect less from this alliance."
His jaw tics when he closes his eyes, then turns his bare back to me, changing himself into a dark grey collared t-shirt. Splashing a good amount of freshwater onto his face, he wiped his face with the soft cloth. He didn't comb his hair but moved his fingers to set the dark curls at the end.

Didn't his director say anything when he shaved his beard and even shortened his hair a bit?
Wasn't it necessary for the movie?

He pinches the tip of his pale pink nose and then looks at me. The look in his eyes was severe, not some sort of amusement. His face had turned the lightest shade of pink, maybe because he had just washed it. And then the dark look in his eyes intimidates me even more.

"Stop calling this an alliance first, Aarna. We're not professional couples in a contract marriage. I've fuc— married you. Traditionally and legally, and to answer your overthinking, yes, I felt burdened. In fact, I was overburdened, not because of you but because I was overloaded with the emotions altogether. I'm not going to explain to you again and again what happened when we returned to New York."

My tongue runs over my lower lip understanding his words.
"I know now, but back then, I was unaware, that's why. Please don't be angry." My fingers held his biceps and his eyes softened a bit. His tongue clicks when he cups my cheeks softly, "I'm not getting angry Aarna. I'm just— " The soft pad of his thumb moved rhythmically at the corners of my lips.