Born to Love You

21- My choice

Aru's Pov:

The next morning, I woke up earlier than I usually would—certainly earlier than my lazy self back at home. There was an urgency in me now, a need to carve out a little more time for myself, free from the oppressive weight of his presence. This was my chance to breathe, even if only for a short while.

I moved quickly, getting dressed with a quiet determination, choosing my outfit with more care than I had in the past. There was something about being here, in this unfamiliar space, that made me want to prepare, to put on a layer of armor before stepping back into the world.

The room was still and quiet, the soft light of morning filtering through the large windows, casting a serene glow. For the first time in what felt like forever, I had a few moments to myself, and I intended to savor them. I grabbed my bag, trying to keep my movements light and silent, not wanting to stir any attention.

With a deep breath, I stepped out, grateful for the early start and the small window of freedom it granted me before the day ahead would inevitably pull me back into his orbit.

I couldn't find him anywhere thankgod, and my stomach growled in protest. I was starving, but I had no idea what to do. The kitchen. My mind wandered, wondering if that monster even ate food, or if he just fed off human misery. Or blood.

With no other option, I ventured into the kitchen, hoping to at least find a piece of bread. As I stepped in, I was surprised to see a woman, likely in her 50s, busy preparing breakfast. She turned around when she heard my footsteps, her face lighting up with a warm, genuine smile. It wasn't the reaction I expected. I braced myself for indifference or even coldness, but instead, she radiated a homely vibe that instantly made me feel more at ease.

"So, you're the girl our sir married?" she asked, her eyes kind. "You look absolutely gorgeous. His taste has always been good!" she added with a laugh, as if there was something deeply amusing about it all.

Her warmth caught me off guard, and despite everything, I found myself smiling back at her. She felt so out of place in this cold, intimidating world, yet her presence was like a small piece of home I desperately needed.

"Oh, sorry! Let me introduce myself, ma'am," she said with a bright smile. "I'm Swetha, the personal cook for Aryan sir. From now on, for you both," she added with a chuckle. "Feel free to ask me anything you want to eat, and I'll be happy to serve you. I have no business with anything else in this home—just cooking during meal times and leaving. But if you need help with anything else, I'm here, ma'am."

I was slightly confused by her insistence on calling me "ma'am," especially since she was older than me. "Please, don't make me feel embarrassed by calling me ma'am, Aunty. My name is Aradhya, but you can call me Aru," I replied with a wink. "Thank you for your warmth; I've needed it the most."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Sorry, ma'am. I'm just not used to it... and here's your breakfast," she said, presenting me with a green smoothie and a vegetable sandwich. My mouth watered at the sight of it; I could almost taste the freshness.

"No, Aunty, please feel free to be yourself around me. I'm really glad I finally made a friend here who feels like home. If you need help with anything, please let me know," I said, my heart swelling with gratitude for her kindness. Her genuine warmth was a welcome contrast to the coldness that permeated the rest of this place, and for the first time since I had arrived, I felt a flicker of comfort in this unfamiliar environment.

"If sir hears me calling you that, he will kill me," she said, her tone half-joking, half-serious. "I've been working for him since his teens, since the time he's been living alone." Her words piqued my curiosity. Why would he have lived alone from such a young age when he had a beautiful family? But then again, I reminded myself, rich people had their own complexities, things I couldn't quite grasp.

"Don't worry about it, Aunty. He wouldn't mind," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. I knew deep down that he would mind, but this was my choice—to assert some kind of normalcy and warmth in my life here.

"Sure, A-r-u," she said, hesitating slightly, but I felt a rush of happiness at the sound of my chosen name. I was enjoying this little conversation, a welcome distraction from the storm brewing behind me.

But then, just as I started to relax, I felt a cold presence hovering in the background. It sent a shiver down my spine, and I turned slightly, my heart racing.

"Is this why you're here sweths, what did I tell you?" came his voice, cold and detached, cutting through the warmth of the moment like ice. The tension in the room shifted immediately, and I felt my smile falter as I glanced back at him. His expression was unreadable, but I sensed the weight of his scrutiny pressing down on me

I protested in her defense, trying to stand my ground. "It isn't her fault; I was the one who made her talk. And it's my choice," I said firmly. But as he stepped closer, the atmosphere shifted. He moved near my ear, and a shiver ran through my spine as he spoke, his voice low and menacing. "You have lost the ability to make your own choices since the day you were tied to me, wifey," he said slowly, his words barely above a whisper, meant only for me. Hearing him felt like a blow to my confidence, leaving me feeling weak and exposed.

I wanted to fight back, to argue against his oppressive words, but deep down, I knew it would be futile. I looked at him, my doe eyes pleading for some understanding, but he remained unyielding.

He was dressed impeccably, embodying the very essence of a millionaire. His sleek hair was styled flawlessly, each strand falling perfectly into place, enhancing his chiseled features. His jawline was sharp, and high cheekbones gave him an aristocratic air. He wore a tailored navy suit that hugged his frame just right, exuding both power and sophistication. The fabric looked luxuriously soft, with a subtle sheen that spoke of high quality. A crisp white dress shirt peeked out from beneath the jacket, the top button surprisingly not undone(just how I like it), adding a hint of nonchalance to his otherwise polished look. A silk tie in a deep burgundy completed the ensemble, accentuating the richness of the suit.

As he stood there, radiating confidence and authority, I couldn't help but feel small and overwhelmed by the sheer presence of him. Everything about him—the way he carried himself, the clothes he wore, the air of superiority—was a constant reminder of the world I had been thrust into, a world where my choices felt increasingly out of reach.

Swetha Aunty quickly stepped in, trying to break the cold tension that had enveloped us. "Sir, forgive me for this. It's not Ma'am's fault, and it won't happen again in the future," she said, her voice filled with concern.

I felt a surge of anger rise within me, but I refused to let it consume me. "You can call me Aru, Aunty. We don't have to be afraid of anything or anyone," I defended, my voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling inside me. I was fuming, but I gulped hard, determined not to step back from this monster standing before me.

He rolled his eyes, his annoyance palpable, and then, in an utterly infuriating display, he reached for the breakfast that had been set out for me and left. The audacity! I was so hungry, but in his presence, my appetite had evaporated, replaced by a simmering anger.

Swetha Aunty caught my eye and smiled reassuringly. "That's his way of saying he's okay with it, let me quickly make another one for you" she said with a light laugh, her attempt to ease the tension palpable. With which she continued "He can be cold sometimes but..." sometimes? All times! "But he has a heart of gold, you'll eventually know kid.." I forced a smile back at her, feeling awkward as I navigated the strange dynamic. Gold? I mentally laughed.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and defiance thinking about him. This was my battle, and even if he tried to assert his dominance, I wasn't going to let him win so easily. I needed to find a way to stand my ground in this world he had created—a world where I was expected to be silent and compliant.

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