Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*THE DREAM *

***author's pov***

Aayara slowly opened her eyes, feeling a dull ache in her body. The events of the night before flashed through her mind, leaving her with a mixture of emotions—uncertainty, exhaustion, and something else she couldn’t quite place. As she shifted slightly, she felt the warmth of a body next to her, and her heart skipped a beat.

Arjun was lying beside her, his head resting on her shoulder, his arm draped possessively across her waist. He looked peaceful, almost innocent, as he slept, a stark contrast to the ruthless, commanding man she had known him to be. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, and his expression was relaxed, his breathing steady.

She stared at him for a moment, her heart racing. It was hard to reconcile the image of him in this vulnerable state with the man who had always radiated power and control. Last night, he had been different—gentle, yet firm. She remembered the way he had held her, how his touch had made her feel both safe and overwhelmed.

Carefully, she tried to move, but his grip tightened slightly, pulling her closer. She froze, her breath hitching as she looked down at him. His face was calm, but there was still an intensity in his hold, a silent reminder of the man he truly was.

How did this even happen? she thought, her mind racing. Aayara had never imagined herself in this situation—wrapped in the arms of Arjun Oberoi Singhania, the ruthless mafia boss and businessman. Yet here they were, and a part of her couldn’t deny the strange comfort she felt in his embrace.

But there was also confusion, a deep unease gnawing at her. What did this mean for them? For her? She had always seen him from a distance, admired his power, but now... it was different. He was no longer just the untouchable tycoon. He was something more.

As she lay there, her body still aching from the night before, Aayara wondered what would happen when he woke up. Would he go back to being the cold, controlled man she had known, or had something shifted between them?

She sighed softly, her thoughts a jumble of questions she wasn’t ready to face. But for now, she couldn’t deny the warmth that came from being in his arms, even if it was temporary.

She closed her eyes again, trying to calm her racing heart, knowing that whatever came next, things would never be the same between them.

Aayara's phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her out of her tangled thoughts. She carefully reached for it, trying not to wake Arjun. The screen lit up with a message, and her heart sank as she read it: "Semester exams start next week."

She sighed heavily, feeling a wave of panic wash over her. I haven’t been to college in weeks, she thought, the reality of the situation hitting her hard. Her passion for becoming a chef had driven her for years, but now, with everything that had been happening—her father’s strange behavior, the unexpected encounters with Arjun—it felt like her life was spiraling out of control.

She glanced at Arjun, still fast asleep beside her, unaware of the storm brewing inside her mind. As much as she was drawn to him, being tangled in his world had distracted her from her own dreams. The thought of failing her exams terrified her. If she didn’t pass, her dream of becoming a chef—something she had worked so hard for—would slip through her fingers.

She rubbed her temples, trying to think. I have to go back, she told herself. I can’t let this happen. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t that simple. Getting her life back on track while being in Arjun’s world would take more than just showing up to class.

The pressure of balancing her ambitions and her growing involvement with Arjun felt overwhelming. She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of it all. She couldn’t afford to fail—not now, not after everything she had worked for.

But how could she focus on her studies when her life had become so complicated?

Aayara knew she couldn’t delay it any longer. She had to go back to college if she didn’t want to lose everything she had worked for. But the thought of talking to Arjun about it made her stomach twist. She wasn’t sure how he would react.

She gently shifted, trying to free herself from his arm without waking him, but her movement caused him to stir. His grip tightened momentarily before he blinked his eyes open, his dark gaze immediately locking onto hers. He looked at her intently, his expression unreadable.

"You're awake," he murmured, his voice low and slightly rough from sleep.

Aayara swallowed hard, feeling the weight of what she needed to say. "Arjun, I... I need to go to college," she said softly, her voice trembling. "My semester exams are coming up, and I haven’t attended classes in a while. I can’t afford to fail."

Arjun’s eyes darkened slightly, his expression hardening as he sat up, his gaze sharp and assessing. "College?" he repeated, his tone carrying an edge. He seemed to weigh her words, as if he was deciding how to respond.

Aayara felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew Arjun was used to controlling everything in his world, and she had no idea how he would take this. But she had to stand firm. Her dream of becoming a chef was on the line, and she couldn’t let it slip away because of him, no matter how much he intimidated or captivated her.

"I can’t let this go, Arjun," she added, her voice a little stronger now. "This is important to me. I need to go back to finish my exams."

Arjun’s gaze remained fixed on her for a long moment, his jaw tightening. She could feel the tension in the air, his dominant personality not used to being challenged or hearing anything other than obedience. But she held his gaze, determined.

Finally, he exhaled, his expression softening just a fraction. "Fine," he said, his voice calm but still carrying that underlying authority. "You’ll go to college. But I’ll arrange for my men to keep an eye on you. I won’t take any risks with your safety."

Aayara nodded, relief washing over her even though she knew this wasn’t going to be easy. She had gotten his approval, but with Arjun, nothing came without strings attached.