Game of Love - Destiny lies in the thrill of romance

Chapter 4

The car ride back to the mansion was silent at first. Agastya sat in the driver's seat, his sharp jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the road. His presence filled the car with an overwhelming intensity, and even though Mansi was bold by nature, his cold demeanor made her uneasy.

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, trying to figure him out. Agastya was a billionaire, a man who lived in a world of power and danger, known not just for his wealth but for his whispered connections to the underworld. Rumors swirled around him—his empire built on both legal and illicit ventures, a shadowy figure who controlled far more than just his businesses. Yet, here she was, sitting beside him, trying to crack the ice wall that surrounded him.

But Mansi wasn't the type to stay quiet for long. Despite the intimidating aura he gave off, she had a natural charm, an energy that lit up every room she entered. She loved to talk, to connect with people, to bring warmth wherever she went. And though Agastya was far from welcoming, she felt a growing urge to say something, anything, to break the silence.

Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta, and she took a deep breath, forcing herself to speak. "So..." she started, her voice breaking the silence like a drop of water in a still pond. "That aarthi was beautiful, wasn't it? The atmosphere, the chanting... it felt so peaceful."

Agastya didn't respond immediately. His hands remained firm on the steering wheel, his eyes straight ahead, as if her words hadn't even registered. But Mansi wasn't the type to give up easily.

"You don't talk much, do you?" she asked with a nervous laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "I guess... you're more of the silent, brooding type. But, you know, I'm not so bad at conversation. People say I can make anyone talk." She flashed a quick smile, more to herself than to him, as she waited for a reaction.

Agastya's eyes flickered toward her for the briefest moment, then returned to the road. His silence was louder than words, his presence almost suffocating. Mansi bit her lip. She was starting to regret trying to fill the silence, but she couldn't stop now. The tension was too much for her to bear in silence. "You can ask me anything, you know," she blurted out, her boldness suddenly surprising even herself. "I mean, it's only fair. You've been all mysterious and closed off, but I'm sitting here trying to understand what's going on in that head of yours. It's not easy, you know." This time, Agastya's jaw tightened, and after a few moments, he finally spoke. His voice was low, rough, and deliberate. "You don't need to understand anything, Mansi," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're in my world now, and in my world, questions are a luxury you can't afford." The words hit her like a splash of cold water. It was a warning, clear and sharp. But instead of shrinking back, Mansi felt a spark of defiance rise in her chest.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Annoyed, she turned toward him, her voice sharp as she broke the silence. "How long until we reach the mansion?"

Agastya didn't even glance at her. His hands remained firmly on the steering wheel, his jaw set in a tight line. For a moment, Mansi thought he might ignore her again, but then he spoke, his tone dripping with irritation.

"Madam, this is not a Uber or a taxi," he snapped, his voice cold and condescending. "So I don't owe you a play-by-play of where we are, where we're going, or how long it'll take. Do I look like a taxi driver to you?" He shot her a cocky glance, one eyebrow raised as if daring her to respond.

The words hit her like a slap. His arrogance, the way he spoke to her as if she were beneath him—it made something inside her snap. She wasn't about to let him talk to her like that, billionaire or not.

Mansi turned in her seat to face him fully, her boldness flaring. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice edged with anger. "First of all, I'm not your 'madam,' and second, I wasn't asking you for a favor. I just wanted to know how long it'll take to get back because unlike you, I actually respect other people's time."