The Promised Queen

𝓉𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓇

HRUDAY

The morning had been unbearable. Since the night at the club, things between Ridhima and me had become... complicated. More complicated than they had already been. We'd kissed—an unexpected, heat-of-the-moment, desperate kiss. 

And now we couldn't even look at each other without that kiss flashing back into our minds. At least, it flashed back into mine more often than I'd care to admit.

The office buzzed with the usual energy—phones ringing, people hustling in and out of meetings, papers rustling. But every time I walked past Ridhima's desk, the energy between us crackled with something awkward and unspoken. 

She'd avoid my gaze, and I'd pretend like I didn't notice, but it was painfully obvious we were both trying not to think about what had happened.

Of course, that was impossible.

My thoughts kept drifting back to it. The way her lips had felt against mine—soft but demanding, the way her body had pressed against mine with a need that had caught me completely off guard. I couldn't shake the memory, no matter how hard I tried. 

Every time I caught a glimpse of her, I found my gaze lingering on her mouth, and my brain unhelpfully replayed the feeling of kissing her. I'd snap out of it, usually by scolding myself for thinking about her at all.

The tension was unbearable, especially when we'd awkwardly run into each other in the hallway, both of us mumbling half-hearted greetings, then quickly darting off in different directions. 

I was supposed to be the prince of Suryagarh, a man who commanded the respect of his kingdom, and yet I couldn't have a normal conversation with Ridhima without stuttering like an idiot.

And of course, today we were stuck in a meeting. Together. In the same room. Fantastic.

We were sitting at the long conference table, a row of employees on either side, all waiting for Ishaan to start the presentation. I kept my focus on the folder in front of me, pretending to read the notes, but I couldn't stop my thoughts from wandering. I could feel her presence next to me—too close. 

I could smell the faint hint of her perfume, and my brain, traitorous as ever, reminded me of how good she had smelled that night. My gaze shifted to her, despite my best efforts to keep it fixed on the folder.

And then it happened again—our eyes met.

Her lips parted slightly as if she was going to say something, but she quickly looked away, her cheeks turning pink. 

My heart gave an annoying thud, and I immediately looked down at the table, pretending I hadn't been staring.

"Alright, everyone," Ishaan's voice cut through the awkward silence, and I snapped to attention, grateful for the distraction. "Let's get this meeting started. We have some important numbers to review."

Ishaan was leading today's team meeting, something about new business ventures and investments. Normally, I'd be all over this, diving deep into the details, but today I couldn't focus. 

Not when Ridhima was sitting so close that I could feel the heat radiating off her. Every time she shifted in her seat, my stupid brain decided it was a good idea to sneak a glance at her. And every time I did, all I could think about was the kiss. 

The way her lips had felt, the way her breath had hitched when I pulled her closer, the way I wanted to kiss her again...

"...right, Hruday?" Ishaan's voice jolted me back to reality, and I blinked, realizing I had no idea what he'd just asked me.