Born to Love You

31- Party

Aryan's Pov:

I felt a pang of guilt after rejecting her proposal to be friends, but I needed to maintain distance. I couldn't keep breaking my character because of her. She was messing with my head in ways I didn't want to admit. I was determined to stay grounded.

The next day, while I was busy thinking about how to move forward, Disha called. She said Mr. Adani was throwing a party for our one-month anniversary, something he couldn't do during the wedding. Great, just what I needed—another reason to play the perfect husband. And apparently, it was going to be big, with important people attending, so Disha insisted we had to be there.

I sighed and decided to inform Aradhya. When I told her about it, she let out a deep sigh of frustration. "I have exams coming up, sir," she said, sounding almost pleading. "I really need to study."

I shrugged, my tone indifferent. "It's not like we have a choice. We have to attend."

She rolled her eyes and mumbled something under her breath before I added, "We need to buy something to wear for tomorrow. Come with me."

That caught her off guard. Her eyes widened, a mix of surprise and confusion crossing her face. "You want me to come along?" she asked, sounding as if I'd asked her to climb Everest.

I nodded. "Yeah. We'll pick something out together. It's a big event."

She blinked a few times, clearly not expecting me to involve her. It wasn't like I had a sudden desire to go shopping with her, but we had to present a united front. It wasn't about us—it was about showing up as the perfect couple.

Her hesitation told me she wasn't used to this, and I wasn't either. But I couldn't let her softness break through my walls again.

"Be ready by five," I said, leaving no room for negotiation, and I walked out before she could respond.

*

Once we entered Maison De Luxe, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The bodyguards flanked us, creating a wall of protection as the staff greeted us with warm smiles and eager assistance. It felt like a red-carpet event, just without the flashing cameras. I had cleared the store for us for a few hours, ensuring that we could shop in peace.

"Welcome to Maison De Luxe! How may we assist you today?" one of the staff members chimed, eyeing Aradhya appreciatively as she scanned the luxurious surroundings.

"We're just browsing," I said with a wave, but I could tell the staff was itching to show off their finest pieces.

Aradhya was in her element, exploring the racks of dazzling dresses and exquisite gowns. I let her take the lead while I silently enjoyed watching her excitement. But then she hesitated near the lingerie section, her gaze landing on a display of delicate lace bras.

"I think I might need some... bras," she said, her cheeks flushing.

"Bras?" I echoed, feigning ignorance. "What are those?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and I couldn't help but chuckle. "I'll get them. You can see your outfit for tomorrow!"

"Wait, you can't just—" she started, but I was already striding toward the lingerie display, feigning dramatic seriousness.

"I insist. A lady needs her essentials." I picked up a lacy red bra that looked like it would practically melt off the rack. "How about this one? It screams confidence. Perfect for when you need to seduce someone."

She rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated, but I caught the hint of a smile lurking on her lips. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Why? I'm just trying to help you be prepared. This is what friends do, right?" I grinned, enjoying her discomfort.