Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*some tips from his ex *

***author's pov***

As Arjun’s gaze remained fixed on Aayara, she felt the weight of his anger pressing down on her. The silence was deafening, and she swallowed hard, trying to steady her racing heart. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, he turned sharply, his attention shifting toward the entrance.

Akriti entered the room, her presence commanding immediate attention. She wore a fitted crop top and a sleek skirt that accentuated her figure, confidence radiating from her with every step. Aayara could see the way Arjun’s expression shifted, his dark demeanor momentarily softening as he acknowledged his ex-girlfriend.

“Arjun!” Akriti called out, her voice smooth and inviting. She made her way toward him with a bright smile that seemed to light up the room. “It’s so good to see you!”

Aayara felt a knot form in her stomach as she watched the two interact. Akriti approached Arjun with a familiarity that made her heart race with insecurity. “I didn’t think you’d be here tonight. I thought you’d be too busy with work.”

Arjun maintained a stoic expression, but Aayara noticed the flicker of something in his eyes—a hint of warmth reserved for the past. “I have some business to take care of,” he replied, his voice steady yet distant.

Akriti laughed lightly, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “You always did know how to balance work and play. It’s nice to see you haven’t changed.” She leaned in closer, her hand lightly touching his arm, and Aayara felt a pang of jealousy shoot through her.

“Yeah, well… some things never change,” Arjun said, his tone flat, pulling his arm away from her touch just slightly.

Aayara stood off to the side, a mix of anger and frustration bubbling inside her. She felt invisible as Arjun engaged with Akriti, the warmth she had hoped to share with him now dissipating. Trying to regain her composure, she took a deep breath and approached them, forcing a smile despite the turmoil within.

“Hi, Akriti,” Aayara said, trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s been a while.”

Akriti turned to her, her smile widening. “Oh, Aayara! You look lovely tonight.” There was a hint of condescension in her tone, as if she were sizing her up.

“Thank you,” Aayara replied, her heart racing. “I hope you’re enjoying the party.”

Akriti shrugged, glancing back at Arjun. “It’s all right. Just thought I’d drop by to see some familiar faces.” She leaned a little closer to Arjun, her body language inviting.

Aayara felt her heart drop. “Well, we’re all glad to see you,” she managed, her voice tight.

“Arjun, you should introduce us properly,” Akriti said, her voice playful. “I mean, after all, we do have some history, don’t we?”

Arjun’s jaw clenched at her words, and Aayara could see the tension rising. He was clearly uncomfortable, yet he didn’t say anything. The silence stretched on, and Aayara could feel Akriti’s gaze shifting back and forth between them, as if she were enjoying the discomfort.

“Right,” Arjun finally said, his tone clipped. “Aayara, this is Akriti, my… past.”

Aayara’s heart sank at the word “past,” feeling as if it encapsulated everything that had gone wrong between them. “Nice to meet you again, Akriti,” she said, forcing a polite smile.

“Likewise, Aayara,” Akriti said, her smile sharp. “I hope you’re keeping Arjun on his toes. He can be a little… predictable at times.”

Aayara felt her temper rising but chose to ignore the provocation. “I’m doing my best,” she replied, her voice steady.

Arjun shot Aayara a warning look, and she understood that he wanted her to hold her tongue. But the tension in the air was thick, and she found it hard to suppress her irritation. “Maybe you should give him some tips,” she said, unable to resist a slight jab.

Akriti laughed lightly, unfazed by the comment. “Oh, I’m sure I could teach him a thing or two. You know how it is, keeping a man like him interested.” Her eyes sparkled with challenge as she leaned closer to Arjun, oblivious to the growing storm brewing around them.

Arjun’s expression darkened, and Aayara could see the flicker of anger in his eyes. “That’s enough, Akriti,” he said firmly, stepping slightly away from her. “I’m not interested in rehashing old memories.”

Akriti raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence. “Of course, but you can’t blame me for trying, can you? Some of us still remember the fun times.”

Aayara’s breath quickened at the implication, and she clenched her fists at her sides. The mix of jealousy and anger threatened to overwhelm her, but she tried to remain composed.

As Arjun walked away with Akriti, he couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Aayara's narrowed eyes and clenched fists. He relished the small victory over her jealousy, even if it was at the expense of his wife's feelings. Arjun had a knack for knowing how to push her buttons, and tonight, he was feeling particularly vindictive.

“Let’s grab something a little stronger,” Akriti suggested, her tone light and flirtatious as she leaned closer to him. “I hear the cocktails here are exceptional.”

“Sure, why not?” Arjun replied, his eyes still darting back to Aayara, who stood stiffly with her arms crossed, visibly struggling to mask her discomfort.

As they made their way through the crowd, Arjun felt a rush of exhilaration. He enjoyed the attention, the thrill of being pursued by someone like Akriti, even if it was purely for the sake of stirring the pot with Aayara. The tension between him and Aayara was palpable, and he couldn’t resist the urge to provoke her further.

At the bar, Akriti leaned over to order their drinks, her body angled towards him, giving him a clear view of her curves. Arjun played along, engaging in light banter, but his mind was still half on Aayara. He was acutely aware of her watching them from a distance, her frustration evident in the way her jaw was set.

“You know,” Akriti said, turning back to him with a playful smile, “I always knew you had a thing for the dramatic. What’s your wife going to think when she sees us together?”

Arjun chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. “Honestly, I’m not too worried about it. Aayara can handle herself. Besides, I think she needs a little push to wake up.”

Akriti raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You think she’s too naive?”

“I think she’s too trusting,” he replied, his tone serious for a moment. “She believes I’m completely devoted to her, but I’ve got a reputation to uphold, you know?”

Akriti laughed lightly, the sound tinged with a hint of flirtation. “Oh, I see. Playing the bad boy, huh? It suits you. But don’t forget, she’s not as clueless as you might think.”

Arjun shrugged, pretending to be nonchalant. “Let’s see how she reacts. I could use a little excitement in my life.”

As they made their way back to the main hall, Akriti wrapped her arm around his, her laughter echoing in his ears. Arjun took a moment to appreciate the way people watched them, the whispers and glances that followed. It felt good to be desired, to be the center of attention.

Meanwhile, Aayara stood near the edge of the crowd, her heart racing with a mix of anger and betrayal. Watching Arjun laugh with Akriti sent a sharp pang of jealousy through her. She forced herself to look away, reminding herself that she needed to stay composed, but the sight of them together felt like a punch to the gut.