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Aisha's hands trembled as she poured tea for the guests. Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi, Aryan's parents, sat in the living room.
Their polished smiles hid underlying tensions.
"Aryan will join us soon," Vishal assured and aisha's mother nalini beamed.
"We're thrilled about the alliance."
Aisha's heart sank. She felt trapped.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Excuse me," nalini said and went to open the door. She returned with Aryan's younger brother, Reyansh Oberoi
"Aryan's running late," reyansh apologized taking a seat next to his parents.
"Work emergency," he explained so that everything goes well.
Aisha's anxiety grew.
What would Aryan be like?
Would he accept her?
But she does not want to marry Aryan because he is very bad. She has heard about him... he's killing and how he uses girls for his needs.
Will he use her to?
She wanted to cry but she can't.
Time ticked by and aisha's nerves frayed.
Vishal checked his watch. "Aryan should be here by now."
Vishal's brow furrowed. "Busy, as always." He said while shaking his head.
Kavan excused himself taking out his phone and with a nervous smile "Need to make a call."
Raj attempted small talk. "Tell us, Mr. Oberoi, how's business?"
Mr. Oberoi's expression turned grave.
"Challenging, but Aryan's expertise helps."
Suddenly, the door opened. Aryan stood in the doorway and everyone's attention on him.
"Apologies for the delay," he said taking a seat. His eyes swept the room. Lingering on Aisha. Aisha's heart skipped a beat.
Aisha look up at Aryan and lost herself in his handsomeness.
He's tall, has athelete body, broad shoulders, he's wearing a white shirt with top two buttons open revealing his hard rock chest. His hairs are messy
She looks in his eyes, all dark, piercing and commanding gaze as if boring into her soul.
When Aryan looks at aisha, His eyes narrow slightly, assessing Pupils constrict, as if sizing up prey Iris seems to darken, like a stormy night No softness, no warmth, only icy detachment.
Aisha shivers under his gaze, feeling:
Aryan's eyes reflect his ruthless nature, a window to his calculating soul.
His's gaze didn't warm. No smile. No acknowledgement.
Aisha's doubts grew as she ask herself.
Did he want this marriage?
Mr. Oberoi stood. "Aryan, beta, come, meet Aisha."
Aryan's stride was purposeful. No hesitation.
"Aisha," he said, his voice low. Aisha's hands trembled when he handshake firmly.
"H..hello" she said while looking down, not wanting to meet his eyes.
Perfunctory.
Aisha sensed distance.
Emotional walls.
There was a spark in his touch but she quickly pull her hand back. And hesitant.
"Let the childrens talk" Nita said and Vishal look at Aryan with a firm face but said aggred.
Aisha lead the way to the garden, she feel his intense gaze on her back. She was wearing a light pink anarkali which has a backless back just with a dori.
The garden's entrance, flanked by ornate stone pillars, opens onto a meticulously manicured lawn. Vibrant flowers - roses, jasmine, and lavender - bloom in perfectly arranged beds, filling the air with sweet fragrances.
Aryan's gaze locked onto Aisha's delicate features. Her beauty struck him like a thunderbolt.
He had expected a bland, obedient wife. Instead, Aisha's sparkling eyes and luscious hair ignited a fire within.
Aryan's calculating mind reeled. This was not part of the plan.
For the first time, he felt loss of control.
Aisha, sensing his intense stare and trembled. "Aryan, please," she whisper.
"Please what?"
"Don't look at me like that." She said looking away in anger and fear.
Aryan's eyes narrowed. "Like what?"
"Like you own me," she replied facing him, her voice barely audible.
Aryan's smile twisted. "I do own you, Aisha. Soon, you'll be mine."
Aisha's heart racing, she stepped back. But Aryan's gaze held her captive. He saw the fear, the reluctance. And it fueled his obsession.
"I..I will never agree to this marriage, I hate you. You're so bad." She said, her voice shaky.
"Is that so?" He said while stepping closer to her. He pull her roughly against him and she land on his chest.
But she doesn't look at up which made his blood boil. He hold her jaw tight and force her to look up at him while she hissed in pain
"A..Aryan please stop." She struggle against him.
"My name sounds so good from your sweet little mouth. I would love to hear you scream." Their faces was inches away. His lips hovering above hers.
"I'm not marrying you at all." She said against his lips and pull back. "I'm not scared of you."
He didn't say anything and made him way back to the living room where everyone was and aisha follow him behind.
The families look at them as they take a seat. Aryan's eyes were stuck on aisha, on her small frame. Her rosy lips, wavy curl hairs bouncing till her waist.
His mind run with unholy thoughts as an evil smirk appears on his face.
Nita's voice broke the silence. "Aryan, dear, it's time to finalize the engagement."
Aryan's jaw clenched, his eyes still locked on Aisha.
"Aryan?" Nita prompted.
With a curt nod, Aryan spoke, his voice low and husky. "I accept."
Aisha's heart sank. She felt trapped, bound to a man who didn't love her.
Nita beamed. "Excellent! The wedding will be in two weeks."
"In my opinion, let's get them engaged tomorrow" Vishal said in a serious tone.
"Yes, it will be good to get over with the wedding as soon as possible" Raj said while looking at aisha and aryan who are sitting beside eachother.
Aisha can't help but think how can her own father say this? Get over with the wedding? Is she a burden on him?
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Shadows Of Deception || 18+
Romance"How could you?" he growled, his voice muffled against her lips. Aisha's eyes widened, shock and desire warring within her. "You think you can just walk in here and question me?" Aryan's words were laced with anger. His kiss deepened, his tongue cla...
