Lucky To Have You

Jealous

Once Varun was convinced she was feeling better, he gave her hand one last gentle squeeze, offering her an encouraging smile before he left the room to focus on his work.

Over the past month, Varun had been working from home to spend more time with her and make sure she was comfortable with his family, and the gesture hadn't gone unnoticed by her.

There was something comforting in knowing he was nearby, even when he wasn’t in the room with her.

As soon as he left, Ananya took a deep breath, her mind shifting from the tender moments they’d just shared to the responsibilities awaiting her.

She grabbed her laptop, her focus sharpening as she opened up the files Neha had sent. She reviewed the project documents, noting the adjustments that needed her input, meticulously making notes for Neha and Shourya on each section.

She had learned to balance efficiency with thoroughness, always wanting her work to reflect the best of her, even if it was hidden behind a pseudonym.

After going through the files Neha had sent over, Ananya realized she’d need Shourya’s help to finalize everything with her signature.

She dialed Neha, her voice steady but firm. “Neha, I’ve gone over everything. Please ask Shourya to bring the papers over to Varun’s house for me to sign.”

“Understood, boss,” Neha replied smoothly. “Anything else?”

“Yes… tell Shourya to introduce himself as my friend, not as my assistant. I don’t want anyone here to suspect anything,” she added, her voice quiet but resolute.

Neha chuckled, a hint of amusement in her tone. “Got it. He’ll keep up appearances, don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s briefed.”

Ananya thanked her and hung up, preparing herself for the delicate balance she was maintaining—her hidden life as a businesswoman and the expectations here as Varun’s soon-to-be wife.

She glanced at her reflection, smoothing her hair and taking a deep breath. She knew it was important to keep her two worlds separate, but with Shourya arriving, there was a subtle tension in her that she couldn’t quite shake.

A short while later, a knock echoed at the front door. Ananya, who had been waiting in the hall, immediately stood up and moved toward the door, feeling a sense of relief at seeing Shourya’s familiar face.

She greeted him with a warm smile, her professional worries momentarily fading.

“Hey, Ananya,” Shourya said cheerfully, his casual tone a perfect match for the role of ‘old friend’ they’d agreed on.

He flashed her an easy smile, holding the paperwork in one hand and a small bag of her favorite snacks in the other.

“Come on in, Shourya,” she said, motioning for him to follow her. “Let’s go upstairs so we can go through everything.”

As they started toward the staircase, Varun appeared at the top landing, pausing mid-step as he spotted them.

Varun’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint darkening his gaze as he watched Ananya laugh with Shourya, her whole face lighting up in a way that twisted something fiercely possessive inside him.

He’d barely seen her look at him like that—open, happy, as if there was no one else in the world. But here she was, bringing this stranger into her space, laughing in that soft, enchanting way that had always been his alone to witness.

A pulse of jealousy burned through him, irrational and fierce, setting his nerves on edge. He didn’t know who this guy was, and frankly, he didn’t care.

All he knew was that he didn’t like the way Ananya’s attention was on someone else. It felt wrong, as if something precious was being taken right in front of him.

It was ridiculous, he knew that. But damn it, he wanted her attention—her smiles, her laughter, all those little moments she so easily gave to this “friend” of hers.

Varun’s jaw tightened, hands clenching as he fought the urge to stride over and pull her back, to wrap his arm around her and make it clear that she was his.

He hated the way Shourya stood so close, speaking in low, familiar tones that he had no business using. Varun couldn’t take his eyes off them, every touch, every shared smile feeling like a silent invasion, something that should be kept private.

She led Shourya upstairs, their footsteps fading down the hall toward her room. And that was it—seeing her so comfortable with this guy in her personal space pushed Varun over the edge.

He found himself following, unable to resist, every fiber of his being screaming to protect what was his. He could barely stand the thought of this man sitting in her room, hearing her laugh, seeing her in a way no one else should.

From the shadows, he watched the door close softly behind them, his stomach twisting in knots. What was he doing here? What did he mean to her?

Varun’s mind spun with possessive thoughts, his pulse racing. He knew she had the right to friends, of course, but that didn’t make it any easier. Especially when every instinct he had was telling him to pull her close, to remind her who she belonged with.

He leaned back against the wall, unable to shake the jealousy gnawing at him. For a moment, he considered barging in, staking his claim right there and making it clear that Ananya was his to hold, his to protect, his to cherish.