Arranged Marriage

~Devil~

S H I V A A Y

••|••|••

With a sigh of relief, I finally completed the last page of the never-ending contract file. As I signed it, I shut it aside and sat back, my aching back grateful for the break. I reached for my reading glasses, feeling the strain in my eyes and the pointed pain shooting down my rib bone.

My half cabin was bathed in the warm, dusky glow of amber night lights, casting everything in a soothing, hazy light. On my side, however, a bright white light illuminated my workspace. To my left, the glass wall of my cabin revealed the outside world, illuminated by a soft, serene light. The view was a constant reminder of where I was now and where I wanted to go.

With hands in pockets, I walked to the window and looked outside. The heavy fog lent a sense of mystery and magic to the scene, with different lights and colors visible in the distance. It was as if I was standing above the clouds, on top of the world. I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment of respite, even as I knew that it would be fleeting.

Silence had completely engulfed the entire room, as my ears picked up on the sound of my own breathing, the tick-tock of the clock, and even the faintest of faint noises. It's not typical for this floor to remain so quiet, but at this late hour, no one is around in the building except for me and a handful of security guards.

Life as the CEO of Oberoi Empire has brought me a lot of glory, power, and prestige, but it also has its other side, the side that is not so easy to handle. In short time I have learnt that people tend to gravitate towards me for my wealth, possessions, and status, and seldom do they take an interest in who I am as a person. It becomes increasingly evident that individuals come into my life with their own selfish motives, and as a result, it has become easy for me to treat them the way they deserve.

You might think that being super-rich guarantees a stress-free life, free from pressure and secure from every angle, but that is far from the truth. The higher your position, the more your work pressure increases, your responsibilities grow, and your security becomes a greater concern. It's an unnerving feeling to know that you are surrounded by enemies 24/7, waiting for you to slip up so they can take everything you have, even your life.

But now, it's become a habit for me to work tirelessly, day or night, regardless of the circumstances. At first, it was terrifying, a battle against myself, but once I conquered myself, I knew I could conquer anything in this world.

As I turn around, I catch a glimpse of the time and take a seat. This seat represents the immense responsibility I carry at this moment.

It's already past eleven, and I'm certain that if my Dadi found out, she would scold me severely. The thought of her made me sigh heavily. These days she lectures me about my working hours, saying that soon I will be someone's "husband."

The whole idea of being someone's husband is absurd. It's just another unwanted responsibility I'll be tied to.

The thought of marriage reminds me of Anika.

Thinking about her, I can't deny that she seems different from any other woman I've met. Most women tend to fawn over me, demand things from me, and butter me up to get closer to me. In her case, it's the complete opposite. Despite myself, I find myself drawn to her unique personality. It's hard to fathom that she refused this marriage proposal. She's the first girl to ever turn me down, and it's a strange feeling.

I wonder what her intentions are. Does she have some ulterior motive?

Only time will tell. For now, it doesn't seem like it.