Aakriti's POV

"King of Udaipur, Dhruv Singh Rathore, to Marry Award-Winning CEO Aakriti Nanda."

I saw the news of my wedding on the front page of the newspaper. There was a photo from our first date, and the article went into great detail about how we met on a blind date and supposedly fell deeply in love. But what love? I don't love him, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't love me either.

Our relationship is not about love—it's about expectations, family pressures, and living up to a role that's been assigned to us.

I can't help but feel frustrated reading about this so-called fairytale romance that doesn't exist. The media loves to create these stories around people they barely know, crafting an image that fits the narrative they want to tell. But the truth is far different.

It is strange to see this version of our story being shared with the world when it has nothing to do with reality. Dhruv doesn't love me; he is marrying me for the sake of his Dadu. It's not love. Dhruv, couldn't you have rejected me? Looks like I am really getting married to him. I don't think I can avoid marrying him. But I need to come up with a solution that can at least help me have a stress-free married life.

I discussed it with Meera and filled in all my conditions on the paper. Meera was constantly telling me that it was a bad idea, but I chose to ignore her words. I messaged Dhruv and asked him if I could meet him in his office. He replied instantly as if he was waiting for my message.

I entered his cabin and saw Kabir smiling at me goofily, and Dhruv had his usual cunning smile. As if he knows what I am here for. This man infuriates me. I smiled at Kabir and sternly looked at Dhruv.

"I need to talk to you." I said to Dhruv, and Kabir left us alone.

"You are here to talk about our marriage, right?"

"Yes, we can't escape this marriage."

"Happy late realization." He said with a mischievous smile.

"Don't mock me. We both don't want this marriage. Let's sign this contract and separate after six months." I said placing the contract in front of him. He took the file and started reading it carefully. He stared at me with a dead gaze.

"Contract marriage. Have you lost your mind? Do you realize how senseless you sound right now? Have you ever signed a contract that included emotions? Do you think we are playing games? My entire family is anticipating my marriage. My siblings have been waiting to have their Bhabhi for so long. Dadu is waiting for his granddaughter-in-law. Marrying me means entering my family. The family that I cherish and protect. Even though our marriage is loveless, it is still a marriage. Even if you don't like me, you will be my wife. I have to respect and protect you. You and I will share the same room and be a part of each other's major life events. Fine, you want it to be a contract, then tell me the benefits that I might get by signing this contract." He looked angrier than when he was drunk. Hearing his words made me realize my mistake. I have lost my mind. 

Can this contract work? Did I watch too many stupid series? To come up with such a stupid idea. What benefits can I give him? He is richer, more famous, and more powerful than me.

He came closer to me and played with my hair strands. He put the hair strand behind my ear and traced my ear.

"Acting to be lovey-dovey will be very tiring. Aren't you tired of pretending? Keeping the image of Miss Arrogant. Hiding your true self because you don't want to get hurt." He said, which shocked me. Why does he know everything? I didn't have the choice. If I had shown my naive side, those predators would have eaten me raw.

"Who said I am pretending? That is my nature." I said nervously.

"That's what I like about you." He said and came towards me. He stood mere inches away from me.

"Like..." I asked in confusion. Did I hear him right?

"I like your straightforward personality." He grabbed me by my waist and whispered in my ear. He always targets my ear, as if he knows that it is a sensitive area.

"Breathe, Miss Nanda. Breathe." He said with his usual smirk. He is playing with me. This man is dangerous for my health. 

"Then move aside. You are blocking the air, Mr. Rathore." I said and pushed him aside.

Dhruv's POV

"Bhai, look at this news. You both look so nice." Kabir showed me the newspaper.

"Why are you smiling in a sinister way? It makes me feel scared."

"I am excited to meet your bhabhi." She must be restless looking at this news. Her grandfather surely knows how to trigger her. I received her message an hour ago. She might be here any moment.

"Are you meeting her today?"

"Yes, so get lost."

Aakriti entered my cabin, and I smiled at her.

"I need to talk to you." She said, and Kabir left us alone.

"You are here to talk about our marriage, right?" I asked her.

"Yes, we can't escape this marriage." She said with a serious look.

"Happy late realization." I said, teasing her.

"Don't mock me. We both don't want this marriage. Let's sign this contract and separate after six months." I read the file, and my anger was boiling. She could really come up with all sorts of ideas just to not get married to me. Her grandfather was right; I might get old but will never be able to convince her to marry me. What makes her so scared to get married? But I need to marry her. Looks like my sweet style will not work here.

"Contract marriage. Have you lost your mind? Do you realize how senseless you sound right now? Have you ever signed a contract that included emotions? Do you think we are playing games? My entire family is anticipating my marriage. My siblings have been waiting to have their Bhabhi for so long. Dadu is waiting for his granddaughter-in-law. Marrying me means entering my family. The family that I cherish and protect. Even though our marriage is loveless, it is still a marriage. Even if you don't like me, you will be my wife. I have to respect and protect you. You and I will share the same room and be a part of each other's major life events. Fine, you want it to be a contract, then tell me the benefits that I might get by signing this contract." I said with anger, all my emotions came out, and her face played a series of emotions, changing every second. I went near her and played with her hair.

"Acting to be lovey-dovey will be very tiring. Aren't you tired of pretending? Keeping the image of Miss Arrogant. Hiding your true self because you don't want to get hurt." I said shocking her.

"Who said I am pretending? That is my nature." She said nervously.

"That's what I like about you." I moved towards her.

"Like..." She looked confused.

"I like your straightforward personality." I grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. I whispered in her ear.

"Breathe, Miss Nanda. Breathe." I said and watch her getting affected by my words.

"Then move aside. You are blocking the air, Mr. Rathore." She said savagely and pushed me aside. Oh gosh, I love this woman. Let's get married, baby.

"But you really think this contract will work. Do you think our marriage can end after six months peacefully?" I tried to calm myself. Why are you running away from me? Here I am dying to get married to you, and you are trying to ruin all my plans.

She came towards me, held my finger, and slightly pulled it.

"I am sorry." She said in a voice that was barely audible. She looked so adorable right now that all my anger just vanished. Baby, I will be madly obsessed with you if you act this cute in front of me.

"I didn't hear you." I said, teasing her.

"Sorry." she said. I pretended not to hear her and moved my ear towards her.

"I am sorry." She yelled in my ear.

"It's ok." I said, rubbing my ear.

"I agree with some of your conditions and will follow them."

"Which one?" She asked inquisitively.

"I will not interfere in your career and will not touch you without your permission. But signing this contract is out of context." I could see her relief after hearing my words. I want her to marry me with excitement, not fear. But at least marry me with relief.

"But let me clarify one thing: if any of us ever fall in love with anyone, we will get a divorce instantly instead of hurting each other." She said in serious mode.

"You are saying if you ever fall in love with me, you will divorce me. Won't it be weird? Don't people wish to be together with each other when they are madly in love with each other?" I said, trying to act confused.

"I am talking about falling in love with other people. Why am I falling in love with you? What I meant to say was, if one of us ever falls in love with someone else outside our marriage, we will end the marriage and set each other free. Never make our marriage suffocate us." She said.

"Ok." Divorce is never happening between us. I will make you fall in love with me, Miss Arrogant.

"Let me sit. I have used too much of my brain, and I am tired." I looked at her antics as she sat lazily on the chair.

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