Chapter 14 - Oversized Shoes

Adhya was dead to the world.

Wrapped in a cocoon of warmth, she groggily dragged herself out of bed, her hair an untamed mess, eyes barely open as she shuffled downstairs. Dressed in sleep shorts and an oversized tee, she moved on autopilot toward the kitchen, her brain having only one goal—coffee.

"Coffee," she mumbled, slumping over the counter, resting her head on her folded arms. "Someone... please..."

There was silence for a moment, then a deep, all-too-familiar voice spoke.

"You look like a disaster."

Adhya's eyes shot open.

Reyan.

Sitting right beside her. At her kitchen counter. In a full suit. Drinking coffee.

he shot up so fast she nearly fell off her stool. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

Reyan sipped his coffee, completely unfazed. "You took too long to wake up."

"That doesn't explain why you're in my house!" she shrieked, scrambling to adjust her clothes.

Aarav, sitting across from them, was barely holding in his laughter. "Reyan wanted to make sure you wouldn't escape today's work, so he let himself in. You were sleeping like a baby, drooling on your pillow, by the way."

"I DO NOT DROOL!" Adhya yelled, horrified.

Reyan raised an eyebrow. "You do."

She turned beet red. "WHY WERE YOU EVEN WATCHING ME SLEEP?!"

Reyan simply finished his coffee and stood up, buttoning his suit jacket. "Get ready. We're going to the venue."

Adhya blinked. Then blinked again. "What venue? Why are you here at my house? Why are you dressed like it's Monday? It's SUNDAY!"

Aarav sat there grinning. "Good morning, Reyan. I see you're already regretting your life choices."

Reyan smirked. "Not yet. But give it time."

Adhya gasped, glaring at him. "You're unbelievable."

Reyan glanced at his watch. "And you're late. Go get ready. We're leaving in twenty minutes."

Adhya groaned dramatically, throwing her head back. "Ugh, you're worse than an alarm clock."

Still, she stomped back upstairs, swearing under her breath.

Of course, if Adhya Chauhan had to step out, even on a casual Sunday, she had to make a statement.

Dressed in a chic white blazer dress with intricate pearl embellishments, sleek waves in her hair, and impossibly high designer heels, she stepped out of Reyan's car with confidence.

Or at least, she tried to.

The venue was still under construction. Scattered wooden planks, half-built stages, and wires everywhere made it not the ideal place for stilettos.

Adhya took a step forward—and immediately wobbled.

Reyan sighed beside her. "Why am I not surprised?"

She shot him a glare, grabbing his arm for balance. "How was I supposed to know we were walking into a war zone?"

Without a word, Reyan turned around and walked to the car. A minute later, he returned, carrying something in his hand.

A pair of his shoes.

He held them out to her. "Wear these."

Adhya's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

He bent slightly, placing them on the ground in front of her. "Unless you want to break your ankle."

Her heart did a weird little flip. He didn't just bring any shoes—he brought the ones that were slightly smaller, the ones that might fit her a little better.

Slowly, she slipped off her heels and slid her feet into the oversized shoes.

It looked ridiculous. The shoes swallowed her feet, making her look like a little kid playing dress-up. But for some reason, she couldn't stop smiling.

Reyan, of course, picked up her designer heels and carried them himself.

Her chest squeezed at the sight.

She looked up at him, a teasing smile curling her lips. "You know, this is very boyfriend-y behavior. Carrying my shoes, giving me yours. People might think you actually like me."

Reyan exhaled through his nose, ignoring her as he started walking. "You talk too much."

She grinned, jogging after him, his shoes flopping comically with every step.

As they walked through the venue, Adhya's eyes lit up. "Okay, so this stage needs to be bigger. The lighting has to be softer, not harsh. And we need the perfect seating arrangement. Also—"

Reyan half-listened as she went on and on, waving her hands dramatically, completely in her element. She looked so alive when she talked about fashion, so full of passion.

And for some reason, he couldn't stop looking at her.

Adhya caught his stare and smirked. "Are you even listening?"

Reyan blinked, then cleared his throat. "No."

She gasped. "You're such a liar. You were totally staring at me."

He turned away, jaw clenching. "You're imagining things."

Adhya simply giggled, holding onto his arm for support as they walked, her oversized shoes clunking against the floor.

And just like that, Reyan Malhotra was doomed.