Chapter 16: Breaking the Ice (Or Trying To)

The next day, Adhya was on a mission.

If Reyan Malhotra wanted to play it cool and pretend their little "moments" didn't exist, she was more than happy to make his life difficult.

She strutted into the office wearing a striking red dress, just the right mix of professional and tempting. If she was going to be his fiancée—even if he refused to acknowledge it properly—she might as well have some fun with it.

Reyan was already in his office when she arrived, buttoning the cuff of his crisp white shirt. His dark gaze flickered to her, then down her figure—just for a second.

But that was all Adhya needed.

Gotcha.

She smirked. "Morning, boss."

"You're late." His voice was cool, controlled.

"By five minutes. You'll live."

He didn't bother replying, simply turning his attention back to his laptop.

Annoying man.

Still, Adhya wasn't about to be ignored.

She walked straight to his desk and plopped down into the chair across from him, propping her chin on her hand.

"So, what are we working on today?"

Reyan barely spared her a glance. "You have a briefing with the Gucci team in an hour."

She sighed dramatically. "I know that. I meant—what are we working on today? You know, as a team?"

Reyan gave her a blank stare. "We are not a team."

Adhya gasped, placing a hand over her heart. "Wow. That hurts."

Reyan's lip twitched, but he quickly masked it. "Go prepare for your meeting, Adhya."

She huffed. "Fine. But you should really work on your people skills, you know? You're lucky you're ridiculously good-looking, or people would have fired you by now."

Reyan finally looked at her, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "Is that so?"

Adhya tilted her head, smirking. "Mmhmm. If you weren't a Greek god in a suit, no one would put up with your cold, broody nonsense."

"Greek god?"

"Oh, don't act like you don't know you're hot. That would be false humility, and that's just boring."

Reyan exhaled, shaking his head. "Adhya, go to work."

She giggled, standing up. "See? If you laughed more, you'd be even more attractive."

Reyan sighed, rubbing his temples. "I regret hiring you."

Adhya winked. "Liar."

Adhya leaned forward on Reyan's desk, resting her elbows on the glossy surface as she gave him her sweetest smile.

"Take me out to lunch."

Reyan didn't even look up from his laptop. "No."

She scoffed. "That was fast."

"I'm busy."

Adhya rolled her eyes. "You always say that. Do you even eat? Or do you survive purely on coffee and world domination?"

Reyan continued typing. "I eat."

"Prove it." She crossed her arms. "Take me out to lunch."

This time, he did look up, his gaze flat. "No."

Adhya sighed dramatically. "You're really no fun, Reyan Malhotra."

"And yet, you won't leave my office."

She huffed. "Fine. Starve for all I care."

With that, she spun around and stormed out, making sure to slam the door behind her—just a little.

Back in her tiny, ridiculous office (she was still holding a grudge over that), Adhya was deep into her work, sketching out some new designs, when the door suddenly opened.

"Let's go."

She blinked up at Reyan, who stood in the doorway, already buttoning his suit jacket.

"Go where?"

"Lunch."

Adhya's jaw nearly hit the desk. "Wait—what? You literally just—"

"Hurry up."

She scrambled to grab her things, still trying to process the sudden change in behavior. As she followed him out of the office and toward his car, she realized—

"Oh! I forgot my purse!"

Reyan opened the car door for her, his expression blank. "You won't need it."

Adhya blinked. "Excuse me, Mr. Billionaire, but I am an independent woman. I pay for my own food."

"Not when you're with me." His voice was final.

Adhya narrowed her eyes. "Are you always this bossy?"

"Are you always this talkative?"

"Touché."

With a huff, she slid into the car, making a mental note to find a way to annoy him in revenge.

Adhya should have known.

Reyan Malhotra didn't do casual lunches.

He had taken her to a ridiculously fancy restaurant, the kind that probably had a dress code and waiters who judged your entire existence based on your choice of wine.

As they sat across from each other, Adhya leaned in, whispering dramatically, "Do you secretly own this place? Is this one of your many evil lairs?"

Reyan exhaled. "Eat your food, Adhya."

She grinned. "You never deny my accusations. Suspicious."

He ignored her, cutting into his steak with his usual calm, precise movements.

Adhya, however, was much more interested in teasing him than in eating.

"You know, you should smile more. It might actually make you likable."

Reyan raised a brow. "I don't need to be likable."

"You really don't, do you? With your looks, you could say the rudest things, and women would still throw themselves at you."

"Including you?" He sipped his wine, eyes glinting.

Adhya choked on her pasta. "Excuse me?"

Reyan smirked. "You're always around me, Adhya. Always talking, teasing, getting in my way. Almost like you enjoy it."

Her face burned. "D-Don't flatter yourself. I just have a talent for annoying people. It's a gift, really."

Reyan leaned back in his chair, watching her with amusement. "A dangerous gift."

"A charming one." She winked.

Before Reyan could reply, a voice interrupted them.

"Adhya?"

She turned, blinking in surprise. "Aman!"

Her old college friend stood there, grinning wide before pulling her into a hug. "It's been so long! You look amazing!"

Adhya laughed. "I know, right? What are you doing here?"

But before Aman could answer, she felt a sudden, firm grip on her waist.

She barely had time to react before she was yanked backward—straight into Reyan's chest.

Her heart stuttered.

Reyan's arm stayed locked around her waist, his grip possessive and unyielding.

"Who's this?" His voice was calm—too calm.

Aman blinked, glancing between them. "Oh, uh—I'm Aman. Adhya and I were in the same design program."

Reyan didn't even acknowledge the introduction. Instead, he simply pulled Adhya closer, his fingers pressing into her waist just enough to make his point.

She was his.

Adhya swallowed. "Um. Reyan, this is Aman. Aman, this is Reyan Malhotra."

Aman's eyes widened slightly. "Oh. Right. The fiancé."

Reyan's grip tightened. "That's right."

Adhya let out an awkward laugh. "He's joking!"

Reyan shot her a look. "Am I?"

Her stomach flipped.

Aman, completely oblivious to the suffocating tension, casually said, "You know, Adhya, we should catch up sometime! Maybe grab coffee—"

"No." Reyan's voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

Aman frowned. "Excuse me?"

"She doesn't have time for coffee."

Adhya gasped, elbowing Reyan in the ribs. "Reyan!"

Reyan ignored her, his dark gaze locked onto Aman, like a wolf guarding its prey.

Aman let out a nervous chuckle. "Wow, possessive much?"

Reyan didn't smile. Didn't blink. Didn't even pretend to be polite.

"If you touch her again, I'll break your hand."

Aman paled. "Uh—I should go."

Adhya turned to glare at Reyan, horrified.

"What the hell was that?!"

Reyan calmly picked up his glass of wine, completely unbothered. "He was irritating me."

She gawked at him. "You basically threatened his life!"

He took a sip of his wine. "I was being polite."

Adhya wanted to be mad. She really did. But instead, her pulse raced, and she had to bite her lip to stop the ridiculous flutter in her chest.

Reyan was possessive. Over her.

And god help her...

She kind of liked it.