Chapter 4 - Schemes and Spilled Coffee

Adhya's POV

I was still in a daze when Riya dragged me out of the house that evening.

After the bomb my family had dropped on me this morning, I needed caffeine, comfort, and my best friend's exaggerated reactions.

Which was exactly why we were sitting in our favorite café, a cozy little spot in the city with fairy lights strung across the ceiling and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

I stirred my caramel macchiato absentmindedly, staring at the swirls of cream as Riya sipped her iced latte across from me, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Okay," she finally said, setting her cup down with a dramatic thud. "You've been quiet for too long, and that is never a good sign."

I let out a sigh, slumping into my seat. "My family has lost their minds."

"Oh?" She leaned forward eagerly. "Tell me everything."

I took a deep breath and then dropped the bomb.

"They've arranged my marriage."

Riya gasped so loudly that the old man at the next table looked over in alarm.

She slapped a hand over her mouth before whispering, "What?!"

I took a sip of my coffee, as if that would make the reality less horrifying. "Yeah."

"With who?"

I clenched my jaw. "Reyan Malhotra."

Dead. Silence.

Then-

Riya burst out laughing.

"Riya!" I hissed, kicking her under the table.

She wheezed, clutching her stomach. "I- Oh my God-" She wiped an imaginary tear from her eye. "You? With Reyan

Malhotra?"

I crossed my arms. "What's so funny?"

Riya shook her head, still giggling. "Oh, come on, Adhya. You used to have such a crush on him."

I choked on my coffee. "I did not!"

Riya raised an eyebrow. "You totally did. You used to follow him and Aarav around like a lost puppy."

I scoffed. "I was a kid! And anyway, he's basically a robot now."

Riya smirked. "A very good-looking, billionaire robot."

I rolled my eyes. "He has zero emotions. He's so serious all the time. I want someone who adores me, who spoils me, who loves me-"

"Sounds like you want a golden retriever, not a husband."

I ignored her. "I just don't understand why they think he's the right match for me. We're so different."

Riya tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Okay, so he's a broody, grumpy businessman who probably treats his office like a military base."

I nodded. "Exactly."

"And you're a sunshine-loving fashionista who could make a paper bag look stylish."

I preened. "Also true."

She grinned suddenly. "Well, then there's only one solution."

I frowned. "What?"

She leaned forward, her eyes shining mischievously. "You should join that internship in his company and make him fall in love with you."

I nearly dropped my coffee.

"Excuse me?!"

Riya shrugged. "Think about it. You always say you want a man who adores you. So why not turn this whole thing around? Make Reyan Malhotra fall for you so hard he can't breathe without you."

I stared at her, horrified. "You're insane."

She smirked. "And you're scared."

I scoffed. "I'm not scared."

"Prove it."

I gritted my teeth. "This isn't some Bollywood movie, Riya."

She grinned. "No, but it could be."

I groaned, pressing my forehead against the table. This was not how I imagined my life going.

But as much as I hated to admit it...

Maybe, just maybe, she had a point.

And if Reyan Malhotra thought he could control my life without even asking me?

Then he was about to learn a very important lesson-

Never challenge a girl who knows exactly how to make you lose your mind.

He had no idea what was coming for him.