48. Caught

Happy New Year Guys!! ✨💗💕

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Aaryansh sat in his office cabin, rubbing his temples as the weight of his work pressed down on him.

The hum of his computer and the quiet clattering of his keyboard filled the otherwise empty space.

He sighed, glancing at the clock on the wall—it was already late afternoon.

He had been at it for hours, but his thoughts kept drifting.

I wonder what Buttercup is doing... Aaryansh thought, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he imagined her.

Just the thought of Amrita, her smile, the way her eyes would light up when she was happy, brought a sense of peace to him.

He couldn't help it. She was always on his mind, even when he was buried in work.

Shaking his head, Aaryansh tried to focus, but his curiosity got the best of him.

He opened his laptop and clicked on a security app, one that had the CCTV footage of the penthouse.

The security camera was set up for emergencies, but Aaryansh found himself using it for a different reason today.

He clicked on the feed, and the screen flickered to life, showing the living room of the penthouse.

Amrita was sitting on the couch, her casual outfit highlighting her natural beauty.

Her hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, and the way she sat so comfortably made her seem even more alluring.

Aaryansh’s breath hitched as he took in the sight of her. Her waist, her thighs—everything about her made his heart race.

She looked effortlessly hot, and in that moment, he couldn’t look away.

Aaryansh quickly slammed his laptop shut, his breath uneven as his body heated up.

Sweat began to form on his forehead, his mind spiraling with the intensity of his reaction. He leaned back in his chair, trying to steady himself.

What the hell is wrong with me? he thought, running a hand through his hair, attempting to regain control.

He tried to refocus on the mountain of work on his desk, but the image of her lingered in his mind, clouding his thoughts.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the effect she had on him.

Shaking his head, he walked to the window, hoping the cool breeze would help clear his thoughts. But it didn’t.

His mind kept drifting back to her, and the urge to be near her intensified with every passing second.

Aaryansh couldn’t focus, so he grabbed his car keys in a hurry and left the office.

The lift ride felt like an eternity, each floor dragging him closer to her, until finally, he was outside.

He started driving with determination, but his mind kept returning to her smile, the way her laughter sounded, the warmth of her presence.

Maybe Buttercup would want some snacks, he thought, pulling into a nearby shop.

He quickly bought a variety of treats, knowing she might enjoy them.

The drive to the penthouse felt both too long and too short, but soon enough, he was there.

He parked the car and walked to the entrance. With a quiet turn of the knob, he entered without making a sound.

Inside, he saw her sitting on the couch, eyes wide in focus, completely absorbed in the TV.

Aaryansh couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her, her cheeks flushed a soft pink.

A lollipop was perched between her lips, and she was so lost in whatever she was watching that she didn’t even notice his presence yet.

The way she concentrated, her attention solely on the screen, made her look even more endearing.

For a moment, Aaryansh just stood there, taking her in. She was so carefree, so in her element.

His heart swelled with affection for her, and he realized just how much he had missed her.

Amrita's blush deepened slightly as her gaze remained fixed on the screen, her lips pressed together as though trying to hide her embarrassment.

Aaryansh couldn’t help but notice the subtle tension in her posture. His curiosity piqued, he tilted his head slightly and wondered what could be on the TV that was making her react like this.

He moved silently behind her, carefully stepping closer. As he got a better look at the screen, his eyes widened in realization.

On the TV, a passionate kiss scene from a drama was playing. He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a bemused smile.

He watched Amrita, her eyes glued to the screen, yet her body language betraying her unease.

The realization made him chuckle softly, though he couldn’t help the playful glint that flickered in his eyes.

Aaryansh smirked, leaning slightly closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “Enjoying it, Buttercup?”

“Hmm…” Amrita hummed absentmindedly, still focused on the screen, her eyes wide and lips slightly parted.

Aaryansh bit his lower lip to suppress a laugh, finding her completely unaware of his presence incredibly adorable.

He leaned down further, his lips close to her ear. “Should I leave you alone to… enjoy it properly?”

At that moment, Amrita froze. Her eyes blinked, the realization hitting her like a lightning bolt.

Slowly, her head turned, her gaze locking onto Aaryansh’s amused face hovering inches away from hers.

“A-Aaryansh?!” she squeaked, clutching the lollipop stick still in her hand as if it could shield her from the sheer embarrassment flooding her system.

He straightened up, arms crossed, a sly smirk painted across his face. “Yes, sweetheart?”

Amrita scrambled for the remote, nearly dropping it twice before managing to pause the scene.

Her face was now crimson, her ears practically glowing with heat.

“W-When did you get here?!” she stammered, her voice an octave higher than usual.

“Long enough to witness my Buttercup completely engrossed in… quality entertainment,” he said, emphasizing the last two words with a playful grin.

Amrita buried her face in her palms, groaning. “Oh my god… this is so embarrassing…”

Aaryansh chuckled, stepping around the couch to sit beside her. “Relax, Amu. It’s just a show. No need to get all worked up.”

She peeked at him through her fingers, her brows furrowed. “You… you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely,” he admitted with zero shame, leaning back comfortably on the couch.

“But honestly, I’m more interested in seeing you all flustered like this. It’s… rare.”

Amrita sighed deeply, finally dropping her hands from her face. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re adorable,” he said, his eyes softening as he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

For a moment, silence settled between them, the air thick with an unspoken tension neither dared to break.

Amrita cleared her throat, her gaze darting away as she tried to regain her composure.

“But… you weren’t supposed to come back so soon! You said you had work,” she said, her voice slightly uneven.

Aaryansh smirked, his sharp gaze locking onto her flustered expression as he leaned down, their faces mere inches apart.

“If I hadn’t come back early, would I have gotten to see my wife like this?” he whispered, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

“L-Like what?” Amrita stammered, her confidence faltering under his intense stare.

Without another word, Aaryansh swiftly scooped her into his arms.

One of his hands firmly gripped her bare thighs, while the other rested possessively on her waist, his fingers grazing the soft skin exposed by her crop top.

“Like this,” he murmured, their noses brushing lightly as his warm breath fanned her face.

Amrita froze, her wide eyes locked onto his. The fearless devil of her secret mafia gang—known for her icy glares and sharp tongue—now felt impossibly small, delicate, and almost fragile in his arms.

Her breath hitched as the reality of their proximity sank in, her cheeks blooming into a deep shade of pink.

Aaryansh’s smirk softened as he studied her expression, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur. “Breathe, Buttercup.”

Amrita’s chest rose and fell as she sucked in a sharp breath, her heart hammering against her ribs.

His words, though simple, carried a weight that made her feel both vulnerable and seen.

Her lips parted slightly as if to respond, but no words came out.

Her gaze flickered to his, and for a fleeting moment, neither of them moved—locked in a fragile bubble where time seemed to pause.

Aaryansh’s thumb brushed against her waist, the contact so light yet so electrifying that it made her skin tingle.

“You’re not used to this, are you?” he asked softly, his tone holding a mix of amusement and something deeper… something tender.

Amrita’s brows furrowed slightly as she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. “Stop looking at me like that…”

“Like what?” he teased, tilting his head slightly.

“Like… like I’m something fragile,” she said, her tone carrying a hint of frustration, but her trembling voice betrayed her.

Aaryansh’s smirk faded, replaced by a rare sincerity in his dark eyes. “You’re not fragile, Amu. But even the strongest warriors deserve to let their guard down sometimes.”

Amrita froze. No one had ever spoken to her like this before—not with this much care, this much understanding.

Her lips parted again, but once more, words failed her.

Aaryansh noticed her struggle and let out a soft chuckle, finally loosening his hold on her waist and gently placing her back on the couch.

“Relax, Buttercup,” he said, his signature smirk returning, though softer this time. “I’ll behave… for now.”

Amrita crossed her arms over her chest, trying to regain her usual stoic demeanor, but the faint blush across her cheeks betrayed her attempt at indifference.

“Good,” she muttered, turning her face away.

But Aaryansh didn’t miss the way her lips twitched into a faint smile, and he leaned back casually on the couch beside her, their shoulders just barely touching.

The air between them grew warmer as Aaryansh’s fingers tightened slightly around hers, his thumb softly grazing her knuckles.

“Promise me something, Buttercup,” he said, his voice low yet firm, carrying a gentleness that made her heart skip a beat.

Amrita glanced down at their intertwined hands, her breath catching in her throat.

“What?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her usual sharpness replaced by a vulnerability she rarely showed.

He leaned in closer, his lips just inches from her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.

“That you’ll wear clothes like this when you’re with me more often,” he whispered, his tone teasing yet laced with something deeper—something possessive.

Amrita’s eyes widened as her face turned a deep shade of red, her cheeks heating up instantly.

She jerked her head away, her hair cascading over her flushed face in an attempt to hide her reaction.

“Shut up!” she snapped, her voice flustered, and she pulled her hand away from his grip—though the warmth of his touch still lingered on her skin.

But Aaryansh only chuckled, leaning back against the couch with a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. “I’ll take that as a yes, darling,” he said, his gaze never leaving her.

Amrita crossed her arms tightly over her chest, still refusing to meet his eyes. “It wasn’t a yes,” she muttered under her breath.

He tilted his head slightly, his smirk softening into an affectionate smile. “Whether you say it or not, I know you’ll do it.”

Amrita huffed, her brows furrowed as she bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a smile threatening to break free.

The silence that followed was no longer heavy with awkwardness or hesitation—it was light, warm, and filled with something unspoken yet undeniably present.

Aaryansh leaned his head back against the couch, stealing one last glance at her.

His Buttercup—flustered, fiery, and absolutely adorable.

And despite her attempts to look annoyed, Amrita couldn’t stop the corner of her lips from curving into the faintest smile.

As she turned her head away, the burn on her neck became visible.

Aaryansh’s eyes lingered on it for a moment before a chuckle escaped his lips, as he recalled his earlier conversation with Daksh.

"Omg, Aaryan!!! Tune kar diya?!" Daksh had exclaimed over the phone while Aaryansh was driving back to the penthouse.

"Kya kar diya??" Aaryansh asked, utterly confused.

"Don't play innocent, bhai! I know everything—I saw it!" Daksh insisted.

"Saw what, bhaiya?!" Aaryansh was still clueless.

"The hickey on Amrita’s neck!" Daksh whispered dramatically.

Aaryansh slammed on the brakes in sheer shock. "What?! What hickey?! What happened to Buttercup?!" he practically yelled into the phone.

"Wait… you didn't do anything?" Daksh’s voice faltered, now equally confused.

"No!!!" Aaryansh barked. "Just hang up, bhaiya. I need to check on her myself."

The memory made him chuckle again as he reached out and gently traced the burn mark on Amrita's neck with his fingers.

"It tickles," Amrita said softly, pulling back slightly and looking at him with wide eyes.

Aaryansh caught her wrist, stopping her retreat. His smirk softened into something more intimate as he pulled her closer. "What happened here, Buttercup?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the faint mark.

"Well… I tried using a curler for my hair and… this happened," she admitted, her voice low, her cheeks lightly flushed.

"And why did Daksh bhaiya think it was a hickey?" he asked, his smirk returning as his thumb brushed over the mark.

"They misunderstood…" she mumbled, her blush deepening.

His smirk widened as he leaned closer, his lips just a breath away from her ear. "Do you want a real one?" he whispered, his voice low and teasing.

Amrita’s lips pressed into a thin line as she blushed furiously, her eyes darting away.

Aaryansh chuckled, his fingers still lightly tracing the burn. "Be careful next time, Buttercup," he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her heart flutter.

"Because your neck should only have my artwork… not careless burns."

Amrita’s breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks painted a soft crimson.

Aaryansh leaned back with a satisfied smirk, his eyes still locked on her as if she were the most captivating thing in the world.

Before Amrita could react, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on her cheek.

The warmth of his lips lingered, and Amrita froze, her breath catching in her throat.

“Go get ready, Buttercup,” he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of affection and authority. “We have to return to our home.”

Without waiting for her response, Aaryansh turned and disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Amrita sitting there, her heart racing and her fingers absentmindedly touching the spot where he had kissed her.

Her face flushed, her mind replaying the moment over and over again.

After a few seconds, she shook her head, stood up, and mumbled under her breath, “Why does he always have to leave me like this…”

But despite her words, a shy smile crept onto her lips as she walked off to get ready.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

This episode is just 😭🤌🏻✨

I screamed in my plushie imagining this✨🫠

Comment your reactions!!

Happy Happy New Year Guys!! 🎉

Her Body Froze, Her Mind Went Blank, And All She Could Feel Was The Warmth Lingering On Her Cheek...🫀💓✨