Chapter 6: The Unspoken Deal

Aditya came and sat on the chair opposite to hers and smiled at her well you can say passed a fake big smile. Isha was too stunned as she spoke, "you- why are you here? " Aditya stared right in her eyes sending shivers down her spine. Isha stared right in his eyes too however she was lost in her thought for a second as she got mesmerized seeing Aditya in his casuals. she could see his veiny arms which were on the table. She came back in her senses when Aditya broke the silence saying "why? is something wrong isha?" he said this in a fake caring sound. Isha got up and decided to leave as she didn't wish to create a scene in public and she knew arguing with him was pointless" 

The rain fell in steady sheets as Isha stood frozen outside the restaurant, her eyes wide with disbelief. Aditya Malhotra. Of all the people she could have been paired with for a date, it had to be him.

Her fists clenched as she replayed the events inside—the mocking smirk, the cold confidence, the way his dark eyes seemed to pierce right through her. This wasn't just coincidence. Aditya didn't do coincidence.

She turned sharply on her heels, heading toward her car, her heels clicking loudly against the pavement. But before she could make it far, a firm hand wrapped around her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

"Leaving so soon?" Aditya's deep, velvety voice cut through the rain.

She spun around, yanking her arm free. "What the hell are you playing at, Aditya? Did you set this up?"

His lips curled into a faint smile, utterly unapologetic. "If I did, would you blame me?"

Isha's jaw tightened, her heart hammering in her chest. "Stay away from me," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

But Aditya took a step closer, the rain cascading down his tailored suit. "I don't think that's an option anymore," he said, his tone laced with something dark, something possessive.

Isha tried to ignore the way her pulse quickened, tried to push past the storm raging within her. "You've made your point, Malhotra. You've ruined my night. What more do you want?"

Aditya's smirk faded, his expression hardening. "Everything."

Before Isha could respond, Aditya reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a folded document. He handed it to her without a word, his eyes locked onto hers as if daring her to look.

She hesitated, the weight of his gaze making her stomach churn. Finally, she unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the words in disbelief.

Her breath caught in her throat. It was a formal agreement, detailing an alliance between the Singhania and Malhotra empires—through marriage.

"This... this can't be real," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain.

"Oh, it's very real," Aditya said, his tone calm but laced with venom. "Your parents signed it. They think this marriage will solve everything. Strengthen the family legacy. Secure the empire. And conveniently, they didn't think you needed a say in it."

Isha's hands trembled as she clutched the paper. "No. This... this is insane. My parents wouldn't..."

"They would," Aditya interrupted, his voice cutting through her denial like a blade. "And they did."

Her mind raced, a whirlwind of anger, betrayal, and confusion. She looked up at him, her eyes blazing. "Why would you agree to this? What could you possibly gain from marrying me?"

Aditya stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Power, Isha," he said simply. "Control. And perhaps..." His eyes flicked to her lips for a fleeting moment, sending a shiver down her spine. "Perhaps I just like the challenge."

Isha's blood boiled at his audacity. "You think this is some kind of game? That you can just waltz into my life and—"

Aditya cut her off, his voice dropping to a whisper. "This isn't a game, Isha. This is survival. For both of us."

She took a step back, her breath hitching as his words sank in. There was something in his tone, something almost... desperate, though he masked it well.

"And what if I say no?" she challenged, lifting her chin defiantly.

Aditya's eyes darkened, his expression turning deadly serious. "You won't."

Her laughter was sharp and bitter. "You don't know me, Aditya. I don't take orders from anyone—least of all you."

But his smirk returned, more dangerous than ever. "Your family does. And if you say no, they'll lose everything they've worked for. Are you really willing to let that happen?"

Her heart sank at his words. She hated how right he was. Her parents had sacrificed so much to build their empire, and she couldn't be the one to destroy it.

But marrying him? The man who had made it his life's mission to undermine her at every turn? The thought made her stomach churn.

The Proposal

Aditya seemed to sense her inner turmoil, and he seized the moment. "Isha," he said, his voice softening. "You and I... we both know how this world works. You can either fight me and lose, or you can stand by my side and win."

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for any hint of sincerity. But all she saw was the same ruthless determination that had always defined him.

"Why should I trust you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"You shouldn't," he admitted, his honesty catching her off guard. "But that's the beauty of this arrangement. Trust doesn't matter. All that matters is what we stand to gain."

Her chest tightened as his words settled over her. She felt trapped, cornered by forces beyond her control.

"Say yes, Isha," Aditya murmured, his voice almost hypnotic. "Say yes, and I promise you won't regret it."

She wanted to scream, to fight, to run as far away from him as possible. But deep down, she knew there was no escape.

"Fine," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll marry you."

Aditya's lips curved into a slow, triumphant smile. "Good girl."

Her fists clenched at his condescension, but she forced herself to stay calm. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

As she turned to leave, Aditya watched her go, his expression unreadable. But beneath his calm exterior, his thoughts were anything but.

I'll pretend to love you, Isha Singhania, he thought, his eyes glinting with dark intent. I'll make you fall for me. And then, I'll destroy you.

To be continued...