Advika's POV

As I stepped out of the office, the first thing I did was order something for Garvit while heading to the canteen to grab something.

A frustrated groan escaped my lips when I saw the long line at the coffee counter. I just needed a cup of coffee. I do not feel like having anything else.

Sighing, I turned on my heels and walked to a nearby café. As soon as I entered, I spotted Arya. She looked a bit surprised to see me.

"Arya?"

"Advika! Come, have a seat," she said, gesturing to the empty chair across from her.

"Were you waiting for someone?" I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.

"Yeah, but I don't think he's going to show up," she replied with a sad smile.

"He?" My eyebrows arched playfully. "Ohhooo," I giggled.

I knew I probably shouldn't be speaking to her so casually, considering she was the President's daughter, but she had such a warm, friendly aura that it felt natural. From the very first time we met, she seemed so open and fun-loving.

"Forget about him; he's an idiot," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Indeed, he must be. Who else would leave such a beautiful girl waiting?" I grinned.

"I can see why Shravan chose you; you've got some serious flirting skills," she laughed. "But I'm relieved he picked you-I was worried he'd end up choosing a man."

She laughed again, and I couldn't help but chuckle along, though a silly thought suddenly crossed my mind. Maybe he is actually gay, and that's why he's marrying me for just six months-to keep his parents off his back and spend the rest of his life with his boyfriend.

I squeezed my eyes shut as an inappropriate image of Shravan with another man flashed in my mind. Shravan with a man on his bed doing...

Oh God! Advika, just stop...

"Don't take me seriously, Advika. If he chose you, that means he's straight," she added, flashing a bright smile.

I forced a smile back, though my mind was still spinning.

Just as I was about to respond, her phone rang, pulling her attention away.

"I am sorry, Advika; I have to go. But I'm really happy to have you as my future bhabhi-a best friend for life." She smiled warmly.

"Me too," I smiled back. No one should know the reality of this wedding or Shravan will chew me raw.

She said her goodbye and left.

I was just about to go and order a coffee for myself when Ayesha appeared in front of me out of nowhere, looking irritated and frustrated for some reason.

Oh, how could I forget? She was just with Shravan-a man who knows nothing but how to ruin people's moods.

"First you stole Shravan from me, and now you have set your sights on my best friend, Arya?" She spoke with such venom that I instinctively took a step back.

I haven't stolen Shravan. He is the one forcing me into this contract marriage.

"I am not getting what you are saying, Ayesha. How could I..."

"Don't try to act innocent, Advika." She cut me off before I could finish. "I know girls like you all too well. What tactics did you use to seduce Shravan? Because clearly, you're not as beautiful as I am."

She crossed her arms over her chest, and I swallowed hard.

"Yes, Ayesha, you're more beautiful than me, but I haven't used any..."

"Oh, just shut up!" She rolled her eyes. "Just tell me how much money you want to leave Shravan."

My eyes widened at her words. Ayesha is definitely not how she looks.

"There's no need to act all surprised and naïve. Just name your price, and I'll pay it. But I don't want to see you around my Shravan again!"

I'd love nothing more than to get rid of Shravan and this contract marriage, to repay the money he spent on my mother's treatment-but not like this.

"I-"

Before I could say another word, someone grabbed my wrist in a tight grip, whirled me around, and started dragging me away. It was none other than the beast himself, Shravan.

He was holding so tight that a painful wince left my lips but it didn't have any effect on him. He roughly pushed me inside his car before walking around and taking the driver's seat.

He was fuming for some reason, clutching the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. My instincts told me not to provoke him, but I couldn't hold back my curiosity as he started driving like a madman.

"Where are we going?" I asked cautiously.

"To the court-to get married." He dropped the bomb without even glancing in my direction.

How could he say that so casually? Is marriage really just a game to him?

"Have you gone crazy, Shravan? You promised that you would give me a month. My mother has yet to recover and..."

"I don't care!" He shouted so loudly that his voice boomed through the car, and I flinched hard.

"We can have the marriage ceremony in front of our parents after a month, but we're getting a court marriage today," he commanded, not even bothering to ask my opinion.

Marriage is supposed to be a sacred bond between two people, isn't it? Yet here, I have no say in it.

He was fine before I left him with Ayesha. What happened all of a sudden?

"You talked to Ayesha. Did she say something?" I asked.

Suddenly, he slammed the brakes, making me lurch forward. Thankfully, my seatbelt saved my head from hitting the dashboard.

"Don't!"

He gritted out through clenched teeth, a flash of dangerous anger passing through his eyes, making me shrink slightly in my seat. He looked like a devil, with his red eyes burning with pure rage.

"I repeat, don't ever poke your nose into my business. Even after the contract marriage, I expect you to act like a good little wife," he huffed.

"You mean to say a submissive girl who only speaks when spoken to, right?"

I know he wasn't in a good mood and messing up with him was not the right decision but he can't just do anything that came in his head. I also have my own life and rights.

"You got me." He said casually.

Chauvinist, misogynist, narcissist, son of a bas...

Wait a minute!

Why am I insulting his father, who's actually a gentleman, unlike him?

Closing my eyes, I took a few deep breaths. He was furious right now, and if I lost my temper too, this would end in a war. At least one of us needed to stay calm and think rationally-clearly, that couldn't be him. He has lost his brain in anger.

"You think it is this easy, Shravana? It may be for you... But not for me!" I said in a soft tone, "I can't just go to my home, telling my mom that I am married. I can't give her another attack."

My heart pounded as he took deep breaths, pinching the bridge of his nose and tossing his head back with his eyes closed. The vein on his neck bulged as he tried to calm himself down. This is when I noticed that he wasn't wearing his black coat and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, showing off the veins of his forearms.

"Ok fine, I will bring my parents to your house tomorrow. Tell your mother that you love me and be ready; we will marry this week only," he said, his anger barely contained.

If he is going to take out the anger and frustration of others on me, then how am I going to survive the next six months with him?

"You may take a half-day leave. Go home and talk to your family," he instructed.

Left with no other option, I looked down, opened the door, and was about to step out when he suddenly grabbed my arm and made me face him.

"Before you leave, let's be clear on one thing. I want you to behave. I want my parents to know that we have known each other for years and that we are deeply in love." He stated it firmly.

Love?

I won't want to even hate him.

"Why? Are you afraid of your father that if he came to know about the reality of this wedding that you are forcing me into, he would not let this happen?"

That's a nice idea. If I let Mr. Singhania know what his son is doing, maybe he could save me and help me out of this situation.

But before I could think about this plan anymore, he grabbed my jaw in a painful grip.

"I don't care about my father but I do care about my mother." His fingers dig into my cheeks, making a pout of my lips.

I fought the tears that threatened to sting my eyes from his harsh, painful grip. I couldn't show him my fear or helplessness, or this beast would only take more advantage.

"I don't want her to know about this. If you misbehave, I swear I will ruin your life the way you couldn't even imagine!"

It became hard for me to even breathe when he pushed his thumb in between my pouty lips.

"I swear to the life of my mom that you will regret every second of your life messing up with me."

He left my jaw and a small yell passed my lips.

"Now GET OUT!"

~~~~~~

I have changed Angel's name to Ayesha. I hope you won't get confused.

Advika said that Atharva is a gentleman, only if she knew about him when he was young. *Evil laugh*

Let me know which side of Shravan you like more. Soft or rude?

Kindly vote and comment to keep me motivated

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~ dayyyyydreamerrr