The realization settled over me like a heavy weight.
I would have to go to this party alone.
While Viya, my actual wife, would probably be expected to attend as well. As an employee of the company. Maybe with some colleague as her plus one.
The thought of her going to that party with anyone else, dancing with anyone else, laughing with anyone else, made something dark and possessive coil in my chest.
She was mine.
But I could not claim her.
Not yet.
And I had never hated a situation more in my entire life.
Chapter 14
Viya
I practically ran back to my desk from Armaan's cabin, my heart thundering in my chest so loudly I was certain everyone in the entire office could hear it.
What had just happened in there?
The way he had pulled me into his lap. The way he had fed me breakfast with such tenderness. The way his thumb had brushed across my lips, and then the way he had licked that tiny crumb.
And then he had leaned in. I was certain he had been about to kiss me.
My first kiss. Technically second.
And I had wanted it. God help me, I had wanted it so badly that my entire body had ached with the wanting.
I sat at my desk and tried to focus on my screen, but the code swimming in front of my eyes made no sense. All I could think about was the look in Armaan's eyes. The heat. The intensity.
About an hour later, after I had finally managed to accomplish at least some work, I remembered I needed to update Vikrant on the presentation outcome. I walked to his office and knocked on the open door.
He looked up from his computer, and immediately I noticed something was wrong. His face was tight, his expression carefully neutral in a way that suggested he was holding back anger or frustration.
"Vikrant sir? I just wanted to let you know that I presented the optimization proposal to Mr. Khanna. He has approved it for implementation."
Vikrant nodded curtly.
"Good. Get started on the integration as soon as possible."
His tone was clipped. Professional but cold. Completely different from his usual warm, encouraging manner.
I wanted to ask if something was wrong, if I had done something to upset him. But something in his expression warned me not to push.
"Yes, sir. I will start right away."
I retreated to my desk, that uncomfortable feeling in my stomach growing stronger.
Had Armaan said something to him? Had he been angry that Vikrant called me in urgently this morning?
I pushed the thought away and threw myself into work, staying at the office later than usual to make progress on the implementation plan.
By the time I finally left, the sun was setting and my body felt heavy with exhaustion. The auto ride home felt longer than usual, and all I wanted was to take a shower and maybe sit with Dadi for a while before dinner.
When I entered the house through the front door, I heard voices coming from the living room. Multiple voices. We had guests.
