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Chapter 9
“Wow.” Her voice was a low gasp when she looked at herself in the full-length mirror after her personal makeup artist turned her around. She looked at the image in front of her in awe and shock. She had never dressed up the way she had that evening, to the point she didn’t recognize herself.
It was the night she was going out with her husband to meet his friends. The apprehension she had about attending the event where she would have to meet and greet strangers heightened, and her flight response kicked in.
“I can’t do this,” she mumbled to herself as she ran her hands on the soft silk of the ruffled pants of the jumpsuit she had on for the evening. The bottle-green dress with a wraparound bodice and the long cutouts at the waist made her skin glow as the embellishments along the V-neck made her eyes sparkle.
“I knew it would be perfect,” a woman’s voice interrupted her state of frenzy, and she turned to find Aish walking toward her, a broad smile on her face. “You look stunning!”
Oh shit! There is no getting out of the dress now.
It wasn’t like she didn’t like the dress. It just wasn’t what she was used to wearing and attending an event with a man—a husband. Less than ten days ago, she was still figuring out ways to tell her family she didn’t want to pursue a career in civil services, and now, she was dealing with something she didn’t imagine would happen even in her wildest dreams.
“Thank you,” she managed to say as Aish gave additional instructions to the makeup artist about fixing a lock of hair in the back. Sanjana stole another glance at the image in front of her, and as if Aish’s excitement rubbed off on her, she wasn’t panicking anymore. She felt confident about her look for a change.
“And here is the clutch Mamma sent for you. She wants you to have it.” There was a spark in Aish’s eyes as she handed Sanjana a small bag that could only carry a few things. “I hope my brother remembers to wear the matching tie as instructed,” Aish said as she squatted in front of Sanjana to adjust the flowy pleats over the lower part of the jumpsuit.
Matching tie? Really?
Panic started to settle in again as the idea of going out with Jai popped into her head. She was intimidated by the idea of being with him in a public setting, especially with his friends.
What was she supposed to say to people? Will they talk to her or ignore her?
This time the frenzy hit hard, and she was about to hyperventilate when her back stiffened in response to a movement in the corner of her eye.
“Aish, can I have my wife back?” Surprisingly, his voice calmed her. Something about the guy, even if he was issuing orders, they were comforting. Maybe because she knew she didn’t need to put on an act with him?
“Yes, yes… in a minute,” Aish said, standing up before stepping back to scan Sanjana from top to bottom. Her smile broadened before she turned to look at her brother. “You did well, Jai. Can’t believe you got her to agree to marry you.”
Sanjana wanted to roll her eyes. If only Aish knew the circumstances.
“I won’t deny it took some coaxing.” Jai came to stand next to her, and despite the towers of heels under her feet, the man still towered over her.
“Aww, you two look stellar. I need a picture for my social media post.” Aish gestured for the rest of the staff to move away as she pulled out her phone. “Move closer, you two.”
With those words, he not only moved closer to her but wrapped his arm around her. His fingers grazed her skin as they slid right through the cutout at the waist. She jumped slightly and let out a low squeal that she knew he had heard.
Her breath hitched, and her knees turned to jelly in response to his touch, and as if he sensed the turmoil, he tightened his hold on her, his fingertips denting her soft skin as he firmly held her to him for the picture.
“Amazing!” Aish flipped her phone to show the picture, and all Sanjana could focus on was how his fingers disappeared into her dress as the rough pad of his palm teased her soft skin. “Can I please post this online? Just one, please.”
“Fine.” His response was curt like he didn’t fully approve but could not say no to his sister. “We have to go.”
“Thank you,” Sanjana smiled and mumbled as she was whisked away by her husband.
“Have fun, you two!” Aish called out, and Sanjana dreaded the idea of being at the party with him surrounded by complete strangers. She hoped that after the initial attention they would get, she could find a quiet corner and make herself invisible.
The authoritative click of his shoes against the marble floor got the staff to be in attendance as they walked down the long hallway to what was one of the side exits of the palace. She was yet to memorize the map of the palace, but she knew the side entrance was what they used when they got back from the trip.
Her anxiety grew as they approached the car, his hand firmly placed on the small of her back. She wanted to know what to expect that night but was it too late to ask? Did it matter where they were headed?
He slid into the seat next to her in the back of the large SUV. “We’re headed to a party in the city. Might end up spending the night there.”
What? Now he tells me? Does he expect me to sleep in this dress?
“I… I don’t have a change of clothes.” Her voice wobbled for reasons she didn’t know just at the mere glance his way.
He nodded knowingly. “You’ll have everything you need for our stay.”
