Chapter 14 – The Unexpected Date!

Diya had exactly five seconds of peace before Parth ruined it.

She was sipping her coffee, scrolling through her phone, and mentally preparing herself for another day of pretending her heart wasn't confused.

And then—

"Get dressed. We're going out."

She nearly spilled her coffee. "Excuse me?"

Parth stood in the doorway of their suite, looking annoyingly perfect in a crisp black shirt and fitted jeans. Unfair.

"I said, get dressed." His tone was impatient, like he was giving a business order.

Diya crossed her arms. "Try again. With manners."

Parth exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was suffering. "Diya, please get dressed. We have to go."

She raised an eyebrow. "Where?"

"You'll see."

Oh, hell no.

"That sounds sketchy. What if you're selling me to the mafia?"

Parth rolled his eyes. "If I was selling you to the mafia, I wouldn't tell you to get dressed. I'd just let them take you in pajamas."

Diya glared. "That is not comforting."

Parth sighed. "Diya, just trust me."

That was the real problem, wasn't it? She wasn't sure if she trusted him or if she was just letting herself fall into something she couldn't control.

But instead of arguing, she got up.

"Fine," she muttered. "But if this turns out to be a trap, I'm taking your credit card as compensation."

Parth smirked. "Deal."

The second they stepped out of the car, Diya's jaw dropped.

They weren't at a business meeting.

They weren't at a five-star restaurant for some networking event.

They were in the middle of most famous flower market, surrounded by roses, tulips, and romance.

Diya turned to Parth slowly. "Are you lost?"

Parth looked away. "No."

"Are you sure? Because this looks suspiciously like something romantic."

"It's not."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then what is it?"

Parth shifted uncomfortably. "You like flowers."

Diya blinked. "So?"

He exhaled, clearly annoyed at having to explain himself. "So, you've been stressed, and I figured this would help."

Diya stared.

Parth? Doing something nice for her?

On purpose?

"Wait," she said, grinning. "Is this a date?"

Parth immediately scowled. "No."

"Are you sure? Because it feels very date-like."

"It's not."

Diya smirked, stepping closer. "So, if I tell people you took me to a flower market, they won't think we're on a date?"

Parth clenched his jaw. "We're not."

Diya gasped dramatically. "Oh my God, you're blushing!"

"I am not—"

"Yes, you are! I knew it! You planned this whole romantic gesture and now you're embarrassed!"

Parth turned away. "I regret everything."

Diya laughed. "You're so bad at romance, it's actually cute."

Parth groaned. "Can you just—buy your stupid flowers?"

Diya grinned. "Gladly."

As she wandered through the stalls, pretending not to enjoy herself too much, she caught Parth watching her.

And for the first time, she wondered—

Maybe this wasn't just a contract anymore.

Maybe this was something else.

Just when things were starting to feel dangerously sweet, a familiar voice ruined everything.

"What a cute little outing."

Diya froze.

Parth groaned.

Because standing there, looking smug and ready for drama, was Ananya.

Great.

"What are you doing here?" Parth snapped.

Ananya smiled. "Shopping, obviously. But imagine my surprise when I saw you two, looking like the perfect little lovebirds."

Diya rolled her eyes. "Let me guess—you're here to be annoying?"

Ananya gasped dramatically. "Diya, sweetheart, you hurt me. I'm just here to give my dear old friend Parth some advice."

Parth crossed his arms. "Not interested."

Ananya ignored him, turning to Diya instead. "Did you know Parth used to hate flowers?"

Diya blinked. "What?"

Ananya tilted her head. "He always said they were pointless. A waste of time. A distraction." She smiled sweetly. "But now here he is, buying them for you. Funny, isn't it?"

Diya's stomach twisted.

Parth glared. "Ananya—"

But she wasn't done.

"Parth changes for the people he cares about," she mused. "And then, when he decides they're no longer worth it—" she snapped her fingers, "—he changes back."

Diya felt her heart drop.

She knew this was a contract. She knew none of this was real.

So why did it feel like Ananya had just stabbed her in the chest?

Parth's jaw tightened. "That's enough."

Ananya smirked. "Oh, Parth. You always get so defensive when you're hiding something."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving behind doubt, tension, and too many unanswered questions.

The car ride back was quiet.

Too quiet.

Diya stared out the window, trying to pretend like Ananya's words didn't bother her.

They shouldn't.

Because this was fake.

Right?

Parth finally sighed. "Are you mad?"

Diya blinked. "Huh?"

"At me," he said stiffly. "Are you mad at me?"

Diya hesitated. Was she?

No. Not exactly.

But she was something.

Confused.

Frustrated.

A little... scared.

Because what if she really was just temporary?

She forced a smile. "No. I just think Ananya is exhausting."

Parth studied her. Like he didn't quite believe her.

But instead of pushing, he nodded. "Yeah. She is."

And that was it.

No reassurance.

Just a weird, unspoken tension that made Diya wonder if she was in way over her head.

But parth promised himself to keep Ananya on check.