Peace. Serenity. Contentment.

A mixture of all of these develops a feeling that overwhelms me as I stand beside Avni and gaze at the constant flow of the waves with the setting sun.

The sun looks like it's gradually receding into the waters below. The sky consists of a mixture of shades, a blend of reds, oranges, and yellows and the waters below mirror this reaction giving a peaceful vibe.

"Are we at the beach?" Avni asks softly as she tugs on my hand.

I force my eyes away from the beautiful sunset view to my beautiful wife. It still blows my mind that she actually dressed up for me. The air teases her hair and she reaches out to tuck them every time they follow the atmosphere movement.

She's wearing burgundy sequins ruffled bodycon dress which hugs her curves flawlessly. She matches her look with diamond earrings and a pendant, high heels, and minimal makeup. She looks beautiful, sexy, and hot all at the same time.

Avni's beauty is natural and she carries it perfectly. I have always been attracted to her, there's no lying in it but knowing that she also feels the same attraction and temptation toward me is what makes this sensation strong.

"I think I am going to miss my eyesight if you don't peel off this blindfold now." She says annoyed.

I chuckle as I reach out and loosen the blindfold hoping she loves this place. It's always easy to make her smile, I don't know why she appears to be complicated when she easily gets over anything.

I wouldn't be able to stand and smile here without worry if I was her. At least not after the conversation I had with her mother.

"Wow." I hear her gasp as she stares at the view for a moment.

I tighten my grip on her hand and grin as she begins to smile slowly. She steps forward on the dock and I nod at the co-captain giving him the sign to turn on the yacht lights.

I am sure she has been to these beautiful sights before considering her family is rich too. I have been here before too but the sight still leaves me speechless.

The sunset, yacht, and her. It's breathtakingly beautiful, and I'm speechless as I stand next to her.

We stay silent and we can hear the sound of the waves as they crash. The wind whispers in my ear in its deep secret voice bringing peace to my soul.

"Do you want to step in?" I ask her.

She turns to look at me and I feel my heart tug a little as she gives me a smile that brightens her whole face.

"Of course." She says. "You know I would appreciate it if you would have let me know we are coming here. I would have dressed up differently."

"Didn't I spend good ten minutes telling you how hot and sexy you look?" I raise my eyebrows as a smile plays on my lips.

"Ah, yes!" She clicks her tongue. "Anyway, I will be in my birth suit in no time."

I chuckle and shake my head as she winks at me.

"Come on," I say as I step inside and help her to step onto the yacht.

I almost want to pick her up in my arms when I realize that she's wearing heels but she seems to have no problem.

"I love nature." She sighs happily as we walk around.

"I know," I say as I follow her.

She stands by the railing and looks up at the sky as I stand behind her and put my arms around her. She leans against my shoulder and I can feel her body relax against mine.

The feel of air and melody of waves is constant as we stand and gaze up at the sky. The sun has almost set now and the sky is more purple than red, intensifying the transition from day to night.

I lean into her and press my lips against her cheek staring at the sky, catching sight of the different hues. I breathe in deeply in her scent and my eyes move over to her.

I can't help but think about what her mother said to me. Lee and Avni were having some discussion so he left after lunch, I gave them the space and kept myself busy with meetings that I had decided to postpone.

After Lee left we decide we can leave in the evening. I was waiting for Avni downstairs as she was getting ready when I got her mother's call.

"Hello?" I ask as I press the phone against my ear.

"Uh, hello, Neil." I hear her on the other side and then there's a pause. "Is this a good time to talk?"

I look up the stairs knowing Avni will be taking a least good thirty minutes to dress up. She isn't too quick nor is she too late.

"Sure," I reply as I get down the stairs.

"How have you and my daughter been?" She asks.

"We are doing good," I say slowly. "How is everything?"

"Good." She pauses. "I know I haven't had a word with you personally before because I never found it necessary but I need you to do something."

I tense a little listening to the seriousness in her voice. "Yeah?"

"So here's something you can do to prove that you are really taking good care of my daughter."

"Wait, am I supposed to prove it?" I frown.

"Yes. I am sure she is going to have to prove herself to your family."

I stay silent knowing she's right. Mom and Bebe would test her if they come here or if we go there to meet them.

"What can I do?" I ask curiously.

"There's a little family gathering at Aaron's place next weekend and you have to get her." I hear her say sternly.

I frown. "I am sorry but I can't force her to come when she doesn't want to-"

"First round fail." She cuts me off.

"Sorry?" I ask with a frown.

"I thought you would have understood by now that it's not that she doesn't want to be here it's just that she pushes everyone away."

I clear my throat feeling a little tensed. "I- I think I'll get to know her gradually."

"Sometimes it's just a few days you require to know someone." She says slowly. "I feel sad that you haven't figured her out yet."

I listen to her and I think about all the times I have seen Avni overthinking and the night I saw her pretending to sleep and how she was upset over something that she cried.

Whenever we are together most of them all we do is make out so there's not a lot we share. I know that if our marriage wasn't a contract one I would have questioned her and maybe if not everything I would know something about her.

I know her, I know what she decides to show me about herself. I just don't know what she conceals from me which I won't ever know until she decides to open up to me.

I know that she isn't supposed to tell me about her but to everyone we can't give these reasons. I am supposed to look after her.

One day I'll be gone from her life and she'll be gone from my life.

This company will be mine forever and I start feeling that maybe it's unfair that I am just giving her one year maybe I could give her more... her family.

I know it's very risky to want to get involved in her matters when she has clearly told me to not look after her.

But isn't family special?

Everyone has to cherish it. I know Avni has problems with her siblings or particularly Alice and Nora but no problem is so massive that it can't be figured out.

I know her siblings love her a lot and she just has to see that no matter for what reason she is pushing them away they still love her.

I take a deep breath. "I will get her."

"Good." I hear her. "She has always made excuses so I am giving you the responsibility. Even if you guys are busy you have to make it."

"It's the weekend. We will be there." I say.

"I doubt my daughter will make the weekend easy for you." She says and I can hear the warning in her words. "So, all the best."

As I disconnect the call I feel tense and sad. What could Avni be going through that she pushes her family away?

I am sure it must be difficult for her to do that.

"Avni?" I ask after a moment and she turns around to look at me.

"Yes?" She smiles. "You don't have to ask. I love it. All of it."

It almost pains my heart to realize that deep down she's going through something. I give her a half-smile as I hold her gaze.

The server appears and he hands us red wine. I nod at him when he looks at me giving him the clue to turn on the songs. I actually sat and made a romantic playlist for us.

"Wow." Avni cheers as the songs begin to play. "You put a lot of effort into this."

"I had to," I say as I cling my glass against hers. "I wanted to make you happy."

Her smile fades away slowly. "Do you... mean that?"

"Of course, I do." I press myself closer to her. "Haven't I told you before you have a beautiful smile?"

She bites her lower lip as she holds my gaze.

"I mean that," I say honestly as I look into her eyes. "And I am not passing any sweet comments here."

"Just being honest," I add after a moment. "I would say it even if you give me amazing nights or not.

She stares at me for a moment and then puts one arm around my neck as she holds the wine in another hand and she reaches up to kiss me.

I close my eyes as I live in the moment with her. I can taste the wine on her lips as she kisses me softly and I just stand there letting her take the lead.

I put my arm around her as I pull her body closer to mine when the air gets a little wild. It's a sweet and short kiss and she pulls away slowly.

We can hear the songs playing and as we look into each other's eyes, the moment feels a little intimate.

I set my wine aside while she gulps her glass in a go and drops the glass down. As a result the glass breaks. I look down at the pieces and look up at her again with a frown.

"Do you remember I said to you I don't want this to end with you falling for me?" She asks as she leans against the railing.

I tense a little and I clench my jaw looking away from her.

"I can see you going right there." She says and I look down at her.

"Do you see that broken glass?" She asks. "It would be that easy to break your heart and I don't want to do that with you."

"I have different plans. I would give this marriage a fifty percent effort if not one hundred if this wasn't a contract marriage." She says. "You can't expect anything from me when you have been clear from day one. You don't want commitment."

"I don't want to do that with you because I like what we have." She says desperately. "You want to make me happy and I totally love all of our words but I hope you don't end up having feelings for me. Because I can't take care of your heart and I am afraid I'll break it."

"You are... worried about me?" I ask curiously.

"I am just reminding you." She explains.

"Do I have to remind you that not everything has feelings?" I ask. "Even if I end up having feelings for you don't worry- I'll keep them safe within me."

"Are we about to argue?" She asks with a frown. "You know conversations never go well with me."

"They do," I say. "You just avoid some conversations."

"Yeah." She smiles as she reaches out and opens my shirt. "I would rather do something else."

I shake my head at her while her smile seems to just swell. I watch with a frown as she removes her heels and reaches out to unbuckle my belt

She keeps her hand on the railing as she sits on it. My frown deepens as she reaches and pulls her dress off of her body.

I suddenly realize what her next move is and before I can reach out and pull her over she jumps into the water before shouting, "Pants off before you follow me."