Mia

How was it possible to be constantly consumed by the thoughts of a man who you previously hated and even made plans to get rid off? The way he walked, talked, smelled or even kissed, it's mental.

I wanted to keep my distance with him because I didn't want to lead him on or vice versa.  But the more I wanted to stay away, the more I found myself drawn to him. I used to be so happy when I didn't have to face him but now I find myself missing him on the days I couldn't see him. What is wrong with me? Damn what has Aryan done to me?

He was not my type at all. I preferred my man to be quiet, calm and understanding and Aryan was a total opposite of that. He was loud, irritating and always misjudging me. But he was also very caring and kind and made me laugh with his silly jokes. I didn't realise I was daydreaming about Aryan until Karan called out my name 3 times.

"Ms Young, are you okay?"
I saw many eyes staring at me. Fuck we were in the middle of a budget meeting.

"Yes I am." I adjusted myself back again in my seat.

"So are you okay with the new budget proposal for the staff?" Maya from finance asked me.

"Absolutely. Maya, you did a good job on the presentation." I barely understood what happened because I was busy dreaming about Doctor Casanova.

When everybody left I spoke to Karan and was relieved that he took notes of the important points and said he would email everything to me before we approved the new budget plans. What would I honestly do without him?

Karan was a really good looking guy in his late twenties. He was tall, he had good looks and he had shoulder length wavy hair that he tied it in a half bun. He was admirable to an extent . I have caught so many girls looking at him but he never once spared them a single glance. I always wanted to talk to him about his life because you know he has been my PA for 2 years now and the only thing I know about him is that he lives alone with his black cat. I made a mental note to probably take him out to dinner some time to thank him for always being a good PA.

I was in the middle of playing an online basketball game on my computer when my dad texted me.

Dad: Please invite Aryan to our annual deepavali open house next week Saturday.

That was right, our annual Deepavali open house was next week. Oh how time flew, it only felt like yesterday when Aryan first moved into my home and I despised the very sight of him every single day and now all I did was occupy my time thinking about him. I have to stop daydreaming about him or I'm going to end up in the hospital and I don't think Aryan would appreciate that.

Me: Should I invite him as my Doctor?

Dad: I'm inviting him as my guest and there are a few people I would like him to meet.

Me: Okay

Fuck why did my dad want to invite him. I didn't really like the idea of Aryan mingling with my dad or anyone from my family. They could easily tell him unwanted things about me and I didnt appreciate that one bit and who does my dad want to introduce Aryan too anyways?.

I pondered on the situation for a bit. I was even tempted to lie to my dad that he would be busy on that day and tell Aryan to go along with my plan but knowing Aryan, he would question me too much and would think I'm hiding something from him and then he would nag me about it. Why God, why am I constantly surrounded by people who give me a difficult time?. I mentally cursed myself and then decided to text Aryan.

Me: My dad has invited you to our annual Deepavali gala at his home next Saturday. Keep yourself free.

I didn't expect him to reply to me immediately so I placed my phone back down and continued playing the game on my computer.

5 minutes later my phone pinged me and it was a text from Aryan that read,

Aryan: Thank you for the invite fiore. I will try to take the night off next Saturday 😉

Me: Great

Aryan: No winky face for me 😞

Me: Get back to work Aryan

Aryan: 😢

Me 👍

Aryan ♥️

Woah what's with the heart shape. Was he..... No it can't be. It's Aryan, he is always acting stupid. I brushed off my thoughts and turned off my desktop and left the office to go have lunch with my friend Ananya.

The cafe we went to was lively and bright and beautiful.  Sunlight streamed through the big windows casting a vivid glow around us and on the wooden floors. The walls were covered in a light beige wallpaper that had some silver flowers drawn on it. The sounds of the lively conversations between the customers, the smell of the food surrounded us.

Ananya designed this new cafe and she outdid herself. Ananya has been my best friend since high school. She was an extrovert who befriended my introverted ass and ever since that day we were inseparable. Ananya was a brilliant architect and interior designer and when she graduated she worked for this huge designing firm but as of last year she opened her own firm and I was her first investor, I even got her to design my home and it was featured on Architectural Digest. It was a huge boost of fame for her and she instantly started getting new projects from lots of people after that.

I told Ananya everything about my life from my parents, siblings, my traumas, boys and my health problems and she never once judged me. In fact she supported me alot even when I didn't need her to. She was definitely the older sister I wish I had. When Aryan moved into my house 5 months ago all I did was cry to her and she told me to just see how things go between us and not to judge him immediately. Ananya always saw the good in people first before the bad. She always carried a positive vibe with her wherever she went.

Right now she was grilling me about Aryan and I hated it so much. Why was everyone always talking about him?

"So what you are telling me is that you have softened up to Aryan?" Ananya sipped her coffee and gave me a blank stare.

"No, I said I'm okay with him now because....

"Because you like him." She waved her hand.

"No... and stop finishing my sentences for me." I grew annoyed at her.

"It's okay to admit that you like him, Aryan seems like a wonderful person."

"How do you even know?"

"Because he puts up with you and believe me you are not easy to deal with, as Taylor Swift would say he was sunshine and you are midnight rain."

"What is that even supposed to mean?" I huffed.

"It means, learn to see Aryan for who he is and not what you are assuming him to be. He genuinely cares about you and that is why he is willing to tolerate your antics. Money can't buy affection or loyalty and though you told me that is the exact reason why he is doing this, something tells me it goes beyond that."

"What are you saying Ananya?" I was perplexed by what she said.

"What I'm trying to say is that with the way he is behaving with you and how he seems extremely worried about your health and the way he cares about you, it's not exactly normal."

"Are you saying he likes me?"

"Possibly and also maybe there is an underlying reason why he even took the offer in the first place, paying off the debt was just secondary compared to it."

Ananya was right, why did Aryan even take up the offer if he wasn't concerned about having the debt paid off?. Did my father blackmail him aside from offering to pay off his debt, or did Aryan really care about me and that's why he even took up the offer in the first place? I understood he cared about my health in a terribly annoying way but aside from that he never really showed me any signs that he liked me personally. I mean Aryan and I did get physical with each other and according to him we are 'best friends' but that probably meant nothing, we were just teasing each other at best.

Aryan was an easy person; he could get along with a wall if he could. He had an infectious smile, a charming personality that stood out and great looks. Anyone would be attracted to him, including me. A part of me felt intrigued to know if he did like me but another part of me just told me to hold my ground.

Prior to this I was in 2 horrible relationships. First guy abused me and the second one was just straight up jealous of me the whole time and was just in it for the money. Back then I was young and dumb and didn't know any better. I was betrayed and heartbroken by them and it took me years to get over that trauma and I wasn't willing to go down that road again and especially with Aryan because I knew if I fell for him, I would fall really hard and there's no coming out from that.

2 hours later I was back at home. I greeted my fur babies and went behind the house, to the pool area to relax. The late afternoon sun casted a warm glow around the pool area causing it to glimmer under it and the tall plants swayed under the light breeze.

I walked towards the pool lounger and kicked off my heels, removed my jacket and sat on it. Shvan followed me and jumped on top of me, laid his head on my belly while Toffee climbed onto the other lounger and dozed off. I was petting Shvan head's head while also taking some photos and videos of the both of them. I loved them with all my heart. I learnt what true love was because of them. Shvan and Toffee's unconditional love was what brought me out from my severe depression and suicidal thoughts. I still do have depression but it wasn't as bad as it was before and I will always be grateful for these 2 bundle of joys. They were technically my sons and I would literally do anything for them.

I must have dozed off somewhere along the way and by the time I woke up it was already dark outside and when I checked my watch the time showed 8.30p.m. I gently woke up Shvan and Toffee and we all went back inside. I walked past the kitchen and saw Nina and the other maids cooking something and it smelled wonderful. I wanted to ask her what she was doing when I got a sudden call from my dad. "I wonder why is he calling me now? My mom probably complained to him about my health and now he is going to kill me. With a sigh I answered my phone.

"Hey dad. What's up?"

"Will it be possible for you to fly to Bali tomorrow?" My dad asked all of a sudden.

"Bali, why is something wrong?"

"Yes, it's Rohan Masrani, the new hotel he is building caught on fire and all the work we did for them is damaged and destroyed. I want you to fly in and check in on our boys as well the damage that has incurred and see if we can help Rohan out."

"Shit omg. Absolutely I will fly in tomorrow."

"Great, you can take the jet then."

I ended the call with my dad and went up to my room to start packing. I took out my suitcase from my walk-in closet and just started throwing in all my makeup, toiletries and clothes inside.

Once I was done packing I called up David, my pilot and informed him that I needed the jet ready by 8am as we would be leaving for Bali tomorrow morning. I also emailed Rohan and informed him that I would be flying in tomorrow to see him and help him out with the situation. I checked my phone and the news about the fire outbreak was all over social media. Gosh Rohan must be having a tough time.

After that I took a shower and changed into my Victoria's Secret pyjamas which consisted of a silk short sleeve shirt and shorts and then I went downstairs to have my dinner. Nina served me chicken soup with rice and it tasted amazing. I was halfway done with my dinner when Aryan casually strolled in and smiled when he saw me. He gave me immediate butterflies and I had to control myself. Why did I always have to feel that way around him? I mentally cursed myself for acting like a 15 year old girl in front of him. It was embarrassing.

"Hello fiore, how was your day?"He questioned me.

"It was good Aryan, how was your day?"

"It was okay, I guess." He looked restless and his thick hair was a little messy. But nevertheless, he was still very handsome.

"Nina, Aryan is here." I informed her and a few minutes later she served Aryan some chicken soup and rice as well. He ate in silence while looking at something on his phone. He looked quite tense while staring at it.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Hmmm... uhm no I mean yes everything is fine."

"You know you can tell me right, I promise I won't judge."

"Please you judge me all the time and you enjoy it a lot." He glanced up from his phone and almost rolled his eyes at me.

"I dont judge you Aryan, I just have strong feelings when it comes to you." I explained myself.

"Anyways it's nothing and you don't have to worry about it."

I wasn't convinced with his answer but I decided not to bug him about it, eventually he will spill it anyways because he can't keep his mouth shut.

"I'm leaving for Bali early tomorrow morning." I informed him.

"What? Tomorrow, why are you only telling me this now?" He looked like he was about to throw a fit. " Fiore I get it you hate me to the core but you have to inform me about things like this ahead to me, so that I can plan something with you to make sure you are okay and put reminders on my phone to call you and ask you about your health while you are away." He continued rambling.

"Are you done?"

"Yes"

"Firstly Aryan, this was a last minute plan. My dad just called me two hours ago and informed me that I have to go to Bali tomorrow as there is a situation that I need to deal with and secondly, I don't hate you... at least not anymore." The last part is true. However I still get annoyed when he irritates me about my health.

"Really, you don't hate me anymore, why?" He glanced at me with those mesmerising light brown eyes. I often feel like I am being hypnotised everytime I look at him. Honestly I didn't have a proper answer for his question.

"Maybe because you are starting to like him" my mind said and I shooed those thoughts away.

I ignored his question and I hoped he didn't notice.

"Aryan, you can call me anytime while I am in Bali."

"Anytime? Promise?"

"Promise."

"When will you come back?" He asked me. A sense of longing was evident in his eyes.

"Next week Saturday."

"Saturday, that's long." He seemed upset when he said that.

"What are you going to miss me or something?" I teased him.

"Maybe. I will miss this pretty face and the sarcasm." Aryan came closer to me and played with a strand of my hair and I could feel those damn butterflies again.

"It's only for a week, enjoy the peace."

"Hmmm, I will try." He gave me a small smile.

"Okay I got to go and sleep. I have an early flight to catch, goodnight Doctor."

Before I walked away he pulled me in for a tight hug and it caused my heart to flutter.

"Come back to me in one piece." He kissed my forehead and walked away.

Ananya's words came flooding back to me. Did Aryan really like me or was he just playing with my feelings?

The thing about men is that they had a knack of acting sweet at first and then showing their true colours once you showed them that you liked them back. But something told me Aryan wasn't faking it with me. His concerns seemed genuine and I couldn't help but start to fall for it and needless to say I even enjoyed the way he cared about me for the first time.

I just hoped he wasn't playing with my feelings or I would literally murder him. The idea of him hurting me caused my chest to ache a little and I had to calm myself down. Aryan would never intentionally hurt me. I went back to my room and lied down and drifted off to deep slumber dreaming about light brown eyes.