'Dinner With The Devil'

Viraj

"Is everything going accordingly?"

"Yes sir. The reporters are crowded in front of the restaurant like hawks."

"Good!" I cut the call and leaned my head onto the comfortable seat and relaxed.

Past few days were hectic to me, I couldn't even step out of my office without a bunch of bodyguards and scheduling prior to my appearance.

It was all calculated.

When I would appear, how I should move and where I showed up.

Father was making worth of the fame, not letting go of any futile moments.

"Why are we not going?"

I sucked in a large breath, almost forgetting she was right beside me in my car.

Five minutes of silence was all I asked for, just five minutes.

"Cause some shit of plans and all." I slurred as if I was drunk. Too tired to make her understand, and frankly I don't care at all.

"What?"

"We..will go in like five minutes, can you just shut up till then?"

I tried not to lose my calm, lack of rest can make humans go crazy and this woman was cherry on top.

"Excuse me! I didn't even agree to this in the first place." Her voice went a pitch high and groaned when I gave her no reaction. "I should just go."

"Fine. One dinner with me and you can ask for anything."

"Are you even listening to the words you are spitting out of your damn mouth?"
I glanced at her red face and piercing glare directed towards me. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortably.

"Yes I am fully aware. Now ask for anything."

She rolled her eyes and groaned in annoyance again. But the minute she sulked she jolted right back with a new found excitement.

"You won't back down?"

I squinted my eyes at her sudden interest. It's a bit fishy.

"Yes but I need good behaviour from you."

She nodded like a six year old.
"After marriage there will be absolutely no connection between us. I will be free as a bird."

"What does that mean?"

She stared right into my eyes before proceeding in a low voice.

"No connection means you can't order me around. I will do as I like, go where I want."

"Sure. You have my words, but don't forget the clauses of our contract."

"Yeah I know that. Let's go now." She said and hurriedly got out of the car when John came into view.

I smiled at her innocence.

Oh! I trapped a naive one.

I watched her bare back sliding inside the elevator. I closed my eyes shut and ran my hands through my hair.

Fuck!

I almost forgot about the huge open invitation to perverts..

I jumped out and walked in the elevator and stood right behind Nia, she frowned but didn't say anything.

As the elevator went up, I leaned near her ear, the sweet vanilla scent  hitting my nostrils.

"Remember to behave."

The elevator opened and instantly the blinding lights hit our face. I groaned internally but composed a straight face.

I heard Nia gasp so I tightened my hold around her waist and guided her inside.

The restaurant was dazzling with gold and silver lights, it wasn't like I've never been here. I have been here thousands of times but today was different,it was shining so beautifully.

I glanced at Nia, the golden lights falling on her making her skin glow like sparks of gold.

She looked Magnificent!

I grabbed her waist and stride inside, the Paparazzi shouting and clicking photos with some reporters blocked by our bodyguards.

The manager took us to our table which was inside the VVIP room, Nia had her mouth wide open when we reached our table.

"Smile."

One word was enough to make her realise where she's at. After the waiter took our orders, when they left Nia breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Now there's only us.

"I thought I'd die."

"Touché" I cheered and drank my wine to her bewildered face.

The rest we just ate and talked a few words. Nothing serious or interesting, but somehow I was intrigued by her way of talking about anything to everything.

"I am full."

She threw her hands up, giving up, I scoffed but remained silent.

A knock appeared out of nowhere, I frowned as the dishes were all served and no one ordered food. Regardless I yelled a small come in.

And I regretted it.

"Nia?"

Her friend.. ah!I forgot the name, barged in with wide eyes.

"Adil? What are you doing here?"

This jerk follows her everywhere it seems!

"I need to talk to you."

"Can't you see we are busy? Step out, Now." I calmly stated before she could say anything.

"How did you get in?" Nia asked but I scoffed and muttered under my breath but loud enough that they could hear.

"Maybe he works part time here."

I chuckled, staring at both of them who were giving death glares to me.

Like hell I care!

"It's urgent." I glared at Adil, trying to remain as calm as I could.

"Try again. But I won't let you talk."

"Why? Are you scared?"

I threw the fork with a loud clunk, I turned my head to the opposite direction. My hand itches to throw a punch at his face. But I got an image to take care of.

"Why do I need to be scared of someone whom I don't even count as a person?"

"Well then let me talk to her."

I stood up and walked but instead of reaching the door I stood beside Nia like a wall between them.

"I don't trust you. What does a government employee have to do with Nia?"

"Maybe I am not as rich as you but I also come from Rathore family. Don't you dare make fun of my job. "

Adil seethed out with clenched jaws.I clenched my fist tight enough that my knuckles might've turned white.

Calm it down! He's not worth it.

"Fine, talk."

I turned on my heel and took a step towards Nia but Adil hurriedly grabbed me and pulled me back and stood between me and Nia.

He will surely die by my hand.

Nia

"What do you want?"

Viraj glared at Adil but he swiftly took out his jacket and put it on me. I was dumbfounded at his all of a sudden gentleman gesture.

"I don't want everyone's eyes on you."
Viraj complained with his glare fixed on Adil.

If he's that much concerned with my bare back he could've said no to the dress when I tried it.

"Anyway, what were you saying?"
I asked Adil whose stare was equally on Viraj.

"Can we talk, alone?"

I looked at Viraj but he didn't even budge from his place. I tapped his shoulder to get him out from whatever world he's in right now .

"One minute." He announced and stride out until he disappeared from the door

"Nia, do you even know what you are doing?" Adil asked as soon as Viraj was out of sight.

"What?"

"This marriage. Do you even know what this is all about?"

I shrugged.

I mean I do know that it's to increase family business and both of the powerful families to grow their power even more. If he's referring to that, I pretty much know.

But, I bet he's not talking about the big picture but the small details hidden inside.

"Nia..." He breathe out and added  grabbing my arms and shook me a bit.
"How can you be so clueless?"

"I have no clue what you are saying."

"Viraj is marrying you for that property. Nothing else."

What?

I...

I didn't even think of it that way.

"Nia Viraj's not someone who backs down. If he wants something he gets it by any means." Adil pointed out and I couldn't disagree at all. "This marriage is nothing but a business deal for him. How can you be so naive."

How?

I didn't even consider the chances of the whole marriage thing to be for the sole purpose of gaining my property. I mean our family had arranged this marriage not Viraj and he's also forced into this.

"But he said he was forced too."

"And you believed it? Just like that?"

He's right! The ground beneath my foot shook, my heart sank deep down the abyss. As the dots connected, everything made sense. Maybe it's the truth. Otherwise there's no other explanation to the events happening around me.

Why he's so desperate to make our public appearance, why he made me sign the contract.

The one year marriage deal. He might have planned so that he can leave me after he makes the property under his name.

Technically, that property is under my name but if I married him, he can be co-owner.

How can I forget that?

Everything's making sense now, the urgency to marry, the fake engagement drama and now the public appearance.

He's faking it all!

Everything he's done till now was to maybe announce to the world that we are soon to be married and after the marriage he can take my property with ease.

Adil slowly patted my shoulder, cupped my face and made me look at him.

"Break this marriage. Talk to your parents. Nia you have to get out of this."

I can't, I promised my mother, it was their one condition when they gave me the money to buy the property from the real owner.

I can't back down now.

Or else, hell would be unleashed upon me.

What do I do now?

"Adil, I made a contract with the devil. There's no backing off."

He threw his hands in the air and grabbed his hair. Viraj is making every move with hidden motives, I need to be more careful around him.

The orphanage must be registered before the marriage. It should be running by the time he gets his hands on the property so that Viraj can't harm my grandma's house.

"Darling, it's time for us to go."

Viraj popped up from the door with the devilish smirk I've ever seen.

What did I throw myself in?

******____*******

**Not edited**

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