Part 87
She nodded, her heart racing as he leaned in. His lips met hers in a gentle, tender kiss, filled with everything he couldn’t put into words, every feeling they had both buried beneath the guise of their contract. In that moment, the world faded away, the hurt, the whispers, the doubts—all disappeared, leaving only the two of them.
But as they pulled apart, a loud gasp pierced the silence. The flimsy banner they had hidden behind had collapsed, exposing them to a sea of paparazzi, cameras flashing madly as they scrambled to capture the scandalous scene.
As the cameras clicked away, the paparazzi barely contained their glee, realizing they had stumbled upon the scandal of the year. Maan Khuraana—one of the most sought-after, reclusive, and enigmatic business magnates—caught in a passionate embrace with Geet, a struggling actress with rumored ties to him, yet no official title. The tabloids had long speculated about their relationship, framing her as nothing more than a mistress or a fleeting affair. And now, with this kiss, they had their evidence—a story that would take the media by storm.
Headlines practically wrote themselves as the paparazzi crowded forward, shouting questions loaded with scandalous insinuations:
“Maan, is she the reason you’ve stayed out of the public eye?”
“Geet, do you think being Maan Khuraana’s mistress will further your career?”
“What about the ‘poor wife’ you left behind, Maan?”
“Maan, was it a love story or just an affair?”
Their voices grew louder, sharper, hungry for a reaction, their cameras snapping relentlessly to capture every fleeting look, every hint of tension, every drop of vulnerability.
Maan’s jaw clenched as he shielded Geet from the growing chaos. He could feel her trembling beside him, the weight of the rumors and judgment pressing down on her. He tightened his arm around her, his gaze daring anyone to come closer. There was a fury in his eyes, a silent warning that even the boldest reporters took seriously, but that didn’t stop the swarm of cameras from capturing the scene with every possible angle.
The scene was the breaking news story of the night. Social media platforms erupted with hashtags, the images of Maan and Geet trending instantly. Fan pages, gossip columns, and entertainment sites alike devoured every image, every detail, every possible interpretation of their intimate moment.
It wasn’t just scandalous; it was the very drama the media craved. The ruthless industry circles, who had once dismissed her as insignificant, now dissected her character, calling her a “social climber,” a “moral-less gold-digger,” and worse. In seconds, Geet’s name was being dragged through the mud as the news spread like wildfire.
++++
Maan drove her home, his hand occasionally brushing against hers as if to reassure her that he was there, that she wasn’t alone in facing the frenzy they had just left behind. The silence between them was heavy yet comforting, filled with an understanding that needed no words.
When they arrived, Geet reached over and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, his heart weighed down by guilt.
“I’m so sorry… I…” he started, but she interrupted him, her voice gentle.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, giving him a small, reassuring squeeze. Despite everything, she found comfort in his presence, in the warmth of his arms around her.
He sighed, rubbing her back softly. “Maybe… maybe it’s time we reveal the truth. Tell everyone you’re my wife.”
Geet pulled back slightly, her eyes sparking with mischief. “No,” she said, a glint in her eye that took him by surprise.
“No?” he repeated, unable to hide his surprise. He looked at her curiously, wondering if his unpredictable, prank-loving side had rubbed off on her a little too much.
A slow smile spread across her face as she shifted, her excitement bubbling up as she perched herself almost on his lap, her hands resting on his shoulders. “Let’s take them all on a little ride!” she declared gleefully, her voice brimming with excitement.
Maan’s surprise quickly melted into delight as he saw the playful, rebellious gleam in her eyes. He loved this version of Geet, the one who could laugh in the face of their world’s hypocrisy, who embraced a bit of his impulsive nature without fear. “How?” he asked, leaning closer, his voice low and intrigued.
She grinned, her eyes dancing with anticipation. “That’s for you to decide,” she teased. “You’re the prankster, the eccentric genius. Let’s have some fun with their assumptions and their hypocrisy.”
Maan’s lips curled into a grin as he watched her, his mind already racing with possibilities. She had sparked something in him, and now, together, they would rewrite their story in a way that would keep the world guessing. He leaned forward, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Alright,” he whispered, his tone filled with promise. “Let’s give them a show they won’t forget.”
She laughed, the sound filling the room and lifting the tension that had settled around them. And as they shared that moment, Maan knew that they weren’t just taking on the world’s misconceptions—they were stepping into this new chapter as equals, partners in mischief, bound by love and the thrill of facing whatever lay ahead… together.
Maan couldn’t help but smile as Geet’s laughter echoed in the room, filling it with a warmth that made him feel as though they were in a world of their own, untouched by the media's scrutiny or the whispers outside. He looked at her, his mind already spinning with ideas for their plan. If the world wanted to assume things about her, about them, then they’d give them just enough rope to twist themselves up in their assumptions.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked, his tone both serious and filled with excitement.
She nodded, eyes gleaming with determination. “Absolutely. Let them think what they want; we’ll be two steps ahead, watching them scramble.”
Maan smiled gleefully like a Cheshire cat seeing this side of Geet
M- But on a serious note, Geet.
His expressions suddenly become serious.
Maan stands in the dimly lit living room, his expression conflicted as he tries to find the right words, his gaze drifting away from her for a moment. "I didn’t want to force this relationship on you,” he begins, his voice low. “For you to feel like you have to choose me, or… or even like me, just because I helped you when you needed it."
Geet’s brows lift, a surprised laugh escaping her. “You helped me?” she scoffs, crossing her arms. “You were the reason I went bankrupt! Mr. Khurana, you put your high horses to shame.” Her voice carries a mix of exasperation and amusement as she watches his face shift from earnest to startled.
Maan opens his mouth to reply, but she doesn’t give him a chance.
“Anyway, if you must know,” she continues, stepping closer, “I chose you before any of that happened. Remember? I was the one who approached you first. And I didn’t chase you off, even though—" she sighs, shaking her head with a hint of a smirk, "even though you were a royal pain.”
He chuckles despite himself, watching her, captivated by her defiant spark.
“And as for our contract marriage,” she says, her voice softening just slightly, “I agreed to it because I trusted you. For some… weird, inexplicable reason,” she admits, a small smile playing on her lips. “But it was real. My choice.”
Maan’s expression shifts, a warmth filling his eyes. “You trusted me?”
She rolls her eyes playfully. “Yes, somehow, against all logic and reason, I did. I just knew you’d stand by your word.”
He steps closer, his hand reaching out to gently brush her cheek. “Then maybe we can stop pretending this is all just because of a contract,” he murmurs, his voice low. “Because truth be told… I’ve wanted you here, with me, long before I had an excuse to make it official.”
Geet laughs softly, shaking her head as she looks at Maan with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You think I’m with you because of some contract? Come on, Maan. No contract can make anybody do that.”
She chuckles at her own joke, her laughter light and teasing. But when she glances up, she sees Maan frowning slightly, a look of genuine confusion crossing his face. He looks almost… hurt.
"Wait… are you serious?" he asks, brow furrowed. “Am I really that hard to like?”
Her laughter fades, replaced by a soft smile as she reaches out, placing a hand on his arm. “Maan, no,” she says, her voice gentle, yet carrying her usual playful edge. “You’re not hard to like—you’re just hard to know. You have this wall up, this... ‘keep-out’ sign, and it took time for me to realize what was behind it.”
He stares at her, his expression shifting, a mixture of relief and something deeper. “And what did you see?”
Geet’s smile turns warmer, her gaze softening. “I saw someone worth knowing. Someone who thinks he has to earn love, like it’s a debt he has to repay. But Maan…” She reaches up, cupping his cheek, her touch grounding him. “I didn’t stay because of a contract. I stayed because I wanted to. Because I choose you.”
A small smile finally breaks through his frown, his eyes meeting hers with a newfound warmth. “Then I must be lucky,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.
Geet grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she reaches up and gently pulls Maan's cheek. "You’re like a toddler sometimes, you know that?" she teases, her laughter soft and warm. "So cute."
Maan’s eyes widen, a mix of surprise and indignation flashing across his face. "Cute?” he sputters, looking genuinely baffled. “I’m not cute!”
Geet chuckles, refusing to let go of his cheek as she gives it a playful tug. "Oh, but you are. Look at you, all serious and brooding one second, then completely lost the next. It’s adorable."
Maan frowns, trying his best to look annoyed, but he can’t hide the faint blush creeping into his cheeks. “I don’t think ‘adorable’ was quite what I was going for,” he mutters, though a small smile starts tugging at his lips despite himself.
Geet just laughs, patting his cheek affectionately. “Don’t worry, Mr. Khurana. You’re tough and intimidating most of the time. But sometimes, when you get all lost in your own thoughts… well, I can’t help it. You’re cute.”
Maan rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling now, the warmth of her touch and the playfulness in her voice melting away his reservations. “Fine, you win,” he murmurs, pulling her into his arms. “But just for the record—I’d rather be irresistible than cute.”
Geet’s expression softens as she looks up at Maan, a gentle smile curving her lips. “You know,” she begins, her voice quiet but steady, “I realized you’re a good man. Maybe it didn’t look like that initially. I mean, you came off as… well, a bit of a challenge,” she teases, a playful glint in her eyes.
Maan chuckles, though he looks a bit embarrassed, his gaze dropping for a moment. “I guess I didn’t make it easy, did I?”
She shakes her head, laughing softly. “Not even a little bit. But… once I saw past all the walls you put up, I could see it.” She reaches out, taking his hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You’re kind. You’re protective. And you care more than you’d ever admit.”
Maan’s eyes soften, his usual guarded expression melting as he meets her gaze. “You really see all that in me?”
Geet grins up at Maan, a playful glint in her eyes. “I know you’ll always look out for me,” she says, her tone teasing but laced with sincerity. “Like, if I just let go right now, tum pakad loge.” Before he can respond, she tilts backward, letting herself free-fall on her back with a mischievous smile.
Maan’s eyes widen in surprise, but his reflexes kick in immediately. Without a second thought, he lunges forward, catching her around the waist, steadying her just before she fully loses balance. His hands grip her firmly, pulling her back upright, and he lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
“Geet!” he exclaims, half-exasperated, half-laughing as he pulls her close. “Are you crazy? You can’t just let yourself fall like that!”
She chuckles, unphased, and looks up at him with a satisfied smile. “See? I told you. I knew you’d catch me.”
Maan shakes his head, unable to hide the smile tugging at his lips. “You’re impossible, you know that?” he mutters, though his tone is soft, full of affection.
Geet shrugs, resting her hands on his shoulders, looking up at him with a cheeky grin. “Impossible or not, I was right. You’d never let me fall.”
Maan sighs, his fingers gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “No, I wouldn’t,” he admits quietly, his gaze intense. “Not now. Not ever.”
She smiles, leaning into him.
Maan looks down at her, a smirk playing on his lips. “Then why didn’t you tell me you liked me?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
Rules & Announcements
521