Hateful Games: (An arranged marriage billionaire romance) (Arranged Games Book 2)

Chapter Seventy-five

My best friend Bianca is officially and for the final time happily married.

The occasion brings me so much joy.

The ceremony, the view, her beautiful red lehnga, and the music… everything was romantic, surreal, and breathtaking.

I cried, which I’ve apparently taken as a hobby, as I stood and watched she and Dash take seven pheras around the holy fire in the exquisitely decorated mandap. Shammi, who she met when she moved away last year and has gotten super close like family, gave her away to Dash in place of her real father.

The moment was so emotional, I was a mess.

Me? The girl who never wears her feelings on her sleeves, has lost her edge and is smiling more freely. I still have my resting bitch face but it’s not as scary as it used to be. Or so says Iris and Bianca, when I saw them earlier before we left in separate cars to drive to the resort where the reception is.

The wedding brought back memories of my own.

What a wreck I was, crumbling inside, torn over the uncertainty of my future. That I was exchanging one prison for another.

Yet months later, it’s like I’m living a fairy tale.

Or I’ve magically transported into living another woman’s life.

Because mine sure as heck doesn’t seem real.

When I was walking down the aisle, my gaze locked on Nova, I wanted to turn around and escape. Scared of what hell he had in store for me. Never in a million years did I think I’d become inseparable from my husband. In more ways than one.

Although lately, he’s been a little detached and closed off. There’s an edge in the corners of his eyes that always had warmth, even at the peak of their intensity. An invisible cloak of tension simmers in the air around him. I catch it in the moments he doesn’t know I’m staring at him while he’s deep in thought.

Thoughts I’m not privy to.

The unknown is killing me, weaving a chaos in my psyche. I hate the wall that’s slowly building brick by brick. So many times I’ve fought the urge to demand answers.

Is this what being in love is?

Being vulnerable, so deeply connected that even the littlest of difference drives you mad, skyrockets your fears and makes you want to fix it. I know what hiding a secret is like, the shadows that become a part of you and the conflict.

Nova is hiding something; I can sense it.

I just don’t know what or why.

Does he still not trust me?

Of course, he doesn’t. You’re hiding truths from him.

I wish he would share what’s bothering him. While this dark cloud hangs over our heads, he’s still the same attentive, possessive, and filthy-mouthed man who’s constantly doting over me.

Despite having a busy schedule, he chose to accompany me to my best friend’s wedding. Because it was important to me. Although his response was rather on the lines of seductive. He didn’t want to miss the chance of seeing me dressed up like his wet dream.

Once he saw the backless cocktail gown I was wearing, he was on me in a flash and growling in my ear, “No way I’m letting you go alone. One glance at you, everyone will need a reminder that you’re my wife. The lucky man you’ll be going home with.”

With a satisfied smirk, I had let him guide me to the car.

That was in the morning, now the sun has fallen down and we’re again locked in the back seat while the driver rides ahead.

“Nova?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“I’m curious,” I murmur, tracing the wedding band on his left hand resting on my thigh.

He breaks away from staring out the window and glances toward me, squinting his eyes curiously, “About?”

“Why do you call me Rose?”

The corner of his mouth curls upward. “And not little hellion?”

“That’s pretty self-explanatory.”

His low chuckle sends a shiver down my spine. Then another powerful shiver dances the same path, along with my heart pounding at the soulful intensity of his chiseled face. His magnetic and deep voice pins me to the seat.

“Because you’re like the beautiful flower. Everyone trying to pluck you away selfishly for themselves without worrying about the consequences of making you wither. I was doing the same when I met you. Until the urge shifted to protecting you while possessing you.”

He has me possessed.

Hooked.

Mesmerized.

“You do all of it and more, Nova,” I whisper just as our car pulls to a stop.

A panty-melting smile, he orders for me to wait before stepping out of the door. His hand buttoning his suit jacket as he stands. Rounding the hood, he reaches my side and opens my door like a true gentleman.

Or maybe not.

Because he doesn’t give an inch of space so my nipples, which are still healing, graze his chest as I stand. The piercings are torturing us in equal measure. The wait as painful as the memory of the sting.

“Still no regrets?” I murmur for his ears.

His gaze darkens. “None. I’m even more eager to add another.”

“What if I say no?”

“Are you?” His gravelly tone is daring.

When I say nothing, his smirk grows. Too indecent for public. Instantly making my panties damp. My body forgetting momentarily that it’s still recovering from our last romp in the sheets. Or should I say, desk.

“Let’s get you inside, my wife. Before I decide to deepen the blush on her cheeks.”

Yeah. His dirty talk is my kryptonite.

With a possessive hand on the small of my back, he leads us down the well-lit path where the arch is decorated with colorful flowers, leading to the back garden in the luxurious resort. The reception party is a cozy affair with a close-knit circle of people. I see a lot of familiar faces, including a few of Bianca’s relatives and cousins she’s genuinely connected with.

Arya, her younger sister, is nowhere to be seen.

Ever since Bianca’s cut ties with her parents, she and Arya have drifted apart too. Last I heard, Arya was engaged to her long-time boyfriend. I know it deeply hurt Bianca when she read it in the newspaper. Especially because of the sacrifice she made to make it happen.

“Ro!” shouts Iris from a yard away. Her voice sharp and loud for someone built like a pixie. Nathan walks behind her while she speedwalks toward me.

Even though we were separated for a max of fifteen minutes, she still bear hugs me as though we’re meeting after ages.

“You just saw me, Iris,” I tease.

“So?” she mutters, like I’m being silly. “Is there a limitation on hugs? Wait, don’t answer.”

“Have you been drinking?” Nova asks from behind. His body heat wrapping around as he locks one arm around my waist.

Iris doesn’t miss when I slightly lean into his embrace.

She’s worse than the paparazzi.

“She’s not allowed alcohol tonight,” answers Nathan, earning an eye roll from his girlfriend.

“Designated driver?”

“She has an exam tomorrow.”

“You guys are making me sound like an alcoholic,” Iris says, giving them a side-eye. “I can enjoy a party without drinking.”

“Ignore them,” I cut in before either of them can say anything.

With a shake of her head, she does and allows a smiling Nathan to pull her closer. Everything about the two of them is perfect. Always in sync, finishing each other’s sentences, protecting and caring.

But their relationship is also very private.

I know Iris’s family is very conversative, which is why I’ve never seen the two of them kiss or do any PDA. Except the occasional hand-holding or forehead kisses. I brushed it off as normal.

But after seeing Bianca and Dash even when they were faking their relationship, they were all over each other. Dash, who never cracks a smile unless Bianca is around, is always kissing and touching her. Hell, in my own experience, I can hardly keep my hands or lips off Nova.

I know every relationship is different but there’s something about Iris and Nathan which is irking me, liking I’m missing something. Could it be because they’ve been dating for a long time?

Or maybe I’ve turned into Bianca.

Both of us hit by the same Cupid.

“Oh! There’s Shammi.” Iris squints to our left and tugs at my wrist. “He’s alone. Let’s go meet him. That man cracks me up.”

“I haven’t had a chance to properly meet him.”

“Then we ought to. Come on.”

Before she can pull me away, I twist and rise on my toes to kiss Nova. A quick peck that lasts for a lingering second and earns a soft contented look.

“I’ll be back.”

“I’ll be here.”

I let Iris tug me away. We’re out of earshot of the men when she playfully shoves my shoulder with hers. “Still in the honeymoon phase, I see?”

“Better than the fighting phase?”

“Still planning to leave him?” asks Iris somberly. “Or have your feelings changed?”

The question makes me pause and my heart hurt.

I’ve been living in such a bubble that I’ve neglected all the obstacles standing in our path. I’ve let my guard down, let Nova in despite my commitment not to while pretending our families don’t have a deceitful past. Half of which I’m still left in the dark about. The visit with my dad, the memories of that afternoon return like a vengeance.

I want you to meet someone.

I push down my father’s voice filled with morbid glee. The cruelty so toxic and terrifying, I’ve compartmentalized them in a dark recess of my mind. However, as days fly by and with Nova’s gloomy behavior, I’m close to flipping out. There’s still so much I haven’t shared with Nova while I’m selfishly coaxing him to reciprocate.

Maybe I am my father’s daughter.

“Rose?” Iris nudges me in concern.

I return a broken smile. “It’s no longer my choice, Iris.”

“What are you saying?”

“As long as my father stands in the way, Nova will never be mine.”

A frown pinches her brows. “Do you think Nova hates him that much?”

“No.” A humorless laugh slips. “My father hates me that much to ruin the one good thing that ever happened to me.”

Before she can respond, we reach the table Shammi occupies.

“Hey, girls,” he says warmly. The laughing lines around his wrinkly face deepening. “It looked like you were having a serious conversation. What’s troubling you?”

The question is spoken with him gazing at me, protectiveness flickering. Iris and I take a seat around the round table. “Everything’s peachy.”

“That’s what Bianca said, too, until the boy finally got his head out of his ass.”

I laugh, despite myself. Iris snickers.

“Where are they?” I muse, my deflection not being missed by both of them.

“Ahh,” Shammi says, a twinkle in his eye. “The roles are reversed in your story.”

“You miss nothing, do you?”

“Years of wisdom, which is why I also know you and your husband will be fine. Every couple faces a test. Whether you let it break you or make you stronger is up to you.”

His soulful words make my eyes burn and I smile shakily.

Except, I don’t even know if Nova and I will survive it.

Our conversation is interrupted when a server brings over a plate filled with delicious food and places it before Shammi.

“Would you like anything else, sir?” the waiter asks with a professional smile.

“No, thank you.”

Nodding, he walks away.

Shammi waves his hand at us. “Have a taste.”

“It’s okay.”

“Are you leaving early?” Iris asks, after politely declining. “Bianca mentioned all of us will be sitting together later for dinner.”

“I’ve taken too much of Dash and Bianca’s hospitality. The boy has arranged his jet to fly me back home tonight, even though I insisted to go by train. Besides, I’m too old to stay up late.”

“We are glad you came. Bee is over the moon.”

Shammi smiles adoringly at me. “She’s an amazing kid. I wouldn’t have missed her wedding for the world. It’s good to see her so happy.”

The three of us chat for a bit before we excuse ourselves to find the bride.

I wouldn’t put it past Dash to lock her away with him in a room.

Our suspicions prove almost correct when we find them inside the hall leading to the suites upstairs. Both have changed their traditional clothes. Dash in a custom suit while Bianca looks flawless in a shimmering purple floor-length gown.

“Dash,” she sighs with a silly smile. “We can’t skip our own party.”

“It’s our party. We can do whatever we want.”

“It’s rude.”

“One hour.”

Bianca gasps in mock outrage and crosses her arms. “Two.”

Are they seriously negotiating?

“One and a half,” Dash counters, shutting her up with a kiss.

Before it escalates into more, judging by Dash’s grip, I loudly clear my throat. Iris hides her chuckle behind her hand. They pull apart.

Dash turns with an angry scowl. Upon seeing my smirk, his ire grows, and he accuses, “Why are you always interrupting us?”

“Not my fault you confuse hallways with a private room.”

“You are both worse than siblings,” jokes Bianca.

I make a face. “I’ll never have him as a brother.”

“Thank God,” retorts Dash, bored.

“How about you two continue and I’ll take Bee away?” Iris suggests, stepping forward to lock her hands with Bianca’s. “We have to gossip about you anyways, Ro.”

“You guys gossip about me?”

“We also have a bet going on,” shares Bianca before she proudly reveals, “I’m winning.”

“Unbelievable.”

Giggling, they both skip away. Strangely, it isn’t awkward between Dash and I once we’re left alone. His green eyes glued to his wife, who twists to meet his stare before focusing on a comically chattering Iris.

“Drink?” asks Dash.

“Why the hell not?”

We make our way to the bar. While Dash calls the bartender, I ask him, “Where’s Justin?”

“Most probably busy trying to keep apart his dates.”

“Huh?”

“He brought two dates by mistake.” Smirking, he adds, “They’re twins.”

Just when I thought he couldn’t shock me more. That man is a flirt. “Why is he keeping them apart?” I gasp. “Wait… they don’t know?”

Dash shakes his head and passes me my drink. “He ran into them in the same building. Got confused and asked them both out. Didn’t realize they were twins.”

“That’s insane. Which one is he into?”

“Neither.” At my perplexed expression, he explains, “He’s trying to prove he isn’t into the girl I know he’s very obsessed with.”

“And men complain women are crazy.”

As though we conjured him, an unfazed Justin joins us. “I found a marker. Problem solved.”

Dash quirks one eyebrow, baffled. While I instantly understand his diabolical plan.

“Did you seriously pull a Michael?”

Justin grins. “How else am I supposed to tell them apart?”

“Their names.”

“Don’t remember.”

“Pig,” I insult. He scowls, offended. Jeez. Pot meet kettle.

“They aren’t complaining. Why are you?”

“This is going to bite you in the ass,” I warn, sipping my drink.

His face etches into a flirtatious smile, and he drawls, “I have other pleasant ways to end my night.”