The next day, Kabir gathered Aria and Rohan in the living room of the penthouse.
His tablet was filled with news articles, fan posts, and social media trends.
"Good news," Kabir said.
Aria looked hopeful. "Please tell me the internet forgot about me."
Kabir shook his head.
"You're trending."
Aria sighed and dropped onto the couch.
"Of course I am."
Kabir continued, "But the rumors from Dev Khanna are spreading fast. People are starting to believe your marriage might be fake."
Aria looked at Rohan.
"Well… technically it is."
Rohan ignored the comment and asked Kabir, "What do you suggest?"
Kabir gave them a serious look.
"You two need to act like a real couple."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't we already agree on that?"
"Yes," Kabir said, "but now it has to look natural. Interviews, photos, public appearances, social media… everything."
Aria groaned.
"I'm a writer, not an actress."
Rohan smirked slightly.
"Then think of it as character research."
Aria threw a pillow at him.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
Kabir cleared his throat.
"Actually, there's something else."
Both of them looked at him.
"A popular talk show invited you two for an interview tomorrow."
Aria sat up straight.
"A live interview?"
Kabir nodded.
"Millions of people will be watching."
Aria looked horrified.
"I'm going to embarrass myself on national television."
Rohan looked calm as ever.
"Just answer honestly."
Aria stared at him.
"You realize we're hiding a fake marriage, right?"
Kabir smiled slightly.
"That's why we need to practice."
Aria blinked.
"Practice what?"
Kabir pointed at them.
"Couple behavior."
Rohan crossed his arms.
"What exactly does that mean?"
Kabir thought for a moment.
"Simple things. Holding hands. Smiling at each other. Looking comfortable together."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"You want us to rehearse being married?"
Kabir nodded.
"Exactly."
Aria sighed dramatically.
"This is the strangest job I've ever had."
Rohan stepped closer and held out his hand.
"Well then," he said calmly, "let's start."
Aria looked at his hand suspiciously.
"What are you doing?"
"Practice."
She hesitated for a moment… then placed her hand in his.
The moment their fingers touched, something unexpected happened.
Aria felt a small spark run through her chest.
She quickly looked away.
"Okay," she said awkwardly. "This is weird."
Rohan smiled slightly.
"You're the one who agreed to the contract."
Before Aria could reply, Kabir suddenly frowned at his tablet.
"That's strange."
"What?" Aria asked.
Kabir turned the screen toward them.
Another article had appeared online.
"DEV KHANNA CLAIMS ROHAN MALHOTRA'S MARRIAGE WON'T LAST THREE MONTHS."
Aria rolled her eyes.
"That guy is obsessed with us."
Kabir shook his head.
"That's not the problem."
He zoomed in on the article.
Dev had made another statement to reporters.
"If the public knew the truth about Rohan's marriage contract, they'd be shocked."
The room went silent.
Aria slowly looked at Rohan.
"He said… contract."
Kabir's expression turned serious.
"He shouldn't know that word."
Rohan's face darkened slightly.
"Which means someone is talking."
Aria felt a chill run down her spine.
Because suddenly it seemed like their biggest secret…
was already starting to leak.
End of Chapter 11
Next Chapter: A Secret Someone Knows