Riya stood frozen in the middle of the cabin, her mind still struggling to process everything.
A secret marriage… and now a job under the same man?
This was getting worse by the second.
"Why are you still standing there?" Arjun's cold voice broke the silence.
Riya blinked and straightened herself. "I… I was just thinking."
"Don't," he replied instantly. "You're not here to think. You're here to work."
His tone was sharp, almost insulting.
Riya felt anger rise inside her, but she controlled it.
I need this job… I can't lose it.
"Fine," she said quietly. "What do I have to do?"
Arjun walked back to his chair and sat down, crossing his arms.
"For now, you'll work as my personal assistant."
Riya's eyes widened.
"Personal assistant? But I applied for—"
"I know what you applied for," he interrupted. "And this is what you're getting."
His gaze was firm.
"No arguments."
Riya clenched her fists.
This man was impossible.
"Okay," she said through gritted teeth.
Arjun noticed her expression and smirked slightly.
"Good. At least you learn fast."
She ignored the comment.
"Anything else?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, his tone suddenly serious.
Riya felt a strange tension in the air again.
Arjun leaned forward slightly.
"We need to set some rules."
Her heart skipped.
"Rules?"
"Yes," he said calmly. "About this marriage."
Riya swallowed.
"First," he continued, "no one in this office should know that you're my wife."
"I already agreed to that," she replied.
"Good," he said. "Second… outside this office, you will behave like my wife when needed."
Riya frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means," Arjun said, his voice low, "if I ask you to attend events, meetings, or family gatherings… you won't refuse."
Riya took a step back.
"So I'm just supposed to act like your wife whenever it's convenient for you?"
"Yes."
His answer was quick and emotionless.
"That's not fair," she said.
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"Fair?" he repeated. "You're talking about fairness?"
Riya stayed silent.
"Let me remind you," he continued, his tone turning colder, "you agreed to this marriage."
"I didn't have a choice!" she snapped.
The room fell silent.
For a moment, even Arjun didn't speak.
Riya realized what she had just said and looked away.
Her chest was rising and falling quickly.
Arjun watched her carefully.
Then, in a slightly softer voice, he said—
"Neither did I."
Riya looked up, surprised.
But before she could say anything, his expression turned cold again.
"Third rule," he said. "No personal feelings."
Her heart tightened.
"What?"
"This marriage is just a deal," he repeated. "No emotions. No expectations."
Riya forced a small laugh.
"Trust me, I'm not interested in you."
Arjun smirked.
"Good. That makes things easier."
There was a brief silence between them.
Then Riya spoke again.
"And what do I get in return?"
Arjun leaned back in his chair.
"Salary," he said. "A good one."
"That's it?"
"No," he added. "I'll also make sure your family doesn't face any problems."
Riya froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You… you know about my family?"
"I know everything I need to," he replied calmly.
A chill ran down her spine.
This man was dangerous.
Not just powerful…
But controlling.
"So," Arjun said, breaking her thoughts, "do we have a deal?"
Riya stood there quietly.
Her mind was screaming to refuse.
But her situation…
Her family…
She had no choice.
Slowly, she nodded.
"…Deal."
Arjun's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Good."
He picked up a file and placed it on the table.
"Now start working, Miss Riya."
Riya walked forward and took the file.
But as she turned to leave—
"Mrs. Mehra," Arjun's voice stopped her.
She froze.
"Yes?" she asked without turning back.
"Don't forget," he said.
"This is just the beginning."
Riya's grip tightened on the file.
And for the first time—
She realized something clearly.
This wasn't just a job.
This wasn't just a marriage.
This was a game.
And she had just entered it.