Terms Of Residence.
308 Words
CHAPTER TWO: Terms of residence.
The wedding was a spectacle. white orchids cascaded from gold arches. Cameras flashed. Influencers live-streamed the ceremony. Business analysts debated the “power merger” on television.
Aria wore ivory silk and a smile she practiced in the mirror.
Dev stood beside her, composed as ever, his hand steady around hers.
When he leaned close to whisper the vows, his voice was low enough that only she could hear.
“We’ll make this as painless as possible”. He said.
“Don’t patronize me”, she murmured back.
A flicker of amusement crossed his face.
They signed the register.
Applause erupted.
Just like that, she was Mrs. Aria Malhotra.
Dev’s penthouse overlooked the city skyline- floor to ceiling glass, minimalist furniture, everything arranged with precision.
“This is where we’ll live”, he said that night, after the reception ended and the last of the photographers were escorted out.
Aria stood in the living room, heels in hand.
“It’s very… symmetrical”, she said.
He glanced around. “Is that a criticism”?
“It’s an observation”. She said.
He walked towards a hallway. “ there are two master suites. Yours is on the left. Mine on the right. Shared spaces in between.”
“Efficient”, she said.
He paused. “Aria”.
She looked at him.
“If at any point this becomes unbearable, tell me, we can adjust”.
The sincerity caught her off guard.
“I’m not fragile” she said.
“I didn’t say you were”.
There was a beat of silence-less hostile than before.
“Good night, Dev”. She said.
“Good night” he replied.
She closed her bedroom door and leaned against it.
Two years.
She could survive two years.
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