Bound By Contract

The next chapter will be published ONLY when the target is completed.

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Amayra's Pov

"Amayra," Rudra's voice echoes through the penthouse as if he knows I was hiding.

And he's right, I am hiding. Out here on the balcony, behind the long black curtain, my heart racing like a drum. I've been avoiding him ever since the kiss this afternoon. Not because I'm upset or angry, but because I don't know how to face him. And there was the case that I was feeling a little shy to face him.

Siya's teasing has been running wild in my head ever since our wedding, planting all kinds of ideas about couples and love and how it just happens. And now, I think I've started liking my temporary husband.

I wasn't supposed to feel this way. I wasn't supposed to replay that kiss over and over, feeling my cheeks burn every time. Rudra called it an emergency, but I know better. That man was enjoying himself, and I knew it because I caught the faintest hint of a smile right before he leaned in to kiss me.

And now, I don't know what to say to him. I don't even know how to talk to him. So, here I am, hiding again, watching him through the glass door as he moves through the penthouse, searching for me. Murphy trots happily behind him, his tail wagging as if this were on some grand adventure.

But then, Rudra turns toward the balcony.

Panic hits me, and I quickly shuffle to the swing, plopping down and shutting my eyes. If he finds me, I'll pretend to be asleep, and to make it more believable I start snoring, loudly.

The sound of his footsteps grows closer, and soon I feel his presence beside me. He's standing there, watching me. My mouth feels dry from all the fake snoring, and it's painfully awkward because I can feel his gaze like my little act thoroughly entertains him.

Why isn't he leaving?

"I know you're awake," Rudra finally says, breaking the silence.

I stay still, snoring louder, ignoring him completely.

"Amayra, your acting skills are... terrible," he says and I wanted to retort back at that but I realized I was supposed to be asleep, and people cannot hear when they're asleep.

I hear the sound of him crouching down beside me. Oh no. My heart picks up speed as I sense him leaning closer. His voice, now just above a whisper, sends shivers down my spine.

"Amayra," he says softly, and I swear I have butterflies in my stomach.

Focus! I remind myself. He's testing me.

He doesn't affect me and his closeness definitely does not affect me, I kept repeating in my mind.

When I don't respond, he lets out a sigh. "Alright," he says, louder this time, "Guess I'll just have to wake you up the hard way," he says.

Hard way? My mind starts racing. What's the hard way? Is he going to shake me? Pour water on me? Or—oh no—kiss me again?

Before I can process it, I feel something light brush against my cheek. My eyes fly open on instinct, and I sit up straight, nearly knocking into him. "What are you doing?!" I blurt out, my fake snore forgotten.

Rudra leans back, holding up a single leaf he must've plucked from one of the plants. "Oh, look who's awake," he says with a smirk that's far too smug for my liking.