Married to the Grumpy Billionaire

Ananya

I stormed into the house, slamming the front door harder than necessary. My pulse was racing, my cheeks hot with frustration, and my hands trembling from the encounter with Aarav.

Who did he think he was? Dragging me out of college in front of everyone like I was a child! And that little comment—I don't like the way he looks at you.

My fists clenched at the memory. The audacity! The arrogance!

"Ananya?"

I turned to see Amma stepping into the hallway, a concerned look on her face. "What's wrong, kanna? Why do you look so upset?"

I forced a smile, not wanting to worry her. "Nothing, Amma. Just a long day at college."

Her frown deepened, but thankfully, she didn't press. Instead, she said, "Go freshen up. I'll bring you some tea."

I nodded, retreating to my room. The moment I shut the door, I let out a frustrated groan, pacing back and forth. Aarav was impossible. He acted like he owned the world—or more specifically, me.

But what confused me more than his overbearing behavior was the way I felt around him.

There was something about Aarav that left me completely off balance. He was intense, yes, but there was also a quiet protectiveness about him that made my heart race in ways I didn't understand.

And that only made me angrier.

"Get a grip, Ananya," I muttered to myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror. "You can't let him get to you like this."

Aarav

I parked the car outside my office building, but I couldn't bring myself to step out. My mind was too preoccupied with Ananya.

The way she had looked at me—her eyes blazing with defiance—played over and over in my head. She was furious, no doubt about it.

Good.

Her fire, her spirit—it was what drew me to her in the first place. She wasn't like the people in my world, all polished smiles and calculated moves. She was real, raw, and utterly captivating.

But she was also young. Too young for the darkness I carried.

Not that it mattered. I'd already made up my mind.

I had told myself I would be patient, give her time to adjust to the idea of our engagement. But seeing her today with that boy—his casual ease around her, the way he made her laugh—it had tested every ounce of my self-control.

I couldn't stand the thought of someone else claiming even a fraction of her attention.

She was mine. She just didn't know it yet.

With a sigh, I rubbed a hand over my face and finally stepped out of the car. There was work to be done, deals to close, and meetings to attend. But even as I buried myself in the chaos of the corporate world, my thoughts remained tethered to her.

Ananya

The next morning, I woke up with a resolve to avoid Aarav at all costs.

After a quick breakfast, I grabbed my bag and headed out, hoping to reach college before Amma or Appa could call Aarav for any reason.

But as luck would have it, his car was already parked outside the gate.

He stood leaning against it, his sleeves rolled up, exposing his strong forearms. His dark eyes were fixed on me, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

"Good morning," he said, his voice smooth yet commanding.

I ignored the flutter in my chest and forced myself to respond. "What are you doing here?"

"Taking you to college," he said simply.

"I can go on my own," I replied, stepping past him.

"Ananya."

There was something in his tone—a quiet authority that made me stop in my tracks. I turned to find him watching me, his expression unreadable.

"Get in the car," he said, his voice softer now but no less firm.

I wanted to argue, to push back against his overbearing nature. But there was something about the way he looked at me—intense and unwavering—that made it impossible to say no.

With a huff, I got into the car, crossing my arms as I stared out the window.

Aarav

The silence in the car was heavy, but I didn't mind. I could feel her irritation, see it in the way she stubbornly refused to look at me.

Good. Let her be angry. It was better than her indifference.

As I drove, I couldn't help but steal glances at her. She was wearing a simple white churidar, the soft fabric clinging to her in all the right ways. Her hair was tied back in a loose braid, and a few strands framed her delicate face.

She looked beautiful, even when she was fuming.

When we reached her college, I finally broke the silence. "Ananya."

She turned to me, her brows furrowed. "What?"

I leaned slightly closer, my voice low. "Stay away from that boy."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked too stunned to respond. Then, her cheeks flushed with anger.

"You can't tell me who I can and can't talk to!" she snapped.

I didn't back down. "I can. And I will."

Her jaw tightened, and she opened the door without another word, slamming it shut behind her.

As I watched her storm into the building, I couldn't help but smile.

She could fight me all she wanted, but in the end, she was mine.