Married to the Grumpy Billionaire

Ananya

It was an ordinary Thursday afternoon when the announcement came—our college was planning a trip to Paris. I could hardly believe it at first. Paris. The city of love, art, and history, a dream destination that I had always longed to visit. The moment I heard the news, excitement bubbled inside me, making me feel like I was floating on air.

I couldn't wait to tell Aarav. I knew he would be happy for me. He had always been supportive of my ambitions, even when he didn't understand them fully. But somehow, this felt different. It was the kind of trip I'd always dreamed of, and I was certain he would see how important it was for me to experience it.

That evening, I came home from college, still buzzing with excitement. As soon as I walked in, I found Aarav sitting on the couch, working on his laptop.

"Aarav!" I said, practically bouncing in my seat. "You won't believe it! Our college is planning a trip to Paris, and I can go! It's a dream come true!"

He looked up at me, his face unreadable. A fleeting moment of surprise crossed his expression, but he quickly masked it with his usual composed demeanor.

"That's great, Ananya," he replied with a small smile, but his eyes didn't meet mine. "But I don't think it's a good idea for you to go."

I froze. "What? Why not?"

His gaze shifted away as he leaned back in the couch, his jaw tightening. "It's just... I don't think it's safe for you. Paris is... I don't trust the situation. I don't want you to go."

My heart sank. "Not safe?" I repeated, the words slipping out in disbelief. "Aarav, it's a group trip with professors and students! It's perfectly safe. What are you even talking about?"

His eyes finally met mine, but there was something cold in them that I hadn't expected. His tone was firm, unyielding. "I said no, Ananya. You're not going."

I could feel the anger bubbling inside me, my fists clenched by my sides. "How can you do this? You're just deciding for me again, aren't you?"

Aarav's jaw set, the muscles in his neck tightening as his brows furrowed. "I'm not deciding for you, Ananya. I'm trying to keep you safe."

"Safe?" I nearly laughed, but the sound came out bitter. "I'm not a child, Aarav! I've always wanted to go to Paris. It's my choice, my life, and I don't need you to protect me from everything!"

He stood up, his movements stiff, like he was holding back something inside. "You don't understand, Ananya. There are things... things you don't see. I don't want to lose you to something... stupid."

I felt the sting of his words hit me like a slap. "I'm not some fragile thing to be coddled, Aarav!" I said, my voice rising. "This trip, it means a lot to me. You're being so unreasonable!"

His face darkened, and I saw the tension in his body, the way his shoulders tensed. "I'm not being unreasonable. I'm being protective. You're mine, Ananya. I'm not going to let you put yourself in harm's way for something as pointless as a trip."

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out. Instead, I turned away, storming off to our bedroom. I needed space. I needed to be alone, away from him and his overbearing, possessive nature.

I stormed to our bedroom, my emotions a mixture of hurt, anger, and disappointment. I couldn't even look at him. Tears stung my eyes as I sat on the edge of our bed, letting them fall freely. Paris wasn't just a trip to me; it was a dream, a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and Aarav was taking that away without even considering how much it meant to me.

I didn't hear him follow me at first. He must have been standing silently at the door, watching me cry. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, almost pleading.

"Ananya, don't cry. Please."

I ignored him. My heart was too heavy to respond.

He tried again, sitting beside me and reaching for my hand. "I'm sorry, okay? But you have to understand—"

I pulled my hand away, not trusting myself to speak. The tears only came harder.

Aarav

Watching her cry broke something in me. I hated seeing her like this. I hated knowing that I was the reason for her tears. But what could I do? The thought of her being so far away, in a new city, without me there to protect her—it was unbearable.

I left the room, my mind torn between my need to keep her safe and my desire to see her happy. Every tear that fell from her eyes felt like a dagger in my chest. I paced the living room, trying to think of a solution. And then it hit me.

If she wanted Paris so badly, I'd give it to her. On my terms.

Aarav

I headed straight to our closet, pulling out her suitcase. It took me less than ten minutes to start packing for her. I threw in her favorite clothes, her toiletries, even that silly travel pillow she loved. Once I was done with hers, I started on mine.

By the time I returned to the bedroom, Ananya was still sitting on the bed, her face blotchy from crying. She looked up as I entered, her expression confused when she saw the bags in my hands.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

Without a word, I walked over and knelt in front of her. "We're going to Paris," I said simply.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What? But... you said no."

"I said no to you going alone," I corrected her, brushing a tear off her cheek with my thumb. "But I can't stand seeing you this upset. If Paris means that much to you, then we'll go together."

Ananya

For a moment, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Aarav had just spent hours refusing to let me go, and now here he was, not only agreeing but packing our bags?

"You're serious?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded. "Of course I am. You're upset, Ananya, and I can't handle that. I hate seeing you cry. If this trip will make you happy, then we're going."

A wave of emotion crashed over me, and I threw my arms around his neck, clinging to him like a lifeline. "You're really taking me to Paris?"

"Yes, baby," he murmured, holding me close. "Anything for you."

Ananya

That night, we arrived at the airport, and it still felt surreal. Aarav handled everything, from the tickets to the check-in, his usual confidence on full display.

As we boarded the plane, I couldn't stop stealing glances at him. He had always been protective—sometimes frustratingly so—but this... this was different. It wasn't just about control or safety. It was about love.

Aarav

As we sat on the plane, watching the city lights fade below us, I glanced over at Ananya. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, her smile wide and genuine. She was practically vibrating with happiness, and for the first time all day, I felt at peace.

Taking her hand in mine, I leaned in close, my voice low. "Welcome to Paris, baby."

She turned to me, her expression softening. "Thank you, Aarav. For everything."

I kissed her hand, a small smile playing on my lips. "Anything for you, Ananya. Always."

And as the plane soared into the night, I knew one thing for sure: I'd move heaven and earth to see her smile like this again.