The Diamond Code

Chapter 7

Rhea leaned back, crossing her arms. "Well, I hope you brought more than your vague excuses to this date, Mr. Consultant."

He couldn’t help but grin. "Fair enough. Ask me anything."

She tapped her fingers against the table, her eyes narrowing like a detective on a bad TV show.

The waiter arrived with their orders—her simple pasta and his steak. But Rhea didn’t touch her food. Not yet.

"So, tell me something real about you, Aryan. No vague ‘consultant’ nonsense."

Aryan raised an eyebrow. "And what do I get in return?"

Rhea smirked. "Depends on your answer." She said taking a sip of her wine.

This is dangerous.

He could feel it—the pull between them. The sharp wit, the challenge.

But he couldn’t give her the truth. So he settled for half of it.

Aryan took a small bite of his steak before responding to her. "I grew up in Pune," he said. "No siblings. Moved to Mumbai for work."

Rhea tilted her head slightly as she finished the bite she'd eaten earlier. "That’s actually normal. I was expecting something dramatic."

Aryan chuckled. If only you knew the other half of it.

"I’ll take that as a compliment." He said, smiling at her.

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t. I wasn’t being nice.”

He placed a hand over his heart and made an exaggerated "ouch" sound, feigning hurt. “That was harsh! But, it's okay. I  forget you." He said dramatically as she raised an eyebrow.

"What about you?" he asked after a moment, watching her carefully.

Rhea hesitated. "Mumbai, born and raised."

She was holding something back.

The way her shoulders tensed ever so slightly, the way she avoided his gaze for just a second—he caught it all.

"Big family?" he pushed.

Her jaw tightened. "It used to be."

Bingo. There it was. A crack in the armor.

Before he could press further, she forced a smile. "Your turn again."

He let it go. For now.

Rhea couldn’t believe it.

She was actually enjoying herself.

Even after being ditched on their first date, even with her instincts warning her that something about Aryan was off…

He was charming.

Not the kind of fake charm she was used to. He wasn’t overly smooth or trying too hard. He was confident, but not arrogant. Attentive, but not pushy.

And the most dangerous part?

He looked at her like he actually saw her.

And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for that.

Aryan leaned back, his smirk turning thoughtful. "One last question before dessert."

Rhea arched a brow. "Go on."

"What’s something you’ve never told anyone?"

Rhea blinked. "That’s a heavy question."

Aryan’s expression didn’t change. "You can handle it."

She hesitated.

Then, before she could stop herself, she said, "Sometimes, I wonder if my life is a lie."

Silence. The words hung there for a moment.

Something flickered across Aryan’s face—too fast for her to read.

"Why would you say that?" His voice was softer now, more serious.

Rhea forced a light laugh. "It’s nothing. Just forget it."

But Aryan didn’t. His gaze stayed steady, sharp, and she could feel him trying to piece something together.

Rhea didn’t like that.

Didn’t like how exposed she felt.

So she changed the subject.

Her eyes darted to his plate. "How can you eat chicken that smothered in sauce? It’s drowning in there."

Aryan smirked. "It’s Pollo alla Cacciatora. Rustic, rich, and delicious."

"I prefer my food to look like food, not like it’s been caught in a storm."

He raised his fork and grinned. "Want a bite? You might surprise yourself."

Rhea leaned back with a mock-horrified expression. "If you try to make me eat that, I’m leaving. No hesitation."

Aryan chuckled, the tension lifting. "Suit yourself. You’re missing out, though."

The waiter arrived with dessert—a molten chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream. Rhea’s eyes lit up.

"Finally. The best part of the today's date."

Aryan gave her a mock-offended look. "I’m not sure if I should be flattered or insulted."

"Definitely flattered, afterall your choice is good, I'll give you that!," she said, winking at him, grabbing her spoon without waiting.

He watched her with amusement as she took a bite, closing her eyes briefly to savor it.

"You’re something else, Rhea."

She glanced up, mischief glinting in her eyes. "If that’s your attempt at flattery, it needs work."

She took another bite of dessert, the rich chocolate melting on her tongue. At least the fondant wasn’t pretending to be anything it wasn’t.

To be continued....

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