A D I R A'S P O V

I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the elegant sheath one-shoulder black satin long prom dress with a slit that reveals just enough to captivate but not enough to compromise.

The minimal makeup highlights my natural beauty, giving me a look that is both beautiful and wild. I admire my reflection, a confident smile spreading across my lips.

My eyes, sharp and dominating, glint with a hint of mischief as I think about the date night ahead.

With my parents out of town, visiting relatives, I have the mansion to myself. It's the perfect setting for the surprise I've meticulously planned for Arjun.

With a final glance in the mirror, I grab my bag and head out the door, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

As I step outside, I see Arjun leaning casually against his car, straightening up as soon as he spots me. His smirk tells me all I need to know about his intentions.

I approach him with a fake smile plastered on my cherry lips. He pulls me into a hug, his hands lingering on my waist a bit too long.

"You look stunning, Adira," he says, his voice dripping with bad intentions. "That dress is... perfect on you."

"Thank you, Arjun," I reply sweetly, though my mind is calculating. Let him think what he wants. After tonight, his thoughts and intentions will be the least of his worries.

We get into the car, and Arjun revs the engine, driving us to one of the city's most luxurious restaurant cum hotels. The ride is filled with light conversation, Arjun trying to impress me with tales of his latest singing tours. I nod along, my mind elsewhere, plotting every detail of the evening.

Occasionally, Arjun places his hand on my thigh, squeezing it suggestively. I remove his hand each time, only for him to place it back moments later. I want to break his hand so badly, but I compose myself, knowing that patience will serve me better.

As we arrive at the hotel, Arjun helps me out of the car, his hand lingering on mine. We walk inside, the opulent surroundings fitting the grandeur of my plan.

We are shown to a private table, the ambiance perfect for what I have in mind.

Arjun pulls out my chair, and I sit down gracefully, maintaining my facade of charm and interest. "I hope you're hungry," he says, taking his seat across from me. "I've heard the food here is exceptional."

"I'm looking forward to it," I reply, my smile unwavering. But it's not the food I'm anticipating-it's the surprise I have in store for him.

The waiter arrives, and we order our meals, Arjun continuing to ramble on about his accomplishments and future plans.

I listen, but my mind is racing ahead. I watch him closely, every gesture and word, waiting for the right moment to spring my surprise.

As the evening progresses, my excitement builds. Arjun, oblivious to my true intentions, continues to play the part of the doting boyfriend, showering me with compliments and toasts to our future. But I know that after tonight, everything will change. Arjun won't see it coming, and that's exactly how I want it.

The courses arrive, and we begin to eat, the conversation flowing smoothly. I bide my time, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal my surprise.

I know it will be a night Arjun will never forget, and I relish the thought of turning the tables on him.

As we finish our meal, Arjun leans back, a satisfied smile on his face. "This was a great idea, Adira. I'm glad we could spend this time together."

"Me too," I say, my eyes sparkling with hidden intent. "I have something special planned for the rest of the evening."

Arjun's interest is piqued, and he leans forward. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

"You'll see," I reply mysteriously, my smile widening. "It's a surprise."

We finish our drinks, and I motion to the waiter, whispering instructions for the next part of my plan. The waiter nods and hurries off, leaving Arjun curious and intrigued.

As we leave the restaurant and head towards the private suite I've arranged, I feel a thrill of anticipation.

The night is still young, and the best part is yet to come. I glance at Arjun, who is looking at me with a mixture of curiosity and desire, and I know that I have him exactly where I want him.

Tonight will be a turning point, not just for Arjun but for me as well. I am ready to take control of my destiny and show everyone that Adira Singhania is not to be underestimated. And it all starts with this date, with this carefully orchestrated surprise.

As we walk towards the private suite, I can feel Arjun's anticipation growing with every step. I open the door and step inside, revealing a beautifully decorated room filled with roses and candles, casting a soft, romantic glow. Bottles of champagne are strategically placed on the table, ready for the evening's toast.

Arjun follows me in, his eyes widening with admiration as he takes in the luxurious setting. He looks at me with a hungry expression, clearly thinking something wild is about to happen tonight.

His confidence amuses me. He believes he's in control, but he has no idea what's really in store.

"Wow, Adira," he murmurs, pulling me towards him and placing his hand on my waist. His voice drops to a low, seductive whisper. "You've planned the whole night, haven't you?"

I smile seductively, playing my part to perfection. "Of course, Arjun. But first, you should drink the champagne. I ordered it exclusively from France, just for you."

His eyes light up at my words. "You know exactly what I like," he says, his voice filled with desire. "And now, I'll give you the pleasure you deserve for it."

I watch him intently as he pours the champagne into two crystal glasses, handing one to me and keeping the other for himself. He raises his glass in a toast, his eyes never leaving mine. "To a perfect night," he says.

"To a perfect night," I echo, my voice dripping with hidden meaning.

We clink our glasses, and he takes a long sip of the champagne. I barely touch mine, my thoughts racing ahead. "This is delicious," he says, savoring the taste. "You really went all out, Adira."

I nod, my smile never wavering. "Only the best for you, Arjun."

He sets his glass down and steps closer, pulling me into his arms. "Now, let me show you how much I appreciate this."

I let him kiss my neck, feeling his hands roam over my body. Inside, I'm seething, wanting to push him away, but I hold back. Patience, Adira. The time will come.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his breath hot against my skin. "I've wanted this for so long."

His words make my skin crawl, but I keep my composure, playing along. "I know," I whisper back, running my fingers through his hair. "But first, another glass of champagne. I want to make this night unforgettable."

He grins, clearly thinking he's about to get everything he wants. He pours another glass and hands it to me, then refills his own. "To us," he says, raising his glass again.

"To us," I repeat, my eyes glinting with hidden intent.

We drink, and I watch him closely, waiting for the moment when the surprise I've planned starts to take effect. I know it won't be long now. I think to myself, "Pleasure, yes, but it's not what you're expecting, Arjun. The pleasure will be mine as I watch you realize your mistake.

As I made him drink the champagne, I excused and started walking towards the bathroom. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept her my composed.

Inside the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my neck, scrubbing away the traces of his kiss with fierce determination.

My reflection in the mirror looked back at me, eyes wide with a mix of frustration and resolve. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come, and then walked out.

The moment I stepped out, I heard my phone ringing inside my purse. I walked briskly to my purse, pulled out my phone, and answered it.

"Hello?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Adira, there's an emergency at the company," the voice on the other end said, urgency clear in their tone.

I hummed in acknowledgment, my mind already racing with possibilities. "I'll be there as soon as I can," I replied and ended the call.

Turning around, I saw Arjun engrossed in drinking champagne, his back to me. I approached him nervously, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Arjun," I called softly, trying to get his attention. He looked up, his eyes meeting mine with a casual indifference that only added to my unease. "I'm sorry, but there's an emergency at the company. I have to go."

He stood up and walked over to me, his expression one of feigned concern. "Is it serious?" he asked, his voice dripping with what I knew was fake caring.

I forced a reassuring smile. "No, no, it's nothing serious. They just need me there," I said, hoping he wouldn't see through my facade.

He nodded, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Alright. If you're sure everything's fine."

"Yes, everything's fine," I repeated, more for my own benefit than his. "You can rest here if you want to."

Arjun shook his head. "No, I think I'll go to my house," he replied, his tone dismissive.

"Okay," I said, nodding. "Take care."

I walked out of the suite.

A U T H O R'S P O V

As Adira walked out of the suite, a smirk crept onto Arjun's face. He strolled over to the bed, sat down, and pulled out his phone to call his assistant, Shikha.

"Come to the Atlanta Hotel," he instructed curtly, before cutting the call.

Fifteen minutes later, a knock echoed through the room. Arjun sprang up, opened the door, and pulled Shikha into a tight hug. "Come in," he said, ushering her inside.

Shikha stepped into the opulent suite, her eyes wide with admiration. "Wow, Sir, this place is incredible! What's all this for?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement.

Arjun grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I booked it just for you," he replied smoothly.

Her face lit up with happiness, and she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Sir," she murmured against his ear.

He pulled away slightly, just enough to capture her lips in a rough, passionate kiss. His hands roamed freely over her body, feeling the soft curves beneath her clothes. Shikha responded eagerly, matching his intensity.

Without breaking the kiss, Arjun guided her toward the bed. They collapsed onto the soft mattress, their lips still locked together. He pulled back for a moment, looking down at her flushed face.

"What if Adira Ma'am finds out about this?" Shikha asked breathlessly, a hint of worry in her eyes.

Arjun smirked, his confidence unwavering. "She will never know," he assured her. "For now, let's not think about anything else."

With that, he leaned down to kiss her again, his hands continuing their exploration as they lost themselves in the moment. The suite's luxurious surroundings seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, entwined in their secret passion.

As the suite filled with the sounds of their moans and grunts, Arjun and Shikha lost themselves in their passion.

After two intense hours, Arjun lay back on the bed, Shikha's head resting on his chest.

"Sir," Shikha asked softly, tracing circles on his skin, "why are you marrying Adira Ma'am if you don't love her?"

Arjun chuckled, his fingers playing with a strand of her hair. "For money," he replied simply.

Shikha lifted her head, confusion clouding her eyes. "But you already have so much money. Why do you need more?"

He smirked, a cold glint in his eyes. "Not more than Adira Singhania," he corrected. "She has that entire Temptation Universe empire. Marrying her is the key to my plan."

Shikha frowned. "What plan?"

Arjun's smile widened, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "After marrying Adira, I'll manipulate her. I'll make sure she transfers the entire empire into my name. Once I have control, I'll be unstoppable."

Shikha's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of admiration and apprehension in her gaze. "And she won't suspect anything?"

"She'll never see it coming," Arjun assured, his confidence unwavering. "Adira is smart, but she trusts me. That's her weakness, and I'll exploit it to the fullest."

Shikha nodded slowly, understanding the depths of his ambition. She settled back down, resting her head on his chest once more, her mind racing with the implications of Arjun's plan.

Arjun leaned back, his expression grave as he began to recount his past to Shikha. "I've put in a lot of effort to get close to Adira," he confessed.

Shikha's brow furrowed in concern. "What kind of effort?" she inquired, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Arjun's gaze flickered, a shadow passing over his features. "Efforts like... murder," he admitted, his voice trailing off.

Shikha's eyes widened in shock, a wave of fear washing over her. "Murder?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arjun reached out, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "Shikha, listen, I'm not a bad man," he insisted earnestly. "But the circumstances were... complicated."

Her eyes searched his, silently urging him to continue.

Taking a deep breath, Arjun delved into his tale. "Eight years ago, Adira, her best friend Shivani Bedi, and I were part of the same social circle. We were all around 17 or 18 at the time. We ended up at a birthday party thrown by one of my friends. Adira was already showing signs of being a dedicated and hardworking person, especially when it came to business."

Shikha nodded, her curiosity piqued.

"I had a plan," Arjun continued, his voice low and intense. "I intended to slip some drugs into Adira's drink, hoping to extract valuable information about her family's business, the Temptation Universe."

Shikha's eyes widened with understanding. "But why?"

Arjun sighed, a mixture of regret and determination in his gaze. "I needed that information for my own ambitions," he confessed. "I wanted to advance in the business world, and Adira's knowledge was key."

As he recounted the events of that fateful night, Shikha listened intently, her expression a mixture of shock and sympathy.

"But things went awry," Arjun continued, his voice tinged with regret. "As we were adding the drug to Adira's drink, Shivani caught us in the act."

Shikha gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.

Arjun's jaw tightened as he recalled the events. "Shivani threatened to expose us," he explained, his voice heavy with guilt. "I tried to silence her, but she was determined to do what she felt was right."

Shikha's eyes filled with compassion as she processed the gravity of Arjun's confession. "What happened next?"

Arjun's gaze darkened as he recounted the tragic outcome. "In a moment of desperation, I made a terrible mistake," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "I spiked Shivani's drink instead. My friend and I... we assaulted her. The overdose proved fatal."

Shikha's breath caught in her throat, her heart heavy with sorrow for the young girl whose life had been cut short.

Arjun's voice wavered as he continued, his expression haunted by the memories. "The police never suspected me. My family's influence shielded me from the consequences."

Shikha listened in stunned silence, her mind reeling from the weight of Arjun's confession. The suite, once a place of luxury and passion, now felt like a chamber of secrets, each revelation casting a darker shadow over their shared reality.

Arjun's voice, smooth and confident, filled the room as he spoke of his manipulation of Adira. "Adira has doubted me before, but my love has always been enough to sway her," he murmured, his breath warm against Shikha's skin. "Now, finally, I'll have everything I desire."

His words hung in the air, laden with both anticipation and danger. As he leaned in to kiss her, Shikha's voice broke the charged silence. "But what if Adira Ma'am ever discovers the truth?" she whispered, a tremor of apprehension in her tone.

Arjun paused, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering certainty. "She won't," he replied firmly, his voice tinged with conviction. "We shouldn't waste our precious time worrying about hypotheticals. Let's seize the moment and enjoy ourselves."

Shikha's fears eased at his assurance, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She nodded in agreement, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

With an unspoken understanding, they surrendered once again to their desires, their bodies entwined in a passionate dance of lust and longing.

The room was filled with the rhythm of their fervent lovemaking, every touch and whisper a testament to their shared hunger and desire.

In that fleeting moment, nothing else mattered but the intoxicating embrace of their forbidden passion.

(⁠ﾉ⁠◕⁠ヮ⁠◕⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠*⁠.⁠✧