Contract Marriage Ch-3

 CHAPTER THREE: PARISIAN SERENDIPITY 

“Excuse me… I think you have my bag,” he said, his voice carrying a polite, but firm, tone. He wasn’t sure how she would react, and the slight flush on his cheeks hinted at his unease.He wasn’t used to these kinds of confrontations, yet he pushed himself to resolve the situation.He handed her another bag, which she recognized as her own. “Maybe that one is yours…” he added, offering a small, apologetic smile that softened the firmness of his earlier words.

Priya stared at him, her mind racing. She was ready to start a new life, away from everything she had known, yet this stranger dragged her back to reality in the most mundane way possible. Her heart raced as she tried to process this new encounter, unsure of whether it was just a coincidence or the start of something she hadn’t anticipated.

There was something about him, a familiarity that tugged at the edges of her memory. His face, though new to her, seemed oddly recognizable, like a fleeting image from a dream. Jumbled thoughts crowded her mind, each one competing for attention as she grappled with the bizarre timing of this encounter. She opened the bag and checked it, her fingers trembling slightly as they zipped open the case.

“Oh Yaa, It’s mine,” she said, relief flooding her voice as she confirmed the contents. She looked back up at him, offering a small, apologetic nod for the inconvenience.

“Both are the same, so I am just confused… I’m sorry” he apologized. He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, a nervous habit that made him seem even younger. He was clearly in a rush, his earlier flustered state now making sense. “I was late for a meeting, so I quickly picked up the bag, but when I try to open it to take out some stuff, I realized it wasn’t mine. When I came back to get my bag, I saw it in your hand,” he explained, the words tumbling out in a rush, as if he wanted to make things right as quickly as possible.

“Its okay” she said with her bright smile, which drew his attention to her face. For a moment, time seemed to pause. Her smile was radiant, lighting up her diamond shaped face with a warmth that was impossible to ignore. Her fair skin glowed under the harsh fluorescent lights of the airport, but it was her hazel brown eyes that held him captive. They were bright, alive with a spark that suggested an inner strength, yet they held a depth of emotion that intrigued him. He found himself staring, lost in the delicate features that framed her eyes, the slight curve of her lips, and the way her smile seemed to reach into the very corners of her soul.

He felt like he had seen her somewhere before, so without any hesitation he asked “Did we meet before because I feel like I have seen you somewhere!” It was a question that slipped out before he could think it through, a gut reaction to the strange sense of familiarity that clung to his thoughts. His tone was sincere, devoid of the usual flirtation that such a line might carry. He genuinely believed he knew her, but the memory eluded him, dancing just out of reach.

“Oh, very cheese line” she said, with a serious expression on her face. Her tone carried playfulness, but her expression stayed guarded, as if she tried to determine his true intentions. Priya wasn’t one to fall for cheesy pick-up lines, especially not now when she was trying to rebuild her life. But there was something different about him, something that made her pause. Maybe it was the earnestness in his eyes or the genuine confusion in his voice. Either way, she wasn’t entirely dismissive, though she kept her guard up.

“No, I’m serious, but I didn’t remember where” he said, his brow furrowing slightly as he searched his mind for the elusive memory. He knew he had seen her before, but the context was hazy, like trying to recall a dream after waking.

She studied him for a moment, her gaze piercing as if trying to read his thoughts. Then, with a resigned sigh, she decided to let it go. There was no point in dwelling on it; she had other, more pressing concerns.

“Okay fine… Now I have to go,” she said, turning to leave, her tone signaling that the conversation was over.

Karan watched her go, a small frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this encounter than met the eye. As she walked away, he found himself thinking, ‘She’s so rude but beautiful as well’

He stood there for a moment longer, watching her until she disappeared into the crowd. Then, with a shake of his head, he forced himself to focus. He had a meeting to get to, and he was already late.

---

Standing outside the airport, Priya pulled out her phone to book a cab. Relieved to finally be on her own again, she prepared to start this new chapter without any more interruptions. But as she tapped the screen, the phone remained stubbornly dark. She frowned and tried again, but the result was the same.

“Ahhh… Not now,” she groaned, frustration bubbling up inside her. The last thing she needed was for her phone to die in a foreign country, with no idea where to go or how to get there.

 Suddenly, a car stopped in front of her. The sleek, black vehicle gleamed under the airport’s harsh lights, and she instinctively took a step back as the driver’s side door opened. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw who it was, Karan, the same young man from the airport. He leaned out, his earlier flustered state replaced by a more composed demeanor.

“Are you waiting for someone?” he asked, his tone casual, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Yaa for taxi” she replied, her earlier guard still firmly in place. There was something disarming about him, something that made her both wary and curious at the same time.

“Okay, then come, I’ll drop you” he said, his voice full of a surprising mix of eagerness and nonchalance. It was as if he had forgotten all about his meeting, the urgency from earlier now replaced by an inexplicable desire to help her. Maybe it was her smile that had captivated him, or maybe it was the lingering sense of familiarity. Whatever it was, he found himself wanting to extend the interaction, to see where it might lead.

“No it’s okay, I’ll go myself” she replied, her voice firm. She wasn’t about to get into a car with a stranger, no matter how friendly he seemed.

But Karan wasn’t one to take no for an answer. Without waiting for further protest, he got out of the car and, in one swift motion, grabbed her bags and loaded them into the trunk. “Please come,” he said, opening the passenger door with a flourish. There was a hint of mischief in his eyes, as if he was daring her to refuse.

Priya hesitated, her mind racing as she weighed her options. On one hand, she knew she shouldn’t trust someone she had just met, especially in a foreign country. But on the other hand, there was something about him, a sincerity, a kindness, that made her want to believe that his intentions were genuine. Against her better judgment, she found herself getting into the car.

After that, Karan also sat in and asked her “Where did I drop you?”

Priya stared out the window, her thoughts a jumbled mess as she tried to figure out her next move. The city beyond the airport was a blur of lights and motion, a stark contrast to the stillness that had settled inside the car. She didn’t know where she was going, didn’t know the name of any hotel, but she had to tell him something.

As she racked her brain, a name finally came to her a famous international hotel she had read about. It was luxurious, expensive, and most importantly, a place where she could retreat and gather her thoughts.

“Miss?” Karan’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she quickly replied, “Drop me at The peninsula hotel.”

“Oh, it’s an expensive hotel” he said, unable to hide the surprise in his voice. He hadn’t pegged her as the type to stay in such a high-end place, especially considering the circumstances under which he had found her, waiting for a taxi. The hotel she mentioned was one of the most luxurious in Paris, a place where celebrities and dignitaries often stayed.

“Yaa I know” she replied, her tone flat as she resumed staring out the window. She wasn’t interested in explaining herself to him or anyone else. All she wanted was to reach her destination and escape into the anonymity the hotel offered.

Karan glanced over at her, trying to gauge her mood. She was a mystery to him, a puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out. Most people would have gotten flustered, or at least started talking, in this situation, but she stayed calm, almost too calm. It was as if she had built a wall around herself, one that he wasn’t sure he could breach.

He thought ‘She’s quiet too. Let me make her shout’ 

A mischievous grin spread across his face as he suddenly accelerated, the car surging forward with a burst of speed. He watched her out of the corner of his eye, expecting her to react to yell, to panic, to show some sign that she was human after all.

But Priya remained unfazed, her expression unchanging as the car sped down the highway. She could feel the rush of wind against her face, hear the roar of the engine, but inside, she was calm. She understood what he was trying to do, and she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.

The realization brought a slight smile to her lips, a smile that Karan didn’t see. “Are you just driving that fast?” she asked, her tone even as if they were discussing the weather.

“If you don’t mind, can I drive?”

Karan blinked, momentarily thrown off by her question. “Why were you scared by my driving?” he asked, a teasing edge to his voice.

“Did you think I’m?” she shot back.

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her calmness. “Hmm… No… Let’s see how your driving is,” he said, curiosity getting the better of him Priya didn’t need to be asked twice. She loved driving, especially fast cars, and the sleek black car they were in was one of her favorites. Without another word, she switched seats with him, taking control of the wheel. Her hands gripped the leather-wrapped steering wheel with familiarity, a sense of comfort washing over her.

As soon as she hit the gas, the car shot forward, the engine purring like a contented cat. She drove with precision and speed, weaving through traffic effortlessly, her focus entirely on the road ahead. Karan watched in amazement as she expertly navigated the streets, her calm demeanor belying the intensity of her driving.

Before long, they arrived at the hotel. Priya brought the car to a smooth stop in front of the grand entrance, the tires barely making a sound as they kissed the pavement. She turned off the engine and handed the keys back to Karan.

“Thanks” she said, her voice soft but sincere. It was the first time since they had met that she had shown any sign of gratitude.

“Welcome… By the way, bro, you’re good at driving,” he said, still a bit awed by what he had just witnessed. He couldn’t help but respect her skills, even if she was still a mystery to him.

“Oh, thanks” she replied, a hint of pride in her voice. Driving had always been her escape, her way of controlling the chaos in her life. And now, in this new chapter, it was a small reminder of who she was and what she could do.

They both got out of the car, Karan helping her retrieve her bags from the trunk. As she turned to go, he leaned back against the car, a small smile playing on his lips. “Bye,” he called out, watching her walk away.

Priya didn’t look back. She walked into the hotel, her bags in tow, her mind already on the next steps. She checked in quickly, her focus now entirely on getting some much-needed rest. The room they gave her was everything she had hoped for luxurious, quiet, and with a stunning view of the city. She set her bags down and walked to the window, taking in the sights of Paris.

---

Karan, on the other hand, had a different kind of arrival.

He finally made it to the office, a little out of breath and with a slight smile still lingering on his face. Priya’s unexpected appearance threw off his usual routine. He walked in, immediately greeted by his assistant.

“Where is the leader?” he asked, glancing around the office.

“In your cabin,” she replied, her tone indicating that something was amiss.

“In my cabin?” Karan repeated, confusion flickering across his face. Aryan was the CEO of K-Group, the company where Karan was the director. It was unusual for Aryan to be waiting in his cabin, especially without any prior notice.

“Hmm… and he’s very angry,” his assistant added, her expression serious.

Karan blinked, taken aback by the news. “Angry… why?” he asked, racking his brain for any reason why Aryan might be upset with him. But nothing came to mind nothing, that is, until he remembered the meeting he needed to attend.

“Because… you…” she began, but Karan quickly cut her off, a nervous smile on his face.

“It’s okay, I’ll check myself,” he said, trying to brush off the growing sense of dread. He took a deep breath, straightened his jacket, and made his way to his cabin.

As he stood outside the door, he tried to figure out how to make him calm.

His mind raced, searching for a plausible excuse he could use. But nothing came to him. He knew he was in trouble, and there was no way around it. With another deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Good morning, leader,” he said, his voice a little too cheerful as he greeted Aryan.

Aryan, who sat behind Karan’s desk, didn’t look up immediately. “Welcome, sir, welcome… You didn’t think you came too soon?” Aryan asked with sarcasm, his eyes narrowing as he finally met Karan’s gaze.

“Oh really… Did I?” Karan replied, trying to keep the mood light. He knew Aryan was angry, but he couldn’t help his usual playful nature from coming through.

But Aryan wasn’t in the mood for jokes. “Just shut up,” he snapped, his voice sharp and filled with frustration.

“Sorry,” Karan mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. He looked down at the floor, his earlier bravado fading away under Aryan’s stern gaze.

“I told you that you had to attend today’s meeting, but you are so late,” Aryan said, his voice calm but cold. There was no mistaking the disappointment in his tone.

Karan winced, realizing there was no point in making excuses now. But old habits died hard, and he couldn’t resist trying one last time. “It’s not my fault in this, the flight landed late,” he said, hoping against hope that Aryan would buy it.

But Aryan wasn’t having any of it. “The flight had landed 2 hours ago, and it takes only 20 minutes to reach here from the airport,” he pointed out, his eyes narrowing even further.

Karan sighed, knowing that Aryan had caught him “Sorry, leader, I was just helping a girl, so I got late,” he admitted, his voice low as he braced himself for Aryan’s reaction.

“I know very well how you were helping. Now just focus on your work, understand?” Aryan’s tone softened slightly, but the warning was clear. Karan needed to get his act together, and fast.

“Hmm,” Karan hummed in agreement, nodding as he made his way to his desk. He knew he had messed up, but he also knew Aryan wasn’t the type to hold a grudge. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened if he hadn’t run into Priya. Would he have made it to the meeting on time? Would Aryan be less angry?

---

Priya stood beside the window in her hotel room, the view of Paris stretching out before her. The city was beautiful, a mix of old-world charm and modern elegance, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder as she took it all in.

But beneath that wonder was a whirlwind of emotions, relief, anxiety, excitement, and a deep-seated fear of the unknown. She was finally in Paris, but now that she was here, the reality of her situation was beginning to set in. She was alone, in a foreign city, with no friends or family to rely on. All she had was her dreams and the money she had saved up over the years.

‘Finally, I am in Paris…’ she thought, her eyes sweeping over the cityscape. ‘And now here is just me and my dreams…’ The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. She had come so far, left behind everything she had known, but now she was truly on her own.

‘And after coming that far, if I do not enjoy this place like Paris, it is not possible…’ she mused, her thoughts turning to the many possibilities that lay ahead. There was so much to see, so much to do, and she was determined to make the most of every moment.

But there was also a practical side to her thoughts. ‘So, it would be good for me that I should visit the places here for some time and refresh my mood…’ she decided, her mind already planning the next few days. She had enough money to survive comfortably for more than a month, and in that time, she was confident she could find a modeling shoot or some other opportunity to keep her afloat.

‘…because I also have enough money to survive here…’ she reassured herself, her mind settling into a plan. ‘At least I can comfortably use this money for more than a month, and in between this, I will also get a shoot.’ The thought brought a sense of calm to her, a feeling that everything was going to be alright. She had made it this far, and she wasn’t going to let anything stand in her way.

Priya took a deep breath, letting the cool air of Paris fill her lungs. She was ready for whatever came next, ready to take on this new chapter of her life with everything she had. This was her moment, and she wasn’t going to waste it.

---

❁𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑❁

❀𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖎𝖙!❀

♡ 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ♡

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