Hope you're enjoying the story so far. Please let me know if you find the twist boring....

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"Hubby," Avni shouted, searching for Siddharth as soon as she woke up. Avni always searched for her mother as soon as she opened her eyes as a kid. Everything falls into place only after she hugs her Mom. Now, Siddharth has automatically taken that place.

"Yes, Princess. At your service," Siddharth chuckled, rushing into the bedroom. He felt a pang in his heart as the previous night's memories surfaced. Will she still search for him after a few days?

"You forgot something," Avni pouted, looking around. She realized the reason but pushed it to the back of her mind.

Santosh's entry into their life cannot mess with their routine, and it's crucial for Siddharth to understand this. Just because he walked in doesn't mean things can't be usual anymore, and they keep fearing about what might happen next.

"Guess what! Today is a lucky day for me," Siddharth winked and walked into the balcony. He plucked a red rose that luckily blossomed that day and forwarded it to her. He kissed her cheeks as usual.

"This is cheating," Avni whined, accepting the rose. She had her naughty plans if he admitted.

"No."

"Cheating. Cheating. Cheating," Avni yelled like a little kid, and Siddharth gave up, "Alright! What do you want?"

Avni grinned, warning him, "There's no backing off, Hubby!" She rushed into the washroom, picking her dress for the day.

Siddharth rolled his eyes at her excitement and nodded in positive. How can someone be so happy with such small things? He wondered, but it's Avni at the end of the day. She's his weird little cutie-pie.

Siddharth's eyes widened, taking in her dress --white T-shirt and blue shorts that ended mid-thigh. Her slightly damp hair was tied into a ponytail, and she appeared fresh.

Avni walked into the kitchen, and Siddharth automatically followed, watching her hips sway. His wife is the most beautiful creature on earth in his eyes. It took him enormous self-control to not pull her to himself.

"Be my assistant," Avni giggled, settling on the kitchen counter.

"What?" Siddharth blurted in shock.

"Yeah!" Avni said nonchalantly.

"I thought things changed after yesterday," Siddharth sighed. He had a hard time controlling his laughter. He might be ruling the business world, but his little kitten had him wrapped under her fingers. He couldn't be happier about it.

"Haha!" Avni let out a sarcastic laugh and ordered, "Follow my instructions."

"Yes, Princess. What can I do for you?" Siddharth smiled, welcoming her craziness.

"Let's start with dry fruits. Grab the one on top and give it to me," Avni started and crossed her legs.

"I want to eat Vegetable Biryani today. So, begin by cutting veggies," Avni instructed, relishing the dry fruits in her hands.

Siddharth sincerely cut all the vegetables and marinated them. He washed rice and put the pressure cooker on the stove.

"Should I add this amount of chili powder?" Siddharth questioned, taking a spoonful.

"A little less," Avni said moments later.

"This much?" He asked, shaking the spoon and letting some powder drop into the tin.

"Nope. A little more," Avni suggested, tapping her finger against the kitchen counter. That happened a few more times, and Avni laughed hard as he patiently listened to her.

"Very naughty," Siddharth exclaimed, gently twisting her ear.

"Oops. We forgot adding salt in marinate," Avni remembered, diverting his attention.

"Where's it?" Siddharth asked, looking around and ignoring the sweat beads forming on his forehead due to heat.

Avni's eyes moistened for a moment. Her husband can get his work done with a click of his fingers. Yet, he does everything she asks him to without a hint of frustration.

"Come here," Avni called in a soft whisper and wiped his face with tissues placed nearby. She adjusted the few fringes falling onto his forehead.

"Salt is in the above shelf," Avni mumbled. He raised his hand to grab but stopped midway as her hand went behind his neck.

Siddharth's breath hitched as Avni moved closer, kissing the corner of his lips. It felt like an eternity since they last kissed. Her palm rested against his chest, and the other went into his hair.

Avni bit her lips, looking straight into his eyes filled with desire and love for her. The kiss started off slow as their lips moved in sync, relishing each other's presence. His comparatively rough lips moved against her soft ones creating perfect friction.

The kiss that started off slow turned into a moment of passion. His tongue plunged into her mouth, tasting every corner. His hand that previously rested against the kitchen counter traveled to her waist.

"Ah," Siddharth reacted as she bit his lip. Avni dominated the kiss, smiling in between. He tasted of fresh mint and lime. A new flavor she started liking from that moment.

Siddharth's hand involuntarily traveled upwards. He inhaled sharply, feeling the soft flesh of her breasts. Avni gasped at the sudden extreme touch. It was the first time someone had touched her that intimately.

Her gasp brought him to his senses, and he quickly removed his hand. He left her lips and stared at her, anticipating signs of discomfort.

Avni opened her eyes in confusion upon losing his warmth. The surroundings fell silent, and their rugged breaths were the only sounds reaching their ears. She made a quick decision, locking his eyes with hers.

Avni squeezed her eyes shut and sucked in a deep breath, deriving strength. She dismissed her rational brain and pulled her T-shirt up in one quick motion. She tossed it somewhere, giving him her approval in the sweetest way possible.

Siddharth's chocolate brown eyes didn't leave her hazel blue orbs though he realized what she did. She expected confusion, astonishment, and everything of that sort but what she read from his eyes was deep admiration and adoration.

Siddharth never expected her to believe in him so much. No! It's not easy for a girl to be bold. It's definitely a lot harder for Avni. It takes a lot of strength to ignore millions of doubts at the back of her head and act the way she did.

A woman is not shy all the time. At least not her! The thought of 'What if my man doesn't find me physically attractive' lingers a little too much. She pushed that thought to the back of her mind and challenged herself.

The more she studied those chocolate brown eyes, Avni felt treasured and loved. She felt shy as the cold breeze touched her bare skin.

Avni blushed, looking down, and she moved her hands, trying to cover herself, but Siddharth was quick to react. He held her both hands, pushing them towards her back, and pulled her towards himself.

"You're the most beautiful woman I ever met," He whispered, kissing her ear giving her goosebumps. His hand played with her bra straps as he kissed her collarbone. He cupped her breasts, totally lost in a different world.

Avni struggled to understand the new feelings he evoked inside her. It was all unique, and her heart pounded in her chest. She brought her legs closer, feeling an entirely new sensation. Her stomach was in knots, and her breathing was irregular as he placed a few urgent kisses on every inch of her sensitive skin.

Avni wrapped her legs around his torso involuntarily, trying to reduce the weird, intense sensation. Her breathing hitched, feeling his hardness. She has read numerous erotic books but feeling it for real had her blushing like a tomato.

She was about to drop her legs, but Siddharth was quick to hold them in place. His hands supported her hips, running along her thighs.

Both were lost in the moment before a pressure cooker whistle interrupted them. Siddharth left her instantly and fetched her top before focusing on the cooking. Avni smiled at his thoughtfulness before wearing it.

Siddharth sucked in a deep breath, shaking off his wild thoughts. As much as he tried focusing back on the cooking, he couldn't.

"Can you continue?" He asked and excused himself, not waiting for her answer. He badly needed a cold shower.

The lunch was a silent affair. Avni never lifted her head in shyness, and he didn't force her. He silently engrossed in his phone for a moment.

"Yes. I'll go through them. Thank you," Avni answered the call and looked at Siddharth in excitement.

"They mailed me my offer letter. We're going through it together," Avni chirped, finishing off her lunch. He mentally high-fived himself for successfully diverting her mind and intently listened to everything she spoke.

"The pay is thirty dollars per hour, and work would usually be eight hours per day," Avni explained, going through the offer letter. He wanted her to learn analyzing even when he already knew everything.

"Great! What do you think of it?"

"The average pay is usually fifteen dollars for this position in other companies. But, SM is renowned for its high pay scale," Avni analyzed.

"Alright! Do you want to negotiate? Any clauses or anything," Siddharth asked.

"I would love to negotiate a few things with Siddharth Malhotra himself," Avni giggled, changing the serious atmosphere to a fun-filled one.

"Now that I am walking into Lion's Den, I would like to play it safe," She bit her lip, teasing him.

"Next time you do that, the Lion might eat you up," Siddharth spoke in his husky voice, sending shivers down her spine. His thumb grazed her soft, luscious lips while his eyes devoured them.

"I don't want people treating me differently as I am your wife," Avni said, shaking off some dirty thoughts from her mind.

"I won't declare you as my wife unless you want me to. We'll keep it hidden," Siddharth agreed. He didn't want her having unnecessary attention that could make her uncomfortable. Moreover, He wanted Avni to earn her identity through her hard work and dedication.

"Are you sure?" Avni stressed. She is okay if he desires to announce to the world that she's his woman.

"It's alright! No problems as long as I get what I want," Siddharth winked.

"Anything else?"

"Yeah..." Avni hesitated before Siddharth encouraged and spoke, "The glass walls of your cabin are tinted. I want them transparent."

Siddharth chuckled, understanding her intentions. Her cabin is right ahead of his, and she probably wanted to keep an eye on him.

"I have a feeling that you'll love the tinted ones more," He smirked, entertaining some dirty thoughts she missed.

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"The blue one, Baby girl!" Siddharth suggested, getting ready to office in his navy blue three-piece suit. He usually got dressed in a formal shirt and trousers while in Bangalore. But Paris has a strict business culture, and the weather is cool too. Not that anyone would dare to question Mr. Malhotra, but it sets an example.

"Okay," Avni grabbed the sky-colored suit that Siddharth chose. "Go now. I have to change," Avni pushed him outside their bedroom.

The half-hour journey to SM Automation was joyous as she enthusiastically babbled about her first day. The car came to a halt in the parking area, and he opened the door for her like the gentleman that he is.

Siddharth helped her balance herself on the heels and guided her towards the elevator.

"What are you doing? Someone will see us," Avni pestered, but he didn't listen.

"It's a private parking for our friends and me during visits," Siddharth smirked, answering her worry. He punched number thirty and pulled her closer.

"I don't mind another morning kiss," He whispered, locking her between the wall and his torso. He closed his eyes, moving forward only to groan later. 

Avni giggled, placing her palm in between, and added, "My lipstick will be ruined."

Siddharth let out a disappointed sigh and hugged her inhaling her fruity fragrance. He played with her long silky hair while she pulled him closer to herself. 

There is supreme intimacy and beauty about touch. The urge to be closer to your loved one and have skin-to-skin contact is not lust or desire but an expression of love.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra. Please enter the passcode," The voice of the elevator greeted before the door opened.

"0718," Siddharth said, gesturing her to enter.

"07 is your birthday, and 18 is Ma's," He answered before she even thought about it.

Avni gasped, exiting the elevator. It's a well-furnished single-bedroom penthouse.

"It's our personal space. I use it for relaxing between work," Siddharth explained while Avni admired the place. All her dresses and essentials were already arranged beside his.

"Remember everything I told you? Do you feel any anger or pain?" Siddharth asked, searching her eyes.

"I'm fine," Avni said in a flat tone.

"Good day, Baby girl! I know you're strong, and I'll be by your side," Siddharth wished and assured.

Avni's heart pounded in her chest as another elevator door opened. She is supposed to take this staff elevator and go one floor down for work to block suspicions. The other one that brought her to the top floor is Siddharth's private one.

Avni settled in her cabin and stared at the desk next to hers. She and Santosh were in the same position and had to share work and a cabin. It only made things a lot more difficult for her.

Avni's breath hitched as she spotted him entering the cabin after long. The twenty minutes in between only increased her anxiety.

She could feel her eyes moisten watching him from so close. It's been five years since she last saw him. 

The teenage guy she was familiar with changed drastically. He had grown a beard, his milky white skin turned slightly dark, and he seemed like a man in control.

One thing that hasn't changed is his thick hair she always felt jealous of. Girls would love to have that volume of hair.

"Hello, Avni!" Santosh's voice broke her trance and sent her heart into a frenzy. This is the second time he took her name in the seven years they had known each other. They never had a situation where he could call her name except for one she cherished back then.

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Thank you for reading,

AishuPurple

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*Don't forget to vote, comment and share the book with your friends*

I'm horrible at writing romance but I tried. Initially I was skeptical of writing details but they seemed needed to show their comfort and trust. I hope it isn't boring and dry. 🙈

Finally! She meets Santosh‼️

What would you prefer? Tinted glass or transparent one❓❓😉😅