Chapter 9: Keeping Appearances.

Samantha reached the table and Aryan stood up to hug her, she smiled at him and hugged him back like she used to do. But this time she did not feel anything, the increasing heart rate that used to happen in the presence of Aryan did not happen this time.

Change is indeed the only constant, Samantha focused on his clothes like always he was adorned in a business suit he finally said "Please, take a seat Samantha." Samantha nodded and went on the opposite side of the table to sit face to face with Aryan.

Aryan smiled, his facial features were defined he was one of those models who never goes out of date. Samantha had a look on his face and suddenly she was reminded of a face more attractive than the one in front of her.

It was again those blue eyes. Samantha stopped thinking about him, she wanted to be concentrated on what was happening around her. As always she grabbed a glass of water and took one sip from it.

Aryan finally kept his cellphone aside on which he was furiously typing a second ago and said while smiling at her "You look different." Aryan was surprised to see that his fiancé was looking more matured today.

Samantha replied with a smile "But you look the same." Aryan looked at himself and indeed there was no major change in himself he was thinking when Samantha spoke "Let's order something."

Aryan nodded and signalled the water with his hands to begin. Samantha was a good actress and she was working hard to hide the hatred she felt from appearing on the surface.

Samantha saw the waiter bringing multiple items and keeping it on the table. None of the items were as per her liking and she resorted to picking up the glass of juice as she doesn't like to eat spicy.

Aryan was hungry and why will be stop himself from eating when everything that was placed on the table was his favorite. Samantha all of a sudden remembered something and smiled.

Aryan noticed that and asked while raising a brow "Why are you smiling?" He continued with the meal once he was done questioning, it looked like he had no interest in her and the question was just a formality.

But Samantha still answered while putting a hand in her purse and rummaging through it "I have got something for you." Aryan smiled looking at her with anticipation to finally see Samantha placing a box on the table in front of him.

Aryan picked up a tissue cleaned his hands and opened the black box which was square in size. There was nothing new she always used to give him something expensive and he used to take it with happiness but he never had the decency to bring some gifts for her as well.

Aryan opened the gift and he was face to face with a shiny watch, he picked it up in his hands to have a better look at it and he noticed that the watch was practically shining in his hand like a star.

He was satisfied with the gift but to show that he was not a fan of materialistic things he said "what was the need of it." Samantha replied with a "You deserve this." She meant something else by that but he took is well.

He removed the watch he was wearing earlier and put it in the box just to replace it with a new one.

Samantha looked at that and thought just how long it will be before he will try to replace her as well. Aryan was done looking at the watch and having dinner as well.

He asked her " This hotel has a nice garden, let's have a walk? Samantha nodded and got up anyways she was bored of watching him going through his starters, main course and other things.

They both started walking and Samantha was delighted to see a beautiful garden and a bridge in front of the garden. The bridge looked like it was made of ropes and wood, just like old times. Samantha walked towards it and once she climbed on the bridge.

Aryan followed her there and said "I think it is time, Samantha." Samantha stopped on the bridge and looked at the water and moonlight that was falling on water, Aryan was standing right behind her because of which he couldn't notice that look of destruction in her eyes.

Samantha masked her emotions when she heard him coming closer and standing beside her putting both of his hands on the bridge's railings. He said "Samantha, I think it is time that we get married."

Samantha had a dream proposal, she always wanted him to bent down on his knees in a grand manner and propose her with a ring in his hand for the entire world to see. But Aryan was just Aryan, he did not do anything about that but Samantha was okay with it because she has better things to do for now.

Samantha spoke with a little reluctance "But isn't it too early?" Aryan cut her off before she could protest anymore "How is it early? I can't imagine breathing even a second when you are not next to me."

Samantha thought to herself 'Well! You will stop breathing then.' Aryan held her hands in his turning her to look at him and tried to manipulate her "Don't toh feel the same Samantha?"

Samantha was done with this bullshit. She wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. She faked her tears and replied with an emotional tone "Yes, let's get married then."

Aryan smiled, Samantha noticed his smile and she knew he was happy to get what he wanted. Just to check how desperate he was she said "Let's get married in March then?"

Aryan stopped breathing, he spoke with urgency "No I cannot wait for that long, Let's get married this month."

Samantha understood he was desperate. She spoke "But it is the 15th of December today, how can we get married in just 15 days?" Aryan spoke while smiling "Then let's get married on the 16th day. How about 31st December?"

Samantha replied "Okay, But I want a grand ceremony not a small family get together that will not be sufficient." Aryan was just thinking of a small get together but after hearing this he said "Okay."

Aryan was thinking something, Samantha guessed he was dreaming about using her to fulfill his financial needs and she felt disgusted. So she said "Okay, Now we should go home. We need to plan a lot of things."

Aryan replied "Yes, it is late, I will drop you home." Samantha denied "No, I have brought my car, I will go by myself." Aryan was okay with that so he nodded and followed her out of the restaurant to her car and waved her bye.

She opened the car door by herself and waved him bye, before leaving the restaurant. She knew what the next morning's headline would be. Samantha was thrilled as in just 16 days she could completely defeat this person.

Samantha reached Agnihotri mansion and to her surprise someone was waiting for her at the front porch of the mansion. It was Sarah who was waiting as soon as the car stopped. Sarah jumped at the door to open it and once open she pulled Samantha out.

Sarah started asking "So how did he propose? He went down on his knees? The ring was it diamond or gold?" Sarah went impatient and pulled her hands up to see Samantha had no new ring in her hand and she was puzzled now her questions changed "Did you reject his proposal? or did he not propose you yet?" Sarah was not done yet but Samantha was.

Samantha pulled her hands from her grasp and cut her off with a "Let's go to your room."

They both went towards Sarah's room but Samantha sensed someone behind them she turned to see there was no one but she could smell a very familiar scent over there.

Samantha was indeed tired, hence, she kept walking towards Sarah's bedroom and neglected that scent.