NEW FF: LOVE ME NOT - Chapter 5

LINK FOR CHAPTER 4

Khushi Gupta

As the plane touches down in Las Vegas, my heart races with excitement. I can hardly believe we're finally here – me, Pam, Lavanya, and Payal, ready for two weeks of unforgettable adventure. I didn’t care eloping from my own house for this trip, leaving a note for my so called husband showing him his place in my life. If he thinks he can make me dance on his wishes and whims, he is making a fool of himself. By now he might have got the letter from my father and might be cursing the moment he decided to work on our marriage, which I know is not because he truly wants the same. He must have some internal agenda – which involves his big fat ego to keep his wife in check.

The moment we step off the plane, the dry desert heat engulfs us, a stark contrast to the air-conditioned cabin we've just left.

“Ladies, welcome to Sin City!” I exclaim, spreading my arms wide as we exit the airport. The dazzling lights of the Strip greet us in the distance, a neon promise of the thrills to come.

We pile into a sleek black limo, giggling like schoolgirls as we pop open a bottle of champagne. The bubbles tickle my nose as I take a sip, the sweet taste a perfect start to our getaway. As we cruise down the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, I can't help but press my face against the window, marveling at the larger-than-life hotels and casinos.

Our home for the next two weeks is the Bellagio, a seven-star paradise that takes our breath away as we pull up to the entrance. Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and the soft tinkling of slot machines greet us as we enter the lobby. I feel like a celebrity as we're escorted to our penthouse suite, complete with a panoramic view of the Strip and our own private hot tub on the balcony.

As we unpack and freshen up, we go over our itinerary one last time. Our itinerary is packed with everything a group of young women fresh out of college could dream of doing in Sin City. We’ve planned for wild nights at the hottest clubs, daring escapades on the Strip, luxurious pampering sessions, and everything in between.

NEW FF: LOVE ME NOT - Chapter 4

LINK TO PART 3

Khushi Gupta

Locking the door securely, I stomp over and yank his blankets off in one vicious tug. Arnav startles awake with a grunt, blinking up at me in shock. I plant my hands on my hips and glare daggers at him.

“Start talking, Raizada,” I growl through clenched teeth. “What the f*ck do you think you're playing at?”

My defiant glare bores into Arnav's still-sleep clouded eyes as he sits upright and shakes off the remnants of slumber.

This is bound to get ugly, but I'm not about to back down. Not after he pulled whatever stunt landed me in his bed.

Arnav leans back against the headboard, watching me with that infuriatingly calm expression as I glare at him. His eyes have a way of making me feel both exposed and deeply annoyed at the same time.

"Good morning," he rumbles, voice still laced with sleepy gravel. “Didn’t know you use cuss words too,” he remarks casually, like this is all some sort of joke.

NEW FF: LOVE ME NOT - Chapter 3

LINK TO PART 2

CHAPTER 3



Arnav Singh Raizada


I down my drink in one burning gulp as Aman returns to the bar, watching Khushi provocatively dance with her friends.

“Are you competing with your wife on who can drink the most?” he asks with an amused smirk. “She's on her fourth peg.”

I clench my jaw, unable to tear my eyes away from the alluring sway of Khushi's hips in that skimpy dress. “Fourth peg and dancing like I'm not even here. I don't know what I’m doing here anyway.”

Aman chuckles dryly. “Exactly my point. Why are we here, Arnav? This is seriously intruding on her privacy. We're basically stalking her.”

I shake my head vehemently, slamming my glass down. “That woman is my wife. I have every right to know what she's up to.” I point an accusatory finger towards the dance floor. “Last night she didn't return to her home. And now she's wearing that revealing dress, dancing with every guy here like some...”

NEW FF: LOVE ME NOT - Chapter 2

 

LINK TO PART 1

CHAPTER 2

Khushi Gupta

The graduation ceremony was absolutely wonderful, and already I find myself longing for the camaraderie of my friends and the familiar halls of college. There's a certain nostalgia in knowing I won't be waking up tomorrow to attend classes, catch up with friends, engage in group studies, and partake in the cultural events that defined our college experience. All those moments will be dearly missed. However, amidst this wave of nostalgia, I'm eagerly looking forward to the private party my classmates are throwing tomorrow to commemorate our graduation. As I wonder what to wear and the logistics of getting there—whether I'll be picked up or if I'll have to gather my friends Payal, Lavanya, and Pam along the way—I can't help but anticipate the festivities that await. I haven't discussed it with Dad yet, but I'm certain he won't object; he never has before. As I sit in the car, drained from today's excitement, I suddenly realize we're not headed towards the Gupta mansion as expected. Instead, the car veers towards the route leading to the Raizada Mansion.

“Mom?” I turn to my mother. “Where are we going?”

Mom smiles sweetly at me.

“To your real home, Khushi. Where else? Now that Arnav is back from Manhattan and—”

NEW FF: LOVE ME NOT - Chapter 1

 

LINK TO PROLOGUE 

CHAPTER 1


Arnav Singh Raizada

I stare out the airplane window, dreading this unwanted trip back to India. I have no interest in being here, but Dad insisted I come for Khushi's graduation. I just want to get this over with and return to Manhattan as soon as possible. Aman is enjoying his drink beside me and even flirting with the stewardess. I glare back at him for enjoying this trip while I am sulking and annoyed.

“What?” he asks. “You are not allowed to flirt, I can. I’m still single.”

I roll my eyes. He then turns to the stewardess.

“My friend has been married for three years.”

What the F*ck! She smiles at me.

“His wife is a lucky woman,” she replies serving us the drinks and leaves.

“I don’t understand why are we still friends,” I snap at Aman who chuckles.

“You love me too much to let me go. And besides, we know each other’s secrets you see. And I don’t guarantee you’ll not reveal those to anyone if we turn our back to each other. So being friends is the only choice.”

He is right. I give him a mocking glare. Aman’s friendship is the biggest reason I’m still sane despite all the chaos around me.

New FF: Love Me Not - Teaser For Chapter 1

PROLOGUE LINK

Arnav Singh Raizada

I exit the college hall, where a crowd of young women vies for my attention. Kids! Well, not exactly kids, are they? What are they, 21 or 22 at most? Still too youthful for me. I begrudge my father and Aman for bringing me to this college where my wife is celebrating her graduation day. So far, I haven't had a chance to meet or even catch a glimpse of her. Her parents are also here, and they've informed me that she's backstage with her friends, preparing her graduation speech. Huh! It's going to be a long day listening to all these young talents deliver their graduation speeches. I don't think I can endure it any longer. I have several stakeholder calls to attend to, and I can't afford to miss them for an event like this. I grab my phone and message Aman that I'm leaving, asking him to explain my absence to my father and in-laws, providing them with any excuse.

Suddenly, I hear some commotion. It's coming from a nearby classroom, and I can hear a young man calling out the name 'Khushi.' My curiosity gets the best of me, and I cautiously push the door open, only to witness a young man, dressed in graduation attire, kneeling and holding a girl's hand tightly. The girl is attempting to free her hand from his grip.

NEW FF: LOVE ME NOT - Prologue

 

PROLOGUE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Arnav Singh Raizada

We bagged another deal today and my best friend Aman Mathur, the Executive head of my fashion company AR Group has organized this party for me at Manhattan’s best nightclub. While he has excused himself to answer a phone call back from India, I take a sip of the Wine, looking at the beautiful women grooving their bodies on the dance floor. Being rich, handsome and born with a silver spoon, with sharp witty brains to run a company with a turnover of billions of dollars every year, I was never scarce of female attention. One look was all it needed for me and they would be ready to fall at my feet. My relationship status or rather marital status still didn’t bother them to dance around my fingers. Yet, it wasn’t the same for me anymore!!

“Trouble begins, ASR,” Aman returns, taking a seat on the plush red sofa at the VIP section of the Club.

I give him a curious stare to know what trouble he is talking about?

“Why don’t you just pick the call and speak to your father?” Aman asks.