VIDYUT’S POV 

I slowly tapped her shoulder. She turned away, her voice breaking with sobs.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”

Hearing her cry, I gently pulled her closer and made her look at me. Her eyes were filled with tears. I lifted her into my lap and asked softly,
“Why are you crying, Vani? I didn’t even say anything to hurt you.”

She sniffled, her voice barely above a whisper.
“She’ll think I’m that kind of girl… the kind who sleeps with a man for money.”

I cupped her face, making her meet my eyes.
“Vani, look at me. Those things are more complicated than you think. And not everything is bad. Sometimes people choose those relationships willingly… and they’re not always wrong. We shouldn’t judge so quickly.”

She nodded faintly, still unsure.
“But what do I tell her? How do I prove that you’re not that?”

I stroked her hair gently.
“Just say I’m your sugar daddy.”

She nodded slowly, and I gave a small smile.
“But why do you feel the need to prove anything to her, hm?”

She looked at me, her face still sad.
“What if she tells everyone?”

I paused for a moment, thinking.
“Tell me your birthday, Vani.”

She blinked in confusion.
“Uh… 9th August.”

I nodded.
“Okay. After your birthday, you can tell people you’re married.”

She hesitated.
“But that’s still days away… I don’t want to go to college and face her.”

I held her face again, speaking gently.
“Rabbit, you have to. I can’t even tell you to say I’m your boyfriend—she won’t believe it. She’ll think you’re lying. Just a few more days, okay? Your birthday is in 15 days. After that, you can say whatever you want.”

Her eyes were still clouded with worry.
“But she’ll think so badly of me until then…”

I pulled her into a hug.
“No, baby. It’s not always something bad. Sometimes people in those kinds of relationships care for each other. It’s not just about money. Sometimes a girl needs support, and a man gives it… and he, in return, finds comfort and love.”

She looked up at me, a small spark of hope in her eyes.
“Really…?”

I nodded, and she hugged me tightly. Slowly, as I stroked her hair, she drifted off to sleep in my lap.

Watching her like that, so innocent, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen when she learned the truth about me… about my real life. She is so naive, so pure. I knew I’d have to teach her how to face the world.

But in that moment, holding her close, none of it mattered.
I just wanted to stay there… with her in my arms.

I kissed her forehead softly and lay back, still holding her, as sleep slowly took over me too.

VANI’S POV 

The next morning, I stirred in my sleep and slowly opened my eyes. Vidyut was already awake. My mind was still tangled in last night’s thoughts as I got ready for college.

At the breakfast table, he spoke gently,
“Rabbit, don’t overthink. Just go with the flow… and think about that little kitten.”

I hummed softly, then asked, a little hesitantly,
“Viii… can we buy some food for the kitten too?”

He nodded without hesitation.

On the way to college, we stopped at a pet store and bought small packets of cat food, along with two bowls—one for water and one for food. After that, we continued toward college.

As we reached the college gate, Vidyut suddenly said,
“Vaniii… where’s my kiss?”

I froze and looked at him, completely shocked.
“My… what?”

He leaned back casually, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
“My goodbye kiss. I want it daily. Now hurry up, or you’ll be late.”

The words daily kiss made my entire face burn. My heart started racing as he leaned slightly closer, even closing his eyes like he was actually waiting.

I swallowed nervously and slowly moved closer to him. My hands trembled as I lifted them to his face. The moment his beard brushed against my cheek, a shiver ran through my whole body. My breath hitched.

I leaned in… hesitated for a second… and then quickly pressed a soft peck on his cheek.

Just as I started to pull away, his hand suddenly held my jaw. My breath caught in my throat. His fingers were warm against my skin, steady… grounding.

I couldn’t meet his eyes, so I just closed mine instead. My heartbeat was so loud, I was sure anyone nearby could hear it.

For a second, nothing happened… then I felt him move closer. His beard brushed lightly against my nose, and then—

He kissed my forehead.

I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

When he let go, neither of us looked at each other. We both just stared straight ahead, as if something illegal had just happened. I could feel the awkwardness hanging between us.

We both took a quiet breath.

And suddenly, a thought hit me—
Why are we acting like this?
We’re behaving like some shy teenage couple…

We’re married.

We’re supposed to be mature.

But my thoughts were interrupted by his voice,
“Vaniii… you should go now. You’ll be late.”

My heart started racing again. I hated this feeling—these uncontrollable butterflies. I really am a teenage girl at heart and by age .

I nodded quickly, trying to act normal.

He gently took my hand—I hadn’t even realized it was trembling—and said softly,
“Vani, it’s okay. We’re husband and wife. It was just a peck.”

I gave him a nervous smile and nodded.
“Yeah… just a peck. It’s not like we did something wrong… or something we shouldn’t have… nothing like…”

I paused—and then my brain and my mouth completely betrayed me.
“…baby making.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Not just six feet—twelve feet deep.

I looked at him in horror.

He was trying so hard not to smile.

Before he could say anything, I quickly pulled my hand away, opened the car door, and rushed out.
“Bye! I’m leaving!”

And without looking back, I ran straight toward the college gate.

As soon as I walked in, Diksha and Sid suddenly appeared on both sides of me.

Diksha leaned closer, grinning.
“Hmm… blushing, blushing?”

My already pink cheeks turned even redder. I looked away quickly.
“Uh… I’m getting late for class.”

She chuckled, clearly not convinced, but didn’t push further. The three of us headed to class together.

After a few lectures, we were told to choose and participate in college clubs. I thought for a moment and decided to join the art and creative club. Sid went for sports, and Diksha chose the volunteer club.

When I entered the art club room, there were already many students inside. Some seniors were asking questions, probably for selection. I stood there for a moment, confused, then noticed a desk where people were registering their names.

I walked over and was about to say,
“Vani Thakur—”

But I stopped myself.

“Vani Russo,” I corrected softly.

After some time, it was finally my turn. Three seniors asked me what I knew and why I wanted to join. I answered honestly, saying whatever came to my mind.

Still… I could feel someone’s eyes on me the whole time.

After the questioning, I went and sat in a corner, letting out a quiet breath. My mind was slowly drifting back to him.

“Water?”

I looked up. A guy was standing in front of me, holding out a bottle. He looked like a senior—maybe third or fourth year.

I nodded slightly.
“Thank you…”

As I took a few sips, he sat down beside me without hesitation.

“I’m Rakshit,” he said with a polite smile. “Fourth year. President of the club. If you need any help, you can tell me.”

I nodded again.
“Okay…”

He started a conversation, and I replied here and there. He seemed nice… normal.

But something felt… off.

After a while, I checked the time and stood up.
“Uh… I have to go for my class.”

He nodded, still smiling.
“Sure.”

I left, but as I walked away, a strange feeling stayed with me. My stomach felt uneasy.

Are these butterflies…?
Or is my gut trying to tell me something?

I couldn’t tell.

After classes, during lunch break, I dragged Diksha with me toward the parking area.

“Okay, now tell me what happened!” she kept asking.

“Shhh, just wait,” I whispered, trying to hurry.

When we reached the spot where we had left the kitten yesterday, Diksha’s reaction changed instantly.

“Awww…”

The tiny ginger kitten was there, her little eyes barely open, making it obvious how young she was.

I smiled softly, placing the bowls down. I poured water into one and opened the food packets.

“Come here, baby…”

She slowly came closer and started eating.

After she finished, she climbed right into my lap as if it was the most natural thing in the world—and within seconds, she fell asleep.

Diksha and I looked at each other… and then burst into soft laughter.

“She’s so tiny…” Diksha whispered.

I gently stroked the kitten’s fur, smiling without even realizing it.

For a moment, everything else faded away.

The rest of the day passed just like that.

In the evening, I waited outside the college gate, and right on time, he came to pick me up. A small smile appeared on my face as I walked toward the car and got in.

He looked at me, smiling softly, took my bag from my hand, and placed it on the back seat. Then he handed me a bottle of fresh fruit juice and started driving.

As I took a sip, he asked,
“How was your day?”

I immediately lit up.
“It was amazing! You know that little kitten? Her mother still didn’t come… and today she slept in my lap. And I joined the art and creative club!”

He smiled, listening to me.
“Hmmm… so you enjoyed a lot. Then I have something for you too.”

I looked at him, confused.
“What?”

“We’re going out to eat. Maybe pizza?”

My eyes lit up instantly. I licked my lips without even realizing it.
“Yesss! After such a tiring day, pizza is needed.”

He chuckled softly, and we drove to a beautiful hotel by the sea.

As we walked in, his hand held mine. The place was full of well-dressed, stylish people… and there I was, feeling like a little kid who had wandered in with her dad.

He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down. He took the seat across from me. From our table, the view of the sea was breathtaking.

I turned toward it, my eyes widening.
“It’s so beautiful…”

He watched me and smiled.
“You like the place?”

I looked at him and nodded.
“Of course. It’s amazing.”

But something felt… off about him today.

Before I could ask anything, a waiter came.
“What would you like to order, sir?”

Vidyut ordered calmly, and the waiter left.

I looked back at him.
“Vii… what happened? Are you okay?”

He shook his head slightly, brushing it off.

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to read his expression.

He suddenly smiled and teased,
“Don’t look at me like that. Your eyes are already so small—you won’t be able to see me at all.”

I instantly widened my eyes in protest.

He laughed softly.
“Rabbit, stop it. I have a gift for you.”

My attention shifted immediately.
“Gift? Give it to me!”

He smiled, then took out a neatly wrapped box and placed it on the table.
“Open it.”

I didn’t waste a second. I tore the wrapping paper and froze.

Inside was an iPhone.

I looked up at him in shock, but he gestured for me to open it. Slowly, I unboxed it.

It was a burgundy iPhone 18 Pro—sleek, elegant… beautiful.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Seeing my reaction, he said softly,
“From now on, you can call me anytime, from anywhere… and I can call you too.”

I held the phone carefully, my heart strangely full.

As he said that, I looked at the phone again and stammered,
“But… isn’t it very expensive? I remember it used to cost around a lakh when I was in school… how much does it cost now?”

He took my hand in his, his thumb brushing over my fingers.
“It’s not even 0.000000001 percent of your husband’s wealth,” he said calmly. “So now hush… and keep it.”

I pouted a little. This man really had a habit of spending money like water… but looking at the phone, I couldn’t even complain. It was so beautiful… sleek… elegant.

Before I could admire it more, the waiter arrived with our food. Vidyut gently took the phone from my hand and placed it aside.
“Eat first.”

I nodded.

The pizza was so good. One bite, and my eyes lit up.
“Viii… it’s really, really yummy!”

He smiled, watching me.

After we finished, I didn’t even notice the sauce near my lips until his thumb brushed against the corner of my mouth. He wiped it gently… and then, without thinking, licked his thumb.

I froze.

Quickly, I grabbed a tissue and started wiping my lips nervously.

He chuckled.
“You had sauce only on one side—and I already wiped it. Relax.”

I gave him a shy smile.

Just then, a man approached our table.
“Good evening, sir. I hope you liked the food. I’m the manager here.”

Vidyut nodded.
“Hm. It was good.”

Another waiter came forward with a small dessert.
“Sir, this is especially for your daughter. We didn’t know you had a daughter, or we would’ve prepared something more.”

For a second, both of us just stared at him.

I tried so hard not to laugh.

Vidyut, however, said calmly,
“She’s my wife. She just looks young.”

The manager’s face changed instantly.
“Oh—sorry, sir! We’re really sorry!”

Vidyut simply nodded, and they quickly left after placing the dessert.

The moment they were gone, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I giggled softly, teasing,
“Father and daughter…”

He gave me a look, but I could tell he was holding back too.

After dinner, he paid the bill despite the manager insisting otherwise, and we headed back to the car.

The moment we sat inside, I burst out laughing.
“Viii! They thought you were old! And me—your daughter!”

He kept a straight face.
“Seatbelt, Vani.”

I quickly put it on… but didn’t stop teasing him the whole way home.

As soon as we reached, I stepped out and looked at him with a mischievous smile.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Now wait… I’ll show you who’s old.”

I squealed and ran inside the mansion, laughing. He followed right behind me with long strides.

“Tch tch, Viii… I got an old man! I married a buddha!” I teased, running barefoot after kicking off my shoes.

“You come here,” he called out, almost laughing. “I’ll show you how old I am.”

I jumped onto the couch, trying to escape from one side to another—but before I could get far, he caught me.

In one swift move, he lifted me into his arms.
“Now where will you go?” he said, a playful warning in his voice. “Calling me old, hmm?”

Before I could react, he tossed me lightly over his shoulder and carried me to the room.

“Viii!” I laughed, hitting his back lightly.

He placed me down on the bed and pulled me into his lap.
“You said I’m old, right? Then teach me… how to kiss. I’m too old to know.”

My eyes widened instantly, and my cheeks burned.
“Viii! That’s not fair… I’m just a student… I shouldn’t—”

He smirked.
“No excuses. I want a proper kiss. Not a peck… and this time, on my lips.”

I pouted, completely flustered. Seeing his grip loosen slightly, I quickly leaned forward and hid my face in his neck.

“Sorry, Viii… don’t say things like that…”

He sighed softly and hugged me.
“Fine. But don’t call me old again.”

I giggled and nodded.

As I got off his lap to go change, I paused near the closet door and turned back with the most innocent face I could manage.
“Viii…”

He looked at me seriously.
“Yeah, say.”

A mischievous smile spread across my face.
“I’m married to a buddha.”

Before he could react, I ran straight into the closet.

From outside, I heard his voice—
“You just come out! This time I won’t stop at a kiss!, i will take a smooch”

I covered my mouth, laughing silently.

I didn’t even know what “smooch” really meant… but teasing him?

That, I knew very well.

・。.・゜✭・

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