There was an awkward silence on the table, just then the waiter arrived with a nervous smile.
"Good evening ma'am and sir, what would you like to order?"
"I would like a matcha," Daisy said, flipping her hair.
"Ohhh wow! Even I love matcha... our choices are so similar," Kabir added with a grin that could only belong to a certified flirt.
Daisy raised an eyebrow. "That's not a personality trait, Romeo."
Kabir gasped playfully. "And yet here I am, falling for your sarcasm."
Reyansh groaned. "Can you two flirt less loudly? Some of us are trying to pretend we're not in a bizarre arranged marriage setup."
"Ignore him, Daisy. He's just jealous because he can't flirt like me," Kabir winked. "Hi, I'm Kabir Singhania. Future heartbreaker. And you are?"
"Daisy. No last name required. I don't get attached to people who wear sunglasses indoors," she replied dryly.
Rhea burst into a small laugh. Reyansh just rolled his eyes.
"A cup of coffee for me," Rhea ordered, still amused. "Make it cold, because the temperature's definitely about to rise here."
The waiter turned to Reyansh. "Sir, coffee for you as well?"
"I hate coffee. And people who drink it," Reyansh said pointedly.
"Oh wow," Rhea snapped. "Then I guess I'm your worst nightmare. Lucky me."
He smirked, leaning forward. "I've had worse."
Kabir looked between them, sipping his matcha dramatically. "Tension. Thick enough to slice with a butter knife."
"You're the butter knife," Daisy whispered to him.
"I'll take that as a compliment," he grinned.
After a few minutes of pointless glaring and dramatic sipping, Rhea exhaled sharply.
"Alright. Can we stop this now? We both know why we're here."
Reyansh sat straighter. "Yeah. The business deal in the name of marriage."
"I have one condition," Rhea said firmly. "This marriage will be for one year. Strictly a contract. When my grandfather gets better and my family's stable, we part ways. No drama."
Reyansh nodded slowly. "Fine. But I have one condition too."
She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"In front of our families, we behave. No sarcasm, no attitude, no drama. We play the perfect couple. Deal?"
"Deal," Rhea said after a pause. "But only in front of them."
"Outside that house, you don't even exist," Reyansh shrugged.
"Perfect," she said, matching his energy.
The air sizzled with silent rebellion. Neither of them wanted this, but both were too proud to back off.
Meanwhile…
"Is it hot in here or is it just you?" Kabir asked Daisy, dramatically loosening his imaginary tie.
Daisy gave him a look. "It's the tension between your neurons. Sit down, Romeo."
"You roast me so well, I might just marry you," Kabir sighed.
"You'd need permission from my cat first," she replied, sipping her drink.
Kabir's eyes lit up. "You have a cat? We're meant to be."
Daisy narrowed her eyes but a tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Back at the center of the table, Rhea stood up.
"Then it's settled. One year. Behave like newlyweds in front of the family. And that's it."
Reyansh stood as well. "Let's not fall for each other. That would ruin the plan."
Rhea chuckled. "Trust me, you're safe."
They both turned, walked in opposite directions, and left the café. Daisy and Kabir followed them.
" Atleast give me your number before you leave " Kabir screamed to daisy
" not so easy romeo " rolling her eyes.
" ooff! I love her " Kabir told reyansh with a hand on his chest.