The man cooking in the kitchen raised his head and caught the ogling eyes of Aarvi who gulped a few times. Her line of sight brought an amazing curve on his face.

His deep and husky voice sounded, “You are home.”

Aarvi nodded with a light hum standing unfazed as if she wasn’t savoring the view a few seconds back.

The man looked at his wet hands in contemplation and cued her to go near him. Aarvi obeyed and circled the island kitchen counter to reach him.

His forearm went behind her nape, towering over her, he pressed her forehead with his. Seeing her line of sight was still on the cupcakes, his lips didn’t settle back from the curve.

Aaron Rivas, an awarded best cardiologist turned businessman. President of the Rivas Industries which currently stands top in country A with its wings spread all over the world.

That close proximity didn’t change their state of mind or body but a middle-aged man was utterly disappointed looking at them. He really wanted to ask if they have a heart or stone in their chest.

Aaron released her and said, “Your body temperature is colder than usual.”

Aarvi knew he was checking her temperature from the forehead due to his cold water washed hands. She gave the reason behind it, “I was playing with Lara near the river.” Lara, a four-year-old cute little girl from the next villa.

“Wear warm clothes next time.” Aaron saw her hand reach out for a red velvet cupcake, “Did you wash your hands?”

Aarvi felt like a father disciplining his daughter but her face was blank as a sheet and her hand retracted unwillingly.

Standing next to the top surgeon and a clean freak, Aarvi had no choice. She turned to leave to get fresh but Aaron tugged her jacket and pulled her back. He held a cupcake near her lips. He could only see her real emotions for his cupcakes which she loves.

Aarvi could eat his cupcakes for all the meals but Aaron always restricted her for a few due to flour, sweetness, and cocoa powder if it is a chocolate cupcake.

Aaron knew her liking so he always manages to prepare fresh cupcakes on alternate days or twice a week to appease her.

Aarvi gazed at his chocolate brown orbs which were expecting her to eat. She bit the cupcake while her hand sneakily pulled a dessert fork from the drawer and stabbed the cupcake.

Before Aaron could open his lips to speak, she quickly ran away from the kitchen holding the fork to avoid hearing him say ‘One cupcake is enough for tonight.’

An enticing curve appeared on his face seeing her escape.

Connor Rivas, father of Aaron sighed in disappointment and entered the kitchen, “You should be kissing her forehead instead of checking her temperature. Stop treating her like your patient. How long are you going to take before confessing that you are in love with her for more than ten long years.”

Aaron’s smiled disappeared and saw his father passively.

Ten years!

His eyes turned dark remembering how he had found her three years back. His detesting voice sounded awfully cold, “And who is responsible for sending me away from her for six years?”

Aaron’s father looked away from his son’s hateful gaze. That time he had no choice due to the safety of Aaron who was just eighteen years old.

Now, twenty-seven years old Aaron is strong, smart, crafty, cold, and unapproachable who is ruling the business world on his fingers tips taking over his family business three years back.

When the whole world is eager to get his glimpse, he just wanted Aarvi. There wasn’t a single day she wasn’t in his thoughts in those six years when he was away from her.

Aaron clicked on a calling button, a middle-aged butler went to the kitchen swiftly, “Young master, Master.” He bowed and waited for instruction.

“Serve the dishes and clean the kitchen before Aarvi comes down.”

“Yes, young master.” The butler quickly called maids out and started their work.

Aaron went to his bedroom to shower and change while his father sat in the living area sighing to himself.

The Rivas family isn’t from a business background. They are basically medical scholars but due to the controlling of businessmen over the hospitals, Old master Rivas entered the business world to keep their hold firm.

Aaron’s father is a military doctor so Aaron’s uncle looked after the business and their private top-notch specialized chain of hospitals in country A.

Now Aaron manages both while his cousin enjoys his life in his own business chain, manages the Rivas Security Services, and handles dirty things of the business world if anybody dares to threaten Aaron.

…

At the dining hall.

Aarvi and Aaron don’t usually talk so it was a very boring dinner for Master Rivas. To break the ice, “Aarvi, I got the news that you were checking procedures to join the military.”

Aaron’s clutch on the spoon tightened hearing it. His sharp gaze turned to his father who didn’t care to inform him prior.

Aarvi emotionlessly responded, “Yes, Master Rivas.” For Aarvi, the Rivas family was never hers. If she wasn’t bound to a promise and Aaron’s help, she wouldn’t have allowed him to stay at her place.

Aaron wasn’t ready to lose her again. Once he had left her, she had suffered way too much. He will not allow her to leave his sight even if he has to keep her captive in his mansion forcefully.

Master Rivas knows Aaron’s only weakness is Aarvi and he couldn’t control his emotions whenever he hears about Aarvi staying away from his sight. But Master Rivas still asked Aarvi to know, “When and why are you planning to join?”

Unbeknown of their thoughts, Aarvi responded to ‘when’, “If everything goes as planned, next year summer.” and she ignored ‘why’.

Aaron’s cold domineering voice sounded right after her, “You are not going anywhere.”

Being controlled by her own family all her life, Aarvi hates who tries to control her against her wishes. She was ready to snap back but Master Rivas quickly controlled the situation from the foreseen complete disaster.

“Aarvi, even if you nourish your body in a year and pass the physical tests, your medical examination reports will not be approved for you to enter the military. Your health isn’t completely stable.”

He didn’t lie, it is a brutal truth.

Aarvi’s slight tremble of her fingers caught by Aaron. Her voice was slightly hoarse, “Is… Is there no chance for me?”

Aaron had seen her at the worst condition she could possibly be in. He didn’t expect her to be still lost in her own dark world even after having a strong foothold in the business world singlehandedly without support.

Master Rivas nodded his head with a hum. “Your heart still shows signs of rejection. If your body can’t adapt and if the heart fails to function, you will have to go for another heart transplant…”