Aryan's fist was mere inches from Ana's face. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. For a moment, everyone held their breath, fearing the worst. But instead of an outburst, a slow, predatory smirk crept across Aryan's face.
He leaned in closer, his expensive cologne mixing with the cool evening air. His voice was a dangerous whisper. "Ugliest? No one has ever dared to look into my eyes and say that to me. Do you even have the slightest clue who you're talking to?"
Ana didn't flinch. She stood like a rock, her gaze piercing through his arrogant mask. "I know exactly who I'm talking to," she replied, her voice cold and steady. "An ill-mannered man who thinks his bank balance can buy him class. Sadly, it can't."
Aryan's eyes darkened. The insult stung more than a physical blow. Just as he was about to retort with something equally biting, his phone began to vibrate violently in his pocket.
The momentary distraction was all Ana needed.
Before Aryan could react, Ana raised her foot and brought it down with all her might, slamming her heel onto Aryan's polished Italian leather shoe.
"Argh!" Aryan gasped, the sudden sharp pain catching him off guard.
Taking advantage of his shock, Ana didn't waste a second. She stuck her tongue out at him—a childish yet defiant gesture—and grabbed Shila's hand.
"Run, Shila!"
By the time Aryan recovered from the throbbing pain in his foot, the two girls had vanished into the shadows of the park, their fading footsteps the only trace left behind.
Aryan stood there, his jaw clenched, watching the spot where she had been standing just seconds ago. He ignored the ringing phone, his mind consumed by the image of her fiery eyes.
"This girl..." he muttered under his breath, a mixture of fury and an unintended, dangerous fascination flickering in his eyes. "She has no idea what she has just started."
_____
After Ana and Shila ran away, Aryan didn't go home. Instead, he went straight to an old building where his family kept an office. Inside, the room was a mess. Papers were lying everywhere, and files were scattered on the tables.
Aryan was standing with his best friend, Jimmy. They were talking about their business. An old enemy had illegally taken over one of their companies.
"Jimmy, I don't want to talk anymore," Aryan said, his voice deep and angry. "They stole from us. I can take it back by force right now. Violence is the only way to deal with people like them."
Suddenly, the door opened. Aryan's father and his father's friend walked in.
"No, Aryan," his father said firmly. "We must handle this with peace. We don't need fighting."
Aryan's blood began to boil. He had come back from abroad just to protect the family because he knew their enemies were dangerous. He knew they could attack at any time, but his father wasn't listening.
"Peace?" Aryan snapped, his eyes red with anger. "I'm young, Dad. My blood is hot! I can't sit around and wait while they attack us!"
He was so angry that he couldn't stay there any longer. He stormed out of the room and slammed the door so hard that the whole building seemed to shake. Everyone in the room jumped in fear.
After he left, his father looked at his friend and sighed. "What will happen to this boy? His temper is out of control."
This was the real Aryan Roy. He wasn't just rich; he was a man with a dangerous temper. In the city, everyone was terrified of him. No one ever dared to speak against him or even look him in the eye when he was angry.
🌹🌹🌹
While Aryan was busy with his anger, Ana returned home. She looked around but couldn't find her father anywhere. She quickly called him.
"Dad, where are you?" she asked.
"I'm with a friend, honey," her father replied from the other side. "Don't wait for me. Eat your dinner and go to sleep. I'll be quite late tonight."
Ana sighed. She freshened up, had her dinner, and lay down on her bed. But sleep was far away. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the face of Mr. Arrogant from the park.
"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" she whispered to herself, feeling annoyed. She remembered his tall figure, his deep eyes, and even his rude words. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get that handsome, angry man out of her head.
Finally, she patted her own cheeks and said, "That's enough, Ana! Stop thinking about him. Tomorrow is a big day. You have to go on that blind date instead of Shila. You need to sleep now."
As she pulled the blanket over her, a small worry crossed her mind. "I wonder what kind of guy I'll meet tomorrow. Will he be a nice person, or will I get stuck with another arrogant jerk like the one in the park?"
She had no idea that her life was about to take a turn she never imagined.