Chapter 3

Beneath the Surface

YUG’S POV

Two days had passed since I last saw Siya, and today was the beginning of what would be a long series of public appearances together. It was time to finalize our engagement outfits, and from today onward, the media, our families, and society would see us as a couple. A well-crafted illusion of perfection.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

Siya was guarded, almost impenetrable, but something about her intrigued me. She wasn’t cold, not exactly—she was just… careful. As if she had learned, over time, that the world wasn’t a safe place to exist freely in. And yet, in that brief moment two days ago when she sat across from me in my office, something had shifted. There had been a flicker of something vulnerable beneath her exterior. A moment where she had felt real.

And I didn’t know why, but I wanted to see that again.

Pushing away my thoughts, I got ready for the day. As I walked downstairs, my family was already gathered at the breakfast table. My mother greeted me with a warm smile, and I took my seat, pouring myself a cup of coffee.

“We’ll be coming with you to the boutique today,” my mother announced as I took my first bite of food.

I barely reacted, already expecting this. “Alright,” I replied simply.

My father, who had barely acknowledged my presence, nodded in approval. He was only involved in my life when it was about appearances, and today was one of those days.

I finished my breakfast quickly and left for the office. Work kept my mind occupied, and soon, I found myself checking the time. Our appointment was at 12:00, and I made sure to leave early. By 11:50, I was already parked outside the high-end boutique, waiting.

Ten minutes passed.

I glanced at my watch again.

Siya wasn’t here yet.

I knew her family well enough by now to know that this would turn into another opportunity for them to humiliate her. And I didn’t like it.

I sighed and reached for my phone before pressing the call button.

"Yes?" Her voice was slightly breathless, as if she had been rushing.

“We have an appointment for our engagement outfits, remember?” I said evenly, though I already knew she hadn’t forgotten.

“I know, I know. My meeting ran late, but I’m on my way. I’ll be there in five minutes,” she reassured me.

So that’s why she was late. Not because she was being careless, not because she was disrespecting anyone—but because she was handling her responsibilities.

I exhaled, feeling an odd sense of irritation—not at her, but at the fact that I already knew exactly how this would play out once she walked inside.

“Alright. I’ve already reached. I’m waiting outside.”

“Go inside. Our families are there.”

“I said I’m waiting for you,” I stated firmly. “And drive safely. No arguments.”

She hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “Alright.”

The call ended, and I leaned against my car, waiting.

Two minutes later, I spotted her car pulling into the parking lot. The moment she parked, I walked up and opened the door before she could do it herself.

She looked up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Thank you," she muttered, hesitating. "But you don’t have to do all this."

“I know I don’t,” I replied, holding her gaze. “But I want to.”

Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she didn’t. Instead, she exhaled softly and stepped out.

Together, we walked inside.

The contrast between our families was painfully obvious.

The moment we stepped in, my mother greeted me with a smile, asking how my day had been, genuinely listening. My father barely spared me a glance, but that was nothing new.

Siya’s family, however, barely acknowledged her existence—until it was time to criticize.

The moment her mother’s gaze landed on her, I saw the sharp glint in her eyes.

"Siya, everyone has been waiting for you! Do you think it’s respectful to show up late for something this important? Look at Maya, she arrived five minutes early. You should learn from her."

Siya stood still, expression blank, as if she had expected this. As if she had been preparing for it her whole life.

I hated it.

Before I could think twice, I stepped forward.

“She wasn’t late because she was being careless,” I said, my voice calm but firm.

All eyes turned to me.

“My meeting ran late, and since we were supposed to choose our outfits together, I asked her to wait for me so we could come in together.”

Silence.

Siya’s mother blinked, thrown off for a moment before schooling her expression.

I wasn’t done.

“Siya is handling her business and still making time for this family. She deserves respect for that, not criticism,” I added, my tone leaving no room for argument.

I could feel Siya staring at me, but I didn’t look at her just yet. Instead, I kept my gaze steady on her mother, making it clear that I wasn’t going to let this slide.

Her mother forced a smile, but I could see the irritation behind it. “Of course, Yug. We were just worried, that’s all.”

I didn’t respond, and the conversation moved on.

It was only then that I turned toward Siya.

She was still looking at me, but this time, her eyes weren’t guarded. They were… warm.

And for the first time, I saw something I hadn’t expected to see in them.

Happiness.

Pure, unfiltered happiness.

Because I had taken the blame. Because, for once, someone had shielded her instead of letting her take the fall.

I didn’t say anything.

But at that moment, I realized something—maybe, just maybe, this engagement wasn’t going to be as unbearable as I had thought.

SIYA’S POV

I had spent my whole life feeling invisible. Unwanted. A burden to the people who were supposed to love me.

So when Yug stood up for me so effortlessly, so naturally, it felt… unreal.

For a moment, I just stared at him, completely caught off guard.

No one had ever done this for me before. No one had ever stepped between me and my mother’s words, no one had ever shielded me from the constant reminders of my inadequacy.

But Yug did.

And the strangest part? He did it without hesitation.

Something inside my chest tightened painfully—an unfamiliar warmth spreading through me.

I dropped my gaze, not wanting him to see the emotions swirling in my eyes. I had spent years teaching myself not to hope, not to expect kindness from people. Yug had no idea what this meant to me. He had no idea that, in this moment, I had never liked anyone more than I liked him.

And that terrified me.

I pushed the feeling away as we moved toward the selections.

The boutique had reserved an entire private section for us. The large space was lined with mannequins draped in exquisite engagement attires—luxurious lehengas, embroidered sherwanis, and intricate accessories displayed on velvet trays.

Yug walked to one of the designers and pointed at an intricate ivory lehenga with gold embroidery. “Can you bring that one for Siya?” he asked.

I blinked, surprised.

He turned to me, his voice quieter now. “Try this one.”

I hesitated. But when I looked into his eyes, I saw something I wasn’t used to seeing.

Genuine consideration.

I took the lehenga and nodded. “Okay.”

As I walked toward the dressing room, I heard my mother whisper something under her breath, but for the first time in my life… I didn’t care.

Because for once, someone was standing beside me.

And for now, that was enough.