Page 74 of Every Move You Make
“Nice,” she said approvingly. Then she frowned slightly as the road curved the wrong way. “But aren’t you driving in the opposite direction?”
“I want to take you to see the house first,” he replied, watching her closely. “If that’s alright with you.”
“I’d like that.”
They talked easily as he drove. He told her about his day, and she, in return, told him about hers. The minutes slipped by in simple, mundane conversation, and it surprised her how natural it all felt.
Soon, Akash turned onto a narrow, tree-lined street. A moment later, the road opened up, and a large mansion rose into view ahead. Akash slowed to a stop before the gates, and the security guard immediately moved to open them, waving the car through as the iron doors swung wide. He stopped the car in front of the house, and Shauna stepped outside, her jaw dropping open at the sheer magnitude of grandeur she was seeing.
Two stories high and set back from the road, the house rose majestically behind a wide lawn that seemed to curve around to the back as well. The old stone structure stood solid and proud,its history intact, while modern additions of arched windows, black railings along the balconies, and thick panes of glass blended seamlessly into the design. Quiet elegance met timeless luxury in perfect balance. It was clear that Akash had preserved the soul of the house even as he breathed new life into it.
“What do you think?” Akash asked her. “You like the house?”
She blinked, turning to face him. “Calling this just a house is unfair. This looks like a palace.”
Akash chuckled. “It’s a home. It’s going to be our home.”
Our home.The words landed with unexpected force, making the situation between them feel more real than ever. This was where she would be starting a life with him. She gulped, her heart leaping in her chest.
She followed him as he keyed in a code at the entrance and opened the door.
He tapped a button on the wall, and the foyer bloomed instantly beneath a large chandelier, its warm glow lighting up the space. Her gaze instantly fell to the polished granite floor streaked with gold and black veins that caught the light with every step. At the center of the foyer stood a large round table. A striking silver urn was placed atop it. She could already picture it filled with fresh flowers in soft whites or deep reds. It would be stunning.
Akash led her deeper into the house, turning on more lights in the living room. The large space was wide and airy, anchored by tall windows. The sofas were beige, with a mix of colored accent cushions. The side tables and accent tables were all wood, all bare for now. But once filled with accessories and photo frames, it would all come together beautifully. She liked it all immediately.
Standing where she was, she could see straight into the dining area, where a long white marble table waited beneath a statement light fixture, with twelve chairs surrounding it. At thefar end was a set of glass double doors, that seemed to lead to the lawns. It was all lovely.
Akash turned to face her. “As you can see, I haven’t picked the curtains yet. There are a lot of things I still haven’t selected. Work’s been… a lot, and between that and getting the house ready, I haven’t had much time.” He paused, then added, “Aaliya’s been great. I’ve mostly deferred to her judgment. But if you don’t mind, would you take this part over?”
She stopped short. “You want me to make the selections?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I mean, the curtains, bedspreads, accessories, anything else you need, just tell her. Whatever you want is fine with me.”
She eyed him warily. “And what if I choose something absolutely ghastly?”
He laughed. “That’s impossible. I’ve seen the way you dress over the years. Your taste is impeccable.”
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. It felt like he’d been paying attention to her all along. And if he had been watching, then why had he never said so? Why had he stayed away for so long?
Yes, she’d been difficult with him. Sharp. Defensive. Maybe even cruel at times. But he hadn’t exactly made it easy either. He’d been distant, guarded, infuriatingly composed, giving back as good as he got from her. And now that they’d decided to get married, it felt as though he’d flipped a switch. He’d gone from being cold, arrogant, and rude to warm, open, and caring.
Before she could reply, Akash was already moving. She followed him as he showed her the remaining rooms on the ground floor. A state-of-the-art kitchen with sleek marble countertops and brushed steel fixtures. A quiet study with a wide desk and floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with books. A cozy TV room sunk slightly below floor level. And a spacious guest bedroom that looked straight out onto the garden.
Everything was spectacular. The colors were muted—soft grays, warm beiges, hints of deep blue and forest green blending effortlessly into one another. Nothing was loud or excessive. It was all tastefully done, understated yet luxurious. The lighting was warm and carefully placed, casting a gentle glow that made every corner feel inviting.
Finally, he led her to the corner of the house. She entered the large space and froze. Glass walls rose on three sides, moonlight spilling across pale stone floors. Beyond the glass, the outline of a pool cut clean and sharp into the ground. Past it, the lawn stretched out, lush and green.
She walked to the center, spinning in a slow circle. “This is just… something else.”
“You like it?”
“I love it.” She studied him. “This house is fantastic. You’ve really put a lot of heart into it.”
His expression softened. “I was just ten when Keya and I came to live here with our grandfather. Our mother had just passed away.” His voice grew quieter. “Over time, this house became the first place where I truly felt safe. We eventually moved out a few years later after our grandfather passed away. I was too young, away at boarding school, and Keya soon found it impossible to maintain the house by herself. It’s been lying vacant for years.” A faint smile touched his lips. “I wanted it to feel like a home again.”
He looked so alone and vulnerable in that moment. It made her chest tighten. God, she didn’t know so much about him. She had so many questions, but she held them at bay. He’d opened himself up to her tonight. Shown her a different side of himself. It was enough for now. The questions could come later.
“This is beautiful. Truly,” she said.
