A Perfect Mismatch Read Online Free PDF

terms and conditions. You need not worry about that highly unlikely possibility, considering the state of affairs between us. Also, we would be hardly meeting each other in this arrangement.”
    “And how do you propose to achieve that when we have to live under the same roof with your family?” Zara sat back, locking her fingers together on the table.
    He appeared as if he owned the place, looking every inch the powerful male that he was. His casual corded trousers and pristine cream shirt made him look like a model from the pages of a glossy magazine. But no model could have his charisma, a searing quality that quickened her heartbeat. If she stretched her fingers an inch, she could touch the masculine hand drumming impatiently on the table. She curled her fingers in. His hair was wildly curly and longer at the nape which now was neatly tied up to give him that usual edgy appearance that made her stomach feel hollow. She had felt this way around him for as long as she could remember.
    She knew that beneath the glossy surface he was a stubborn, arrogant man, who was way beyond her reach. Anger was better than any other vulnerable display of emotion. A man like Armaan wouldn’t look twice at hereven if she wanted him to … which of course she didn’t, she told herself firmly.
    Armaan was caught unawares by the flitting emotions in her eyes. There was fire in them and the silvery orbs were almost black unless you saw the reflection of the chandeliers above in their shining depths. An undercurrent in the atmosphere enveloped them. Suddenly he wanted to know what she was thinking … really thinking … especially when she was not angry. How would it sound if she laughed gaily. He had never heard her laugh. Always a stilted formal smile … but never a laugh of pure delight.
    He wanted to kick himself when he realized that his train of thought had taken him miles away. He focused back on the subject of discussion. He locked his vision with hers for seconds before leaning forward to make his point. “I intend to shift to my apartment that has been lying locked up for some months; it has several spare bedrooms and a studio on the terrace. That would keep us out of each other’s hair and certainly keep things under wraps as I intend to. We will have to make an excuse to shift base after a few weeks. Mom should not know of this arrangement at any cost, do you understand?” It was a warning and they both understood it well.
    Zara nodded. She would never be the one to hurt the old woman. Vini was the only one with positive reasons for this marriage.
    “The next condition is that this marriage would be terminated as soon as six months are over. By then Mom would surely understand that it was a mistake and she would give up hope for a happy married life for me. Youwill be rewarded with a handsome alimony, which you certainly deserve. After that we needn’t see each other at all.”
    Zara thought deeply for a while, cringing at the coldblooded points that he had put in front of her. She could back out now if she wanted. But her aunt’s taunting words caught at her principles. She had a different idea about marriage. This arrangement made her shrivel up inside. But it seemed to be the only way she could wipe away the feelings of inadequacy that her aunt’s words had aroused in her all her life. Zara would never have to face her with a bowed head knowing that her life was only a result of her aunt’s charity.
    “Why me?” Zara asked quietly, never taking her eyes off him. “Why not Bani? You have known her all your life.”
    “For some reason, Mom is convinced that you are perfect marriage material. I have my reservations on the subject.”
    Armaan saw the angry fire spark brighter in those eyes again. He continued unperturbed “For me you are the perfect candidate because we don’t really like each other!”
    Zara tried not to wince.
    Armaan continued, “I don’t think this arrangement would succeed if I married