Chapter 3: Seven Days of Temptation

At my 2BHK flat, I couldn’t help but ask, “So, when will you make me rich?”

He turned and walked straight into the bathroom.

I barely managed to catch my breath when he came out, his hair was wet, droplets trailing down his exposed chest and disappearing into the towel at his waist!

It was like a Lux soap ad had come alive in my living room. I felt my blood pressure shoot up, shook my head hard to chase away the urge to pounce, and forced out two words: “Get rich!”

After drying his hair, he sat upright on the sofa, turned on the financial news channel, and finally said, “I have a seven-day observation period. If you can’t keep your hands off me during these seven days, I’ll leave. If you manage, I’ll help you get rich.”

“...”

How confident is he in his own appeal?

But I have to admit, my heart is pounding!

I’m starting to suspect he’s cast some kind of spell on me—I really am tempted by him.

I follow so many hot influencers on Instagram, but I’ve never seen abs like Arjun’s—sexy but not vulgar, pure eye candy!

If only I could touch…

But for the sake of getting rich, I’ll control myself!

Once I’m a rich woman, what kind of man couldn’t I get?

I stomped into the bathroom, tossing over my shoulder, “Don’t worry, I’m not interested in you!”

After showering, I put on a little slip dress and dried my hair in front of him, every move reflected in the mirror—even I started to feel flustered!

After all, I’m a knockout among humans—how could I let a fox spirit outshine me?

But!

He just frowned and said, “Priya, you’re blocking the TV.”

...Fine, fine!

For the next seven days, we had a full-on show-off battle!

He went shirtless, I wore his shirt.

He wore grey track pants for his morning jog in the colony park, I wore a bikini to swim.

He did ab crunches on the balcony at dawn, I sat beside him and did waist exercises…

Neither of us would back down!

The colony watchman gave us a suspicious look as Arjun jogged past, and I pretended to stretch like a fitness influencer, hoping nobody would call my mother.

The aunty from 4B even commented to my mother, "Your Priya is looking more energetic these days! Some new yoga, or what?" But honestly, my bravado was all for show.

When I saw the fox spirit my bestie bought, I was so jealous I nearly drooled!

Her fox spirit didn’t have any ‘training mishaps’!

Not as good-looking as Arjun, but still miles ahead of any regular guy!

My bestie Meera is completely hooked—hasn’t left home for days!

While her fox spirit was making chai in the kitchen, Meera leaned in and whispered, “How’s yours? Is he any good?”

“...Haven’t used him yet!”

“What’s wrong? Are you shy? Listen, fox spirits are just for our enjoyment, no need to feel guilty.”

Just as she finished, her fox spirit appeared beside us, eyes smouldering and a little teary—

“Boss, am I just a tool to you?”

That look, that voice—straight out of a Bollywood scene!

Meera froze, then quickly stood up, flustered. “I was just talking nonsense! I really like you now, really!”

The fox spirit ignored me, swept her into his arms. “Then prove it…”

Meera peeked over his shoulder and mouthed at me to leave!

Alright, I’ll see myself out!

Outside, the sound of a distant train horn mixed with the old romantic song drifting from Meera’s window—classic Mumbai mood. I sighed and trudged home, feeling like even the stray cats outside the vada pav stall had more excitement than me.