After the office drama, Anya returned home, finished all the household work, and collapsed onto the sofa in exhaustion. The house was quiet; Zain was in his study room.
To relax, Anya switched on the TV and started watching a Korean drama (K-Drama).
At that exact moment, a very emotional and intense kiss scene was playing on the screen. As the romance on the screen deepened, a sudden jolt of realization shot through Anya's mind.
Flashback (inside Anya's mind):
That night… the haze of wine… the dim lights… Zain's face so close to hers… and that feeling…
Anya's eyes widened in shock. The remote slipped from her hand.
Now she remembered every single moment.
The person she had kissed, thinking he was Jungkook, was not a dream.
It was Zain Yan.
And not only had she kissed him… she had also said "I love you" to him!
Anya (shouting at herself):
"Oh God! No! No! No! Anya, what have you done? That wasn't Jungkook… that was that cold-hearted Zain! And I… I kissed him so boldly?"
She flushed with embarrassment, buried her face into the cushion, and kicked her feet on the sofa in mortification. She mentally scolded herself for praising Jungkook in front of Zain this morning when, in reality, she had kissed Zain himself.
Just then, Zain's deep voice echoed as he descended the stairs.
Zain (with a teasing smile):
"What happened, Anya? Was there something a little too 'hot' on TV? Or… did you finally remember something?"
Peeking from behind the cushion, Anya looked at him. Zain stood there casually, hands in his pockets, clearly enjoying the show. He already knew she remembered everything.
Anya (stammering):
"You… you… you knew? Why didn't you tell me what happened last night?"
Zain (slowly walking closer):
"Why would I? I was having too much fun watching you chant 'Jungkook, Jungkook.' By the way, Mrs. Yan… your kissing skills aren't as bad as I thought."
Anya's face turned redder than a tomato. She was about to flee the sofa when Zain blocked her path.
She shrank into the corner of the sofa, her heart pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ribs. Zain moved so close that she could smell the woody scent of his perfume.
Zain (staring deeply into her eyes):
"So… Mrs. Yan, now that your memory has returned, I think we need to settle some accounts. Last night you kissed me thinking I was Jungkook… that was a huge blow to my ego."
Anya (stammering):
"Th-that was the alcohol's fault! And anyway, you're so cold-hearted that my brain can't even picture you as a good person!"
Zain (stepping even closer):
"The alcohol's fault? Fine. But you still have to make up for that mistake. You touched me without taking my name… now I want you to correct that mistake while fully conscious."
Anya's breath hitched.
"Correct… what do you mean?"
Zain (leaning near her ear):
"It means… if you remember that kiss, then now I want a kiss where you take my name. If you don't, I'll assume you're still lost in thoughts of that Korean actor."
Anya's face burned with embarrassment and panic. She pushed against his chest, trying to move him back, but Zain didn't budge.
Anya:
"Zain! This… this is blackmail! I'm not doing anything like that."
Zain (smiling calmly):
"Alright then. The 20-lakh penalty is reinstated. And starting tomorrow, your maid duty at the office will be extended from one week to one month. Your choice — one small correction or one month of servitude?"
Anya looked into Zain's eyes. She knew he wasn't someone who backed down easily. But a spark of mischief also awakened inside her.
She grabbed Zain's collar and pulled him slightly closer.
Anya (whispering):
"Fine, Mr. Zain Yan… you win."
A victorious smile appeared on Zain's face. He thought his 'little sorceress' wife had finally surrendered. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, fully expecting the promised makeup kiss.
He leaned closer.
But Anya was still Anya.
The moment she saw him completely defenseless, she swiftly twisted her leg and delivered a neat self-defense kick to Zain's lower abdomen.
Zain:
"Uff…!"
His eyes widened in shock. He clutched his stomach and staggered backward, collapsing onto the sofa. All his CEO dignity vanished in an instant.
Zain (groaning in pain):
"Anya! What… what kind of misbehavior was that? Have you lost your mind?"
Anya (confidently posing with clenched fist):
"Misbehavior? Mr. Zain Yan, this is called self-defense! My mom taught me in childhood — if someone tries to get close without your permission, attack without thinking!"
Zain (angry and pained):
"Without permission? Last night you kissed me — where did your permission go then? I remember everything, Anya!"
Anya (blushing and shouting):
"Th-that wasn't me! That was the alcohol! And I remember you kissed me back… you took advantage of me while fully conscious! You're a first-class fraud!"
Zain took a deep breath and stood up, adjusting his shirt, still slightly bent.
Zain (irritated voice):
"Took advantage? Anya, I'm your husband. A husband kissing his wife isn't taking advantage — it's claiming his right."
Anya (sticking out her tongue):
"Then go file a case! We're in a contract marriage, remember? And anyway, the score is settled. You kissed me last night, I kicked you today. Score: 1-1!"
She turned victoriously to run — but suddenly Zain grabbed her wrist from the sofa and pulled her back.
His grip was much stronger this time.
Anya lost her balance and fell straight into his lap.
This time, there was no mischief on Zain's face — only a deep stillness.
He tightened his arm around her waist so she couldn't escape again.
Zain (low, serious voice):
"The score isn't settled yet, Anya. You kicked me — that was physical assault. What I did last night… was something else entirely."
Her heart began racing again. Zain's face was so close she could feel his warm breath on her skin.
Anya (stammering):
"Zain… let me go! This is cheating."
As Zain leaned closer, Anya quickly placed both hands on his shoulders to stop him. A strange sparkle flickered in her eyes.
Anya:
"Wait, wait, wait! Not now! It's time for my favorite horror movie, and I can't miss a single scene!"
Zain's mouth fell open. He couldn't believe his ears. He had thought Anya was finally under his spell — but apparently, ghosts and demons ranked higher.
Zain (in disbelief):
"Seriously? You're rejecting me for a horror movie? Anya, are you really a girl or some kind of alien?"
Anya teased him, grabbed the remote, and switched on Netflix. Zain leaned back with a deep breath, already forming a new plan. A devilish idea crossed his mind.
Zain (with a crooked smile):
"Alright, Mrs. Yan. If you love horror movies so much… let's play a challenge."
Gathering all her courage, Anya played Netflix's scariest movie — The Conjuring. All the lights in the room were turned off; only the blue glow of the TV illuminated their faces.
Anya (thinking):
"Anya, don't get scared! It's just ninety minutes, then that cold-hearted Zain will be your slave. You've watched so many horror dramas for Jungkook — what's this compared to that?"
The movie began. The suspenseful horror music filled the room.
Zain sat relaxed, arms spread across the sofa like he was in a park. He was watching Anya's changing expressions more than the film.
Suddenly — a loud bang on screen and a shadow darted across.
Anya:
"Ah…!"
She stuffed the cushion over her mouth to suppress her scream, but her legs had started trembling.
Zain (teasing):
"What happened, Mrs. Yan? It's only been ten minutes. Getting scared? Remember the bet."
Anya (irritated):
"Shut up! I… I was just changing my position. I'm not scared!"
Then came the famous clap-clap scene.
Anya's breathing quickened.
The moment the ghost jumped from the top of the wardrobe, Anya sprang from her seat and, without thinking, dove straight into Zain's lap, covering his face tightly with both her hands.
Anya (shouting):
"Zain! Move it away! Turn off the TV! Sh-she's looking at me!"
In the darkness, a deep, victorious smile spread across Zain's face. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Zain (whispering):
"Game over, Anya. You didn't just hold my hand — you're completely in my arms now. You'll have to fulfill the bet."
Realization dawned on Anya.
She looked into Zain's eyes — there was no teasing now, only a deep pull.
The room fell silent except for their heartbeats.
Zain:
"Say my name, Anya… and keep your promise."
Anya's face burned with embarrassment, but this time she couldn't run.
She slowly grabbed Zain's collar and whispered with trembling lips—
Anya:
"Zain…"