The proposal

The next morning, the agonizing routine continued.

Vikram had locked himself in his study for a highly confidential video meeting. He had specifically told Arjun not to disturb him. But Arjun knew Vikram loved to break his own rules when it came to showing off his power.

Arjun went into his bathroom and looked in the mirror. He needed to be impossible to ignore. He applied a fresh, thick coat of bright red gloss to his lips. He adjusted his extra-large padding, making sure his dark, deep-cut velvet blouse was pushing his chest up perfectly. He checked his red bindi and his sindoor. He looked exactly like a flawless, incredibly seductive traditional wife.

He prepared a silver tray with hot tea and delicate sweets. He picked it up and walked down the long marble hallway. He walked with a deliberate, exaggerated sway of his hips, making his four-inch stiletto heels clack loudly against the floor. His heavy silver anklets chimed with a sharp chham-chham sound that echoed off the walls.

He pushed the heavy oak door of the study open with his hip.

Vikram was sitting at his massive desk, speaking softly into his laptop camera. He looked up, his face instantly flashing with anger because he had been interrupted.

But then he saw Arjun.

Arjun stood in the doorway, looking innocent and highly seductive. He tilted his hairless face down slightly, looking up through his heavy, mascara-coated eyelashes. He deliberately let his arms brush against his sides, making the thick, long stacks of glass bangles on his wrists clash together in a loud, musical noise.

"I am so sorry, Vikram," Arjun said in a breathy, soft voice, walking slowly toward the desk. "I know you said not to disturb you. But I made fresh tea, and I didn't want it to get cold. I just wanted to serve you."

Vikram's anger melted away instantly. His massive ego loved the fact that this beautiful, submissive creature was so eager to please him that he would interrupt a meeting just to bring him tea.

"Put it down quickly," Vikram said, gesturing to the edge of the desk.

Arjun walked around the side of the desk, his stilettos clicking sharply. He leaned over, placing the silver tray down very slowly. As he did, he deliberately let the pallu of his transparent silk saree slip an inch off his shoulder, revealing more of his smooth, hairless neck and the massive, deep plunge of his padded blouse.

Vikram stopped talking to the screen. His eyes were glued to Arjun's chest and the massive gold mangalsutra dangling there.

Arjun acted completely oblivious to the heavy stare. He reached up and slowly twisted his large, heavy gold earring, playing with it as if he were just waiting for permission to leave. He kept his eyes lowered, the picture of perfect submission.

"Is there anything else you need?" Arjun asked sweetly, finally standing up straight and pulling his sheer pallu back into place over his large padding.

"No. Go back to the kitchen," Vikram said, his voice a little husky.

Arjun turned and walked out, swaying his hips heavily as his anklets chimed softly. Once he was out in the hallway, he let out a long, shaky breath, leaning against the cold wall. He had survived another interaction. The golden cage was suffocating him, but he had to keep playing the doll.