Page 59 of Addiction

“No one can shine as bright as you,” Navya appeased her. “And thanks.”

Rehana turned and then pivoted to face Navya again. “I’ve heard that your brother owns Club Poseidon. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Next month, there is an event happening there; some fancy deejay is visiting from New York. I need entry for me and my group of friends. I also need everything to be VIP. I refuse to mingle with the regulars. Will you do it?”

“Sure, I’ll put you in on the VIP guest list. Just let me know when.”

“Shukran,habibti!” The model smiled. “I’ll be in touch on that. Oh, and why don’t you and Armaan join me that night? My boyfriend will be there as well. We can… um… what do they call it?” She clicked her fingers excitedly. “Double date?”

“Yes,” Navya said.

Rehana had so many insecurities that going out socially with her was the last thing Navya wanted to do. Besides, what she had with Armaan was not ready to be out in public yet. They were living in their own little bubble, and right now, no outsiders were allowed in it. Rehana had assumed Navya and he were together, and strangely, Navya had never corrected her. She wouldn’t.Better that this model continued to think Armaan belonged to Navya. Why she felt the need to stake her claim on him as such was a question Navya refused to answer.

Apparently happy with Navya’s responses, the model gave her a cheery wave and exited, followed by one of her assistants. Navya got to work with the other girls on Rehana’s team as they zipped the outfits back in their garment bags and discussed how the various clothes and shoes would be sent back to the design houses.

“I’m glad today went well,” one of Rehana’s assistants said.

“It did,” Navya replied.

“Yeah,” the girl continued. “Her good mood is all thanks to her new beau. She’s quite besotted with him, you see. Apparently, he’s quite rich and lavishes lovely and expensive gifts on her. She’s been smiling the whole week, thanks to him. It makes her behave nicely towards us as well. She’s happy, and hence, we are happy too.”

Navya had worked too long in the industry to know when to keep her mouth shut and simply listen without adding remarks of her own. Many a stylist got a bad name simply by agreeing or disagreeing with comments thrown by others.

Wrapping up her work, Navya changed into her own outfit. She checked her look in the mirror. It was simple and yet, not understated. She’d chosen a powder pink strappy high low dress, fitted at the chest and flowing in soft folds from the waist. Teamed with high heels, gold danglers, and her hair worn in a low twist, she looked chic and classy, but definitely not as glamorous for Rehana to consider her a competition. God, these models and their tantrums.

Once done, she headed downstairs to the banquet hall. It was one of those events in which everyone from the fashion industry was invited. She spotted several acquaintances immediately.Half an hour later, she was moving from one group to another group of people when someone called her name.

She turned and smiled at the tall man, dressed in a sharp business suit, walking toward her.

“Navya, hi!”

“Aditya, hey!” Navya leaned forward to give him a hug.

Aditya Wahi, owner of the Gemini Group of Companies, was a close friend of Rajiv and Sheena. Over the last few years, Aditya had been a frequent visitor to Dubai, especially when Rajiv and Sheena’s full gang of friends, including Sheena’s brother and cousins from Mumbai, decided to visit, which happened at least once a year, if not more.

Aditya held her by the arms.

“So good to meet you!” He studied her from top to toe. “You look amazing.”

She smiled. He was one of those men who had it all—money, looks, style, and charisma, and he was a nice person too.

“Aren’t you going to return the compliment?” he teased. “Or do I not meet with your approval today?”

This push and pull was a thing between them. He flirted; she flirted. And it always remained at that. Aditya was perhaps one of the few single men left in Sheena’s group of friends, and hence, he’d always been a hot topic of gossip between Navya and her sisters. Reina and she had crushed over him each time they’d met him. Apart from being a thorough charmer, he was intelligent, sharp, and a whole lot of fun to be with.

Sheena had always insisted that he wasn’t ready to settle down, and Navya had never felt inclined on a casual fling. That would have been immensely awkward for all concerned, and she supposed he felt the same way, and that’s why they’d been only friends till date.

She straightened his tie. “You always look good, you know that.”

Meeting him today, however, she questioned why had she ever crushed on him. He didn’t make her pulse escalate, nor did her blood fizz when he was around. Her heart didn’t react to him at all… much unlike how she—and her body—responded when Armaan was around. God. Her fascination with the man was now bordering on obsession. She simply couldn’t stop thinking about him.

A sudden tingle shot down her spine. She looked to the front and then to the right. And then, when she looked to the left, she foundhim. Arms crossed, posture stiff, and eyes glittering dangerously. A second tingle shot down her back.

He looked mad. Wait,whywas he mad? His eyes moved from her to Aditya and then back to her. Realization dawned. He didn’t like seeing her with Aditya. The knowledge thrilled her to bits. It made her already rumbling heart boom louder. Before he could take a step toward her, a woman appeared in front of him. Navya recognized the very famous Egyptian model instantly. The woman draped herself over him, and Armaan let her. In fact, he even held her waist as he spoke to her. Navya’s jaw hurt by how hard she was clenching it. Her eyes met Armaan’s. Deliberately, she linked her hand with Aditya’s arm, and she caressed his cheek slowly.

“How come you’re here?” she asked Aditya. “And hey, why haven’t you called me? Just because Rajiv and Sheena aren’t in town doesn’t mean you ignore me.”

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