Page 52 of Addiction

Armaan was warm and kind, and she was beginning to realize that he genuinely cared for her.

Her heart clenched. This between them was not real, yet it felt real when she was with him, and that… that was scary. She was getting too damn used to their morning sessions. She was getting too damn used tohim. A few months back, if someone had told her that she’d be spending her mornings with Armaan Oshnov, she would have balked at the prospect. But now it felt normal. Like this was her life now.

The urge to turn around her car and return to him thrummed inside her. In a short span of time, Armaan Oshnov had become an intrinsic part of her life. She pressed a hand to her stomach. God. What was happening to her? She squinted into the morning sunlight. She had to leave before she actually put her thoughts into action and returned to him like a fool. Fuck. She pressed the horn. Why was the gate not opening?

A sudden knock on her window made her look sideways. Vasily was leaning against her car, Arlo beside him, motioning her to open her window. She pressed a button, and the glass pane retreated.

“Hi, guys,” she greeted.

Arlo gave her a quick nod.

“Hi, Navya.” Vasily removed his dark glasses. “Just wanted to talk to you about something.”

She frowned. This was the first time in a week that Armaan’s security guards had tried to speak with her. She’d seen them several times during her daily breakfasts with Armaan, walking the perimeter of the property or instructing the guards on something. And while they’d always acknowledged her with a cool nod, they’d never spoken to her. But now, both his guards were here together.

“Sure,” she replied, feeling a tad bit confused. “What’s up?”

Vasily’s throat bobbed. “Look, it’s not my place to intrude, but I have to warn you about Armaan.”

The furrow in her brow deepened. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry…” he placated. “Like I said, it’s not my place. But since Su Min and your sister are such good friends, I couldn’t stay quiet any longer, especially considering that you also have a thing for the boss.”

His words were confusing. They were also annoying her. She already didn’t like the direction this conversation was heading in.

“What are you trying to tell me?” she asked. “Can you please be direct?”

His lips tightened. “The Oshnovs are dangerous men, Navya. Armaan, more so. They are ruthless and cunning, and don’t give second chances to anyone. Neither do they forgive nor do they forget.”

This was the same guy who’d told Reina that the Oshnovs were only bad to their enemies and that they weren’t bad people in general. So, she didn’t understand why was he telling her all this.

She splayed a hand out. “And how does that concern me? He’s not a danger to me, is it?”

“No. He won’t harm you physically,” Vasily said. “But he will break your heart. He’s a womaniser and is out only for a good time. I’ve seen him over the years, and he’s never been with one woman long enough. For your sake, I hope you are smart enough to end this thing with him before you get hurt.”

Her anger rose swiftly. She didn’t like him talking about Armaan this way. Her relationship with Armaan was hers, and she felt possessive about it, andhim. Why she felt this way and so quickly was not important right now. All she knew was that no one else had a right to judge them.

“Has he brought any of his women home?” she queried, her tone sharp.

“No,” Vasily said. From beside him, Arlo’s mouth tightened.

“Has he spent more than a night with any of these women?”

“No, but?—.”

She cut Vasily off. “I suppose then I don’t need to be concerned about anything. He may have been a womaniser before meeting me, but he’s with me right now. And as you well know, I already have been coming to his home for more than a week. I appreciate your concern, but I know what I’m doing.”

Arlo gave her a nod.

Vasily shrugged. “Well, I did warn you.”

His haughty tone annoyed her.

“Warning taken. Now, can you ask someone to open the bloody gate?”

Arlo raised his hand, and the gate began to slide open. She moved her car forward. She saw the two bodyguards arguing from her rear-view mirror. Ignoring them, she focused ahead. Thanks to them, her happy mood from earlier had been spoilt.

An hour later, she sat in her office, going through her emails when Lavina entered.

---