Page 79 of Fixation

“I want to know about the donation,” Rajiv muttered. “While I know you can be generous, this seems more.”

Reina tossed the ball to Ananya and the game continued. After a few minutes, they were at ten all, when Navya shot a three-pointer.

Grinning, she faced Reina. “You kept talking about this difficult patient. Did you leave because of him? Did he do anything to upset you?”

“That’s two questions, my dear Navya,” Reina said. “And I will answer only the first. Yes, he was also responsible for me leaving.”

Navya’s eyes widened. She shared a look with Rajiv. They were dying to ask her more. But she couldn’t give them more.

Navya opened her mouth, but Reina shook her head. “No more questions. I’m ending this now.”

She ran midcourt and scored a three-pointer, post which Ananya shot the final basket, thus ensuring she didn’t have to answer any more questions from her siblings.

They continued playing for fun after that, laughing and teasing one another as they always did. For the first time in weeks, she didn’t have to fake her smiles or pretend that she was okay. She laughed from her heart and smiled from her soul. Yes, coming home had been the best decision for her. Now, she only had to focus on forgetting one man, and her life would be perfect. She sighed. If only it were that simple.

27

Vedant waited in the parking lot outside the famous nightclub in Dubai. Tyrion stood a little distance behind. A few minutes later, a gleaming black Bugatti roared inside the lot, followed by a black Escalade filled with armed men. The sports car stopped right in front of him, and Mihir climbed out of the driver’s side while his bodyguards stepped out of the other car, surrounding them both. Mihir studied him from top to toe before pulling him into a hug.

“How are you? You look good,” Mihir remarked. “Do you know how worried I was when you called and asked me to meet you here? Wait, has your doctor cleared you for travel? Why didn’t you tell us you were coming? Is everything okay?” Mihir looked at the board beyond them. “Why the fuck are we meeting outside a nightclub? And more importantly, why did you tell me to not tell Armaan?”

Vedant chuckled. “Have you got us entry?”

Mihir glared at him.

“Sorry, I’ll answer all your questions once we are inside,” Vedant assured him. “Shall we?”

“Sit in the car,” Mihir ordered.

“But…”

“I said,sitin the fucking car.”

“Can I drive?” Vedant teased, knowing exactly how possessive Mihir was about the damn car. He never let anyone touch it ever.

“Shut up,” Mihir barked.

Vedant laughed. His brother was really a grouch. Once he was seated, Mihir circled the car around the driveway and drove them into a basement. He swiped a card on a machine, and the barrier opened for them. They both stepped out once Mihir finished parking the car. Vedant paused. He knew this was the same parking lot where his brother Armaan had been attacked more than a month back. He looked around, noticing the cameras placed everywhere. The club had definitely upped its level of security.

Mihir led him to a steel door on the side. He swiped his card again, and the door opened. Vedant followed him down a corridor, and finally, his brother pulled open a door, and they entered the VIP floor of Club Poseidon.

It was the first time Vedant was coming to Rajiv Mehra’s night club, and he had to admit it was impressive. Loud music, dim lights, gold mirrored walls, and midnight blue wallpaper gave the entire place a posh vibe. The furniture was all brown wood, navy blue, velvet, and gold. Very nice, indeed. He followed Mihir as they weaved their way through the swarm of people to reach a tall table, clearly reserved for him.

Vedant stepped to the railing beyond the table and looked around. Strobe lights zigzagged on the crowded dance floor below him. The lower floor of the club was even more packed. The whole place was alive and buzzing. His eyes searched the crowd, scanning the faces of all the women, but not one of them was the one he ached for.

A waiter appeared with a bottle of vodka and glasses. Mihir poured the drink into two glasses and handed him one. He held his own shot of vodka up. “Na zdorovye.”

Vedant clicked his glass to Mihir’s and downed the shot. “Fuck. That felt good. I haven’t had a drink since my attack.”

“I thought as much,” Mihir said, pouring another round of shots for them. They clinked their glasses, and Vedant downed that one too.

Mihir looked around, saw the many women staring at the two of them and downed another shot. “I fucking hate nightclubs.”

Vedant chuckled. “You just don’t like all the attention you’re getting.”

A woman at the side raised her glass in a toast at them. He grimaced. Even if they weren’t recognised because of who they were, they were two single, well-dressed, good looking men. Add Mihir’s scar to the mix, and every single woman looking for a good time would end up coming their way seeking danger and thrill. Neither Mihir nor him were interested.

Vedant ignored all the eyes upon them. “How do you have private access to Rajiv Mehra’s club?”

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