Page 120 of Fixation

Navya grabbed the phone from Armaan. “What? Ananya’s started a gossip section in Noir?! Unbelievable.”

Reina began to read aloud, “This reclusive, enigmatic Russian billionaire hasn’t been seen with any woman for a long time. Is he uninterested in women, or do women find him unappealing? Or is he going to come out of the closet any time now? Stay tuned for more news from our very own Miss Butterfly.”

“Oh fuck.” Armaan tried to hide his chuckle, but failed.

Reina giggled and then slapped a palm on her mouth when Mihir glared at her. “Sorry, but it is funny. You’re the last person whose sexual orientation ought to be in question, and she’s…”

Reina burst out laughing. Vedant joined her, and soon all of them except Mihir were rolling in laughter.

“This woman is going to be the death of me,” Mihir ground out.

“She’s diabolical,” Reina said. “You really have pissed her off now.”

“She doesn’t know what will happen if she starts a war with me,” Mihir said. “Fucking annoying woman. Tell her to stop or it will get ugly.”

“Youtell her,” Navya said. “Ananya never listens when she’s fixated on something, and this article reeks of fixation.”

Well, to Vedant, it reeked of obsession, but he wasn’t saying that aloud. Considering the foul mood Mihir was in, Vedant would surely get punched.

“I’m out of here,” Mihir said.

“Wait, you’re with us,” Armaan said. With a quick wave to Vedant and Reina, the three of them left.

Vedant turned to Reina. “Let’s go.”

Reina stayed silent for a moment before she said. “I just want to clarify about Ananya and Mihir because I have a feeling we’ve heard two different stories.”

“What has she told you?”

“Very little,” Reina sighed. “All I know is that she fell in love with him while studying in London, only to have her heart shattered by his tragic death in an accident. Years later, she discovered, through a news article, that Mihir was alive and the adopted son of Alexander Oshnov. She was shocked and devastated to learn that. Post that, she tried for a long time to get in touch with him, but Mihir refused to acknowledge her existence. Then, the yacht incident happened. She ran away from him, and after that, she categorically refused to talk about him.”

Oh God, he wasn’t even sure if his brother was aware of this. There was a massive misunderstanding between Mihir and Ananya that needed to be clarified ASAP.

“Okay, you know Mihir thinks differently,” Vedant said. “In his head, she’s betrayed him, and he’s never forgiven her for that.”

“They need to talk,” Reina said. “I just wish they’d both let get of their egos and… talk. At least for our sakes.”

“Some battles are not ours to fight, beautiful…” Vedant caressed her cheek. “We need to let them be.”

“I think there is a war brewing between them…” Reina gulped. “I just don’t want either of them to end up hurt.”

“I’ve been thinking that we ought to return to London,” Vedant said. “How does next week sound to you?”

Her eyes widened. “Wow. Quite a change of subject. Why though? In London, you were missing your brothers when they left.”

“I did, but you weren’t exactly in my life then. With you, it feels like I’ve finally found my place in this world, and I don’t feel so alone anymore. And I do want to return and spend some time alone with you. Let’s go for a short holiday.”

“I want to be alone with you too. Just you and me sounds perfect,” she said softly.

He grinned, his heart rejoicing at her words. Her expressing what she felt for him would never get old.

“Besides,” he continued, “like you said, this drama between Mihir and Ananya is only going to escalate into an all-out war, especially if she continues with those snippets about him. He already hates being in the public eye, and this paints him in a bad light.”

“Oh God, yes,” Reina grumbled. “I ought to talk to her.”

“You really shouldn’t. They need to hash it out, and we all ought to stay out of it.”

“So, next week, huh?” Reina queried. “I’ll have to convince my parents that I want to go with you. Already, they weren’t too happy with both Navya and me living in your house here, but I think they’ll be happy for me. I’m glad you managed to impress them.”

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