Page 72 of Obsession

“Are you comfortable here?” the older man asked in accented English.

“Thank you. Yes, I am.”

He paused before he said. “He’s all prickly from the outside, but he’s a nice guy underneath.”

She frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because he’s easily misunderstood. And since you’re here to interview him, I thought you ought to know this about him. The world needs to know that he’s this amazing, selfless human being. I hope you can tell his story that way.”

“I will…” She smiled. “I admit I do enjoy poking him a little. It’s the only way to make him react. So, don’t worry if you see him become irritable. Just know it’s my handiwork.”

She gave him a naughty wink.

Dmitri laughed.

“Her, you like?” Mihir’s surprised voice made her turn. He was looking very amused. Mihir continued speaking in English as he addressed his butler, “Me, you’re always annoyed with.”

Dmitri’s expression sobered. “Then don’t do and say things that annoy me.”

She chuckled, liking the bond Mihir shared with the man.

Muttering something in Russian, Dmitri turned and left.

“I like him,” Ananya said.

“Looks like he likes you too.”

“What’s not to like about me?” Ananya spread her hands out. “I’m perfect. You seem to have forgotten that fact.”

A corner of his mouth lifted up a notch. She was glad that he was smiling again. Mihir assessed her, his eyes running over her. Shaking his head, he unwound the dark red muffler from his neck and wrapped it around hers, tucking it against her chest and inside her coat. Her heart rate accelerated as his delicious scent washed over her. Leather and musk… So good. So him.

“It’s three degrees outside,” he explained. “You need to cover up as much as possible.”

She frowned. “What about you then?”

“I’m quite used to Russia’s harsh winters. We’ll make it a short walk.”

He led her outside the house through a back entrance and into the lawns. It was all beautifully white. The bright sun shimmered over everything, its rays shedding a golden light wherever they touched. The air was fresh, pure oxygen, just like he’d said.

“So, where were we?” She tucked her hands into her pockets. It was cold, her breath forming little white puffs as she exhaled. “You were telling me about your childhood.”

He looked at her sideways. “You don’t need to record this?”

“I have a good memory, so please, go on. I’m excited to know more.”

And she was. She was more than eager to listen to his story. It had come as a complete shock to know that he was willing to reveal the hitherto well-hidden parts of his life to her. It was going to be the mother of all scoops, but it still didn’t make sense why after years of keeping silent about their private lives, Mihir was suddenly willing to divulge it all to her to share with the world. However, she’d patiently wait for him to reveal the reason behind it.

“Meeting Alexander was just so random, you know,” he began as he led her down a path lined with birch trees. “I had enough clout with the orphanage management that they allowed me to take up odd jobs outside. I used to work with an agency that helped clean the Ganga riverbed. One late evening, I was walking back down a street, when I saw a gang of older boys circling a lone foreigner. I was close enough to hear them threatening him. He looked big, but they were like six of them, armed with knives, and he was old. One of the boys tried to attack him, and he thwarted it, but then the others started coming at him. I simply couldn’t stand there and allow an innocent man to be hurt, so I jumped into the foray, and together we fought them off.” He smiled. “Well, as per Papa’s narration of the tale, I did most of the fighting, but I know he contributed as well. He was old, but he knew how to fight.”

“How old were you?”

“Fourteen.”

“What?” She blanched. “Fourteen? And you fought those men for a complete stranger?”

“What was I supposed to do? Allow them to hurt him?” He clucked his tongue. “And you have to understand that I grew up in an orphanage. We knew how to fight since we were little. I’d dealt with enough bullies in my life by then.”

She shook her head. “I can’t even… I really don’t know what to say, except that it was very brave of you.”

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