Page 146 of Obsession

“Alright…” He tapped a few times on his phone. “There! See, it’s off.”

“Just rest, okay.” She kissed his cheek. “Sleep. I’ll see you soon.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

She climbed out of his bed. Switching off his lights, she left. She checked the time; it was only ten at night. She looked at the portrait he had of her hanging center stage in his wing of the house and felt something loosen inside her chest. She was beginning to believe that he did love her. Everything he had said and done over the last few weeks was proof. The ball was in her court now, whether to give him a chance and accept him again or not.

Her phone rang the second she sat in the car. It was Devina. Surprised, she quickly answered.

“Hi, Ananya,” Devina’s voice echoed in the car. “Where are you?”

“Driving home,” Ananya said, starting the ignition. “Is everything okay? How come you’re calling me this late?”

“It’s only a little past ten. Anyway, I’m actually calling about Zeeshan,” her friend said. “I know you and I haven’t spoken in a while, but I’m worried about him. He’s not answering my calls or messages. I just wanted to check if you know anything.”

Ananya grimaced. “I don’t know what’s up with him.”

She actually didn’t know what had happened to Zeeshan. Last she’d heard was Mihir asking him to leave Dubai in twenty-four hours. She hadn’t cared enough to check with Mihir as to what happened post that. After hearing about Zeeshan’s deception, she’s stopped caring about him.

“I’m just so worried about him,” Devina said. “He’s always kept in touch with me. I’ve called him several times, but to no avail.”

“I’m sure he’ll get back to you,” Ananya replied. From her rear-view mirror, she saw Adam’s and Anton’s cars following close behind her. She knew Lenin was with Anton. She smiled, grateful for their presence, especially since her pregnancy.

“Anyway, how have you been?” Devina asked.

“I’m good.”

It was hard to be warm toward Devina, knowing that she, too, had exploited Ananya’s friendship at one time, though to a lesser degree than Zeeshan.

“It’s been so long since we caught up,” Devina said. “Actually, where are you? I’m just closing up my store. Why don’t you come over?”

“Now?”

“Why not now?” Devina asked. “It’s not so late, and you said you were driving. Let’s meet. It will be great to catch up.”

Ananya hesitated for a moment. However, she did need to confront Devina. She ought to have done it long back, but her pregnancy and her situation with Mihir had taken priority. Perhaps Devina calling her tonight was a sign that she needed to close the door on the past and move forward with Mihir once and for all.

39

Abell tinkled in Devina’s boutique as soon as Ananya pushed open the door. The boutique was quiet, empty. Devina appeared from a back room, her smile wide. Ananya no longer felt any warmth toward her Nonetheless, she greeted Devina with a hug. From behind her, the bell tinkled again. She turned to see Adam follow her inside.

Devina led her to the side, to a small sitting area. The second she sat down, a man appeared from the back room and sat beside Devina.

“Hello, Ananya.”

She gasped when she saw Ivan Oshnov seated opposite her. Her eyes immediately searched for Adam, but two huge men stood in front of him, both of them holding guns. Adam looked at her in distress. It was only then that she noticed all the blinds of the store were shut, which meant her other bodyguards had no way of knowing what was going on inside. Fuck.

Ivan chuckled. “You’re a hard woman to get a hold of. But Devina here provided us with the perfect setup.”

Fear struck her chest.

“Not so confident now, are you?” Ivan said, reading her expression. “That night, you could misbehave with me because you were with Mihir. Tonight, who’s going to save you?”

She stared at Ivan and then at Devina.

“Mihir had been right about you all along,” Ananya said.

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