Page 78 of Obsession

Seeing what he’d done, she pulled out her own phone and snapped a picture of him.

She studied the picture she’d clicked. “You look gorgeous.”

“Yeah, right…” he scowled.

“Look!” She turned the phone towards him. “With the sunlight streaming on your face and the blue sky behind you, you look fabulous, Mihir.”

He gave the picture a fleeting glance. He’d stopped posing for pictures after the scar. He barely looked at himself in the mirror.

His mood bitter now, he walked toward the cathedral’s entrance. Anna followed him as they entered the doors. Once inside, she got busy clicking photos on her phone. He watched her. What was he thinking? How many more reminders did he need of his past?

But his stupid heart wouldn’t listen. It continued to blossom and soar because she was near him, because she was with him in the city that was also home to him. Fuck, he was so screwed.

22

Ananya looked around the small street Mihir had brought her to. A pedestrian-only area, Arbat Street was filled with cafés, restaurants, and local shops. Singers, musicians playing various instruments, and artists painting portraits of passers-by were dotted around them. Against the backdrop of white snow, the street was beautifully decked with Xmas lights and festive decorations. It was really pretty. But now that the sun had set, it looked even prettier all lit up. She took everything in with awe.

She looked to the side. Mihir was typing on his phone, his brow pinched. She sighed. He was a busy man, and yet he’d spent the whole day with her, not complaining even once. He’d shown her around the various touristy sites in Moscow, and her phone was now filled with beautiful images. Her head was buzzing with ideas for a new article for Noir. In fact, she’d already sent some pictures to her social media manager, who had already posted them online.

She checked Noir’s socials. The pictures were seeing a lot of healthy traction. Maybe she’d add the article on Moscow to the anniversary edition of Noir. It made sense, since the edition’s highlight was an exclusive interview with the handsome Russian billionaire standing in front of her. Excited, she quickly sent out an email to her team, promising them to upload all her photos on their shared drive.

Looking up, she found Mihir still on his phone, his expression somber. While initially his mood had been exuberant and happy, the second she’d clicked his picture, he’d become sad and forlorn. He’d barely even glanced at that picture. Yes, he’d spoken to her and shown her around, but the light had dimmed from his eyes.

Scrolling back to that picture of his, she studied it again. Mihir looked fabulous in it. What had he found so wrong with it that his mood had soured like it had? She frowned when her eyes finally landed on the scar on his face. It was clearly visible in his side profile. Her heart jerked. That scar… For sure it was the scar that had upset him. Now, it all made sense to her. The scar was the reason why there were never pictures of him anywhere. He’d even specifically asked that the article in Noir be without any photos of him.

She was so used to him with the scar that she hadn’t even noticed it in the picture. In fact, she didn’t even notice it anymore when she was looking at him. That scar was a part of him, and she definitely thought it gave him a more dangerous, rugged, and sexier edge. Did Mihir think that the scar made him look awful?

Mihir’s phone rang. “Sorry, I have to take this call.”

She nodded, and Mihir stepped to the side. She walked a little farther ahead, looking at the colorful shop displays.

“Ananya!” A loud voice from her right made her turn. A rush of excitement flooded her as she saw her friend Aditya Wahi approaching her.

“Imagine running into you here!” Ananya squealed, launching herself at him. Aditya caught her in his arms.

Aditya Wahi, owner of the Gemini Group, was an old friend of Sheena and Rajiv. He and several others from their circle in Mumbai visited Dubai often. Over the years, he’d become her friend as well.

Aditya grinned. “I haven’t met you in a long while.”

“It’s been six months, maybe more,” Ananya complained. “The last time was at Armaan and Navya’s engagement party.”

“Wow, it’s really been that long!” Aditya pulled her close and hugged her again. He kissed her cheek warmly. “Rajiv asked me to?—”

“Let her go at once,” Mihir’s loud growl tore through the air.

She spun around and saw Mihir prowling closer, his expression tight. His angry gaze latched onto Aditya’s arms, still encircling her waist.

“I said, let her go,” Mihir repeated, his tone sharp, menacing.

Aditya’s arms tightened around her even more. “What if I don’t?”

“You wouldn’t like the consequences of that.”

“Are you threatening me?” Aditya queried, his voice cool as a cucumber.

Ananya moved out of Aditya’s hold.

“Touch her again, and see what happens,” Mihir responded.

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