Page 82 of Obsession

His softly spoken words hit her right in the heart.

“I don’t exactly have the right attire to wear to a gala,” she finally said.

“I’ll arrange everything and have it sent to you. I have a lot of meetings today, so I’ll come to the gala directly. The car will fetch you by seven.” He caressed her cheek. “It’s a masquerade.”

Leaning down, he pecked her lips and then left her room. She stared after him, her heart thundering.Calm down, she told herself. She couldn’t, and wouldn’t, make more out of everything that was happening between Mihir and her.

Besides, tonight was just another party, and she did love the mystery and intrigue that surrounded masquerades. That was what excited her. It wasn’t because she was attending a party with Mihir. It most certainly wasn’t because this… him and her… was beginning to feel right again.

Nope. It definitely wasn’t that.

23

The past

Two days after they finished their exams, Mihir reached the temple where the first of Asha’s wedding functions was to be held, his eyes searching for Anna. The temple was decorated with flowers and candles. This late in the evening, the candles were lit up, lending a surreal air to everything. It was beautiful.

He finally spotted Anna talking to a few older ladies in the distance up ahead. He was riveted. She was… She was… She was stunning. Dressed in a simple yellow and gold Indian outfit, with a matching stole draped around her neck, she looked perfect. She tilted her head and beamed at him. As he went closer to her, he saw her pointing at him and laughing with the ladies around her. Finally, she left them and came to him.

“Hi, handsome!” She skimmed her fingers down his chest. “You look nice.”

Like her, he, too, had worn Indian—a simple white kurta with matching cotton pants.

“You look beautiful, Anna,” he said.

She rewarded him with a wide grin.

“You’re late, though,” she complained. “For a moment, I thought you wouldn’t come. Almost everyone has already left.”

“I promised you I would. Unfortunately, I took some time to return after meeting with my family.”

He’d just landed in London two hours ago. His father had insisted on meeting all three of them together. He had wanted to gift them something precious. Mihir couldn’t wait to show it to her. He sighed. Unfortunately, Anna didn’t know that he had flown to Moscow. She continued to believe that his family lived somewhere around London, and he’d never corrected her. But his brothers would be in London next week, and he’d finally tell her everything.

“Are your father and brothers alright?” she asked.

“Yes.” He interlaced their hands. “I’ve been calling you. Why haven’t you answered?”

She grimaced. “In my hurry to get here, I left my phone at home.”

He clucked his tongue. “Anna. This is becoming a habit now.”

“I know, sorry.”

“There is another function after this, correct?”

“You’re coming to that, right?”

He smiled. “Yes, I’m all yours now.”

“Your mine forever, Mr. Oshnov.”

He blinked. “Is that right?”

“Absolutely. Don’t you ever forget that.”

“I won’t,” he said. The words agreed with his heart. He doubted he could ever belong to anyone else but her. She held his heart wholly and fully—although, he still had to tell her that.

“Hey guys,” Zeeshan’s happy voice reached his ears. “Hi, Mihir. Glad you could make it.”

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