Page 20 of Reckless Rival

Over the next few days, Nami spent time getting acclimated to the coursework, the campus, and most importantly, building a good rapport with some of the key professors—the ones who are still consulted for major architectural projects across the globe.

She was happy with how everything was progressing except for the sports internship. It had been almost a week since she met the boxing coach, and she had not had a single interaction with the guy she dreaded to face. She had no idea what Rana studied at Simha, but he wasn’t spotted around in any department where she attended classes.

The day had finally come for her to face the moment she was dreading. It felt awkward and somewhat sad at the same time. She and Rana had a great time even during the short period they spent together. Maybe that connection they established might help remove any weirdness from the fallout between their families.

After wrapping up her morning classes, she made her way to the sports center. The boxing arena was surprisingly empty, and she wondered where everyone was. She checked in at the counter and was assigned the boxer’s glove check plus a prep she had to do with one of the assistant coaches for an upcoming away-from-home match. She knew the role required her to take on whatever task had to be done so the boxers were focused on their punches, training, and nothing else.

Although her anxiety was high about facing Rana and not knowing what to say now that she was convinced he knew who she was as well, she went off to the small closet that had the gloves hung like clothes would to dry and started checking on them.

The room was small and had the smell of an old sock, but it wasn’t too bad. She made it a point to add a pack of freshener as instructed after inspecting every glove for any rips or loose threads that could put the boxer at a disadvantage. It wasn’t the most enjoyable or fun thing to do, but she had no choice.

Nami was halfway through the check when she felt eyes on her and looked up. She was in the middle of the small closet-size room, and at the doorway stood the guy she knew she had to face that day. She felt a shiver pass through her when she saw the rage in his eyes, and every start to the conversation she had rehearsed evaporated from her mind.

“What is your grand plan?” he snapped.

She let out a gasp, processing the question. She remained silent as she replayed his question. Grand plan for what? “I… I don’t understand.”

“Were you hoping to control me? Have me pine for you?” He took an intimidating step into the small space, and she suddenly felt congested. “Is this how you and your father planned to get back at my family?”

She felt the punch in her gut. “What are you talking about?”

“What would you have done next? Kissed me a few more times in public and set me up in some way?” His words were like darts that she could not process immediately.

“Stop it, Rana.”

He took another intimidating step toward her, and she stepped back in response. “You don’t get to call me that. Only my friends call me by that name. Ranveer Simha is my name which you obviously knew.”

His every word seethed with so much anger she was having trouble processing them. “I… I didn’t know who you were, and I was told your name was Veer by my family.”

He narrowed his eyes. “So you were prepped on how to lure me toward you. Is that why you were sent here? Kiss me a few times and make me ask you out, say no, and then make me chase after you?”

Lure? Chase? What was he talking about?

She was stumped as he looked like he would breathe out fire at any moment. “Don’t look at me with those fucking innocent eyes. You knew who I was and had the balls to kiss me? You think this is all a game?”

“No.” It hit her finally what he was implying. “I didn’t know who you were. I was not—”

“Liar,” he spat. “Even if you didn’t know the night of the game, you should have when I was the one who invited you to a Simha party.”

“I swear, I didn’t.” For her, every campus party was a Simha party. Who knew the Simha family had their own traditions? Too bad she didn’t make the connection sooner.

“And how did you magically become part of the boxing team when there are so many other sports teams in the campus? Who do you think you are?”

She wanted to scream ‘it is my ill luck,’ but she bit back her words. “Believe me when I say I did not know.”

“I don’t believe you and, for that matter, anyone in your family. They are a bunch of backstabbers and liars.” His words made her want to slap him.

“Watch it!” Her voice shook with anger, but it came out weak.

“What will you do if I don’t watch it? Seduce me and trick me into doing things your way?” He was starting to make her suffocate.

“What?” Confusion consumed her.

“Why did you kiss me? What was your grand scheme?” He was only inches from her, and she was feeling so claustrophobic, she planted a hand on his bare chest and tried to push him away. “Go on, touch me. I know you are still putting on a show.”

“Stop it!” In her mind, she was yelling, but her words came out as a hiss.

“So what if I don’t?” He was still in her space.

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