Chapter Seven
Seven
The next day, Priya unpacked the Wi-Fi router and scanned the coach house for the best place to install it.
Settling on a bookshelf, she plugged it in and connected it to the modem.
As she waited for the lights on the front panel to change, Priya’s attention wandered to Ethan.
He was deep in his workout, muscles flexing as he powered through his routine.
Priya turned her attention to the router, pretending not to be affected by the sight of him. But her eyes drifted back to his abs.
So ridiculously toned I could play a full-on xylophone melody on them.
Ethan looked up and caught her staring, his grin mischievous and knowing.
“If you flex any harder, you’ll pop a vein,” Priya said. “But hey, don’t let it stop you from trying to impress me. I’m thoroughly entertained.”
“Oh, I can tell. And judging by how long it’s taking you to hook me up to the internet, it might be a bit too entertaining. Want me to ease up, or are you planning to camp out here all day?” Ethan transitioned into his next move, his eyes locking with hers in a playful challenge.
Resisting the urge to react, Priya turned away from him and opened the Wi-Fi settings on her phone. She connected to the new network, entered the password, and felt a sense of satisfaction when she saw full bars of connection.
Ha! Priya, one. Xylophone abs, zero.
As she set her phone aside, it buzzed with an incoming video call from her sister.
“Hey, Pri,” Deepa greeted when she answered. “I’m almost done with my exams, and I was thinking—” She froze mid-sentence and leaned forward. “Wait…is that…? Holy shit, it’s Ethan Knight! Oh my god! I didn’t know he was there already.”
“Well, if you’d answered my call yesterday, you’d be up-to-date,” Priya replied.
Deepa, however, had lost all interest in their conversation.
“Oh lord, he’s shirtless,” she whispered, practically pressing her face to the screen. “Pri, how are you so calm? Move your phone! Right, right!”
“I’m not your personal cameraman, Dee.”
“Almost there, Pri,” Deepa said, ignoring her older sister. “A little lower.”
“Cut it out,” Priya hissed under her breath. Being the youngest, Deepa had always gotten away with more, which explained why she had zero filters. “He’ll hear us.”
Deepa’s expression suddenly froze, her eyes going wide. Priya didn’t even have to turn around. She knew Ethan was standing behind her, glowing from his workout.
“He’ll hear what?” Ethan asked, peering over Priya’s shoulder.
Accepting the inevitable, Priya sighed and introduced him to her starstruck sibling. “Ethan, this is my sister Deepa, who currently looks like she’s forgotten how to function. She’s in her final year in college.”
“Deepa? No way! You were this tall when I last saw you,” Ethan said, using his hand to show her height.
“You remember me?” Deepa squealed. “I’ve loved you in literally everything!”
“Good to know I have some supporters in the family.” Ethan tilted his head toward Priya.
“Don’t let her fool you. I’ve been on Priya’s hit list for interrupting one of your movies, and let me tell you, she was ready to shred me to pieces,” Deepa revealed with a cheeky grin.
“Well, well.” Ethan aimed a teasing glance at Priya. “Seems I have the power to rile you up even when I’m not around.”
“Could you kindly cover up?” Priya replied, with a pointed look toward his chest. “Parading around in front of my baby sister. And you…” She turned her attention to Deepa. “Shouldn’t you be studying for finals?”
“I’m going, I’m going,” Deepa replied, rolling her eyes. She extended her hand to give Ethan a virtual high five, which he returned.
“Remember, you can’t tell anyone he’s here,” Priya reminded.
“Bucket list moment, and I have to keep it under wraps,” Deepa grumbled. “But my lips are sealed. Bye, Pri. Bye, Ethan. Keep those abs in top form until we speak again!”
Priya shook her head as her sister hung up.
Only Deepa could get away with telling a movie star to keep his abs tight for her.
Thinking Ethan had wandered off, Priya swiveled around, only to find her nose inches from his torso.
The heat radiating from his skin made her feel like flames were licking at her senses.
Her eyes traced his contours, down to the V that disappeared beneath the waistband of his shorts.
“Enjoying the view?” Ethan asked.
Priya pulled back and looked up at him. “While I can. It won’t be long before my mother’s fritters turn your abs into khichdi.”
“What’s khichdi?”
“A soft, mushy mess.” Priya grinned. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to finish configuring your internet settings.”
“Configure away. I’m going to hop in the shower while you work your magic.”
Left alone in the living room, Priya waited until she heard the shower running, then accessed the app she had installed earlier to control the lights in the coach house.
Connecting it to the Wi-Fi network, she grouped the smart bulbs into patterns and sequences.
Casting a quick glance at the bathroom door, she tested the system, turning the lights on and off from her phone.
Satisfied with the trial run, she put her phone away and prepared to leave.
As she jotted down the Wi-Fi password for Ethan, he stepped out of the bathroom, towel barely hanging on, hair damp and slicked back. His jawline looked even more defined, and the droplets of water trailing down his chest didn’t help.
Priya froze, her pen hovering over the notepad.
“You’re all set,” she blurted, thrusting the paper toward him without daring to meet his eyes. “Here’s…uh…the password.” As their fingers grazed, Priya caught the fresh scent of soap on his skin.
“Thanks, Pri,” he said, grabbing his phone and entering the password.
The way he slipped into using her nickname felt effortless, like falling into step with each other again. An unexpected flush bloomed across Priya’s cheeks, the casual familiarity affecting her as if he had said something far more intimate.
“I’ll be on my way,” she said, gathering her things. Reaching for the door, she congratulated herself for successfully laying the groundwork for what was to come. Before she could leave, however, Ethan’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Wait a minute,” he said, glued to his phone.
Priya’s heart sank, her mind racing with the possibility of being discovered.
“Looks like I’ve got a delivery arriving today,” Ethan continued. “I put it in your name, so you’ll need to sign for it.”
“Of course.” Priya released her grip on her phone, the incriminating app burning like embers in her palm.
A flutter of nervous excitement buzzed through her veins as she left the coach house.
Her plan to drive Ethan away was now in motion.
She accessed the remote-control app and set off one of the sequences she had programmed.
Then backtracking to the coach house, she knocked lightly on the door and stepped back inside.
“Forgot to ask,” she said, leaning casually against the door. “How was your first night?”
“Funny you should ask,” Ethan replied, his brow creasing.
“I slept well enough last night. No sign of Bhooa masi, but the strangest thing just happened. The light by the entrance came on by itself. Then the lights across the room began to turn on one by one. And just as quickly, they all went out. Except for this one.” He motioned toward the floor lamp.
“Ah, yes.” Priya nodded. “Sometimes Bhooa masi resorts to other ways of making her presence known during the day. Lights going on and off, static on the TV, strange noises…You know, the usual paranormal activities.”
“Interesting.” Ethan walked around the lamp, his eyes searching for a more logical explanation.
Priya wished Ethan would just embrace his inner scaredy-cat and run for the hills. But she wasn’t worried; this was just the tip of the iceberg. The stage was set, and the game had just begun. If that meant facing off against the devil, even one as tempting as a Hollywood star, then so be it.
Back in her room, Priya unleashed another sequence of supernatural lights on Ethan. It would be even more fun at night, but knowing she had the power to make Ethan jump with a flick of her fingers filled her with naughty delight.
As she settled back in her chair, an unexpected message from her ex popped up on her screen. She hadn’t heard from him since arriving back home.
Sorry to bug you, but I’m having a hard time integrating a new payment gateway into a client’s site. Any chance you could lend a hand?
Intrigued, Priya opened her laptop and analyzed the code until she caught the stumbling block. She rewrote the code and tested it before replying to Manoj.
Done, she messaged, attaching the solution.
Manoj’s reply appeared almost instantly. Miss you.
Priya stared at her screen. She knew he wasn’t just referring to their professional partnership, but that didn’t matter. She had no intention of revisiting the past with him.
A moment later, Manoj sent another message: I’m working on cashing out your share of the company. I’ll be in touch. Thanks.
Priya exhaled and opened a file on her laptop, scrolling through the list of freelance contracts she’d managed to pick up since parting ways with Manoj.
She quickly did the math and bit her lip.
She was grateful for the work, but it wasn’t enough to rebuild her life.
What she needed was a fresh start, and that wasn’t happening until Manoj handed over her share of the company.
Being broke had backed her into a corner, forcing her into a series of compromises, including moving back in with her parents.
As much as she appreciated being able to stay with them, doing so also bound her to their wishes and expectations.
To reclaim her independence, she had to get back on her feet as soon as possible.