Chapter Thirty-Nine
Nathan
My gaze keeps flickering to the door, waiting for her to enter.
It’s been ten days since the inevitable end between Arya and me, which was the right decision. Or so I have to remind myself twenty times a day.
Life is dragging again.
My days have become monotonous.
My nights are lonely and spent in a drunken stupor.
Our last conversation keeps replying in my head repeatedly. The devastation in her striking eyes, the plea in her voice… And when she gave me her back, telling me to go away… it fucking killed me, even if it was all my doing.
However, I meant it when I told her one day she’ll realize she’s better off without me. A part of me contemplated firing her as my publicist, but the words died in my throat. I selfishly want to spend what little time I can with her.
I’m not above secretly keeping tabs on her using Nova. Every day, I call and ask him for updates on Pihu’s health because I know Rosalie chats with Arya daily. She’s also been to her place after receiving Arya’s distressed call when Pihu wouldn’t eat her pills.
It made me jealous because I’m the person she runs to when she needs help.
She couldn’t be clearer in sending the message that I’ve lost the right.
Pulling out information from Nova wasn’t an easy feat either, considering the dipshit kept teasing and taunting me during every phone call that if I was missing her so much, I should call her myself. At which point, I hung up on him.
In a few minutes, I’ll finally see her.
I’ve been communicating with her assistant to maintain the professional boundaries. She took some time off from work, but she’s back this week. Her car still isn’t fixed, so she’s been taking the cab. It drives me insane with worry about her safety. I hate that I can’t do anything about it.
And when I’m not thinking about her, I investigate deeper into my dad’s history with Javed. I’m focusing all my energy into it because the clock is ticking.
His behavior lately is alarming. If he’s pressuring and micromanaging his own people, then something is terribly wrong. All signs point to Arnav, who must be nagging my father to convince me.
Back then, the Singh [RK24]family’s criminal ties were unknown as he smartly skirted the authorities. The minute there were whispers, he moved to Dubai.
I’ve read all the files, communications, know the project team responsible, but I’m missing a vital clue or piece of information. Or perhaps I’m searching in the wrong place. Dad wouldn’t discuss details that could damage them through official channels. He’ll keep a clean trail.
Heaving in frustration, I lift my head just in time for the door to open.
The wind gets knocked out of my lungs at the sight of Arya.
All other thoughts evaporate.
A black vest style pinstripe blouse molds to her upper body, accentuating the curve of her breasts with a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage. Black slacks and red high heels complete her ensemble.
I don’t know why I expected her to appear sad and heartbroken, but she’s full of confidence with her chin raised high as she saunters to my table at Golden Elm. The sinful sway of her hips distracting me before I force my gaze up to her gorgeous face.
Curled brown hair falls in thick rivulets around her high cheekbones, while her pouty lips are painted red. I’ve never seen her wear such a bold color. When she raises her black sunglasses to her head, I’m entranced by her chocolaty brown eyes.
It’s when she says my name in her soft and husky voice that I’m freed from her spell. “Nathan.”
I fix my starstruck expression. “Arya.”
The waiter walks up from behind her just as she pulls out her chair and sits opposite me. He pours her a glass of water. Then gazes down at her like she hung the moon, which makes me want to smash his face into the table.
“Would you like to order, ma’am?”
“No, thank you,” she politely declines.
“You sure?” I interrupt, wondering whether she has had lunch. “We could be here a while.”
“I’m not staying for long,” she answers curtly and without meeting my gaze. “I have another meeting across town in two hours.”
She’s giving me a taste of my own medicine. I glance at the waiter, dismissing him with a hand. “We’ll call you if we change our mind.”
“Yes, sir.” He skedaddles.
“Who’s the meeting with?” I ask as nonchalantly as possible when it’s just us.
Avoiding my burning gaze by rummaging in her purse, she coldly responds, “My meetings are confidential.”
“I’m hardly going to crash it.”
“The answer’s the same.” Pulling out two folders, she slides them to me.
“Here are the reports I put together about CodeSphere that will help you in negotiations with Ben DiNozzo. To buy his company, you’ll likely have to offer a higher price than the last time.
He is also attending the Wings of Hope fundraiser in New York, so it’ll be the perfect opportunity to break the ice.
I’ll email you the itinerary later today. ”
“I want you to come with me.”
Her stunned eyes collide with mine.
Finally.
“Excuse me?”
“You will travel with me,” I repeat, leaning back and smoothening my tie. “Give your name as my plus-one. I’ll make the rest of the arrangements.”
Will she allow me to buy her a dress? A diamond necklace?
“I am not going anywhere with you, Nathan,” she defiantly rumbles.
“Why not?”
She stares back like I’m insane for even suggesting it, much less demanding a reason.
“Because I’m not your assistant whose schedule revolves around you.
I can’t drop everything and move my appointments around to appease you.
Take Samaira or another model if you’re feeling too shy to attend it by yourself. ”
A laugh builds inside my chest.
I haven’t looked at another woman since she came into my life like a wrecking ball. Even when Samaira was on my arm, my eyes were tracking her around the room.
“I want you there as my publicist, Ari.”
A flash of pain flickers on her face when I say her nickname before she masks it with a professional veneer.
I ache to lean closer and pull her into my arms. Every inch of me hurts from having her so close and not being able to touch her.
But I can’t be the wound and the balm.
I try convincing her with another tactic. “It’ll make my father suspicious if you aren’t with me.”
She mulls it over, biting the inside of her cheek. When her lips part, I’m certain she’ll give in. Instead, she proves me wrong.
“I don’t think I can,” she says resolutely. “I have prior commitments that I can’t move. I’ll find a way to distract your father from here.”
“All your hard work will be in vain if he gets wind of our plan,” I lie.
“Then you better be discreet.” Wrapping a hand around the straps of her purse, she asks, “Anything else you want to go over? If not, I need to go.”
She’s in a hurry to run while I scramble for a reason to make her stay a little longer.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
“Did you drive here?” I ask.
“No, I took a cab.” Taking that as a cue to end our meeting, she stands and hefts her purse onto her shoulder. “Email me if you have any questions about the report.”
“Let me drop you off.”
Her shoulders go rigid. “No thanks.”
“It doesn’t have to be like this, angel,” I sigh.
“It’s what you wanted.” Anger sharpens the contours of her face. “Don’t regret it now.”
“You’re acting like you can’t stand to be in the same room as me.”
“Do you want to know the first thing I promised myself after Aryan left me at the altar and I spent months locked in an apartment?” She leans over the table and answers fiercely, “That I’ll never let another man toy with my heart.
And your little speech about protecting me?
Bullshit. You’re protecting yourself because you’re afraid to be vulnerable and let someone love you. ”
After giving me a look full of pity, she turns and walks away.