Chapter Forty
Arya
“A blind date?” exclaims Noor, gaping at me through the phone. “Wait… did Anaya coerce you? Blink twice if yes.”
Up until an hour ago, I was pondering if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed because there’s no way I said yes to Anaya setting me up on a blind date.
Then again, I’m full of surprises lately.
“Shut up!” huffs Anaya. “I merely told her I may have found the perfect man for her and she was intrigued.”
I wasn’t intrigued—still am not.
I just don’t want to be alone because my mind drifts to Nathan like a broken hand on a clock. The devastation has become like a living, breathing thing behind my ribs. I let it simmer for too long and it’ll consume me until I wouldn’t want to get out of my bed.
The opposite of my taunt to him the other day.
So, I’d rather go on a little revenge spree of my own by letting a man take me on a date, a man who won’t run at the first sign of emotional intimacy.
The only thing Nathan was right about is that I’m not suited for a casual relationship or one-night stands. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It isn’t something to be ashamed of.
I love being in a committed relationship, having a man who loves me unconditionally and can give me a future.
One day when I’ve gotten over Nathan, I will put myself out there. I won’t be afraid to put my heart on the line. Meanwhile, tonight is solely about distraction and having a pleasant conversation.
To pick a dress, I FaceTimed them to ask their opinion. Of course, the conversation took a different turn.
Peering at them on my iPad, I tease Noor, “How the hell are you going to save me from halfway across the world if I indeed was coerced?”
“Yeah, tell us, smart-ass,” mocks Anaya.
“I’ll send someone who looks like me.”
“A doppelg?nger?” Anaya snorts. “Where the fuck would she find one?”
“She can put out an ad.”
“Ad?”
Noor nods like it’s a viable solution, not at all impossible. “Yeah, online.”
“You’ve gone mental.”
“Can we get back to helping me out?” I grumble. “I didn’t call to debate on a hypothetical scenario.”
“The little black dress,” they both say at once.
“You can never go wrong with that.” Anaya smirks. “Wear red high heels and hoop earrings.”
“Got it, fashionista,” I reply, lifting the dress off the bed. It’s very sexy and bold and backless with sequins on the hem that end a little below my ass. I could flash someone if I accidentally bend an extra inch. “Let me put it on. Wait here.”
Running into the bedroom, I disrobe and slip the dress on. It fits me perfectly even though I bought it last year. My mood brightens a little.
Returning to the closet, I twirl and show off my figure to my best friends.
They hoot.
“Damn, you look sexy, girl,” says Noor dreamily. “He’s going to be drooling.”
“Thanks.”
“By the way, what’s the guy’s name?” questions Noor.
“All I’ve been told is the last name… Mr. Verma.” Squinting at Anaya, I coax, “Blind date doesn’t mean you can’t tell me his full name, Anaya.”
“Pretty sure it does,” she counters confidentially.
“How am I supposed to recognize him? What if there’s another Mr. Verma?”
A roll of her eyes. “Don’t worry. He’s told the hostess a woman named Arya Chopra will be joining him.”
“If I end up with the wrong man, who turns out to be a serial killer and I’m dead, it’ll be your fault.”
“Noted.” She smirks. “Now finish your makeup and hurry so you aren’t late.”
“Like she’s ever late anywhere,” jokes Noor.
“Nothing wrong with being punctual.”
“Except when you’re going to a party,” counters Anaya. “It’s customary to show up late. The more late you are, the cooler you are.”
“You made that up!” I laugh.
“I didn’t.”
“Whatever.” I chuckle. “I’m hanging up now.”
“Have fun,” sings Noor.
“Don’t do anything I would [RK25]do.” Anaya winks.
***
I arrive at the location, staring in awe at the tall and stunning building.
I’ve heard of it but never visited it until tonight.
It’s an elite gentleman’s club called The Mirage owned by Kian Singhania, Nathan’s older brother, and built underground.
The members are ruthless and the most powerful men in the world.
Is my date taking me there? I thought women weren’t allowed.
My stomach somersaults at the possibility of running into Nathan here. Then I remember that he and his brother aren’t on speaking terms, so obviously he won’t be a member.
I’m both relieved and disappointed.
Don’t think about him tonight, Arya.
Sliding into the lobby through the revolving glass doors, I walk up to the reception and give the suited man my name as instructed by Anaya. True to her word, the host informs me that Mr. Verma is waiting for me at the bar.
“Thank you,” I reply politely, and turn to my right.
I’m full of curiosity and a little bit of nerves as the sleek and gorgeous bar comes into view. My eyes run along the line of stools. A single man sits with his back to me.
Tall and fit with his black hair perfectly set, he looks good from behind. Approaching him, I take a calming breath, put on a smile, and tap on his shoulder.
Placing his glass on the side, he rotates on his barstool.
My jaw drops. “Rithvik?”
The man I sat next to at the charity auction and the one on whom Nathan rudely spilled his drink because he thought I was flirting with him.
“You’re Arya Chopra?” Rithvik gasps, a wide grin stretching across his lips. “Oh wow, small world, huh?”
“I guess so.”
Standing to his full height, he leans forward to air-kiss my cheek. Shaking his head in awe, he boyishly says, “I must be dreaming. I honestly never thought we’d see each other again.”
“I left that good of an impression, huh?” I tease.
“I mean… you’re gorgeous and sweet and friendly. Hard to resist that combination.”
“I was a bit nervous because I’ve never been on a blind date,” I admit sheepishly. “So, I am glad it’s you. How do you know Anaya, by the way?”
“My best friend introduced us when we ran into her at an event. One thing led to another, and she randomly said you and I might hit it off. I said yes.”
“She tends to have ideas at the last second.”
His eyes twinkle. “I’m not complaining.”
“So, how are you wooing me tonight?”
“Well, I’m an old-fashioned guy. So, dinner and a conversation.”
I scan the area. “I don’t see a restaurant.”
“It’s underground.”
I stare at him, impressed. “You have a membership at The Mirage?”
“Remember when I told you about blending in with other wealthy people?” I nod, making him scratch the back of his head as he answers, “I may have gone a little overboard. Peer pressure, if you will. I’m coming here for the first time.”
He continues to surprise me.
“Hope that’s okay,” he murmurs nervously. “Or I can take us somewhere else?”
“No, I’ve heard about the club. So, I’m intrigued to explore.”
He gives me his elbow. “Shall we?”
“Yes, please.” I accept his arm. The contact doesn’t even make my stomach dip the way a single glance from Nathan does. Hell, just his name alone does.
Rithvik, unbeknownst to my inner musings, continues talking. “I do have to warn you. The whole club is like a maze, especially the path. It’ll remind you of a dungeon.”
He guides me toward the elevator, but instead of stopping in front of it, he skirts to the side and halts in front of a black door. I’m amazed when another private lobby greets us after he unlocks it.
And he isn’t kidding.
Chandeliers hang on the ceiling, and a red carpet adorns the floor, like I’ve been thrown into the eighteenth century. The smallest of details like intricate patterns on the walls and the paintings are meant to lure you in. Farther ahead lies another door with a brass knob.
“Careful, the spiral staircase is narrow.”
“Kian really went all out, huh?”
His gait falters. “Do you know him?”
“He’s… an acquaintance,” I answer evasively. It’ll be awkward to say I fucked his younger brother.
“The dude is scary. Glad I only had to meet his partner, Zain.”
I refrain from telling him that the billionaire nightclub owner has a reputation of his own and is no less menacing.
Reaching the dimly lit landing, a thrill courses down my spine as the black double doors enter my line of sight.
Outside stands the hostess and a deadly and huge bouncer.
He’s dressed like a secret service agent.
Bet he’s as resourceful, considering the men he’s guarding on the other side of the door.
Rithvik gives his name to the seductive hostess, who nods at the bouncer to let us through. With a hand on the small of my back, Rithvik leads me inside like a gentlem—
I don’t finish the sentence.
I considered Nathan a gentleman and look how he broke my heart.
When will everything stop being a reminder of him? He’s become a part of me like the blood in my veins.
“Arya?”
I startle, turning to glance at Rithvik and noticing that we’ve stopped in what appears to be a socializing room. The dark and lavishly designed space is dominated by men in expensive suits having drinks with women dangling on some of their arms.
“Yeah?” I reply to Rithvik.
He grins sweetly, and repeats, “I was asking if you’d like to have a drink first?”
“I’d love to.”
Intrigued and salacious eyes burn a hole into my bare back, making me wish I didn’t wear such a daring dress. The attention of these cunning men is unnerving.
At the bar, Rithvik holds my hand as I cautiously sit on the tall barstool and cross my legs, which causes the hem to ride up my thighs. I put my string purse on my lap and avoid adjusting my position.
“What would you like?” Rithvik asks, standing closely. For which I’m grateful.
“A raspberry daiquiri, please.”
Waving at the bartender, Rithvik tells him my drink while ordering a gin and tonic for himself. Then he sits down gracefully next to me, our knees brushing.
My body doesn’t react.
At all.
Not even a little zing.
It feels like I’m dead inside.
Rithvik, who’s a picture-perfect man, soft-spoken, and genuinely interested in me. Yet I can’t muster any attraction toward him.
Had I never met Nathan, Rithvik would be the type of man I’d obsess over.
I hate Nathan for altering my brain chemistry and making me pine for bad boys with steel gray eyes, a savior complex, cocky attitude, and dominance in their bones.
Oh, add emotionally unavailable.
The bartender serves our drinks at lightning speed. Leaning closer, Rithvik raises his glass with a goofy grin, saying, “Let’s cheer to Anaya for bringing us together again and to a lovely night.”
Chuckling, I lift my flute and I’m about to clink mine against his when I feel time slow down and the temperature in the room drop.
The small hairs on the back of my neck rise at the intoxicating scent of man and storm that still lingers in every corner of my apartment.
Nathan.
What the hell is he doing here?
My hand trembles when his body heat seeps into mine.
“Having a little date, are we?” Nathan speaks in a deceptively calm voice. It drops an octave when he possessively claims, “Too bad you’re with the wrong woman.”
[RK1]Suggestion
[RK2]Change Aryan’s family’s last name—there was a Mr. Singh mentioned in Scandalous Games (one of B’s clients). Also it’s too close to Nathan’s last name in my opinion
[RK3]Suggestion
[RK4]LOL
[RK5]gen Z? zoomers? Arya’s in her mid-20s, so she’s gen Z. 30+ would be considered millennials
[RK6]Didn’t her boss say her lunch was on her, so it’s already been paid?
[RK7]This line ??
[RK8]Tweaked this for sentence flow
[RK9]Is Nathan 34, so 3 years younger than Kian? Remember Kian left at 18 years old, so if Nathan is 15 then there’s 3 years between them
[RK10]Change Javed’s last name—see my earlier comment on Singh already been used in Scandalous Games (and it’s too close to Nathan’s last name)
[RK11]Bee was described to have black hair in Scandalous Games, so fixed this here :)
[RK12]Incomplete sentence! More than I have what?
[RK13]Change Sanjay’s last name—Sharma is Arya’s boss’s last name, Radha Sharma
[RK14]Suggestion
[RK15]They’re outside
[RK16]Suggestion
[RK17]See my earlier comment on this!
[RK18]Change last name—see my earlier comment on this
[RK19]Tweaked this for sentence flow
[RK20]Is there only 4 years between Kian and Nathan, so he’s 33? In Carnal Games Iris mentions Nathan is only a couple years older than year, implying he’s closer to her age than Kian (also see my earlier comment on Nathan’s age and make sure it aligns
[RK21]Why did he take the bus earlier if he’s got a car here?
[RK22]Change Sanjay’s last name—see my earlier comments on this
[RK23]“side” repetition
[RK24]Change this name? See my earlier comment on this
[RK25]wouldn't?