Faking It With a Billionaire || MaAn

Chapter 3 | Anuj

Anupama Joshi stands out like a beacon of light in the drab and dingy surroundings of the 8-bit Security office space. Her radiance is palpable, and it's hard to believe that someone like her could be working in a place like this. She seems entirely out of place, as if she belongs in a much more glamorous setting. Her ebony locks lose their shine in the dimly lit space. Even her eyes, which were once a mesmerizing shade of black that I had never seen before, now appear lackluster and devoid of their usual radiance. 

"Anuj, stop playing with me. That is absurd." 

I raise my shoulders in a casual gesture, silently contemplating how someone as stunning as her could have been attracted to my brother. 

"It might seem ridiculous, but buying the company was the only way I could get through to you."

"What could we possibly discuss if it isn't about Vanraj?" The sound of his name on her lips feels like a knife twisting in my gut. It's like she's giving him power even though he doesn't deserve it. Hearing her say it is a constant reminder of what he did and how much he hurt her. I only had the pleasure of getting to know Anupama over the span of a weekend—and it was more observing her than speaking with her—but it was enough time to realize she lives her life like it's her world—and we're all just living in it. 

She handled my parents' questions with just the right amount of politeness, never revealing too much about herself or her family. Despite my father's persistent questioning, she remained composed and didn't let him rattle her. Anu's smile was genuine, but it wasn't freely given. It had to be earned. She joked around, but not to the point of being fake. I could tell that every reaction from her was sincere, and that made me respect her even more. She hung out with Vanraj and showed that she was a faithful girlfriend who liked being around him, but she didn't act too dependent or possessive.

The moral of the story was, I don't know how someone like Anupama ended up dating someone like my brother. By the end of what I have planned. I'm hoping to have the answer. I find myself clasping and unclasping the Rolex on my wrist, unable to tear my gaze away from her. It's as if I'm captivated, and even if I wanted to, I couldn't look away. There's a long pause between us.

She shifts uncomfortably in her seat, betraying her anxiety as she anxiously anticipates my words. Finally, I speak out, which either relieves or adds to her strain. "You're getting a raise."

The fullness of her lips draws my attention as they part. Even without any makeup, they have a natural shade of red that complements her face perfectly. It's not too bold, but it's definitely noticeable. I fucking despise that my brother knows exactly how her lips taste. 

"Promoted? Why?" she asks, bewildered.

I hear the rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the table, my eyes darting back and forth between her and my vibrating phone next to my hand. She notices my distraction and her gaze follows mine. "You can get that if you need to," she says softly.

It's rang a handful of times since she joined me in the room. I've ignored every single call, something that is out of character for me. I typically spend most of my time on the phone, but at this moment, I feel compelled to focus all of my attention on her, even if she's wasting my time with foolish inquiries.

I flip my phone over, putting the screen face down for the time being. "It can wait," I lie. I glance at the clock and realize that I'm running out of time. In a few minutes, I should be joining a meeting via a phone call, but I'm not ready to end this conversation. I can't bring myself to talk to anyone else until I finish what needs to be said. 

Anu fidgets with her hair, running her fingers through the long strands. But after a few moments, she seems to lose interest and flings the locks over her shoulder in a gesture of impatience. "Look" I notice her voice growing tighter as she begins to speak.