Faking It With a Billionaire || MaAn

Chapter 15 | Anupama

His intense gaze locks onto mine as he towers above me. The atmosphere crackles with an inexplicable tension, or maybe it's just the warmth coursing through my body that's making it feel that way. When Anuj's eyes momentarily dart to my lips, it becomes unequivocally clear that I'd willingly let him kiss me if he so desired, despite my lingering anger from last night.

"Mr. Kapadia?" A voice interrupts from behind me.

Anuj continues to peer at my slightly parted lips for a few lingering moments before he reluctantly shifts his focus over my shoulder. The scorching desire that had flared in his eyes vanishes as quickly as it arrived, replaced by his usual businesslike demeanor. The moment evaporates into thin air, leaving a sense of disappointment festering in my chest.

"That'd be me," he responds, gracefully maneuvering around my frame. While his gaze may have shifted elsewhere, his touch lingers as his hand slides down my back to rest at the small of my waist. With a gentle nudge, he encourages me to step forward, and my feet obediently comply. My thoughts, however, remain entangled in the enigma of whether I'd imagined Anuj's desire to kiss me or not.

The woman awaiting us greets us with a warm smile. "Perfect," she chimes in, her eyes settling on me without a trace of judgment, despite my evident lack of readiness for a posh shopping experience. "And who might you be?" Her tone is honeyed, devoid of condescension. I immediately find myself drawn to her. Her style only adds to her allure.

Anuj withdraws his hand from my waist just as I take a step forward and extend my hand towards the woman. "I'm Anupama," I offer.

Her hand feels cold as it meets mine, and we shake hands. "Anupama..." she begins but pauses, as if considering the formality of addressing me differently. "Just Anupama," I affirm, dispelling any notion of the need for such stiffness or titles. It strikes me as odd and utterly unnecessary

She nods casually, hooking a thumb over her shoulder. "I go by Anupama, just Anupama. And this," she motions to herself with a wink, "is Alex."

It doesn't surprise me one bit that she has a kick-ass name like Alex; it suits her to a T. "Lead the way, Alex," I reply, my curiosity piqued.

I shoot Anuj a questioning look, but he simply extends his arm forward, offering me the path. "After you," he insists.

I'm brimming with anticipation to discover what having a high-end shopping assistant entails. I eagerly soak in the surroundings as Alex guides us down a hallway adorned with peach-colored doors and a tiled floor that's just a shade lighter.

As she stops in front of one of the doors and grasps the handle, I anticipate a small room with a few outfits hanging up. However, what I encounter when she swings the door open far exceeds my expectations. Alex strides into a room that can only be described as pure luxury. "Welcome to our VIP suite," she announces with pride.

My gaze darts around the expansive room, unsure of where to focus first. This VIP suite boasts several separate areas, clearly designed for multiple occupants. Currently, it's just the two of us. Alex strides toward the back, leading to the most spacious dressing area in the lounge.

I can't help but stare at our reflections in a massive floor-to-ceiling mirror, complete with detachable side panels for a panoramic view. A plush velvet couch hugs another wall, spacious enough to accommodate three or four people. Lavish-looking cushions adorn each end, and I awkwardly take a seat in the middle, seemingly out of place amidst the glitzy, shimmering fabric. In front of the couch rests a circular coffee table, adorned with neatly stacked high-end magazines. A few shoeboxes lie beside the magazines, lids securely in place.