The Mafia heart ( book 1 )

chapter 6 Unwanted Attention

Mehek's mind remained scattered for the rest of the day. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the image of Vikram Singh Rathore from her thoughts. His silent gaze had felt both intimidating and... confusing. Sofia and Anamika had noticed her distraction, but she had managed to dodge their questions during class.

It wasn't until later that evening, as they gathered at their usual spot in the campus cafe, that Mehek finally broke down and told them everything.

Sofia, ever the hot-headed one, nearly exploded. "What?! Are you telling me that Vikram Singh Rathore-the same guy who owns half of this city-is following you around like some lovesick puppy?"

Anamika, more gentle but equally concerned, leaned forward. "But why would he? You've only met him once, right?"

Mehek nodded, her hands shaking slightly as she clutched her cup of tea. "Yes, just that one time at the event... and now this. I don't understand it either."

Sofia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "This is bad, Mehek. Guys like him don't just follow people for no reason. He's dangerous."

Anamika touched her arm softly. "But maybe he's not? Maybe he just wants to... I don't know, talk to you?"

"Talk to her?" Sofia snorted. "This is Vikram we're talking about, Ana. He doesn't talk. He controls, intimidates, and takes what he wants."

Mehek swallowed hard, her chest tight with anxiety. "What am I supposed to do? He's everywhere. I can feel him watching me, even when he's not there."

Sofia stood up, pacing furiously. "We're going back to your place tonight. You're not staying alone. If he's really following you, we'll see for ourselves."

Anamika nodded in agreement. "We'll stay with you. Just in case."

---

Meanwhile, Vikram sat in his car parked just outside the cafe, watching through the window as Mehek sat with her friends. Arman was in the passenger seat, grinning like a kid on a school trip, while Kartikeya sat in the back, arms crossed and scowling, as usual.

"You've really gone off the deep end, Vikram," Arman teased, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Leaving all those important meetings behind to follow this girl around? What's the deal?"

Vikram ignored him, his eyes never leaving the small cafe. Mehek was laughing softly with her friends, her unease from earlier seemingly forgotten. But Vikram couldn't forget. Something about her pulled at him in ways he hadn't felt in years-if ever.

Arman continued, clearly enjoying himself. "You've got to admit, it's kind of funny. Big, bad Vikram Singh Rathore, the guy who runs half the city, reduced to stalking a college girl. You're like a schoolboy with a crush."

"Enough, Arman," Kartikeya snapped from the back seat. "This isn't a joke."

Arman turned to face Kartikeya, still grinning. "Oh, relax, Mr. Serious. It's all in good fun. Besides, you have to admit, it's kind of hilarious."

Vikram finally spoke, his voice low and commanding. "I'm not interested in jokes, Arman. She... she's different."

"Different, huh?" Arman wiggled his eyebrows. "That's new. You're usually not this intrigued by anyone, especially not someone like her."

Vikram clenched his jaw, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel. He didn't respond to Arman's taunts. Deep down, he knew this was irrational. Mehek wasn't part of his world. She wasn't someone he should be spending his time on. But every time he thought of letting her go, something in him resisted.

"Why don't you just talk to her like a normal person?" Arman suggested, half-seriously. "Instead of lurking outside her classroom like a creep."

Vikram shot him a warning look, but Arman just laughed.