Faking It With a Billionaire || MaAn

Chapter 20 | Anuj

I probably could've handled that office conversation better, but the truth is, I was stung by how easily she dismissed that kiss. It felt like a low blow, like she thought I'd kiss her in private for anyone but myself. Hell, just this morning, in that dressing room, the only person I had in mind when I kissed her was me. I'd been daydreaming about it late into the night and all through our morning shopping spree.

I kissed her because the mere thought of not kissing her left me feeling damn empty inside.

I should've known better. She wasn't ready, and she made that clear when we laid out the terms of her becoming my assistant and later my pretend fiancée. But I was blindsided by my primal desire for her, and the way she basically dared me to kiss her, well, there was no way I could stop myself.

By the time I wanted to apologize for how I acted, it was already too late. I could tell she was seething with anger. I'm not a complete idiot; I can tell when a woman wants nothing to do with me, and that's the vibe I got the entire ride home.

Sure, she smiled and played nice with Hugo as he helped her haul bags and boxes of clothing into the house, but every time I tried to help, I got nothing but dirty looks. Hugo, for his part, was relishing the drama, clearly aware that something was brewing between Anupama and me.

It's been four long hours since we deposited Anupama's new wardrobe in her room, and she might as well have slammed the door in my face.

I had devoted two hours of my time to the private gym and sauna, desperately trying to channel and release the frustration that had built up inside me. I still couldn't believe that she had tried to downplay our kiss, and it irked me even more that her trust issues were connected to the man whose face appeared on my phone.

I snatched my phone angrily from the kitchen counter and swiped to answer. "What do you want?" My tone was far from friendly, but then again, it rarely ever was when it came to him.

He laughed, a humorless sound drowned out by blaring music in the background wherever he was. "Sup, big bro?"

I grimaced at his casual greeting. "Why are you calling me?"

"I got an interesting piece of info today," he taunted, clearly hoping I'd take the bait, but I wasn't about to fall into whatever trap he was setting.

"Why should I care?"

The oven timer beeped behind me, and I walked over to it, opening it up to check on the teriyaki salmon I had cooking.

Vanraj chuckled on the other end of the line. "Because, Anuj Kapadia, it involves you and a certain ex-girlfriend of mine."

Fuck. 

I knew he'd find out about Anupama working for me and eventually becoming my fiancée, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon.

"I repeat, why should I care?"

"I think I should be the one caring. Why are you out with Anupama? You know I'm still in love with her."

I scoffed, grabbing a spatula to flip the green beans sizzling in the pan. "Didn't you cheat on her throughout your entire relationship?"

"I was immature," he countered, his words slightly slurred. It didn't surprise me; Vanraj had always been one to indulge a bit too much in the bottle. "I screwed up big time with her, but I want her back."

I wanted to tell him to go to hell, but I held my tongue. Vanraj couldn't know about the little arrangement Anupama and I had. Not now, not ever. Even if Anupama didn't despise him, there was no way in hell I'd let my brother hurt her again. He was foolish and pathetic, always thinking with the wrong head and failing to appreciate a good thing when he had it.