Royal with Rebel (Royal #2: Book 2)

46

-• the downside of every better •-

Yuvraaj Singh Chauhan

"This is the first floor plan," Leigh says, unrolling the sheet of paper on the desk in front of us. Then she goes onto explain every little detail, segregating the little compartment like boxes into rooms, libraries and halls.

Luckily, Rudra managed to convince the labour union to resume work after Diwali. I'm not sure what deal he cracked with them, because I don't have to pay extra money out of my pockets to get them onboard again. The work started a week ago, the ground floor is all done, and now we're moving onto the next one. Things are looking good for now. I don't know how long that's going to last though, because apparently Sara is still not talking to me, or more like blatantly avoiding me, and I've no way of bringing us back to our previous "friendly" dynamics. Feels like I'm being punished for feeling hurt, and yet I cannot blame her, because I asked for space and she gave me but now I don't need it and I'm too embarrassed to ask for her again.

"That's all for today, see you guys tomorrow!" Leigh announces, breaking me free from my thoughtful daze. She hi-fives everyone, gravitating towards me eventually. I stare at her hand for full five seconds. She waits patiently. Driven by awkwardness, I return the gesture with a smile of discomfort. The guys all pack up, women gather together, discussing dinner plans for the night as they prepare to leave, while Leigh and I walk out of the palace towards our respective cars.

"Yuvraaj," she calls out as I open the door my car.

"Yes?" I pause briefly, my attention on her.

"I heard the case on Sara was dismissed?" She inquires.

"Yeah, Sarika Goel, the woman she was accused of making disappear came out and confessed on her own. The matter will be kept anonymous but I'm surprised you didn't hear from her yet?"

"Not yet, no." She shakes her head. "She has been very quiet ever since the wedding day." Her voice quietens. "I told her I misunderstood her too, and that I was the one to tell you that she must have left you at the altar, I guess that's driven a kind of wedge between us. We're not in touch lately. She acted a little forlorn at the party too."

I tap my fingers on the door, trying to think of what to say. How do I even respond to that? No, you must be overthinking it despite me being in the same boat as you. Just call her and ask her upfront though I don't have the same courage. But hey, confidence is the key.

"Yeah," I reply dumbly.

Leigh sighs. "Can you bring her around for dinner at my place?"

I force myself to nod. "Sure," the woman uprooted her entire life for my project, shifted countries, brought her daughter along, this is the least I can do. Apart from paying for her groceries and rent and fuel and travel and shopping and, God this woman is expensive.

"Tomorrow night?"

"Works for me, but I'll have to run it through her first," I answer.

"Yeah, I understand. Just let me know when works for you and I'll adjust my schedule accordingly."

I press my lips together for a smile. "Have a great evening ahead," I turn to open my door.

"You too,"

Our cars drive out of the gates at the same time, heading in the opposite directions.

I think about the conversation I just had with Leigh. She appeared concerned. I'm too. Ever since the charges on Sara were dismissed, there has been a subtle change in her behaviour. She used to read books every night, now she spends it on her laptop. She used to return at the same as me from the office, now she's home a bit early every day. She resigned from her position of vice chairwoman at Legacy High too. As if that plan is done and dusted with. I can't help but put my bets on either Kshitij or Lalit for her weirdly focused behaviour lately. It's like she's obsessed. She even stopped dancing in the great hall from the past few days. Worries the heck out of me. The only thing that grounds me is the memory of her asking me to make her my responsibility. She was open to accept my help in her next plans. I just hope I haven't blown off my chances with the argument we had on that forsaken night of Diwali party.