Her Dangerous Obsession

Chap 7 - The Apology

Author's POV

Anaisha and Adhrit were sitting opposite each other in the restaurant, and after listening to Anaisha, a look of regret was visible on Adhrit's face.

He was currently having mixed feelings, and his expressive eyes showed his dilemma clearly.

"I... I'm so sorry.", he finally said quietly, voice tinged with sincerity and guilt. "I didn't know about your mother. I... I shouldn't have said those things back then. Truly, I'm sorry!"

Anaisha shook her head slightly, brushing off his words with a faint, almost bitter smile. "No, don't say sorry. You weren't at fault. What you said... it was right. I needed someone to point it out, to make me see... and you did it. So thank you. Truly."

Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly, a subtle edge of emotion hidden beneath the veneer of calm. "I realize now how wrong I was... how blinded I've been by money and privileges. I've been so misguided. I needed guidance... and you, Adhrit, you... you showed me the truth. The way I acted... it wasn't right."

Adhrit sat silently, observing her closely. She wasn't the same arrogant, untouchable woman, who had confronted him earlier at her office, and the café. She was vulnerable, wounded even, yet she carried it with a quiet strength.

He couldn't ignore the honesty in her eyes, nor the raw need for understanding, that she had just revealed.

"I want to apologize to you.", she said finally, voice barely above a whisper, but each word measured, deliberate. "Please... forgive me. I am sorry... truly, Adhrit."

He studied her. There was no pretense, no challenge, just the soft vulnerability of someone revealing her hidden pain.

Against his better judgment, he felt a flicker of pity, a sense of regret, that he couldn't explain.

She seemed, human. Flawed, yes, but human. And maybe, just maybe, all she needed was someone to guide her, to show her, that life wasn't only about wealth or dominance.

After a long pause, he shook his head slowly, a small, genuine smile forming on his lips. "You realized your mistake...", he said softly, voice steady and firm, "that's enough for me. I forgive you. And... even I said things, I shouldn't have, so let's just forget it."

Her shoulders relaxed, almost imperceptibly, as a light smile tugged at her lips. There was a warmth there, delicate, yet beautiful, a stark contrast to the sharp, commanding demeanor she usually carried.

She tilted her head slightly, as if measuring his reaction. "So... what will you like to eat?", she asked, trying to lighten the mood, her usual spark subtly peeking through the vulnerability.

Adhrit chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Nothing. I need to go.", he said, standing up, as if to end the conversation.

But Anaisha's hand shot out, gently, not forcefully, stopping him. "Please... have something, Adhrit.", she said, a faint trace of mischief lacing her voice now. "Otherwise, I'll think you didn't forgive me."

He hesitated, caught between his resolve and the genuine warmth radiating from her. Her words, light yet loaded with an unspoken plea, convinced him.

"All right.", he said finally, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just something light would work. Otherwise... I won't be able to have dinner with my family."

Anaisha grinned, her vulnerability replaced by her characteristic gleam of satisfaction.

She ordered some snacks for both of them, and for the next few moments, the conversation flowed naturally. Laughter returned, tentative yet genuine, weaving around the subtle tension, that still lingered.