Faking It With a Billionaire || MaAn

Chapter 52 | Anuj

If it weren't for Anupama's desperate plea to leave our party, I'd probably be sitting in jail for assault on my own brother. I don't know what happened between him and Anupama, I'm afraid to ask for the risk of going mad with rage. Whatever happened has her messed up.

She doesn't utter a single word to me in the car. Hugo even tries to make a joke as he opens her door in front of our building and she doesn't even crack a smile at him.

I fidget the entire elevator ride up, wondering how to even approach what happened out on that terrace. If I hadn't been so consumed with fear at the sight of Ruby at the party, I wouldn't have ever left Anupama alone. None of that would've happened, whatever did transpire. I hate myself for leaving her alone—at our engagement party no less.

As we walk into the penthouse, I lose the grip on patience, needing to know what happened with Vanraj. "I need you to talk to me, baby," I plead. "I don't want to make you talk about it, but I spent the entire car ride picturing all the worst scenarios about what could've happened. I just need to know..."

She stops in the kitchen, her hands grabbing the lip of the island. For a few agonizing moments, she just stares at me. Her eyes are full of defeat. It kills me I don't know what put it there.

"Who was that woman you were talking to earlier tonight?"

"What?"

"The woman in the blue dress. The blonde. Did you know her?"

My jaw snaps open and close as I try to piece together what she's getting at. My question had nothing to do with Ruby. I don't know why she answered with a question of her own, especially one like that.

"Anuj," she pushes. "Did you know who that was?"

"Yes," I answer. "I told you. She was just an old friend."

"Do you know what she does for a living?"

Where the heck is this going? A pit forms in my stomach when I come to the realization that Vanraj had shown up with Ruby. Maybe I should be worried about what he could've shared with Anupama. Her line of questioning has me wondering if Vanraj knows more than I thought.

"No," I lie, taking a step closer into the kitchen. "I don't know off the top of my head."

"You're lying," she accuses.

"Why are you asking?" Nerves replace my anger as my fingers fumble with the knot at my neck. In one swift motion I loosen the tie all the way, pulling it off my neck and throwing it onto the island.

"You know exactly what she is. She's a reporter." Her eyes go wide in realization. "But you know that already."

I sigh in defeat. "Okay, fine. Yes, I know who she is. I don't understand what that has to do with anything. What happened between you and Vanraj?"

"Would you say you and her talk a lot?"

"Absolutely not."

"Did you pay her to run that article on you?"

My jaw drops. There it is. She knows.