THE PERFECT DECEPTION

Chapter 12

Jonathan King

My arms gently encircle her waist as she burrows her head into my chest, reminiscent of a kitten. "Wildcat, have you been drinking?" I inquire, noticing Levi's uncontrollable laughter. "Why?" she retorts, her voice quivering, pouting at me. Our chests press together, her eyes brimming with sadness as if I were depriving her of something precious.

I hold her close as she leans back, her weight resting in my embrace. "You're being mean," she accuses in a soft voice. My breath fans her face, causing her eyelids to flutter. Her mere existence is enough to warrant my affection. I cradle her cheek, my fingers gently stroking her warm, flawless skin, contrasting with my rougher touch. Her eyes flicker open, and she scoffs, "I'm supposed to hate you," her nose wrinkling in apparent distaste for her emotions.

I exhale deeply, my grip relaxing slightly. I wouldn't say I like those words; they are so convincing when slurred by intoxication. It's wrong to feel this way; we were never meant to agree, yet here I am, heart lodged in my throat. The impassive mask on my face seems permanent and unyielding. Meanwhile, Levi laughs hysterically, his blonde hair tousled as he lies on his back.

Anupama sniffles softly beneath me, groaning, "Caveman, ugly and stinky man.. I hate you," her brows knitting together. Gently, I brush away the damp tendrils from her forehead, dotted with tiny beads of sweat. I kiss her cheek softly, which blooms pink under the starlight. "Please don't hate me," I murmur with uncharacteristic warmth. A shiver runs through me as I pull back, but she doesn't hear, lost in her reverie.

'"Ugh!" Levi exclaims, rolling over and swinging his legs behind him, enveloping us in his movement. "This is utterly sickening. Love sickening," he murmurs, a slight grin on his lips. Anupama pays no heed to his words, her finger tracing up and down my neck. It was the most distracting thing on this earth, sending shocks of pleasure down to my body. I was a trailing mess around her ever since I saw her eyes watch Anuj. 

I had no right to feel jealous or possessive, yet it troubled me. I wouldn't say I liked how he observed her, appreciating every aspect of her perfection, including her hip dips. People who are insecure about their hip dips are likely not with partners who value them. I let my hand trail against her waist softly, and she shivered at the slightest touch. I hated how much she must have shivered for Anuj and Vanraj. 

The mere thought of her attention on them filled me with loathing. "Wildcat, Levi, what have you been drinking?" I inquired, my voice as cold as usual, likely enough to make anyone's skin crawl. Levi sprang up, attempting to balance on his unsteady legs. "Brother, I only handed her two or three bottles," he murmured, staggering toward Anupama, whose eyes blinked before settling on Levi. "He's right; he gave me one," she indicated with her index finger, then added her middle finger, "Two, three," raising her ring finger. Her gaze was free of guilt; she was an innocent butterfly amidst wolves.

I caressed her cheek gently, and her eyes fluttered shut once more. I was convinced I was destined to be captivated by this woman and become part of her ideal world. "And how many did you have?" I snapped at Levi, whose smile widened. "Enough to last me into my next life," he replied, grinning as he stumbled. Anupama shot me a stern look. "Stop being so harsh," she scolded, though her flushed cheeks made it difficult to take her seriously. "To that lunatic?" I retorted while Levi feigned an exaggerated gasp of offence.

Anupama frowned and pressed her weak fist against my chest. "Not funny," she shouted softly. I knew women could be many things, and she was undeniably cute. "I didn't say I was," I replied, my voice icy as she pouted, rubbing the back of her hand against her nostril. She sniffled softly, her eyes narrowing into a glare.

"He helped me forget," she whispered through clenched teeth before Levi smiled at me. "You see, I was helping her calm her nerves and forget her life," he said, smiling as his eyes fought to stay open. Anupama quickly smiled at me, and I knew there was only one reason she would feel the need to escape her thoughts. It was because of another man whose gaze never left her, just as hers had watched them cosy together before her. She hadn't moved on, but she never said she was available to the eyes that just wanted to admire her.