Artful Deceit & Love ✔️

46. Trust

Unedited

Mridula's POV

"I think that she had a tough day at work." Advik's voice made me tear my gaze away from Uday and I moved back.

"I am just tired." I tell him but Uday doesn't seem to be convinced.

"Why don't you walk around the garden for some time? The fresh air will help you." Vedika advised.

I agreed immediately because I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. I stepped out of there without saying another word.

I looked at the guest house as I walked a decent distance from the house.

Of all the people in the world, Uday had to make a deal with Advik.

And Advik and Vedika are dating. When did that happen?

Will Uday call off the deal if I tell him what Advik is like? Will he believe me?

If I lock myself in the guest house, will I be excused from attending this dinner?

Someone cleared their throat and I looked back to find Advik there with a look of guilt on his face. Something that I couldn't really believe.

He walked closer to me to stand in front of me. There was a safe distance between us but it still wasn't enough.

"I...I want to. I am sorry for how I behaved that day, Mridula." He said with his head low with shame.

He looked up at me and saw that I wasn't saying anything so he continued, "I was drunk and you...I am sorry."

I nodded and said what was in my mind. "The only reason why I didn't get a restraining order against you is because of our friendship in the past. But if you repeat it again..."

"I won't." He interrupted me.

I saw Uday walk towards us with a concerned gaze.

"You can go and rest if you want." He said as he placed a strand of my hair behind my ear and studied me well.

"I should leave you two alone." Advik said those words for the both of us but his eyes were trained on me. I was irked by the apologetic look in his eyes. It didn't seem genuine somehow.

"How important is this partnership for you?" I asked him once Advik had disappeared inside.

Uday looked at me with a faint smile that made me at ease. "Now, you are interested in knowing about my work, Mridula?"

I held his forearm in an attempt to show that I was serious. "Uday!"

"One of the most important deals of my career, you can say. But why are you asking?" He said with attentive eyes.

"Nothing...just curious."

He nodded and wrapped his arm around my waist to pull me inside the house. "Okay, my curious bird."

I looked up sideways at him. "You have weird choices of nicknames for me, Uday."

He half shrugged his shoulders while we both continued walking. "Weird lady, princess...and now, curious bird. I think I am very good at this naming game."

His gloating can never end.

"You are impossible." I said with a smile after his words lifted my spirits.

"I like your smile." His gaze swept over my face briefly before he looked ahead with his words echoing in my mind.

~~~~~~