BEYOND UNFINISHED✔️

Chapter 16. Beneath the Lies We Trust

Song:- The Scientist (Corinne Bailey Rae).

"The trust of the innocent is the liar's most useful tool."

Third Person POV

Anaya wasn't in any state to listen to anyone.

The scene... that cursed scene... kept haunting her like a broken record.

I don't do girlfriends...

Arjun's voice echoed in her mind, louder than reason.

Was he lying to her all along?

Why did it hurt?

Because he was her friend. She had opened her heart to him—bit by bit, inch by inch. Told him things she hadn't told anyone else. Trusted him. Believed in him.

And yet... he had hidden this. Her.

Anaya's chest tightened painfully, her legs trembling as she stormed through the corridor, not realizing where she was going until she collided with something firm—someone.

Again? Why do I always end up bumping into people? Did God forget to give me eyes?

Ron steadied her quickly, concern creasing his face. "Are you alright, Miss?"

"Ahh... yes, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking. Umm... could you please guide me to the main exit?"

Ron hesitated. "Yes, but... You came to meet the boss, right? I'm sorry, his PA said he's busy right now. Would you mind waiting a bit?"

He wasn't lying. Sarah had just informed him about Ruhani barging into Arjun's cabin. He had orders to delay Miss Gill if she arrived—Arjun didn't want her to walk into something... regrettable.

But it was too late.

Anaya blinked rapidly, trying to erase the image seared into her mind. Arjun... and her. That same woman she had seen at the café—the one he told her was an associate.

He had looked her in the eye and lied.

She laughed bitterly inside.

Of course, he's busy now... busy sucking someone's face.

"No," Anaya murmured quietly, "It's fine. I just need to be somewhere else. Please... let me out, Mr. Ron."

Ron noticed her trembling. Her voice cracked like shattered porcelain.

"Are you sure you're alright, Miss?"

"I... I just want to leave. Please."

Ron frowned, but nodded. "Alright, I'll take you."

They moved toward the elevator when a voice ripped through the air like thunder.

"STOP."

The sound halted every breath in the room.

Anaya froze.

Her pulse stilled.

That voice... his voice. Dark. Demanding. Dangerous.

Arjun stood there—his tall frame radiating fury. His eyes, usually cold, now burned with a violent desperation.

Like a lion denied his prey.

But what was he trying to protect? Her? Or his secret?

Earlier in Arjun's Office...

Arjun sat at his desk, going over the files on Mr. Balraj Mehra. Every detail of the man's business and personal life was now in front of him—laid bare. He knew Mehra had only one son.