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Time ceased to exist as they swayed together. The outside world faded away and there was only this - his hard body against her soft curves, his earthy scent enveloping her. She was acutely aware of every point their bodies connected, nerve-endings coming alive wherever he touched her.
When the music tempo changed, the spell broke. Couples drifted off the dance floor but Maya's legs felt unsteady, her mind still fogged by Ranveer's heady proximity. She trembled inside, partly from exhilaration, partly from an unfamiliar vulnerability he elicited in her. No man had ever affected her this deeply. With him, she was out of her depth, terrified yet tantalized by the feelings he stirred inside her.
“I need to use the restroom.” She stepped away from him, attempting to regain composure.
“Let me show you.”
“No,” she denied. “Just tell me where it is. I will go myself.”
Ranveer didn’t wish to suffocate her with his over-dominance.
“On the left, there,” he pointed out, and she hurried. Ranveer turned to see Aisha and signaled her to follow Maya. He couldn’t trust anyone with respect to her security. Apart from the Maliks, he had other enemies too who might want to hurt her. Earlier, it was different. He never cared if people hated him and wanted to hurt him. But now, he was not alone. He had someone whom those people could target to reach him. And he wanted to protect them by all means.
Maya used the restroom and fluffed her hair before the mirror. The flashes of the cameras when they stepped into this place, Kunal’s persistence in accepting the marriage proposal of Ranveer, their sensational dance performance, everything replayed in her head.
“I am so privileged to see you this close,” someone spoke to her. Maya turned around, only to find a tall woman wearing a badge on her shirt, smiling at her. She was the same woman who was clicking their pictures on the dance floor.
“Do I know you?” Maya wiped her face with a towel.
“No. You don’t know me. I am Cindy, a freelance reporter.”
Maya shook hands with her.
“Ranveer is my favorite subject. Whenever and wherever he is involved, you will find me around, clicking his pictures and posting them on social media.”
Now that really bothered Maya.
“Oh, is that why you were just clicking us while dancing and not others?”
Cindy flashed a grin.
“That’s right,” she paused. “I have seen him with many women. I have clicked him so many times, dancing with girls, but those pictures are lifeless compared to what I clicked today.”
Maya didn’t understand if that was a compliment or a complaint.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” Aisha came inside.
Maya smiled and nodded at her. Aisha gave Cindy a quick stare to ensure she was not any threat.
“Sir is waiting for you outside, Ma’am,” she added.
Maya made her way to the exit, but Cindy stopped her again.
“I needed a small favor, Maya, if you don’t mind.”
Maya was confused. What favor?
“I need a byte of yours and Ranveer Malhotra together. A small interview kind for my next article.”
Now that’s actually a big favor to ask for.
“Why don’t you check with Ranveer’s manager and get an appointment?” Maya tried to be practical. She knew Ranveer was a busy man and wouldn’t be available for anyone just like that. Plus, she didn’t want to give any sort of interview with Ranveer Malhotra until she decided what to do with his marriage proposal.
“You think I haven’t tried?” Cindy sighed. “He is a tough man with so many boundaries around him. I feel if you insist, he wouldn’t deny.”
“I cannot assure you anything right now.”
“Fine. Take your time. This is my card,” Cindy removed her business card and handed it to Maya. “Call me if he agrees.”
