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Garima had watched the intimate gesture, and was charmed by Ranveer's apparent devotion to her daughter. But Maya's own reactions left her confused, her heart racing for reasons she didn't want to examine too closely.
Evening
The discharge paperwork was ready, though Maya had another hour before leaving the hospital. Garima had gone to their apartment where Aman and another assistant were helping shift their luggage to Paradise.
Alone now, Maya took calls from colleagues wishing her well. She wasn't surprised the accident news had spread so quickly, likely via Vikram. But she disliked their excessive concern, especially the questions about whether Ranveer was caring for her through this crisis.
Ranveer stepped back in as Maya ended a call. “Take her straight to Paradise. I'll bring Maya in an hour,” he instructed Aman on his phone before hanging up.
Maya tensed, noticing his return. He put the phone away.
“Your mother should reach my home any minute now,” he updated her.
Maya simply nodded, still uneasy about moving to his place even temporarily. Ranveer noticed her silence and strode closer. She stiffened, unsure of his intention as he leaned in dangerously close. Maya shrank back, but he only smirked while gently plucking a dried flower twig from her hair - remnants of Pammi's bouquet which she had given her this morning when she had come to meet her.
Maya gripped the sheets, rattled by his nearness and the tingles it provoked. Just then she noticed a lipstick stain on his shirt near the collar, and froze. Had he been with another woman? He claimed to be working. Had he lied? Or did some woman visit his office? Maya expected nothing from him, but thought he wouldn't risk being seen with someone else while supposedly devoted to her.
Noticing her stare, Ranveer checked his shirt and saw the stain too, startling him. He pulled back abruptly.
“You should rest,” he mumbled, clearly uncomfortable at being caught out.
“And you should wash that stain and be more careful,” Maya snapped irritably. “Or our 'fake relationship' will soon be exposed.”
Unable to explain the reasons for the stain, Ranveer simply left the room. Maya tried focusing on her novel again, but felt uneasy that he had intimate relationships she didn't know of while she and her mother were moving into his home. How awkward.
Later at Paradise
Maya stepped gingerly from the car, grasping the door for support. Putting pressure on her injured foot still hurt badly. She'd been wheeled to the vehicle in a chair but had no such aid now. How would she walk even to the private elevator?
“I'll carry you,” Ranveer said, noticing her difficulty.
“Not necessary. I can manage with support,” Maya insisted stubbornly.
“That’s very optimistic,” he mocked. “But physically you're still weak.”
“You will not carry me,” Maya warned again, but he politely ignored her protest, scooping her up easily and heading inside.
With no choice, she held on to him tightly as they rode up to the top floor. When the elevator opened, her mother's smiling face greeted them. “There they are,” Garima exclaimed warmly. Laura stood beside her, also beaming.
“Welcome home, Miss Bajaj,” she said.
Another familiar voice chimed, “Welcome home, Maya.” It was Dhruv, holding a champagne bottle and clearly expected. Ranveer showed no surprise at the greeting party and carried Maya directly to the couch before loosening his tie with relief.
“Welcome home,” he whispered to her with a wolfish grin.
Home? Did he just call this her home? Maya scanned the luxurious space as she settled in, exhaling deeply. This was her home temporarily until the danger passed. She then noticed her own paintings, bought from her auction, now displayed on the walls in place of the art that adored the wall previously. They looked elegant despite their smaller size. Maya had never imagined seeing her work exhibited in such an opulent setting. Unable to suppress a smile, her eyes misted up as she touched her fingers to her lips, both thrilled and surprised.
Chapter 24
Paradise
Why would he do that for a fake relationship? She looked to him questioningly.
“It was your mom's idea,” Ranveer claimed.
“Don't be selfless, Ranveer,” Garima interrupted. “Maya, I just wanted to surprise you, but hanging the paintings there was his suggestion.”
Perplexed, Maya murmured, “Thank you to both of you,” glancing again at Ranveer.
