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He rolls his eyes.
“Spare me, Cub. Daadi already told me how much it affected her and everyone else who saw.”
“I’m not letting you off the hook, Vikram. I’m tired of warning you to stay away from me.”
“And you should know by now what I do with your warnings,” he interrupts. “They go straight to the dustbin.”
My frustration mounts, but before I can argue, he narrows his eyes.
Before I can unleash my pent-up frustration, he shifts the conversation. “What did Mom tell you? “
I swallow hard, unnerved by his perceptiveness. “Nothing that I haven’t heard from her before,” I mutter.
Vikram is confused.
“But you don't have to bother, Vikram. I can handle my own problems. Your mother is not my problem - you are.”
My accusation seems to enrage him further. “And yet you're staring at your 'problem' while he's half-naked?” he challenges, a dangerous glint in his eye.
I feel heat rush to my cheeks as I suddenly remember his state of undress. How did I forget he was standing so close, wearing nothing but a towel?
“I don't mind putting on some clothes with you gawking at me,” he adds, his shameless comment both infuriating and oddly thrilling.
I struggle to maintain my frown, fighting against the effect he has on me. “This conversation isn't finished,” I warn, needing to retreat before I lose my composure entirely.
“I don't intend to finish anything that's related to you, Maahi,” he replies cryptically, his words sending a shiver down my spine.
Why does he always speak in riddles? Part of me yearns to demand what he truly means, to unravel the mystery that is Vikram Singh Grover. But not now. Not while he's standing there, droplets of water tracing tantalizing paths down his chest. I need him fully clothed before I can trust myself to continue this conversation. Without another word, I turn and flee from his room.
CHAPTER 14
VIKRAM
After Maahi leaves, I get dressed and pick up my phone. I need to speak to Mom. She’s been upset with me for not calling her in the past few days. She’s worried Daadi has convinced me to stay here forever. I don’t want to prove her right, so I dial her number.
“Mom,” I say.
“Goodness,” she gasps. “I thought you wouldn’t call me at all.”
She can be dramatic at any time.
“You didn’t sleep well?” I ask, checking the clock. It was barely 4:00 am in the USA. I wonder what kept her awake.
“I had a bad dream, Vikram. Someone was taking you away from me.”
I laugh. “How old was I in the dream? Because at this age, I don’t think anyone can snatch me away that easily.”
“You know what I mean, Vikram. Stop pretending.”
“And you need to stop filling your head with such thoughts. No one can influence your son—not even you and Dad.”
“What’s up with you and Dad? He’s been disturbed the past few days.”
I sigh, unable to frame a reply. Dad and I are currently fighting a cold war. He wants Devki Estate, and so do I, but not at the cost of crushing Daadi’s dreams or Maahi’s plans to fulfill them.
“It’s business, Mom. You wouldn’t understand,” I say, instead of giving her the real reason.
“Huh. I won’t understand? I have spent my entire life understanding you and your Dad. I can read you both better than you can read yourselves. If you don’t want to tell me the real reason, fine. But don’t give me such f*cking excuses.”
