Aditya.
‘Great. Just what I needed,’I mutter to myself, my eyes betraying me as they take him in. Sunglasses on, he’s dressed in a plain white shirt that somehow looks custom-tailored to his frame, paired with jeans that mould him with effortless ease.
Seriously, why does he have to look so hot?
‘No, Sana. Don’t be stupid. Don’t let your heart mess with your head. Focus. Ignore him.’Squaring my shoulders, I give myself a pep talk.
But in the next instant, my heartbeat picks up, and my fingers tighten around the strap of my bag as I watch him straighten, pushing off the car and taking a step towards me, that infuriating signature smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
The moment he stands in front of me, I fold my arms across my chest and open my mouth to speak before he can say anything stupid.
“You’re here too?” I ask, managing to keep up my brave front even as my pulse betrays me.
He slides off his sunglasses and tucks them into his shirt, his smirk deepening. “I just wanted to wish you a good day. You didn’t give me a chance at the gym, so I figured I’d do it here.”
My jaw clenches. “I’m serious, Aditya. You need to stop following me, and more importantly, stop messing with my head.”
“So I mess with your head?” he drawls, his smirk turning downright smug. “I’m flattered to know I’ve managed to have some hold on you.” He winks, making my irritation spike.
I narrow my eyes, refusing to let him get the upper hand. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Annoyance and hold are two very different things. And trust me, you’re only the former.”
“Annoyance? I don’t think so. Because if that were the case, you wouldn’t get this flustered over something that annoys you.” He steps closer, and I fight the urge to move back, refusing to give him the satisfaction. His gaze locks onto mine. “I’d bet anything you’ve thought about me more than you’d like to admit.”
I tilt my head, matching his smirk. “Wow, that’s some serious delusion you’ve got going on. Hate to break it to you, but the only thing on my mind is figuring out how to get rid of you.”
Before he can throw another one of his annoying remarks, his phone buzzes in his pocket. Keeping his eyes locked on me, he pulls it out, taps the screen, and puts it on speaker.
“Hello, handsome,” a sultry, flirtatious voice purrs from the other end. “I was thinking about our night. Damn, you sure know how to use those sexy lips and hands of yours.”
My stomach twists unexpectedly. But before I can even process the feeling, I catch Aditya’s eyes widen and his grin vanishes in an instant. He fumbles to take the phone off speaker, quickly bringing it to his ear.
“Wrong number,” he stammers before abruptly hanging up.
He then looks up at me with a flicker of unease as he slips his phone into his pocket. Not wanting him to read my expression, I quickly school my face into one of pure indifference—one that screams, not my business. Not my problem.
I arch a brow. “Well, well… look who’s flustered now?”
“Sana,” Aditya begins, running a hand through his hair. “That wasn’t what it sounded like. Let me explain.”
“Save it, Aditya,” I cut him off, holding up a hand. “It doesn’t matter, and I really don’t have the time for this. Some of us have actual work to do.”
“Sana, just let me explain,” he pleads, his voice losing a bit of its usual cocky edge.
I shake my head. “Explain what? That you’re so irresistible and have a long line of women pining for your attention? Please, spare me. I’m not interested.” My breath hitches, but I refuse to let him see how that call has affected me. Instead, I say, “Here’s a free piece of advice—you can take your marriage proposal to those women who are more than happy to stroke your ego. That’ll keep you satisfied in the long run, rather than wasting your time on a woman who isn’t interested.”
Then, without waiting for a reply, I brush past him, my heart pounding as I reach the café door. My fingers fumble slightly as I pull out my key, but I force myself to stay composed, slipping it into the lock and turning the handle.
As soon as I step inside, I shut the door behind me, resting my back against it. I close my eyes, exhaling shakily. Thank God he didn’t follow me. The last thing I need right now is another confrontation, another chance for him to see through the cracks in my armour.
I lean my head back and close my eyes, willing my racing heart to settle. ‘Get it together, Sana. Men like him don’t matter. To them, emotions are just a game.’
My lips press into a thin line.‘I did the right thing by refusing his nonsense proposal.’I repeat it like a mantra, trying to convince myself.
But deep down, in that quiet space that knows the truth, a dull sting settles in my chest.
No. I straighten up, pushing the thoughts aside. I don’t need this drama. I’ve built a life I’m proud of, and I won’t let anyone, especially someone like him, mess with it. With a firm shake of my head, I push away from the door and make my way to the counter.
But no matter how hard I try, I can’t quite shake the lingering ache in my chest.
