It had been five years. But she still recalled the cold, indifferent expression on his handsome face while she tried to talk to him.
Five years had changed her a lot. But he looked the same.
She lifted her camera and took a long shot from the side.
Click.
Her heart jumped at the sound that somehow seemed louder.
But he didn’t look towards the camera. Powerful men like him didn’t pose for cameras. Cameras followed them.
Good.
She moved slightly, continuing to keep taller guests between her gaze.
If she stayed careful, this would be fine. He would attend, acknowledge the right people, and leave early like men like him always did.
She zoomed in.
His profile looked sharp in the lens. His expression was neutral. When he shifted his shoulders, the suit moved subtly, defining his solid muscles.
She hated that she not only noticed, but her heart sped up.
Ugh. Focus, but not on his body.
A man in a navy blazer tried to joke with him. People laughed loudly at the joke. But Bharat didn’t.
The man laughed harder with nervousness.
Yamini almost rolled her eyes.
The chief minister approached him again. Beside him walked a slightly familiar young, pretty woman in an elegant Indo-western dress with diamonds in her ears, neck, and wrists catching the light. Pooja had mentioned earlier that the woman, Tina Mehta, was the event organizer and the chief minister’s daughter.
“Your Highness,” the chief minister greeted. “Thank you so much for being here.”
Bharat shook the chief minister’s hand. It was brief, firm, and efficient.
Yamini captured it.
Click.
“My daughter Tina organized this event,” the minister continued proudly.
The daughter stepped forward with a bright, shiny smile. “Maharaja Bharat, it’s an absolute honor that you have given us your time.”
Bharat gave her a cool nod.
Not a smile. Just acknowledgment.
Tina Mehta’s smile stayed in place. But Yamini felt a sudden flare of irritation on behalf of the other woman.
So, what if he is a powerful maharaja? He doesn’t get to ignore people around him.
Why can’t he smile a little?
With an annoyed scowl, Yamini took another photo.
Click.
