Page 89 of The Ruin I Chose

“The man. The myth. The legend. What brings you to Mumbai?”

“Work,” I said, shaking his hand.

My eyes never left her. She moved to her desk. Started packing her bag without even glancing back at me.

“How long are you in town?” Sahil asked.

“A while. Maybe a few weeks.”

“Oh, that’s great! You should come to my wedding. Experience the full Indian wedding madness.”

She spoke without turning.

“I’m sure he’s busy. Might not have time for mere mortals like us.”

I almost smiled.

“Nonsense,” Sahil said. “He can make it for the wedding at least, if not the other functions. He can definitely spare one day.”

Before she could speak, I cut in. “I’ll be there. For all of it.”

I stepped forward and hugged him.

“Congratulations,” I said.

Roxanne turned. Her eyes were sharp and stern. Right on cue, Sahil’s phone rang and he excused himself. Once we were alone, she turned towards me and crossed her arms tighter.

“Why are you here? I thought you didn’t want anything to do with someone who lies and cheats.”

I shut my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. This again. The words I spat in the heat of the moment will always come back to bite me in my perky, egotistical ass.

I opened my eyes slowly.

“Yet you wear the gift I gave you,” I said. “My apology. My last thread to you.”

She clutched the necklace, trying to hide it.

I stepped forward. “I thought you were dead.”

Her eyes softened. “It was a minor accident. My mind was elsewhere.”

I bowed my head, taking her hand in mine.

“I know. But I needed to see for myself. That you were okay.”

She pulled her hand back. “You saw I’m okay. Now go back. Pretend I don’t exist.”

Her voice was ice. But her eyes weren’t. I turned my head, jaw clenched. My hands lifted slightly like I wanted to touch her, shake her, hold her.

I hissed, “Non riesco a stare lontano da te. Come lo spiego?”

(I can’t stay away from you. How do I explain that?)

Sahil returned, oblivious.

“So, Marcello, where are you staying?”

Roxanne answered for me, “There are some good hotels that match your standard that I can recommend.”