Defeat?
He never thought he’d see Vera wear such an expression, and the idea made him uncomfortable.
No, not that. It made himangry.
“What the hell happened, Vera?”
“Nothing,” she croaked, trying to walk past him when he worriedly grabbed her arm. She flinched and let out a startled cry, her reaction shocking him into dropping his hold immediately. Hisconcern exacerbated when she didn’t meet his eye, hunching like she was trying to make herself seem small.
Movement deep within the boardroom drew his attention, which is when he noticed the flush of colour on Rahul’s face, his previously perfect hair dishevelled, as if by force. But it was the nasty look in his eyes when his gaze dug into Vera, and the angry twitch in his jaw when he gingerly touched his ear that gave Vihaan a hint of what might have occurred in his absence.
His first thought was murder. He didn’t need to know the details. He didn’t even need confirmation of what happened. Vera’s body language and Rahul’s reddened cheek could only mean that he’d said or done something to offend her. And that was reason enough for Vihaan to want to annihilate his dumbfuck cousin.
It was only Vera’s presence that stopped him from unleashing the violence brewing within him. She didn’t need to see destruction when she was so clearly disturbed. Vihaan allowed Rahul’s pestilent presence to fade to the periphery while he focused on the woman who mattered more.
“Take the rest of the day off and go home,” he said quietly. “I’ll text my driver to meet you outside. Don’t refuse the ride.”
Troubled eyes met his. “But—”
“Boss’s orders,” he gently interrupted her.
Vihaan watched as Vera slipped past him with a silent nod, her gait nowhere as assured as it normally was. She turned to look at him, still unsure, when he caught sight of the handprint on her arm, her creamy skin slowly darkening, unknowingly providing proof of what he’d already suspected.
“Go,” he told her, smiling for her benefit despite the bloodlust filling his veins. “I’ll take care of everything.”
I promise.
30
Discord
Vihaan
Fourteen Years Ago
He didn’t want toleave.
Ever since he’d opened his mail a couple days ago, this thought was at the forefront of his mind. Troubled, Vihaan stretched his legs out on the cool grass in the middle of the courtyard he was lounging in, leaning back to rest his palms behind him. His gaze swept over the school campus, watching other students milling about. Small groups huddled over their books and friends chatted on their way to their classroom.
The doors to a nearby lab opened and young teenagers spilled out in droves. Vihaan sat up immediately, his eyes naturally seeking the slim form of his beautiful girlfriend, disappointed when he didn’t see her with the peer group she usually exited with. Where was she?
He grumbled frustratedly when his call went directly to her voicemail. He needed to talk to her. She deserved to be the first to know that he’d been accepted into university in the UK. After all, she’d bullied him into studying for all the entrance exams. He’d gone along with the process because it had made his mother happy, and every time he’d scored well, Vera would look at him like he’d plucked stars out of the sky for her. Being admired by someone as tough to impress as his girlfriend made him feel ten feet tall.
But the idea of leaving her behind, even if it was to attend a world-renowned educational institution, was about as appealing as sticking hot coals inside his shirt on a summer day.
Would she come with him? He’d brought it up once under the guise of a hypothetical question, and Vera had laughed. It would take winning a lottery for her to afford schooling outside of the city, much less India, she’d said.
But Vihaan had money, enough that he could easily cover her tuition, too. If only she’d accept help from him. The fact they’d been together for only ten months didn’t stop Vihaan from thinking about their lives long term. He could take care of her financial issues easily, but he felt like any offer from him would be unwelcome. Damn her pride and stubbornness. As much as he loved her, it frustrated him to watch her struggle when he could provide an easy solution. He’d do anything for her. Didn’t she understand that yet? He’d been trying so hard to change her opinion so that she no longer saw him as a spoiled degenerate but as someone who was capable of being the kind of partner she could rely on. Always.
Sure, they were only eighteen. But he was adult enough to know that he was in this for the long haul.
School was nearing an end, and soon, a new phase in their lives would begin. He wanted to share this, and everything else his future held, with Vera. Would she finally see it his way and let him lend her the support she needed? Vihaan racked his brain, trying to think of a way to broach the subject of Vera applying to the same university.Even if she could only join him later, at least they could be together while they worked towards their degrees. She’d hate to leave Nanaji behind, he was sure. But the chance of an excellent education should make that sacrifice worthwhile.
Maybe he should talk to Vera and Nanaji together. He was certain old Mr. Talwar would help him get through to his hard-headed spitfire of a granddaughter.
A loud voice calling his name had him looking up. Vihaan barely suppressed the urge to groan when he saw his cousin approach him. The exaggerated swagger in Rahul’s walk was nothing new, but the smirk on his face, as if he was ready to stir up trouble, had Vihaan wishing he was invisible.
Unfortunately, his cousin had a penchant for being pompous and downright nasty, made worse by the fact that his jealousy over Vihaan’s popularity had never abated. Rahul was careful not to antagonise Vihaan however, and in return, Vihaan ignored Rahul’s less than desirable personality.