Page 28 of My Rebel

Old and familiar pain swamped through him. She must have seen something shift on his face because she immediately said, “Hey, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mention that to remind you of whatever sad thing that came to your mind right now. I read you had a sister. Did she survive?”

“We don’t talk of her,” Vihaan huffed out.

“Oh, I’m sorry you lost her.”

Vihaan opened his mouth and shut it. It was better that Tiya didn’t know the truth about Avi. The less she knew about his life the better it would be for her.

She continued. “I just…I just wanted you to know that I read up on you because I was curious and couldn’t help myself—especially after talking to Dev.”

Immediately, his mind went on alert. Dev had clearly singled her out last night after Vihaan had left and he’d forgotten that the moment he’d seen her. How could he lose track of what was important like this?

Cursing himself, he said, “Come with me.”

He nodded to a waitress who quickly took his place behind the bar.

He led Tiya to a small office at the side of the restaurant, which they all used to work from whenever they decided to spend the day here atKomobay. Seeing the grin on her face as she entered the room reminded him that she’d been here before as well. They’d both walked in on Myra and Shaurya making out here a few months ago.

“Please take a seat,” he offered.

But Tiya being Tiya, she plonked on the desk instead, swinging her legs back and forth while sipping the margarita. He shut the door and leaned against it, watching her.

“Tell me what happened after I left last night,” Vihaan asked.

She pouted. “About that. Why did you leave so suddenly?”

“I thought I explained it in my message already.”

“Don’t be evasive, please,” she said. “We need to be honest with each other if this fake dating thing has to work.”

“In my case, honesty comes at a price, one which I don’t want you to pay, ever.”

She rolled her eyes. “I hate it when you talk in riddles.”

“My life is complicated, Tiya, and the less you know the better it is for you.”

“So, keeping me in the dark is for my own good?”

“Absolutely.”

She finished her drink and put the glass aside.

“I’ll let this pass if you answer me honestly,” Tiya said. “Do you want to buy my dad’s company?”

“Yes.” There was no point in denying it. She’d find out eventually anyway when he spoke to her dad.

She nodded. “And is that why you agreed to be my pretend boyfriend?”

“It does strengthen my position in front of your father.”

“I was so mad at you when I learned that you deliberately kept this fact from me. I’d have hit you on the head if I saw you after Dev revealed this to me. But then I read about your family’s past and I couldn’t stay mad anymore.”

“I don’t want your pity, Tiya.”

“You’d rather I be mad then?”

“Okay fine, I’m sorry. I should have been upfront.”

“I accept your apology." She smirked. “Now tell me, is Dev Luthra is your family’s number one enemy?”

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