CHAPTER 2

I close my eyes as I answer the call.

“Where are you?” he asks. No hello.

“It's only been thirty minutes since Mary Anne called. I’ll be there when I need to be.”

“Change of plans,” he says. “Meet me at Cons Cafe.”

“Asking me to meet you at your own cafe,” I say, with my voice laced with sarcasm. “What’s the catch?”

“Be there in twenty minutes.”

I realize I’m holding my breath by the time he hangs up. He never lets me hang up first anyway.

“Who was it, Heather?” Talon asks.

I totally forgot that he was standing in the kitchen with me. My fingers start drumming on the counter on their own accord. 

“Mihir called this morning. You were asleep.” Talon stiffens at the sound of his name. “He wants to blackmail me with the money I owe him.”

He chuckles a bit. “You’ve saved that much. Slap it in his face whenever you see him.”

“That’s the issue. He wants to meet me now. At his cafe.”

“Then go. I would’ve come, but you know we’ll cut each other’s necks off. Just go.”

I have a bad feeling about it, but I don’t bother to say anything. Talon is already worried about his own fees. I wouldn’t want to add to his problems.

I nod and take a sip of my already cold coffee. I dump the rest in the sink and head to the room to pick my handbag.

***

A feeling of nostalgia washes over me as I walk into the cafe. Nothing’s changed. The polished tiles still look new. It's still the same guy at the counter. The wooden towers are still the same- not even a single piece is chipped.

I remember when Mihir wanted to open this place. He said he wanted it to look completely like a cabin. I told him to make a few changes. I know what happened after that. I know the number of weeks I used excessive makeup to cover the bruises.

This is where we met. But it was just a piece of land there. The situations surrounding this beautiful edifice make me want to turn back. My heart thuds as I walk in to meet Mark, the guy at the counter. His blue eyes are twinkling as he watches me walk towards him. He flashes me his bright smile. 

“Miss Roosevelt!” he practically screams. At least he remembers that I’m divorced. He doesn’t show any sign of pity either.

“Good morning, Mark. Is Mr. Conoretti around?” I ask. The frown is visible on his face as I refer to Mihir formally.

“Yes, he’s outside. In the private lounge, waiting for you.”

“Which one?”

“The one facing the road.” 

“Alright,” I say, smiling. “Thanks.”

Just as I’m about to walk away, he calls me back.

“Heather?” The concern in his voice is unmistakable. “I’m sorry for kissing you the last time.”

Oh.

I smile at him again.

“It's fine. It was a mistake and it happened just once. I don’t see myself breaking down in front of you anymore.” He smiles again and I walk away. 

The sound of my heels on the polished tiles gives me all the confidence I need. I’m strong. I know that. Whatever Mihir is about to say, won’t have any effect.

I find him sitting in the private lounge just as Mark said. I could recognize him from anywhere. I walked up to him and he shut his laptop, staring at me from head to toe. I feel small already. However I look, his face doesn’t give any emotion away.

His green eyes are the same. He touches his stubble. Mihir never forgets to shave.

“You wanted to see me,” I say and sit down without him asking me to do so. His eyebrows perk up immediately.

“What would you like to have?” he asks. The sound of his voice is enough to burn down any building.

“Nothing. Can we go straight to business? I’m late for work.”

“You have a job now?” he asks. I gave him no answer. 

He takes his sweet time to order a coffee anyway. The words “Order some for me” is at the tip of my tongue. I swallow it back down. I would never drink the type of coffee he drinks. No sugar. Black. Strong. Like the empty space in the chest where his heart is supposed to be.

I try looking around, trying to distract myself from looking at Mihir. I can feel his eyes on me as he sips his coffee.

“I have an offer for you.”

“I’m not interested in any offer coming from you. And you don’t have to worry. I’ll ask my account manager to transfer your money to you.”

He smirks. “Are you sure? A bit of gold earrings and a diamond ring won’t do any harm.”

I can feel the weight of the diamond ring on my ring finger even if it isn’t there anymore. 

“Very sure,” I say and stand up. I’m about to leave when someone with a microphone and camera walks towards us.

“Excuse me, ma’am. How does it feel to still be under the care of Mihir Conoretti even after getting divorced?”

What is she talking about?

“No comment,” I say and start walking away.

Another one comes with her own cameraman. “How do you feel after Mihir Conoretti found out that you were having an affair?”

“No comment,” I say again, trying to push past the crowd. God, I wish I had a pair of sunshades. Why aren’t they attacking Mihir with questions?

“You have some nerve,” another one says. “Being a lying cheat and a whore.”

“Fuck off,” I say, pushing her away. It's too late when I see the speeding car approaching. I reach out to grab her hand, but it's too late. The car strikes her with a sickening thud, sending her flying to the air before she crumples to the floor in a heap.