"Now that you've made a scene, you are mollified. But aren't you afraid that your brother will find trouble with you?" At Ananya's words, Cherry immediately fell silent, and her face turned red.
It was very crowded on the dance floor of the bar. Coupled with the change to heavy drumbeat music, the whole place was all astir. Ananya and Cherry got separated in the wild and swarming crowd.
Ananya had no choice but to find a quiet corridor and call Cherry who was jostled around. When Cherry looked up and saw the tall and familiar man at the door, her heart skipped a beat.
"Ananya, where are you? I'm fine over here. Just my luck—I saw my brother. It's all that b*tch, Meera's fault!" Cherry was really irate to encounter this right upon her return. Ananya was about to persuade Cherry from fighting with Meera when an ominous, deep male voice emanated from the phone. "Cherry, so you've become more capable after coming back from overseas—scolding people?"
A chaotic commotion ensued immediately. Cherry went abroad a while back but in reality, she had run away from home. Her brother's name was Ruth—a ruthless man. Among the most prominent families in Mumbai—the Kapoor family, the Arya family, and the Jones family—the Smith family was ranked second. Ruth was the successor of the Smith family.
After the call was hung up, Ananya was about to call her back when she suddenly felt a warm sensation on her back. A large hand adorned with a Buddhist bracelet wrapped around her waist. Ananya looked up and saw a familiar face. "Arjun?"
Why was Arjun here?
Arjun had an air of aloofness. He had already changed out of his black and white suit and was wearing a white shirt. He looked languid and casual. Under the dim light, he looked noble and elegant as usual, but his actions were not so elegant.
Arjun's fingers rubbed the hickeys on Ananya's neck suggestively. His fingertips were covered in thin calluses, and she trembled wherever he touched.
Ananya narrowed her eyes and noticed there was a man behind Arjun.
Ruth was still in shock at Arjun's actions. But after seeing Ananya's face clearly, his eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, it's you, Little Canary."
Ananya did not know that he was Ruth. Although she was close with Cherry, she had never been to the Smith family. However, she was familiar with Ruth's face. This was because two days ago, she had boldly slipped Arjun a drink of very high-proof alcohol—one that would render anyone hammered regardless of their alcohol tolerance level—right in this bar. She then took the opportunity to leave with Arjun. However, Ruth bumped into them just as they were leaving.
Ruth had an imposing aura. He had the appearance of a Caucasian, with his deep eye sockets. When he looked at people—with drooping eyelids—he was like a vampire in the night. "If you don't let go of him, I promise you that your hands will disappear." Those were the first words Ruth said to her.
Not to be intimidated, Ananya forced herself to look into Ruth's eyes. "I'm the little canary he keeps as a mistress."
Ruth was astonished by her words, then the corners of his lips curled up sardonically. He did not stop her thereafter and Ananya successfully brought Arjun to her apartment.
Ananya did not expect to meet Ruth so soon again. When she heard him call her 'Little Canary', her face heated up inexplicably. She gave Arjun—who was still staring fixedly at the hickeys on her neck—a cautious glance. A moment later, he asked the bar waiter for a shawl and draped it over Ananya's body, barely covering the mottled marks.
Ananya was taken aback by Arjun's caring actions and quickly tried to change the subject. "Arjun , is this your friend?"
When Ruth heard this, he was immediately amused. "So, it's someone else's canary." The word "canary" was laced with mockery.
Arjun's hand on Ananya's waist gently rubbed twice before letting go, as if the tenderness earlier was all an illusion.
The manager of Sunset walked over respectfully. "Mr. Kapoor, Mr. Smith. The drinks have been sent to the private room. This way, please."
The corners of Ruth's lips curled up. "Arjun, aren't you bringing your Little Canary along?" They were standing very close to the main entrance; the private room they were going to was quite a distance away in comparison. Sunset was a premium hotspot of extravagance where the clientèle was divided into different classes. Patrons like Arjun and Ruth were more suited for the quarters at the back. Unlike the wild dance floor in the front, the quarters at the back had an elegant environment—more desirable for romantic interludes.