Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Taj Mapel Hotel
Twenty minutes later, Alex smoothly parked the Bentley at the gates of the Taj Maple Hotel, its polished body gleaming under the streetlights.
Ananya quickly stepped out, but her nervous heart is still pounding from the ride.
As she came out of the car she spotted Aarohi waiting.
Aarohi, the ever diligent study committee member, had arrived early because she knew that Ananya’s sense of direction was hopeless.
She feared her friend would lose her way even before the party officially began in this maze like hotel.
But when she saw her, Aarohi could not help but get stunned, her mouth agape as she saw Ananya emerge out of a Bentley, a vehicle that cost more than most people’s lifetime incomes to purchase.
Her mind went blank from the shock of seeing her friend in such a high class car, overwhelming her heart so much that it might burst out.
"No way... this is a 300k Bentley W12!" Aarohi’s eyes grew like saucers even more as she recognised the model.
"Could it be that the car is of Ananya’s boyfriend?!" Before she could regain herself, the car door opened once again, and sure enough Alex emerged.
⊙∀⊙!!
Aarohi’s heart missed a beat after the man in front of her.
The man in front of her was tall, good-looking, and had that effortless aura that turned heads.
Her astonishment doubled at how and when that little clueless, sweet Ananya from college had managed someone like him?!
Ananya immediately panicked at her friend’s look feeling that she may be caught in the act, her face flushing.
Without hesitation, she clutched Alex’s arm tightly, acting as if he were her boyfriend. The action was so sudden that even Alex blinked with utter bewilderment.
Um? What’s happening?
Alex’s mind raced.
Why’s she gripping my arm like that?
And Why’s that girl gawking as if she’s seen a ghost?"
Something was certainly not right, but Ananya gripped him harder, ultimately making his face hot.
"Th-thanks for dropping me off. You can... you can leave now," Ananya babbled hastily, evading Alex’s inquiring gaze.
What! What do you treat me for? A Driver?
Seeing his questioning looks her cheeks were warm enough to fry an egg as she turned away in shame.
Alex observed her for a while as she gone up to Aarohi and then he exhaled slightly feeling not annoyed at all then he departed in his Bentley.
Meanwhile, Ananya rushed to Aarohi’s side attempting to act normal, although her nerves were apparent.
Aarohi leaned forward, eyes shining with amazement and enthusiasm. "Wow, Ananya, when did you get such a rich boyfriend?!"
"You didn’t even tell me!" exclaimed Aarohi, whose voice was full of wonder and envy.
"No, no, don’t ask just let’s go eat."
Ananya’s face was flushed red as she quickly trailed behind Aarohi at the Taj Maple Hotel, attempting to be nonchalant while her racing heart shouted at being caught out.
———
Meanwhile
On the driver’s seat Alex frowned, sensing some unease creep in.
Something’s wrong. This directionally challenged girl must be keeping a secret from me. Will she be alright?
His soft spot flared up once again which is only reserved for cute and pretty girls like Riya and Ananya that he couldn’t keep his hands off.
Not wasting a single moment, Alex reversed the Bentley, driving back towards the hotel, quietly vowing to himself he will only watch over Ananya, just to ensure nothing went amiss as she enjoyed the party on her own.
————-
Within the private dining room, As Ananya and Aarohi entered. Eight classmates were already occupying the space, all accompanied by their boyfriends, laughing and discussing.
A few curious looks fell upon Ananya, mumbling curiosity and astonishment.
One of Ananya’s classmates’ boyfriend tilted his head, looking at Ananya. "Huh? Didn’t everyone tell us they’d bring their boyfriends? Why didn’t you bring yours?"
Ananya stood still not sure how to respond, her cheeks burning red as she fumbled before whispering, "My boyfriend’s is rather busy today."
As if on cue, Meera burst in swaggering accompanied by some obnoxious-looking fellow.
She overheard Ananya’s words and smirked, eyes flashing with spite.
Memories of her embarrassment in college flooded back, and she fueled her resentfulness towards Ananya at once.
In college, Meera had confessed to a senior, only to be refused because he had a thing for Ananya.
That had hurt her, instilling a resentment that she had harbored ever since, pinning Ananya as her ultimate nemesis to defeat.
"Really that busy? Everyone’s boyfriend is here, but where’s yours?" Meera’s tone oozed sarcasm. "What does he actually do?"
"Is he really busier than the anyone present here?"
"He must be pretty rich then, Right?"
She look squarely at Ananya, determined to rattle her lie.
Aarohi intervened before Ananya could react, chin held high.
"Oh, yes her boyfriend’s fantastic. I just saw him drop her off in a Bentley—yes, a $300,000 Bentley! Not only that, he’s damn handsome , calm, and obviously very successful."
The room gasped at that revelation.
Shock ran through the classmates, excited whispers spread quickly.
"Bentley? Insane!"
"And handsome too?!?"
"Ananya’s so lucky..."
The adoration was palpable, but envy soon shrouded some faces as well. The usual reserved college girl had scored such a catch?
Meera snorted beneath her breath, eyes tightening.
No way. This bitch Ananya going out with a Bentley-driving millionaire? Not a chance.
She sat back languidly and spoke with laughter fully intent on breaking her lie, "Ananya, I’ve heard you’ve been on your own since college. How did you just happen to pick up a boyfriend?"
The blow landed with impact, and Ananya stuttered at that, words stuck in her throat.
Meera is not entirely wrong either.
Ananya had actually asked Alex to pose as her boyfriend, but they weren’t together yet.
Her silence deepened the suspicion, and Meera’s smile sharpened, pleased at her wit.
"See? No answer," Meera insisted, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I’ve read things on the internet. People rent luxury vehicles just to give the impression they have rich boyfriends. Flaunt a bit to fool their friends.
Ananya might be doing the same thing too?"
The room dropped awkwardly silent.
The classmates exchanged skeptical glances.
Aarohi’s story seemed too good to believe, perhaps too good to be true.
Handsome boyfriend, fancy car, rich?
Was it all really real?
Ananya’s silence wasn’t doing any good either, and her cheeks grew redder by the second. Her palms wriggled uncomfortably in her lap.
At last, she found courage and whispered, "I... I didn’t do anything like that."
Her voice was soft, close to being crying.
She needed to defend Alex, to make them believe he is not like that, but her tongue tripped over each word.