I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, my eyes wide with panic as I examined the fresh hickey on my neck. The purplish mark stood out starkly against my skin, a blatant reminder of this morning's passionate encounter with Advik. I groaned, rummaging through my makeup bag for something to cover it up.
"Concealer, where are you?" I muttered, finally finding the small tube. I dabbed a generous amount on it, blending it carefully with my fingers. It helped, but the mark was still faintly visible. I sighed, pulling my hair over my shoulder to cover it as best as I could. And it worked. That thing was fully covered.
"That'll have to do," I murmured, giving my reflection one last scrutinizing look before exiting the washroom.
Time passed and it was 3 p.m. I exited my cabin and made my way towards the cafeteria. My eyes landed on Kevin who was sitting alone, and I went towards him.
I think Kevin is the only one who can actually help me with this. But one thing that was bugging me was why Advik wasn't letting me come with him. I asked him this question and he replied that I wouldn't be able to handle the hectic work there. I wasn't convinced but before I could ask more, he dodged off the topic and went to attend the meeting.
Sitting in the office cafeteria, I stared at Kevin, who was about to put a fry in his mouth. The aroma of freshly fried potatoes mingled with the scent of coffee and the hum of conversations around us. The cafeteria was a lively place, filled with colleagues taking a break from their hectic schedules.
Kevin's hand paused midway, his eyes narrowing as he caught my gaze. He raised the fry, eyebrows arched in silent question, offering it to me.
I shook my head, trying to suppress a sigh.
Stop giving him the look of Wednesday Addams and just ask him, my brain chided. I realized I had been staring at Kevin with an intense, almost creepy look. My eyes were fixed on him, unblinking as if I could make him understand my silent plea. The cafeteria's bright lights made his confusion even more obvious as he met my gaze. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly unsettled by my stare. It was as if all my frustration and desperation were in that one look, hoping he'd get how urgent this was for me.
Would he even help me?
Kevin was still hurt and disappointed that I had kept my relationship with Advik a secret from him. To him, it was a betrayal of trust, something so significant that it stung deeply. I rolled my eyes at that.
Kevin was the only person who could help me in this matter. I just had to convince him not to accompany Advik, so I could take his place. You know, as a replacement.
It's so simple.
But I still doubt he would take me as a replacement.
"Kevin?" I ventured, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes?" he replied, his tone cautious.
"Why don't you take a leave and go on a vacation with your family?" I suggested, trying to sound casual.
"I already did that four months ago," he said, popping the fry into his mouth.
"Well, do it again," I urged, my desperation seeping through.
"Nope, it's not allowed as per the rules. You can only take vacation leave once a year. Otherwise, your pay gets cut."
What a stupid rule!
"But you look like you need rest. Why don't you take ten days off starting tomorrow?" I asked, feigning innocence.
He frowned, his eyes scrutinizing me. "I think it's you who needs rest. You're behaving oddly."
I clamped my mouth shut, realizing he wasn't going to agree with me. I glanced at Kevin again, who was now taking a bite from his burger, the juices dripping onto his plate.
Should I kidnap him?
But who would help me with that?
I was all alone in this plan.
"If you're hungry, go grab a burger for yourself. Stop staring at mine like that; it's making my stomach hurt," Kevin's voice snapped me out of my daze. I realized I had been staring at his burger for far too long.
With a sigh, I headed back to my cabin, my mind racing with thoughts of how to make Kevin disappear from the equation. The trip to India was so close, yet it felt like it was slipping through my fingers. I needed a new plan, and fast.
======================
I was restless.
The office was buzzing with activity as I made my way to the break room, hoping to grab a quick coffee again.
"Hi, Uncle, how are you?" I greeted with a smile as soon as I saw Dhruv Uncle. He smiled warmly at me and made his way towards me.
"Hello Ria," he greeted. "Taking a break?"
I smiled, "Yes, just needed a little caffeine boost."
He nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "I hear you and Advik have been quite busy lately."
I sighed, feeling the weight of my frustration. "Yes, very busy. Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."
Dhruv Uncle raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "Oh? What is it?"
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to just come out with it. "Advik is going to India soon, and I really wanted to go with him. But... he's not letting me."
He looked surprised. "Not letting you? Why not?"
I shrugged, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness. "He thinks it's not a good idea for me to come along. He says it's too hectic and that I'll be more comfortable here."
He shook his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That boy can be so stubborn sometimes. But I know how much this trip means to you."
"It does," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I really want to go."
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, my dear. You will definitely go. I'll talk to Advik and make him understand. Sometimes, he just needs a little push in the right direction."
I looked at him, hope flickering in my heart. "You really think so?"
He smiled warmly. "Absolutely. Trust me, by the time I'm done talking to him, he'll be begging you to come along."
A laugh escaped my lips, the tension easing slightly. "Thank you, Uncle. That means a lot."
"Anytime, dear," He said, "And I was thinking you two take a few days' leave and stay there a little longer." Then his phone rang, and he excused himself.
As I returned to my desk, I felt a renewed sense of hope. With Uncle on my side, maybe, just maybe, things would work out after all.
==============
It was evening, and it turned out Uncle couldn't convince him. Advik was just too stubborn.
I opened the door of Advik's cabin without knocking, entering with a stern expression on my face, holding a coffee cup. The office was quiet at this hour, the hum of the air conditioner the only sound breaking the silence. It was 7:54 PM, and he had called me to make coffee for him at this hour. I thought about adding no sugar to his coffee but then realized he could drink it without sugar anyway. But I did it anyway, out of spite.
I rolled my eyes as he glanced at me from his desk, his eyes briefly meeting mine before returning to his laptop screen.
I had to show him that I was angry. I did everything I could and yet he wasn't convinced. My hard work didn't pay off.
I marched towards him and putâalmost slammedâthe cup of coffee on his desk. The coffee inside flew upward and, luckily, fell back into the cup. I silently thanked the coffee for not landing on his laptop like it had the very first time we met.
He raised his eyebrows at my behavior, and I just stood there, folding my arms with a stoic expression.
He sighed and closed the laptop, pausing his work and giving me his full attention. Resting his elbow on the desk, he put his face in his hand, gazing at me with a calm expression.
"You want to say something?" he asked, his eyes flicking to my lips for a second before returning to my gaze. I cleared my throat, feeling a bit nervous under his intense scrutiny.
No. Don't forget what you are here for.
"I want ten days leave."
"For what?"
"That's my personal reason."
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He stood up from his chair and slowly walked towards me, his hands casually slipping into his trouser pockets.
"I think I'm part of your personal life too," he said, picking up the cup from the desk and taking a sip of the coffee.
I glared at him.
"Okay, okay, calm down," he said, putting the cup back on the table and looking into my eyes.
Holding my arms gently, he spoke, "Ria, try to understand. If I'm not taking you, there's a reason behind it. It's for your own good."
"If you won't take me, then I will go by myself," I replied, removing his hands from my arms. My mind was telling me not to back down. If I don't go now, I won't be able to go later. Either it's now or never. Plus, he can't control my life, I don't have to do this much just for a few days' leave. I had gone on my own but still, for that, I had to take leave from him.
I wish I could tell him what's going on in my life. He would have known why I was so desperate to go. But I have to keep it a secret till things end. No one knows about this investigation, not even my grandma and Aaron. I have a friend who runs a security agency. Concerned for their safety, I asked him to protect them, and he agreed without any hesitation. I know sooner or later they will get to know about this. But I think by the time they will get to know; I might find out the culprit.
Yeah, that's what I'm believing for now.
"And you complained to my dad?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
I shrugged nonchalantly. "I had to."
"What are we? Kids?" he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. I didn't reply, and he continued, "He scolded me,"
I tried hard to suppress my grin. "Really?" A chuckle escaped my lips despite my best efforts.
He nodded, his expression serious but his eyes twinkling. "But I haven't changed my decision."
The smile faded from my face, and I scoffed crossing my arms. "Neither have I."
His ocean-blue eyes locked onto mine, a silent battle of wills. After a moment, he muttered, "You are not going to change your mind, are you?"
I smiled confidently. "No."
He closed his eyes in irritation and looked away, biting his lip as if trying to think of something. Then, opening his eyes, he spoke, "Fine. But know one thing: we are not going there for a vacation. Don't complain when you are surrounded by work all day. It will be a totally business trip."
A huge grin broke on my lips. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him, squealing and probably making his ears deaf. "Thank you!"
I felt the vibration as he chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Yeah, it will be totally a business trip," I said, breaking the hug and giving him a peck on his left cheek.
He froze and I felt him stiffen. His arms around me tightened, as he stared into my eyes. His dark eyes were making me feel something within.
Just then, my phone rang, the familiar ringtone cutting through the tension. Creating a distance from him, I pulled out my phone, glanced at the screen, and my heart skipped a beat. It was the same unknown number that messaged. The color drained from my face as I stared at the screen, my hand trembling slightly.
"Who is it?" Advik asked, noticing my sudden change in demeanor.