Hacking the Heart

Chapter 6

It was getting gloomy when I arrived at our house one evening to discover that Asami was sitting at the kitchen table. She was drumming her fingers on the table and there was a bulge of a vein on her sanctuary. My tablet lay closed sometime recently here. Has she found out what I've been up to?

"Hi, Asami. Are you doing, okay? You don't seem great. Is everything certified?" I asked tenderly, beat enlivening.

Asami’s eyes remained settled reliably on me. "I was required to utilize the internet and your computer was open when I borrowed it prior. I wasn't trying to snoop around or anything but many odd messages kept popping up. Something about financial records and offshore accounts. When I opened the notification, I was just.... lost. How could you do this, Kai?"

My stomach squeezed, realising that she must have seen my hacking setup. I sank continuously into the chair in front of her.

“Asami, I can explain.” I began weakly.

“Explain what?” Asami said emphatically. “That you're a cybercriminal engineer who stole cash to pay my bills?”

“I didn't have any other choice!”

Asami hopped up angrily. “What you did was wrong! We could have figured out another way to handle my treatment.”

I ran an aggravated hand through my hair. “You think I didn't try everything? I had no choice. I did it because if I hadn’t, I’d lose you!” My voice cracked. Asami began pacing, shaking her head.

“It’s certainly not an excuse. It doesn't mean that it wasn't wrong.”

My chest contracted. “You do not get it Asami.”

Asami wheeled, pointing a finger at me. “And what about Indira, huh? Does she know you stole that entirety of cash from her to keep me alive?”

I dropped my head, a searing thought burning through my head. “It's not that easy with Indira,” I murmured.

“Oh, I think it's pretty clear!” Asami replied. “I want you to tell her the truth, or I'll tell her myself!”

Fretfully, I stood up. “You can't! This is something complex, so you have to let me handle this. You have to trust me.” I got a handle on her shoulders.

Asami yanked my hand, her eyes hot. “Trust you? I don’t even know who you are anymore!”

I stood there, stunned and bewildered, and she turned her back on me. Asami's weary cries echoed down the hallway as I walked out the door. Inform Indira and grind everything up. All of a sudden, the weight of that decision buried me completely.

I remained motionless in the stationary vehicle outside of Indira's lavish penthouse, with Asami's cutting accusations persistently echoing in my mind.

Tell Indira the truth that made her tune in: that to pay for my sister's life-saving treatments, I, Kai, had ruthlessly stolen millions from her accounts through illegal hacking. Whatever happened, it was right that I went upstairs right now and confessed my sins.

However, nausea violently swirled inside me as I imagined the hurt and betrayal that would inevitably twist Indira's delicate highlights when she found out how much I had lied. She had finally broken through my tough exterior, leaving my pain behind for Asami's benefit. A few times recently, no one had seen me the way Indira saw me. Her confidence in our strange eternal bond gave me hope for a future free from the heavy hand of death. A future in which I might give up hope and become Kai, freed from the brutality of illness.

Asami was correct, though. I didn't deserve Indira's kindness or her support until I cleared these confusion-causing shadows from my life. I pleaded desperately that maybe one day she would feel moved to push for it, certainly absolving me of the guilt for so greatly selling out her belief. However, as I have recovered from losing the woman whose predetermination was unjustly brought about by my catastrophe, that recovery has gradually become inexplicable.

The vibration of Indira’s customary tone stunned me from the agony churning inside me. “Still on for dinner this evening? I'm excited” the message glimmered up at me.

I felt ecstatic about our dinner together, but I was sad about revealing everything to Indira. It wasn't fair and she had to know. So, I made up my mind that I would tell her nothing but the entire truth.

Eventually, I wrote an answer with shaking fingers: “On my way up.”

If anything happened, I’d have done justice between Asami and Indira. Indeed, on the off chance that the cost was losing the lady I'd come to revere and the ordinary life I pined for. It was time to halt covering up from hard choices - and finally, stand up to the music.

I inserted my phone with sweat-soaked palms and obliged my legs to carry me inside. My heart thundered louder than shouts of soul empowering me to turn back as I drew closer to Indira's entryway. No more running from what I've done. My knuckles scratched against the wood.

The door swung open, and I stepped tentatively into the foyer of Indira's lavish penthouse. My footsteps echoed on the polished marble floors, emphasising the opulent wealth surrounding me that I had so brazenly stolen from. Each click of my heel sounded like an accusatory hammer strike, reminding me of the confession weighing heavy in my gut.

I paused outside the living room entrance, steadying my fraying nerves before facing Indira. But raised voices beyond the doorway startled me.

A rich melodic laugh that did not belong to Indira drifted out. I froze, straining to identify the unexpected male baritone mingling with Indira's softer tones. Had I interrupted some business meeting? But no, this murmuring sounded far too intimate for professional exchange.

I edged nearer, curiosity overpowering nervousness. Indira came into view draped casually across the velvet sofa. My pulse kicked as I took in the man relaxed comfortably next to her, his hand resting on her knee. Adonis-like features with a sharp jawline and raven hair flowing to his shoulders. Designer casual clothing draped his athletic frame, paired with a glittering watch that likely cost more than my entire wardrobe. He leaned in close, murmuring something that made Indira tip her head back in delight, resting her hand on his chest.

Red-hot jealousy crashed through me at this intimate scene. I must have made some small sound because Indira's gaze suddenly met mine. "Kai!" She leapt up, surprise flashing across her features. The Adonis turned casually, eyeing me with irritating confidence.

"You're early, I wasn't expecting you just yet." Indira stepped forward awkwardly, extending her hand to lightly graze my arm. Her touch scorched my already simmering nerves. She glanced uncertainly between me and the interloper.

"Kai, meet an old friend, Suraj. We were just catching up over drinks."

Suraj rose slowly, moving to stand uncomfortably close as he extended a hand. I shook it briefly, grip firmer than necessary. His amused smile conveyed he read my transparent envy.

"It’s my pleasure. Any friend of Indira's is an acquaintance," he offered politely. But a subtle smug gleam in his eye betrayed his satisfaction at getting under my skin so easily.

Indira shifted awkwardly as tangible tension crackled between us.

"Suraj was just leaving actually..." she hinted gently.

Suraj maintained unflappable eye contact, ignoring Indira's request.

“Don’t rush off on my account,” I bit out tersely. “I’m sure you two have so very much more to...catch up on.”

His lips twitched, enjoying needling me. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of overstaying when Indira has made other plans with a different friend.” He lifted her hand, brushing her lips lightly over her fingers. "Until next time, my dear."

Indira flushed, avoiding my searing gaze. After Suraj made his grand exit, she turned hesitantly back to me. My fists remained clenched, shuddering with the effort to rein in jealousy's green inferno raging inside.

But I could not meet her pleading eyes, now overflowing with so many unspoken words. The confession lodged in my throat would not come - refused release after witnessing her world expanding beyond me to this man from her past. So, I simply nodded once and saw myself quickly out, cowardly avoiding detonating this ticking timebomb. The truth could wait until I wrestled the demons newly unleashed. Right now, they threaten to consume everything if set free.