The Prince's Indentured Bride

life goes on

“And what deal might you be talking about?” Yash questioned, although I had this faint feeling that he knew what I was talking about.

“No. No, we are not taking TMZ’s help. Never.” He went on ranting no’s and no’s, which totally showed his hate on them, but business rivalry is something the other party have in their mind, in addition they are very old group in the industry and the icing on the cake is our roots of work lies in different domains, one for public relations and the latter in media.

“Then if the fall is loud, you are the one for Diwali bombs.” Rosa spoke, which made me shudder in a strange shock on the mention of Diwali bombs, and immediately Ganesh’s hand made its way on mine, reassuring me of something he wasn’t even aware of. But, his big brother like gesture was enough to calm me down.

I shouldn’t get triggered so easily. Nobody can harm me. The tragedy to happen has happened.

And nothing can touch me in the presence of the strong aura around me.

Despacito played and brought attention to my phone, which I have forgotten that I changed it yesterday night because Spanish looked extremely sexy, so did the views on it. I looked through the display under my black sleeves.

It was ACP Abhi.

“I am here at the hospital to take a few statements again. Do you by chance remember anything strange and . . Hey, Hi Miss Grayson.” I frowned, and my blood boiled on just hearing the name, that freaking name, and my friend taking her name with a … fondness?

There was a mumble of maybe Emmet’s voice and then, “Just don’t stress. It is not your fault. And, whenever you are ready just give me a call. I will be waiting.”

The statement was sounding extremely scandalous. What was he talking about? Is something wrong with him.

There was some more mumbling which I couldn’t figure out, nor the reason for why was I eavesdropping instead of cutting the line. Well, only because he didn’t end the call.

“You are stronger than you seem to be so don’t hesitate to do what you really want to do.”

Things in this conversation sounded to turn out more confusing than the state of my life, what the hell was going on?

“Hey Vhrea sorry about that. I didn’t realise I was on pods. And Mrs Shikta wants to have a meet soon.” My frown deepened than already, anything ever didn’t turn in the way I want to turn it into, did it ever?

“We can keep the update through mails. And I am not interested for a Halloween get up inspiration.”

It was not like the CBI was keeping everything aside to work on my Dad’s. It is just any other case for them and I learnt this fact the harder way, through useless fights and arguments.

“And Bye.” My hands were definitely not itching to ask about what was that with Emmet just now. But it’s not like I am interested in knowing about my nemesis. Then again with time my nemesis’s keep changing, and she is the longest one I had, and I wish to always have.

I didn’t wait for Abhi to even reply and ended the call, surprising Yash, and people around me with the sudden snap of my phone hitting the table. They gave me a knowing look and I didn’t know what were they expecting from me in return, to say a disastrous sorry?

“What?” My voice must’ve come out louder than I expected and it was a party to see their faces in horror.

As they continued minding their own business, which was trying to do justice to their roles in my business firm, I walked out of the cabin, deep in thoughts about everything and anything.

Opening my Hangouts, I messaged Acute, the not so cute best friend of mine, who has lost track of life in finding the thrill and life of a traveller.

Me: 1 or 2. SOS.

As I reached till the door of my cabin his reply came immediately, I know he was fast, as always, and the only thing he isn’t fast was about not visiting me even once after father’s death.

Acute: Always a party of 2! The sky looks like the ocean and sand.

He must be sightseeing somewhere in the middle of the Sahara desert, and that is definitely not the case because he wouldn’t actually have a phone signal there.

1 – Visit Grams and Gramps at the studio.

2 – Have an appointment with Kongee Sir.

And Acute choose something I didn’t want to do, because Sir Kongee will definitely ask about the progress on the forgiveness book he had gifted me.

Stepping inside the room haunted every cell of my body, just the breeze inside the room washed embarrassment on my face. Please don’t leave me.

Please don’t leave me.

I should just bury my head inside the water again. Although any amount of water, lily body wash, Vitamin C and E serums, or the depth of my bathtub will not subside the embarrassment, and humiliation of self-esteem I was feeling after my uneventful confession to Rashmi.

Even lovers don’t say that these days. Help me to fight and find my father’s murderer. I could’ve said this instead of being unintendingly cringe.

“Arghhh!” I exclaimed and closed the door behind me, well, technically I didn’t close it. It was an automatic door.

K: Let’s do that. Would you like some continental then?

All of sudden my nerves skyrocketed with an unknown flow of blood as I felt the joy running through my blood about the meeting with Kriag. Is this going to be a date?

OMG! I am not well dressed today; I should’ve put on that pink frock with semi sleeves and a tight waist. Lesser clothing does a good hinting work on a date where kissing is on the menu.

Speed dialling Sir Kongee’s number I wondered why did I put his number on speed dial. It’s not as if he can leave everything and come for me when I am in desperate need to be saved from a drowning car flied from a bridge.

“Yes Miss Ashtrick.” His old and hoarse voice came through the call, making me slightly regret the decision to call him on his off day. But that realisation came too late for me to act on it.

“I need an hour.” I paused, “Cut that to a half. Today?”

“My schedule is full. Contact my assistant.”

“I pay you and I do not need an appointment to meet you. If I want, I can bring you over to my place just because you are pushing off my appointment. Do you understand?” I didn’t want to show off my farfetched authority, but I was in urgent need to attend date.

“I think you are living in the spell of hyperrealism of the food chain. Come out of it, book an appointment and let me sleep now. Good bye!”

This man! Oldie foldie! He was just a floor down and he didn’t want to see me. When I am the one allowing him to continue his practise here!

The audacity of this old man to talk back to me when I was ever sweetly asking just for a paid hourly visit. Maybe I should’ve offered some more money. Triple?

That is why I only like Gramps in the list of all the old fellas I ever know on earth to be existing.

My hyper realism of life is much better than the fire on the top of a mountain.

I should calm down and see that no wrinkles destroy my time today. I have a date to go to!