In hall 57 that night, the SIT convenes an urgent team meeting to discuss the latest happenings. Dr Shah found no suspicious fingerprints or any notable evidence while examining the envelope. The SIT's inquiries could not determine who delivered the letter to the peon.

"Either way, I'm so glad Thiya is okay..." Mira says from her seat, looking at the others. Sitting next to her is Soham, with Seyon and Thiya seated opposite him. "The situation is bleak! The threatening letter Seyon got and the email Thiya received are not a coincidence."

"Exactly." Soham concurs with Mira as Thiya squirms in discomfort.

She refuses to owe Seyon. She doesn't want him to stare at her with his nose held high. Good thing he's left the topic there and didn't force her to give her thanks. Seyon isn't sadistic, but he can be firm and overbearing when he wants. She thinks he's abandoning it out of consideration towards her. He doesn't react to her jabs anymore, if at all. Ramya's advice was to let it slide, but Thiya's thoughts persist. This would be easier if I hadn't realized I'm still in love with him.

Seyon hangs his head in disappointment as thoughts of the slasher case weigh on his mind. And there's this back-and-forth between him and Thiya. The frustration in his chest is rising by the minute. He curbs it with a sigh, only for it to return the moment he receives the preliminary report from the inspector.

"Forensics is collecting clues at the site." He responds to the curious gazes of his colleagues with a frustrated exhale. "The cameras were too far to identify the park-goer's identity. I should've known we were throwing rocks in the dark. The website is a hoax, too."

The rest of the SIT understands what he meant. He doesn't explain, terming it a waste of time.

"I had the same hunch." Soham's words bring Thiya out of her Seyon centred thoughts. On the other side, Seyon has already renewed his focus.

"Whoever this slasher is, Sey. I know we suspect Aran, but how does he know the inner workings of the SIT?"

Again, Thiya is offended by what Soham is insinuating. The slasher thought she was important to Seyon. Sure, that's the gossip around CBCID. The rumours she didn't deny to avoid the woman on the prowl rumours. Now she and Seyon are the clandestine lovers destined to fall for each other again. The ACP's increasing hostility towards them also suggests he shares this viewpoint.

Fists curled, Thiya dismisses her thoughts. Ruminating won't get her anywhere. Besides, she should be more adamant about squashing her personal feelings. She must banish them to the underworld so they won't ever return. She can't go snapping at Seyon or anyone.

Seyon bobs his head at Soham, breaking his silence. "The slasher seems to know the inner workings of the SIT despite our security measures. Or he's just cleverly using what he knows... Or just following the office gossip. I think we should question Aran. We've gone enough round about."

Soham shakes his head with a shrill shriek. "No, no! Don't. Seyon, you can't go berserk! We ought to go by the book."

Seyon controls his frustration again and turns to Mira. "Mira, you mentioned earlier that Aran was with you and Kavya all day. How was he acting?"

Mira shrugs. "The normal. We interact little. I'm watching him but... I can't figure him out, you know. He's so mysterious, but Kavya believes in him."

"It's strange he could win Kavya's trust so quickly."

"I think she's drawn to the allure of the unknown, Seyon. Besides, Aran is sugary sweet with her. What girl wouldn't indulge?"

Thiya turns away from Seyon and Mira with a small sigh. The charm of the cheater. "Cheaters have a way with things." The words leave her mouth before she can keep it in. "He charmed her. Is that hard to believe?"

Seyon can't help but think another jab has been sent his way. He refrains from responding, but it doesn't mean he's unaffected. What's with Thiya! She calls Aran a cheater, but it feels like a subtle insult to him.

Just then, Ulla pokes her head in. "Surprise visit. Whoa! Hall 57 is much cooler now!"

She heads straight for Thiya, nodding at the other SIT officers, "Anyway, I was with Kavya Krishnan and she suddenly insisted on having a one-on-one meeting with the ACP. I accompanied her. Oh man, I'm relieved she he has successfully avoided paparazzi."

The SIT can't fathom why the actress would meet the ACP, but they let the subject slide aside. Soham and Mira are listening to Ulla's booming laughter with a smile. Only Seyon is frowning at the "chatter box" that's Thiya's dear friend. Ulla Frederics is more robustly built when seen in person. An inch shorter than Thiya, with flowy locks pinned in a side bun, the regular trousers and formal shirt tucked at her waist making her seem like a lady pahelwan.

"Now I don't need to watch her inside these walls, right?" Ulla asks Thiya and cheerfully glances around. "She will soon return to the hotel. I will follow her there."

Soham and Mira let Ulla know it is unnecessary. They will switch over and accompany Kavya Krishnan back to her hotel. Seyon disperses the meeting, although everyone has already dispersed. As he goes to the fridge to grab himself a drink, he spies Thiya and Ulla seated at the former's desk. Soham and Mira are engaged in a lively conversation next to the indoor plant stand, already sipping some water.

"How's it going watching Aran, Ulla?" Thiya initially makes small talk with Ulla. "I'm so thankful that you are doing this for us. Seyon is also thankful."

Back at his desk, Seyon is startled at the mention of his name. He rises from his chair and thanks the woman cop. Ulla waves off his thanks and looks at Thiya.

"Why thank me? I'm enjoying this. It's far better than the paperwork I do for my unit. Did I mention Sekar, by the way? He asked me out two weeks ago. I needed time to think, but he was insistent. And now he's gone silent for a week. Today I learned he's seeing someone from the despatch unit! Yes, I'm a cop. I'm loud and overweight. Does it mean I can't have a love life? Does he think I'll be alone forever?"

"Yeah." Thiya narrows her eyes in sympathy, then lets out a bitter chuckle, forgetting they are in the office. "I understand why you're frustrated, Ulla. But don't worry. Cheaters never prosper. Sekar will learn his lesson. The hard way."

"Cheaters never prosper, huh?" Ulla picks up the framed quote from Thiya's desk with a laugh. "Wow, you even have it on your desk. Of all the quotes you could keep... Oops, sorry, I didn't want to bring personal topics at work, but it just slipped."

Ulla grows conscious of her actions, mindful of the presence of others alongside her friend. Thiya ignores the gaze of the rest of the SIT. "That's okay. It's not your fault, Ulla. It's the cheater's fault."

"Enough!" In a fit of anger, Seyon slams his palms on his desk. It could be Thiya's words from before that were needling him. He can't contain his feelings anymore. He's standing before Thiya's chair before he knows.

"Enough about cheaters! I wanted to wait until we solve the case, but no. Are we really doing this now? Play the blame game who-dumped-who? After eight years, Thiya?"

His sudden mention of the topic catches Thiya off guard. Ulla distances herself from the duo. Soham and Mira watch Thiya and Seyon engage in a fierce stare-off. They then leave, granting the other two privacy.

***

AN: Short chapter, but yeah... next is some big revelation. I urge any silent readers to vote and comment. I'm certainly going through hard times and struggling to write. My efforts feel like a waste when I don't receive any appreciation in return, let alone not know if anyone's reading my story.

well life's tough, gotta carry on anyway!