Neev.

I slowly opened my eyes, I saw movements and I tried to focus.

My eyes became adjusted to the dim light and I saw her.

"Riya?" I pressed the button in the remote and light flooded the room.

Riya squealed in surprise, looking shocked. I was frozen too.

She was wrapped in a towel, her hair was wet and her body still has water droplets. she really pulled off that out of the shower look in a tempting way.

I groaned.

What's wrong with this girl! why is she testing my patience!

She was in the middle of pulling out her dress from the trolly.

"I...um... couldn't find my top in the other bag," she said.

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I am sorry, just go back to sleep, I will go out now." she said.

Sleep, yea, sure!

My eyes started to take in every detail and she suddenly looked uncomfortable. she must have felt the sudden change in my mood.

"Uh... I got it," she pulled it out and ran out of the room.

I had a hard time sleeping yesterday, I was tossing and turning the whole night and she has to do this early in the morning!

One way or another she would find ways to torture me.

I got up.

By the time I freshened up and came, a delicious smell was coming through the open door.

I corrected the tie and was satisfied at last.

I walked out of the room.

"Wait," Riya came running to me. "have breakfast before you go." she said and I turned around.

"You made breakfast!?" I asked her, surprised.

"Of course, I know it's an important day, you are going to hand over your project," she said while arranging the table.

She remembered it!?

I was still looking at her as she looked at me and smiled, making my mood lighter.

"Come on, you will need your energy," she said. I moved to the table and take the seat opposite to her.

She looked carefree and happy, unlike yesterday.

It would be really nice to do this every day with her, Even though she often makes me angry, She has the ability to brighten my mood and calm me down too.

"It's good," I commented as I tasted it and she beamed, looking happy, she poured me the orange juice and took the fruits bowl.

"Ah..." Riya said slowly as the fruits knife slipped.

"Riya!" I snatched her hand that's now started to bleed. "Where the hell were you looking? Come with me," I dragged her to the kitchen sink and washed the cut in running water.

"It... It's okay, it just...slipped, I-"

"Just slipped? That is it!? You are very careless and clumsy Riya!" I said angrily as I took out the first aid kit.

"It's a small cut," she said slowly, slipping out of my hands, "I will take care of-Neev!"

I have picked her up and sat her on the kitchen counter, I moved closer so that she can't escape and took hold of her hand again, inspecting it, the bleeding is stopped now.

I cleaned it and bandaged it carefully; I looked at her, "Don't touch that thing again! I am going to call Shanthi, don't ever come to the kitchen side," I ordered.

She was gaping at me now.

"It's alright, Neev, it's a small cut!"

Riya was still looking in between my eyes and I couldn't tear away mine.

God! I am overreacting!

"Don't come to kitchen alone," I said more calmly now, withdrawing my eyes back.

"I can manage a kitchen well, Neev," she rolled her eyes.

"But I don't want you to," I said firmly.

I know she's accident prone and I don't want to risk anything.

"But-"

"If you really feel like cooking, call Shanthi too," I said and her excitement diminished, she was clearly unhappy with the arrangement.

"I don't want to burn my apartment, do you understand?" I asked slowly.

She nodded slowly.

"Good," I said, then picked her up by the waist and placed her down. she was a bit surprised again.

"I think you will be late today, Neev." she said and both of us took a step back.

"I will get going then," I said. Riya nodded, she stretched out her hand and corrected my blazer.

"Okay, All the best." she smiled beautifully and my eyes stopped on her lips, she was standing close to me.

Not now Neev! You can't get distracted!

"I will see you," I said quickly, bringing my eyes back to her eyes, she nodded, her face was flushed, I think she's aware of what I have been thinking.

I took a step back, "bye..." I said and started to walk out.

Oh God! I think I have lost it! I almost kissed her! I mean... I was not planning to! It just came... I just responded to her naturally...

It's getting worse, the attraction and the frustrations! It's getting out of control now! I have to do something!

I entered the elevator.

What am I going to do when it's time for her to leave?

I touched my heart that was going overdrive.

I am scared even to think of that...

I am stuck now, I don't want her to leave, but I can't ask her to stay too.

It's time; I need to come to my senses! We need to discuss it soon, there's no point in postponing it.

Both of us are only going to suffer if I keep postponing it.

Riya.

Nivin is not in his right mind! He's strange these past days.

He wanted me to share the room with him, but it was me who took the spare room!

He doesn't want me to go out alone because according to him it's too dangerous for me!

And I shouldn't trust people easily too, because apparently, according to him, I am too blind to differentiate the bad people!

And today, the cooking too!

Getting small cuts from the kitchen is a common thing!

I looked at the bandaged finger.

He nearly gave me a heart attack when he leaned to me slightly! I thought he was going to kiss me!

Does he still have feelings for me?

Neev.

I signed the papers. My team was still around me, all of them looking concerned.

I am handing over my project to the company.

"I hope they will be fair," Cijoy said.

"Let's just hope for the best," Sachin nodded.

"We can just wait and see now," I said.

"So our first project is finally over!" Sushand said happily.

I looked around at the tired, but happy faces.

"Good work everyone," I said, "you can take a couple of days off now," I said.

And they applauded, cheering at my announcement.

"Nivin Rosh Aldrick, A compliment from you? You know, you are changing," Sachin exclaimed as soon as they were out. "credits go to Riya, of course!" he exclaimed.

Now that I think about it, it's my first time appreciating someone.

I looked up at him.

"You can take some time off too," I said. "you have to take care of your hotel groups too,"

"I am already using my vacation from Hi-Life, What about you? What are you planning to do, now that our project is handed over,"

"I need to watch Sebastian and Grandpa closely; they could try to double cross anytime if we are not on our guard."

Sachin nodded, "you are right, we will do that." he said.

I nodded and my eyes reached Rohan's empty seat.

I sighed.

He's missing again!

Rohan.

I opened the door with trembling hands and walked inside.

Our little home was still the same, I arranged and maintained everything to be exactly the same, but it doesn't feel like our cosy little love home anymore, it was just a house, a house without its owner.

I am starting to get worried now, I am worried if I will forget her face, All of it seems like a dream to me now, too good to be true.

I slumped to the bed in our little room and watched the framed photo of us on the cabinet.

It was not a dream...Naina existed, the proof is still here...

I looked at the picture that showed both of us grinning at the camera. The picture was my first gift to her, she had treasured it preciously.

Yes, Rohan, she was real... you promised to love her forever, don't give up...

I opened her favourite room; it was her studio where she spent most of her time.

I walked around her paintings, it was still there, waiting painfully, we were planning an exhibition before all of that problems started when Grandpa knew about us.

I stopped in front of a particular one automatically, there was no mistaking it, the happy couples in it were looking back at me, the love and happiness still dancing merrily in their eyes.

I still remember it vividly, the time she was painting it.

She had been working on it for two days straight; she was in this studio for day and night.

.........

I opened the door and sighed. she was still working on it, it's been nearly two days now!

"Naina, I told you to eat properly," I said as I noticed the cup noodles, I walked in and she didn't seem to notice me.

"Too engrossed to even notice me, I am hurt, Nain..." I said, now reaching in front of her.

"Rohan!" her eyes lit up, "just in time..." she got up and dragged me to the painting, "what do you think?" she looked at me proudly.

I watched the painting and there was no need for anyone to tell me who it was.

"I think I am more handsome in person," I stated and she smiled.

"This is my favourite piece..." she told me.

I looked at her admiringly. she was still wearing her apron that had drops of different colours scattered on it, her hair was put up, but some of it was falling down to frame her face, Bright yellow colour was staining her face and the tendrils of her hair.

I smiled, she looked so beautiful to me, I am glad I met her, I am glad I could see this side of her.

I don't want to wait for the dinner tonight, this is Naina and the time is now.

I take hold of both of her shoulder and guided her to sit and I knelt down in front of her.

"Rohan-" she stopped as I slipped the ring on her finger slowly. I felt it as she froze.

"Do you like it?" I looked up into her eyes.

"Wha..what's this?" her voice trembled.

"I wanted to get you a diamond ring first, but see this stone, the green fire in the depth of it reminded me of you," I said.

"Emerald? Is it a real stone!? God! Are you crazy? how much did you spend?" She exclaimed and I chuckled.

"It's not just emerald, it's the best one from the city of emeralds," I said proudly.

I hand picked it myself when I was on a business trip, it's not fragile and it's made by the best cutting in a perfect setting, and as hard as diamond.

"There was no need for you to spend all of your money on this! why would you waste so much money on something like this!?" she exclaimed.

I felt a pang of guilt, she still doesn't know I am an Aldrick.

It's not like you are cheating her, Rohan, you want to protect her, so don't feel guilty...

I tried to reason with myself.

Yea, that's right; I will tell her as soon as we are out of here, out of Grandpa's sight.

I get up and dragged her to me.

"For a girl, you sure are clueless, Nain! I am trying to propose right now," I chuckled at her startled expression.

"Let's get married, Naina..." I said "Run away with me, I promise, I will love you forever,"

I looked into her eyes and my face turned serious.

I am asking her to run away from her Uncle and Auntie and my family, I don't want anything to burden us if we have each other, that's enough for us.

Naina was still looking shocked, her eyes wide.

"Did I scare you?" I asked her. "I know it's so sudden but-" I stopped as I felt her wrapping her hands around me.

"I love you..." she trembled and I felt the wetness on my shirt.

She's crying?

"Nain-"

"You are the best thing that's happened to me, Rohan, let's...let's get married," she looked up, smiling through her tears, "and I love the ring, it's so beautiful." she said.

I hugged her back to me tightly and kissed the top of her head.

...........

I was pulled back to my senses when I heard my phone ringing.

"Harry?" I attended the call.

"I think we got them," he said. "Those missing security officers, they are out of state now," he said.

I gripped the phone tightly.

"Where exactly are they?" I asked.

"They are changing location but I got a tip, they might come back here soon," he said.

"Keep watching them," I said darkly. "If you get your sight of them, let me know immediately, I need to get hold of them as soon as possible," I said and disconnected the call.

Finally...Something related to two years back appeared!

I really need to know if Naina had tried to visit me. I want to know why Grandpa and Sebastian would change the security officers all of a sudden, around the time of Naina's disappearance.

And I hope, it has nothing to do with Naina, I really don't know what I will do if something really happened to her.

Sebastian.

"Did she suspect anything?" I asked Naina's Uncle.

"No, she still thinks we are taking her to another doctor," he said.

"Good, I arranged everything there, it's only a matter of days now," I said.

I am planning to place Naina in an asylum, just like how I did it to Julia in the earlier years.

Even though Naina claims to have lost her memories, I can't risk anything anymore; she saw my face that day when she "fell" down the stairs.

"I am concerned about the other girl," her Uncle said. "she still keeps in contact with Naina,"

My mood darkened as I think about Riya. Ever since she appeared, things have been getting difficult for me.

I was handling everything smoothly all these years, but Dev has turned against me now, Joseph Aldrick has warned me, and the girl even knows the truth, she knows it was not her father who had betrayed James that day.

"Nobody will suspect anything for a few days, by the time they start suspecting, I will take care of it," I said.

I will keep Naina in the mental asylum for now and decide what to do with her after the board meeting.

After the board meeting, I don't care whatever happens to Riya, Naina or the Aldricks, when I get the power, I am going to take control of the company, I am already planning to crush Joseph Aldrick when I become the CEO.

"Okay," he nodded. "What about the money? I am in need of it now, things have been difficult for me these days, and that Aldrick guy has been visiting my old place regularly too, he is still trying to track me down,"

Rohan!

I closed my eyes for a moment.

It's only a few days more for the board meeting, I need to be patient.

"Don't worry about money, you will get enough," I replied. "Just be ready to move her when I tell you," I said.

"And keep out of Rohan Aldrick's eyes, if you get caught, I can't help you, that's our deal, don't forget that," I warned him one last time before I dismissed him.

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