"Sonakshi...you can't do this to me...you know I can't live without you!" Dev's voice sounded like he wanted to breakdown any moment.

"I am sorry Dev.... I can't live with a person who I am not sure how my life is going to shape up. I want to live with someone who has a status and someone who can support me financially. I am not sure if you can do that now." she replied. Her voice was stern and strong.

"Does money and status mean everything to you?" his eyes were reflecting anger and agony.

"....YES"

*End of flashback*

Dev opened his eyes with a jerk. His entire body was sweating and shivering, recalling the horrific memory. It has been a few days after his encounter with Sonakshi. Every time he saw Sonakshi in a positive way, his past would flash through his mind and prove him wrong. Her words still pierced through his heart.

After a long sleepless night, he walked to the toilet. Washing his face for the hundredth time, he made sure he washed away all the evidence of his tears which he had been shedding for years. He was frustrated over his own self that he was unable to forget the past and move on. His heart was such a stubborn organ, just like him.

Standing on the balcony, he recalled his meeting with Pooja earlier that day.

DEV'S POV

"Sorryyyyyyyy...." I pouted at her. I knew she was angry and she had all rights to be. I tried my best to pacify her.

"Go to hell with your sorry Dev. I know Jatin might have forgiven you easily, but I am not going to leave you. You didn't even think about informing us about where or which country you were going, huh? I know that you hate Sona so much. But what about me and all your other friends? Have you started hating them all too?" she asked with anger and pain in her eyes.

I could see genuine worry and concern in her eyes. I missed her annoying jokes, scolding and taunts. Her rants put a smile on my face. She cared a lot for me.

"I am sorry Pooja...I know I have been selfish and useless. I missed you guys a lot when I was in Australia. I missed not being there beside the both of you on your wedding day. You know how surprised I was when Jatin told me about your child. I couldn't even believe that my Poo bear became a mother. Do you know how hectic my work was those days...You can't even imagine those painful days when I always had dreamt about meeting you guys back at home, but I just couldn't...." I paused.

This was difficult. I had to hold back my emotions strong. I didn't want anyone to find out about those sleepless nights I spent in Australia.

Pooja's face softened as she came and sat beside me.

"Is that the true reason, why you didn't visit us?" she asked softly. I knew I couldn't lie to her because Pooja would find out all the lies. She was a freaking lie detecting machine. I always wondered how Jatin survived through his lies sometimes. I was quickly interrupted from my thoughts with her next question.

"Tell me Dev. Is it just work or Ms Sonakshi Bose?" she asked and something inside me snapped.

"You can take it however you want Pooja, but you know talking about this matter won't make any difference to what she had done or what can be done in future. She is my past and now that I am in a good position. I don't want her to be a distraction in my life anymore." I blabbered almost immediately.

"Then why are you still torturing her Dev?? You are the one telling me that you don't want her to be a distraction but it looks like the distracted person is you. She is doing her job. Has she ever bothered you? No na? Then you should leave her as well... You see, I don't want to support any one of you.. but since you are already here, I want no problems between you two. Torturing her isn't going to make you feel any better, Dev." she stated.

This made me extremely angry.

"Are you trying to tell me that I am the one trying to create problems here? Are you trying to say that I don't have the rights to be angry? I know you are her damn friend Pooja but even you have a heart right? Do you really think I really deserve this? I have been suffering for damn 3 years trying to isolate myself from everyone and yet I couldn't find my damn happiness. I am so broken that I don't think I can be back to my normal self ever again. I couldn't even move on...I am so damn pathetic, Pooja... Very pathetic." I said as my voice came out choked. I held my breath, holding my head with my palms and sat there looking at my lap.

I didn't have any more energy to fight with anyone. I just needed someone who could give me some moral support or encouragement. However, everyone were upset that I was treating Sonakshi unfairly. What about me. Wasn't she unfair to me?

"I am sorry Dev. I didn't mean to say you were wrong. I never thought you were wrong in any way. I know whatever happened was unfair for you in every way. I have asked Sona so many times but not even once she spoke to me about it."

"Ya right. How will she speak after doing everything?" I mumbled sarcastically. Pooja's eyes softened and she smiled at me.

"Did you think she was happy after you left? We lost her too Dev. We literally lost her." she sighed and my eyes shrunk in confusion.

"What do you mean?? What happened to her?" I asked. I was suddenly curious to know what happened to her on my absence.

Pooja sighed before she looked at me.

"I can't tell you anything now Dev... But I just want to know that she has suffered really a lot. It was not easy for her too. She had gone through a lot in life. Most importantly, her face lost its happiness and lips lost its smile. She has turned into a human robot. Lifeless and stone-hearted"

Pooja's voice echoed in his ears as he came out from his flashback.

-----------------------------

Next day, Sona came to the office with a tired look on her face. They had an important meeting that day with the foreign clients. Dev saw the preparations made and kept silent all the time. It was too early for him to comment about anything. He could sense Sona's nervousness around him.

SONA'S POV

We were in the meeting room, alone waiting for his Japanese delegates. After preparing some refreshments, I asked him,

"Do you need anything else sir?"

"Yes, you." he replied which I gave him an impossible look.

"I mean, please come and join me Ms Bose. Don't just stand there and try to attract new people!" he spat harshly. My heart pricked at every word he said but I just chose to ignore it. Nice try, Dev Dixit.

He was about to say something when we heard the sound of the door knob opening. I immediately composed myself while Dev welcomed the delegates. We sat down beside each other and the meeting finally started.

The meeting was going on smoothly when I felt someone staring at me strangely. For a change, this time it wasn't Dev. I turned to my left and saw a man staring at me hungrily like a beast. I tried to ignore him but he kept on staring me with a huge grin. The more I tried, the creepier he got. When my eyes made contact with his again, he suddenly winked at me, making my heart skip a few beats in a negative way.

I got uncomfortable and immediately gripped Dev's thighs under the table. Fear engulfed me and I couldn't understand why I trusted Dev to help me out in that situation. I turned to my right to see Dev giving that man a deadly look. He averted his gaze from me and gave my hand a light squeeze. My fingers were interlocked with him until the meeting was finished. I didn't know why but I felt extremely secure with his gestures.

After the meeting finished, Dev shook hands with everyone. When the creepy guy walked towards me, Dev quickly interrupted in between and gripped his hand for a handshake. The handshake went for a few seconds and I noticed how hard Dev held the poor guy's hands. The man's face went pale as he struggled from Dev's merciless grip. His hand should have turned blue-black by now.

After he left that guy's hand, he pulled me towards him. I gasped when I heard him whispering in my ears,

"I don't let anyone stare or touch what is mine Ms Bose.."

I was beyond shocked. What was he trying to do?? I couldn't bring myself to look at him again as his stare was so intense. His looks itself was enough for me to go weak on my knees.

After that awkward meeting, we walked back to his cabin.

"Miss Bose, I am sure you remember that it's our company's dinner tomorrow." He told me with a serious tone. Dev has never stopped taunting me at every opportunity he got, so I have gotten used to the way he spoke.

"Yes, sir I do remember. I have done all the necessary arrangements that has to be done tomorrow. Anything else?" I replied not having a proper eye contact with him.

"I would also be announcing the employees who would be receiving their promotions tomorrow. I hope you would be there on time." He said and I just nodded. There must be something hidden in this too.

"Don't worry, I will be there on time sir."

-------------------------------------------------

Sonakshi had high hopes of being promoted as the GM that year since she had really managed to complete lots of projects that year. She was also considered one of the most experienced employee, compared to the new interns and staffs. In fact, everyone in the company believed that only Sonakshi deserved to be in that post. She also have worked extremely hard and the promotion meant a lot to her and her family.

Sonakshi had joined the company way before its growth. Her previous boss had promised her for the promotion this year. Since she had a major hand in the company's evolution and growth, the rest of the employees were aware of Sona's promotion too. Dev had no choice but to give her that. Sona's only fear now was, the way he was going to execute things.

After Sona had seen Dev as their new CEO, her hopes had completely shattered. She did not know who exactly to blame since he was right at his point of view. Now all she had to do was wait till the next day to find out what is waiting for her.

****************

Precap – Company's Annual day function...Jatin angry with Dev. Some Devakshi moments..