"Ms Singhania where were you at 11:00 pm last night?"

"I was with my costume team, Lucas Martin at his office after the show."

Bani sits calmly in the furnished room in front of the three french men. All are crime investigators. However one of them was at last night's party. Bani tries to remember if she's seen him with Veer ever.

Tapish is not there in the room as the investigators didn't allow any outsiders for confidentiality. Bani's temple prickles as the process gets lengthy. She knew she would be inquired. She made sure of it they would find out that Karan and she were together last night.

"The surveillance cameras have been mysteriously broken at the venue. All of them." Says one of the investors, "But the CCTV footage right opposite to the building is shows you with Mr Grover in the lift. See."

Bani looks at the footage. She sits straight replying, "We were going to the eighteenth floor. Karan...I mean Mr Grover told me that he would introduce me to some big heads of the industry. Apparently they were to be in the party last night."

"Big heads?" The guy who was at party last night frowns. He looks at Bani suspiciously.

Bani nods, "Yes. I mean they are the most influential investors and producers in the fashion industry. As our representative of India, Mr Grover probably wanted me to make the best use of the opportunity."

"Did you meet them?"

"No. After 17th floor, a guard there stopped us from going further. He said only the invitee ones could go up."

"But you were at the event yesterday. You're one of the invitees, no?"

"Yes. And no. Umm....I don't remember much but I heard Karan talking over the phone. Something about deal. He then asked me to leave and that he'd go up to meet them."

"Any proof to your words?"

"I obviously wasn't recording it. You can check the surveillance cameras." Bani spits.

Another Investigator asks again, "Can you specifically tell us what he talked about?"

Bani stays quiet for sometime before opening her mouth hesitantly, "Umm...I think he was talking to someone named Mr Frederick. And then he asked if....umm I think, officer.... officer Laurent reached there. He then said over the phone something like, 'Ask Berny to... not confirm the deal' or something like that. I can't tell."

"Officer Laurent?" Asks investigator named Cameron while his eyes sceptically moves at officer Laurent. Bani nods and watches how officer Laurent has gone slightly pale beside him.

"What happened after that?"

"After that I left. My costume team contacted me about some malfunction, I was there. You can confirm it with Mr Martin if you want."

"We tried but he's currently overseas for some tailoring issues, so that has to wait." Bani stays quiet.

"Well Ms Singhania, the place where Mr Grover's body was found, police found some footprints there and one of them are suspected as woman's."

Bani's eyes widen, "Oh. Are you suspecting it as mine?"

"We're merely informing. Given you're the possible last lady he contacted last night, we will have to take a measurement of your shoe size. Also your call history. Think it as a routine checkup."

Bani nods stiffly, "My phone wasn't with me last night, but Sure."

"I don't see why that's necessary, officer Tim." Comes a cold rambling voice.

All of them turns to look at Veer standing by the door with hands tucked in his pockets. For the first time since the morning Bani freezes. What the fuck?! Bani looks at Veer holding her breath as he strides towards her and halts right beside her.

"You?" Officer Laurent speaks opening and closes his mouth like a fish.

Veer shakes his hand with officer Tim, "Veeranshu Singhania, Ms Singhania's boyfriend and Mr Grover's old friend. I was also there at the party last night. The last person Karan met last night was me."

Bani gapes at Veer who's gaze is resolutely fixed on officer Tim. His cold voice bombers in the room again, "My manager will provide you necessary documents of my last interaction with Karan or when he left. I'll hope you won't involve my girlfriend into this anymore. She doesn't have anything to do with all this."

The officer doesn't counter back. They nod standing up, "We'll do as deemed necessary Mr Singhania. Are you available now for farther procedures?"

"My manager will go with you. Whatever the procedure is deal it with him for now. I've got some important things to do." He shifts his gaze at Bani who stands there breathless.

Till now Bani tried her level best to keep Veer's name out of this. But now seeing Veer stepping into the cobweb himself, she doesn't know where this will go. This could very well be that Veer has thrown himself in after hearing that she has been summoned by the cops. This trafficking chain is vast and many influential people from different countries are involved. Veer better have his way out of this.

"Hi!" Bani whispers as Veer comes to stand in front of her.

"Hey!" Veer mutters carefully checking on her, "You okay?"

Bani nods, "Yeah. Just a bit shaken up."

"You didn't tell that you were with Karan last night?" Veer asks in cold tone while holding her close to him.

Bani bites her lips looking up at him and mumbles, "I didn't tell because you'd get angry. You know how he is. I just didn't want to make a big deal out of it." Which is half true.

"Was." Veer mutters darkly while staring at Bani, "He was. Now he's dead."

Bani swallows trying to remain calm and nods, "Yes. He was. Now d-dead."

"Bani!!" Bella comes rushing and stops when spots Veer near her.

"Bella!" Bani walks up to her and says hugging her, "Are you okay?"

Bella nods hugging back, "I am. Shocked though that such thing happened. Everyone is saying it's a murder though not sure who did it." While saying that she not so subtly glances at Veer.

Veer stares back at her as if challenging. Bani quickly holds her face into her palms making Bella look at her and says, "Leave it! Just think it as a mishap and forget it. Did your manager inform when you could leave?"

Bella shakes her head, "The investigation team came, they instructed all of us that no one is to leave the country before any further legal notice."

Bani hums. This will take a few days before things calm down. Bella diverts her attention again, "Anyways, since the event is cancelled, how about we go for shopping today? This way we can keep each other company and the minds will be diverted too."

Bani's eyes widen. As she starts pondering, Veer's large frame engulfs her from behind. He kisses the line of her ear before shifting his gaze on Bella as says in a deep voice, "She can't. We've plans."

"Huh?" Bella arcs her eyebrows, "Last time I talked to Bani she said that you won't be with her throughout the business week."

Veer shrugs, "Plans can change."

"Sure." Bella rolls her eyes petulantly before looking at Bani, "I was hoping to catch some time with you. Sigh!"

Bani bites her lips turning her head at Veer and mumbles, "You said you have to go to another town. If you're here because you're worried about me then please don't let me keep you away from work. I'll be fine here. Bella is here too-."

"Sweetheart!" Beer cups Bani's face, eyes deep into hers, "I'm here because I want to be with you. And you don't have to worry about her..." He points at Bella, "I've other arrangements for her. She'll be fine."

"Excuse me!" Bella scoffs, "Who are you to arrange things for me? Listen just because you're her lover doesn't give you -"

Rolling his eyes Veer turns Bani to walk away while whispering into her ear, "Ignore her. She'll be in safe hands." Hearing him, Bani smiles as they take their leaves.

Veer stops the car in front of a bakery. Opening the door for Bani when she gets out of the car, he takes her hand into his and goes to sit at a table streetside. Bani looks around her. The scenic is warm and cozy. Though there's isn't many customers around them but enough to tell Bani that this place in a mainstream one.

"I figured you haven't had breakfast yet." Veer mutters staring at Bani as they sit opposite to eachother.

Bani's lips twitch. she points at Veer's wristwatch, "It's almost past noon."

Veer frowns at the watch before tilting his head, "Well, lunch it is then."

Bani nods mumbling, "I was called in the office as soon as I woke up. Didn't have the time for breakfast."

Veer doesn't say anything. When the barista comes to take their orders, Veer order for some croissants and chouquettes while Bani goes for two latte. When the dish is served they eat in silence.

When they're almost finished, Veer speaks up, "Don't worry, the legal team won't disturb you anymore. I'll take care of it."

"I...." Bani trails searching for the right words. She can't let Veer meddle into this, "actually I..."

Veer places his hand over Bani's and says squeezing, "I know. You're nervous about the whole situation and police investigation. But don't worry, this are just their routine protocol. I will talk to them that you're not related to him anyway. Relax."

Bani startles for a second before muttering, "Oh. It's okay, I can handle them if they ask me for more inquiry."

As they get up, Bani stops Veer looking at him questioningly, "Wait...you said, Karan met you yesterday. Were you telling the truth or was it just to save me from the inquiry?"

Veer looks ahead muttering nonchalantly, "It was true. Aside from our personal relationship, we're business associates. The circle is big. Anyways I forgot to tell you," He looks at Bani tilting his head, "they might hold a funeral for him in his Paris residence in few days. Do you want to attend?" .

The proposal shocks Bani. Attending the funeral of someone you killed yourself, doesn't put Bani on best aptitude. So she shakes her head, disturbed, "No. I didn't wish him dead but attending his funeral is too much for me."

Veer nods understandingly and intertwines their fingers while walking themselves out. Before starting the car he asks, "Is there anything that you specifically want to do today?"

Bani juts her lips out, "Umm....No. I was preparing for the event so I didn't really plan anything for today."

Veer hums before checking something on his phone and then says, "Well, let me take you with me then."

"Where?" Bani asks while fastening her seatbelt.

Veer turns to her replying, "I've a reservation to attend this evening, how about you come with me there?"

"Well...." Bani trails thinking if she should. Shhas to go back to the hotel to get dressed then.

"But you're not aptly dressed for that...so I think we should head to shopping first." Veer says starting the car.

"Why shopping?" Bani asks turning to Veer promptly, "I've brought a bag full of party dress. I'm sure we can find something appropriate to wear for your reservation."

To that Veer mutters dismissively, "Your hotel is too far from here. Also...." Then he puts his free hand on Bani's thigh drawing circles there, "if we go to the hotel now, we won't be getting out of the bed for hours so, let's go to a shopping centre nearby and get you ready from there."

Bani blushes agreeing with him. She starts playing with Veer's fingers. They stop by a big beauty shop that sells customed dresses. Veer sits at corner asking Bani to pick whatever she likes. After a good amount of trial and errors she finally selects a red gown.

"I hope this isn't too much for the event." Bani mumbles leaning by the changing room, "You said there will be orchestra."

Veer walks up to her; enamoured gaze all over her, "Perfect."

Bani smiles flushing pink. After that she finds a beauty salon to do some light makeup and leaves the shop. By the time they're done with everything needed and headed to their destination, it's already evening.

"It's..... it's Eiffel tower." Bani stutters when Veer hits the engine off at their destination.

Veer hums parking his car, "Hmm."

"But you said you've reservation." Bani asks wide eyed. Did he change his plan again?

Veer's lips twitch, "And your point is, sweetheart? Doesn't Eiffel tower have room to hold event?"

Bani's face flush as she stupidly whispers, "Oh."

Veer takes her hand in his and walks to the lift. They stop at the top floor. Bani looks around the summit. It's her first time visiting Eiffel tower. The crown of the tower looks so sharp from afar but in reality it's quite a vast place with many different sectors. There's champagne bar, open and closed decks, reservation rooms, cafe, orchestra and other relevant rooms. Veer ushers Bani to an open air deck from where Bani could see the whole town from up.

To her excitement Bani doesn't even notice that their portion of the deck is elegantly decorated. She leans against the railing looking down excitedly, mesmerized by the view.

"Veer look!" She points grinning and jumping like a little kid, "those buildings look so small! Like the colour house."

"Hmm." Veer hums staring at Bani with a glimmer on his face.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Bani says happily.

Veer hums again not taking his eyes off Bani, "The prettiest."

This time Veer's deep tone catches Bani's attention. Her giggle freezes as she turns her head to look at Veer who's already staring at her as if she holds the whole galaxy. Bani's cheeks redden matching her dress when she realises Veer was talking about her.

She looks away quickly and says to change the subject, "Didn't you say we'll attend an event. Where's that? Won't we get late for it?"

Veer breaths out, straightening up in a lazy motion and nods muttering, "Yes, sweetheart. We do have a reservation to attend and we're already here. But I guess the job hasn't been done good enough to be appealing in your eyes."

Bani's eyes widen as she looks around and notices the decoration this time. It is indeed splendid and does stand out from the other decks. All those ornament bulbs, peach-pink roses tangling on the beams matching the warm aura of the deck. She's surprised that she didn't notice it till now. But then realisation hits her.

"Ohh!" She exclaims, "You arranged this date for us?"

Veer smiles. He pushes a loose strand off Bani's temple and mutters softly, "not a date really but...."

Veer takes two strides back while maintaining the eye contact and suddenly kneels on his left knee stretching his hand at Bani. At the same time some violinists appears from the corner playing a soulful melody while a waiter comes pushing a majestic cake cart into the room. Bani watches Veer producing a red little heart shaped box out of his pocket and opens it to her. Inside it sits a big crystal diamond ring.

And then Veer goes, "I owed you this for a long time. So let's do it right this time." He breaths out; his eyes shining, "Sweetheart, will you marry me?"

Updated 💜💜💜
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https://www.wattpad.com/story/384707659?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=story_info&wp_page=story_details_button&wp_uname=sadia5367