Writer's pov

C city, Dev's office

Dev was attending a meeting in conference hall with his company's R&D department and security department. Meeting was about something very serious about their security system and malware. Dev was silently hearing what team leaders and department managers are saying.

"This is the third time we are facing the same issue DD. They are trying to break through our firewall. We checked for all possible hackers with our previous history but this time it's someone new and they really got some skills. " one team leader said to Dev.

"It might be some kids trying to prank us by giving false alert." Dev suggested.

"At first we also thought like that but no DD. This isn't a prank. Same incident happened during the time we launched our new security application super beta 2, but that time fortunately we found the gang we could move legally. This time also they are behind the same one but not the updated versions. That's what making us confused. Why would someone want an older version? Right now we use that version only for cosmos. We developed that security program exclusively for cosmos. In order to point this out immediately in front of you we requested for a meeting like this. May be this has some connection with the current case going with cosmos. " R&D Department manager said to Dev.

"From our side we should be always clean. There can't be a mistake from security side as well as the development side. Are you sure none of our data got hacked?" Dev asked to his team.

"Yes sir, about that we are fully confident. All our data's are safe but what's next?" R&D department manager asked to Dev for a solution.

"Triple security for the older version and I need daily updates of super beta 2.9 version. Mr Seagal either you meet me personally or contact Mohit before submission. " Dev suggested

"What about the IP address of these hackers. You guys could able to track anything?" Dev asked

"As usual it's from different corners of this world. Tracing itself was a headache then tracking you can imagine. Since our security wall was much powerful than their skills this time we got saved but next time if they got strong then we are at high risk DD. We should do something before that" security team manager said.

"It can be a team. With one brain it's not that much easy or he or she should be pro. How many layers they filtered through?" Dev asked

"Three, they could have easily get through the four but our team was full on action mode." manager replied

"I am still not getting how they could get through our firewall breaking all securities. Tracing our IP address itself is difficult, then how? That's what making me confused or it can be a bug among us? My mind even went there to? " one of the team leaders put forward his doubt.

"Mr Patel you are overthinking. There can't be a bug among us. I am sure about that. This is something else. Like I told you..... Either he is a pro or he is way too intelligent. " said Dev

"Whoever it is, I should admit one thing DD. It's very fun to counter attack. They are so unpredictable sometimes. You should deal with them at least for once, I am sure DD will enjoy it very much. "Another team leader

"What I find really interesting in them is their security system. Their firewall is protected almost with same layers as ours, just think about the expense or someone should be funding them. In that case we are deeply in trouble as well as close to our case with cosmos. If its related to cosmos issues then we can confirm that it's a terrorist team or ........" Dev scoffed hearing the comment of Mr Segal.

"Mr Segal, I think your brain got used to your complexity. May be that's why you are thinking like a complicated nested loop. But what I am thinking about this is in a very simple way. I am correcting one predication what I said before. I think it can be a kiddo. A very intelligent kid "said Dev

"But DD......." Mr Segal interrupted to oppose Dev but asked for couple of minutes to let him finish why he said like that.

"R Segal, make your mind blank for two minutes and listen to me. Just think about the pattern how they tried to break our firewall. Confidence level was very high, that means he or she was over confident about their skill. I can relate because I was like that once. It's about the age, it should be between the end of teenage to the beginning of their youth. Blood will boil more than 100 degree Celsius and will feel like I can do anything and no one can touch them. What we need is also that over confidence to catch them. Let them stay in that false assumption. "Dev leaned towards the table and continued talking

"What you guys should do is............Try to find their IP address as soon as possible no matter what. Since a case is already running it's not an idea to complain. That's the very first step and most important task I am giving to you."

"Do one thing, next time when he attacks, don't attack from our side very first. Let him breakthrough the fourth wall and then defend him maximum to the sixth layer. If he is a teenager he will get trigger there and get frustrated for not getting what he want when he is so close to it. That time he will do some mistake due to his overconfidence and you should contact me that instant. I will take care of it from there. I know what to do with him after that...... "

"Let me find who got this much courage to enter into my clan without my permission." Dev mumbled with a sheepish smile on face and looked confident he will catch that bug no matter what.

After giving all instructions to the department managers and team leaders Dev dismissed the meeting and goes with Mohit back to his room. When he entered into the room Dhruv was already waiting for him. Dev looked at Tina, his secretary like a warning "who gave her permission to let him enter into his room? "

"Sorry, he barged into your room DD. I couldn't stop him" Tina already understood from her boss looks and she apologized to him. Mohit sat on couch silently because he knows it's the beginning of an argument. Dev ignored Dhruv and sat on his office chair, then started his work normally.

"Am I invisible here?" Dhruv was waiting for his brother to get settle down and then talk but he got annoyed been get neglected by dev.

"You won't come here for office tour. I know you must have something to say. Then say it without any drama and leave. I have lots of works to finish" Dev said in a rude tone.

"Didn't I gave you request for joining in your CTF team? " Dhruv asked

"" yes you did. You are already assigned to the team. Now what you want?" Dev replied in a monotone.

"Team? Along with that kinder garden kids? Dev I am a pro player and you assigned me into a beginner team? Are you kidding me? Or you want to humiliate me in front of others? I played opposite with your champion team in semi-finals. Now they are laughing at me" Dhruv complaints

"But your team failed right? My team brought the runner up flag. They are now practicing for next competition and I don't want to drag them down adding you into that team. I saw your performance with them. Don't take me bad Dhruv; this is my genuine advice, you need to practice a lot. You are lagging Dhruv...... if you can improve within a month by working with your current team then again with my champion team then I am ready to considerate you into that team. I will send you for competition also. If you are not okay with it then you can decide what's next after terminating your contract with my company. Decision is yours" Dev said straight looking at Dhruv without any emotion and again concentrated back to his system.

"Am I really your brother?" Dhruv scoffed at Dev and asked

"Do you have any doubt in that?" Dev asked

"Yes I do. Because the way you are treating me and the way I am get treated in that family I can feel it. " Dhruv replied clenching his jaw

"You used aunty to get into my company team. I get to know why you came back from New York suddenly. I heard all news about your fight with old team. They terminated you because of your aggressive behaviour right? You never went well with your team. A game means it's a team work. According to rule I shouldn't take you here. I went against the rules only for my brother and you are asking me why I am so indifferent towards you? Dhruv....... Don't take me for granted. I hate people who use me as a ladder. Even if it's my brother or anyone else" said Dev

"Then what about Yuvi? You asked him to join here and gave all luxuries. Why such double standards?" Dhruv asked. Dev laughed at Dhruv hearing that comment. He didn't give any reply but looked at his watch and then at Dhruv.

"You are wasting my time Dhruv. If you finished talking then you can leave. Remember one thing; if you want to achieve something then you should work for it. Only then you can enjoy your success. That gives you happiness and satisfaction. As your brother I can only help you with opportunities rest is in your hands." Dhruv clenched his hands hearing Dev's advice.

"Have you ever failed in your life bro? Have you ever lost something which is so dear to you?" Dhruv asked to Dev before leaving from his office room. Dev sat there staring at Dhruv.

For his first question Dev replied with full confidence

"No.... I never failed in my life and I won't let me fail anywhere"

And for next question he seemed to be little confused.

"Have I lost anything so dear to me? I ...... I don't know how much it was so close to me. I thought it was hard for me but still I moved on. So I think it wasn't that much dear to me. No Dhruv I haven't lost anything like that" Dev replied

"Then wait..... I will make you taste the bitterness of both." Saying this Dhruv stomped out from his cabin like he challenged Dev.

.............................

Finance and Accounting department

"Yuvraj ......... where are those reports?" Department manager of Yuvi came out from their meeting cabin and shouted for Yuvi who was sitting in front of Xerox machine shutting his both ears. He seemed very frustrated and tired at the same time.

"Mam, machine got stuck. I am trying to fix it" Yuvi stood from floor with few damaged papers and said. He looked like a complete mess.

"What are you actually doing here? You don't even know how to use a Xerox machine? Oh god..... Every time I won't give you excuse just because you are DD's brother. He told me there is no family here. I am giving you five minutes by then I need the copies of all reports on my table or you don't need to go home today. Sit here and prepare the presentation for tomorrow after studying the reports alone." She shut the glass door after scolding Yuvi and walked inside grunting something.

Yuvi looked around at other staffs who were minding their own business and the line behind him. They were also interns just like him who came there to get Xerox copies.

"My life was much happening than this. Where I got stuck god?" he pulled the rest of stuck papers letting out his anger on Dev over them.

Lechu's café

Café mystere

Nina was checking something on her phone standing at the billing section whereas Lechu was standing against the counter top of kitchen and playing snake & apple game in her new phone brought by Dev. Ria was looking at the screen while Lechu was playing. Ishaan came out from store room stretching out and yawning opening his mouth in 180 degree angle. His Bluetooth headset is always around the neck and he played some music while moving towards the trio girls.

"What a calm and quiet place." He commented and grabbed a mineral water bottle from the cooler which was kept for sale.

"What are you doing Nina?" he went to Nina's side and asked what she is looking in her phone very seriously.

"Dating app...... let me check whether I will also get some good looking hunk with my looks" Nina replied.

"Don't crack jokes. With this big magnifying glasses and this old fashioned baggy dress who will come for you? They won't even bother to open your profile. You should learn some styling skills from our boss Laks. She is up to date with her style. Always classy and stylish " Ishaan said while standing opposite of Lechu from the other side of counter top with a wide grin on his face. Nina pouted her lips and closed her phone hearing Ishaan's comment.

"Looks Is not everything Ishaan. Personality and character also matters" said Nina.

"Our boss has that too....." Ishaan replied very quickly and shared a high five with Lechu.

"What about smartness?" Nina put forward other point

"Our boss has......" Ishaan stopped at middle and said nothing. Lechu put her phone down and glared at Nina. She knows why Nina commented like that. She indirectly said Lechu a stupid.

"I admit that I am not smart like you but I am not a stupid" Lechu said and Ria chuckled hearing her reply.

"Sometimes you are really funny l" Ishaan commented at Lechu and tried to control his laugh.

" Ria you tell me..... Am I that much stupid ?" Lechu turned to whine at Ria but noticed that she is staring at something at one corner of their café where they keeps cleaning items. Lechu also checked what Ria is looking at and got stumbled. Nina also got excited to know why two girls are staring at that one corner. But after watching the scene she dropped her jaw down.

Varun was changing his barista uniform to his normal clothes and three girls were drooling over his body.

"He got a killer tattoo on his back. I love tattooed guys" Ria commented and licked her lips

" Look at his abs...... my god he is so sexy" Nina commented behind from Lechu and gulped a lump from her throat. Three of them stood there and enjoyed that scene.

"He is just my type......... oh my god....... It's too hot here" Lechu mumbled and fanned her both cheeks with hands.

"Stop it girls....... he is Varun dixit.... Stop drooling over him." Ishaan banged his both hands on the table and tried to divert their attention.

"What's so good about that body? Muscled body is not everything girls. Character and personality matters. Have you ever seen him smiling? No.... he doesn't know how to smile. Don't fall for such guys." Ishaan said annoyingly.

"Still he is very cute with that face. This is not that arrogant face people hates Ishaan. If want to see the real grumpy face, someone who looks like an owl then come with me to Rathore villa I will show you one. Not just one I will show you many. That's actually a zoo." Lechu said in a sarcastic tone.

"Nina..... You know Varun well right? Does he have any dating history? Any ex-lover or something like that?" Lechu ignored Ishaan and turned to Nina. She asked about Varun's details from Nina very excitedly.

"Lover? He has one but.... ......"

"I am leaving early today. I need some personal matters to handle. " Varun cam there and everyone acted so normal. Nina also stood straight leaving what she was going to discuss with Lechu.

"You said you dislocated your shoulder right? Then where is your sling?" Varun asked to Lechu when he noticed that her sling is missing. Instead she keeps her hand close to her without moving or sometimes uses a scarf.

"I forgot to take it from home" Lechu lied

"But, no problem. Look.........Now it's perfectly fine" Lechu tried to stretch her hand to show Varun that she is all good but suddenly her face expression changed due to pain.

"Yeah it's perfectly fine... I can see that" Varun replied sarcastically and shook his head as he can't do anything about her.

"Nina come with me... I need to talk to you" he called Nina for some talk secretly and took her out from the café. Lechu made a grumpy face and kept her phone on table making sound getting annoyed.

"I am sure there is something going between them. Why he has secret talks with her only? Since she knows him earlier Nina is showing off in front us. She hides his dating history deliberately from me because she doesn't want to lose him because of me." Lechu grunted like a small child and Ishaan was smiling watching her face.

"You can't feel jealous. Dev is much handsome than Varun" Ishaan commented winking his eyes. Lechu smiled at him very sweetly and slowly grabbed her phone from counter top to throw at him.

"Don't take his name in front of me" Ishaan ran from there quickly but got hit by the phone right behind his back making him jump from floor and he screamed. But nothing happened to the phone.

" Laks....... My sweetie booboo....." jasmine ran into the café calling for Lakshmi with all cheesy weird names came in her mind.

"Girl please stop it. From where are you getting all these cheesy names for me? Booboo, lolu, sweetu, meetu... I hate it Jas......" Lechu closed her both ears and yelled at Jasmine.

"I call such names when I love someone so much" Jasmine came and hugged Lechu tightly from her back.

"Don't touch me, I am not going to talk to you. " Lechu separated jasmine and turned her back.

" Laks ......" Jasmine whined

"Where you went without telling me? Do you know how much I needed you for these past days........."

"Before complaining you should hear my side. Girl I was screwed....... I am also caught up in the same situation like you" Jasmine didn't allowed Lechu to start her melodrama and before that she began to explain her situation.

"What happened to you?" Lechu looked at jasmine doubtfully and asked.

"This time papa caught me girl. He asked me to move back to village since I am not doing anything here other than shopping. I thought he was joking at first time but no he was serious. His plan was to get me married to one of his friend's son. I didn't like that guy and made huge commotion at home. Dad didn't give me my car and took everything from me, including my cards. "

"What? " Lechu shouted in a shock

"yes, then without any other option I asked my uncle to get me a job in Mumbai and he found a job for me. That's the real surprise... do you know where I got job ? And what job?" Jasmine asked while sniffing sadly.

"where?" Lechu asked holding her breath

"C-City , as official secretary of Mohit Agarwal. His current secretary will be going for maternity leave within two weeks. Before that I should join and learn all the works from her. I don't know what to do, my head is spinning. This noon I need to meet him. Sweetie...... tell me a way .... I don't want to work. I don't want to marry that guy who papa selected for me. Please help me" jasmine hugged Lechu and started carrying. Lechu sighed heavily and looked at her café friends who were watching the drama.

"I think you should go and work. It's a good job, you will get experience" Nina suggested

"Experience? What experience? If it was any NGO or something then that will be useful for me but this is......" Jasmine grabbed a chair and sat there sadly.

" NGO ?" Nina frowned her eyebrows like she didn't understand

"She did a joint program MSW and MBA. So I think now she got this job on the basis of her MBA specialised in HR. " Lechu explained it for Nina.

"Jas stop crying girl..... at least your situation is not like mine. You are getting a job girl. You will get a pay cheque at end of every month. Look at my condition... look at my café..... I can't even apply for a job anywhere. Who will appoint me without a degree? " Lechu quickly dragged Jasmine towards a corner, as she wanted to say something secretly.

"If you are Mohit's secretary then you can get to know about Dev's schedule. You can help me with that. Please Jas.... You are my only hope. Please agree for this. Arjun, Gaurav and Mohit you can kill three birds with one stone...... think about it. At least for your best friend. " Lechu insisted jasmine to join in Dev's company and at end she agreed.

"Here" jasmine swiped her tears and passed a key to Lechu

"What is this?" Lechu asked doubtfully

"Keys of my scooty. I repaired it for you" Jasmine replied

"Then what about you. Uncle took your car" Lechu gave back the key and said

" Dadi brought me a new one. She said she will talk to papa and give back my car till then I will adjust with new one. It's very bad......... all dust and pollution in this whole Mumbai city will be on my face from now on. " Jasmine again started crying worrying about her skin that's when her eyes fell on the clock and ran to meet Mohit. Her uncle already warned her he is very strict with the time.

"He is a time freak. If I get late for one second he will fire me" she shouted and ran from there.

"Now she also got a job in that huge company." Nina , Ria, Ishaan and Lechu, four of them stood outside the café and looked at the huge building of C- City. They could see that building very clearly by standing in front of café mystere.

......................................................

Dev's cabin

" What are you looking at Dev ?"

Dev got distracted by Gaurav's voice from his back when he was observing the outdoor view through his vintage nautical telescope. Dev could see café mystere from his office. Through his telescope he can clearly see them standing in front of cafe. Dev smirked watching Lechu and other staffs from café standing outside and looking at his building. He turned back after and looked at Gaurav with that same smirk.

"You don't like to open the blinds of your room now what happened?" Gaurav asked mockingly.

"Some views are very fun to watch. When I stand here I want to see this city within my hands. I want to see the things which I want to destroy" Dev replied in a puzzled way and sat on couch opposite of Gaurav. He didn't forget to close the blinds.

"Tell me" said Dev

"Finally Govind Verman agreed for the deal with Mr Kashyap. He sold that brand name "hotel pearl dew " to Mr Kashyap for the amount which is less than what we estimated. Time was favourable for us. Govind got convinced with Mr Kashyap's words and invested that money in pearl dew itself. I think he has that much confidence in his hotel still now. Anyways it's a gain for us Dev. Mr Kashyap is ready to transfer the ownership of pearl dew under RM group any moment you say. He is over excited for making a deal with us." said Gaurav and he chucked softly.

"Make it for tomorrow. I don't need a delay in that..... He is a double headed snake, can bite us back at any point" Dev asked Gaurav to set the meeting for tomorrow and he agreed.

"Now left is his house and that café. I went to meet with his bank's branch manager. He is okay with the house and agreed that bank will proceed with the auction notice soon. He asked for another FD in his bank from your side. " Gaurav notified to Dev what was manager's demand.

"The money which Govind invested in pearl Dew put that as FD. I don't want to touch that money. It reeks from blood." Dev said in a rude tone. Gaurav agreed for that.

"Dev, as for café there is an issue. Since it's under Lakshmi's name and the loan is taken on some women related scheme by central they can't move in a hurry. If the borrower is a girl and bank proceeds with auction without giving enough time then there can be some issues. So he asked for some time" said Gaurav

"Fine, but that house........ I need it from his hands as soon as possible" there wasn't a slight humanity in Dev's eyes when it was something related to Govind but he spared Lechu for some time. His immense anger was towards her appa.

"Then within a week it will be done. That's all with Govind. I am leaving then..." Gaurav put back the documents into the file and stood from there to leave. But he stopped for a second to let Dev remind something

"Don't forget about the night party. " said Gaurav. Dev rubbed his temples as he don't want to go and it's a headache

"You can't avoid it dev. Party is hosting by that Robert exclusively for his close knits. I know you don't like him but his parties are lit and chicks he got ....damn bro they are the real epitome beauties"

"Gaurav....." Dev called Gaurav in a warning tone by interrupting him. That means it's time for Gaurav to stop blabbering and leave.

"Enough........ Just call me before you leave. Ask Zahir to get that Mohit and tie him on car or he will run hiding from us. " Dev said to Gaurav and he agreed giving him a salute to mock dev.

Dev sat there staring at his wounded hand for some time. He ran his hands over the white bandage which Lechu tied it for him. After few seconds Dev went towards his table and connected his intercom with Tina. He asked her to come inside since he got an important job for her.

Lechus café

Lechu was taking afternoon nap by sitting on a chair and kept her legs on other chair. A young boy entered to the cafe but she was dead asleep and he looked around to see if there is anyone else. Ria and Ishaan were also sleeping on other chairs and no idea about someone is inside the café.

"Excuse me mam...." He tapped on the table to wake her up but she turned her head to other side getting irritated and mumbled something in her sleep.

"Sir," he went to call Ishaan but he was also dead asleep. Finally Nina came out from the store room and banged on table loudly to wake everyone up. All three opened their eyes in a shock and looked around panicky to see what happened.

"What you want? There is no coffee...... " Nina yelled at that guy in a very rude tone. Lechu turned and glared at her not to talk like that to a customer.

"I am really sorry for that sir, please tell me what you would like to have" Lechu stood in front of him very politely and smiled

"I don't need anything, I came to deliver this parcel to Ms Adrushta Lakshmi. " He read the name on the parcel.

"That Lakshmi is me" Lechu replied

"Please sign on this mam" he showed the phone screen and Lechu signed on it to get the parcel.

"who sent this ?" she asked to that guy

"I don't know mam. I just do the delivery" he replied and left from there. Lechu doubted who can send her parcel from nowhere.

She opened it and found a new sling inside the packet. She wondered who can sent her a sling ? And it was advanced one than her older sling. That had only a pouch but new one was a shoulder immobilizer sling with shoulder cap and all.

"Who sent you a sling?" asked Ria

" Dev........... Who else?" Said Ishaan while yawning. Lechu grabbed the sling box and threw at Ishaan to make him shut up.

"Are you his fan boy? all-time chanting Dev Dev Dev Dev" Lechu scold Ishaan annoyingly

" I think it's that Viren. He took you to hospital right ?" Ria said

" I don't think so..........." Lechu denied and think again. Suddenly something hit in her mind and a wide grin appeared on his face.

" I know who sent it...." she hugged that sling like it's so dear to her and said in a cheesy tone.

"who ?" Ria asked curiously

" I won't say. If I say some people won't like it" Lechu looked at Nina with not so pleasant face and replied. Nina looked clueless about it and went back to store room without saying anything but came back again.

"Don't sleep in front of café again. If you want to sleep come inside the storeroom and sleep here." she warned three of them and went back to store room stomping her feet.