Author POV:

After some time, Rai called her driver to take Devika and Nisha to house in her car. Rudy didn't agree to let her be alone, so he stayed with her in his car. 

Rai's heart raced as she maneuvered the car through the bustling streets, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The black car was still tailing them, and she could feel the weight of Rudy's gaze on her, filled with concern and confusion. She needed to distract the stalker, to buy herself some time to figure out what was happening.

"Rudy, I need you to trust me," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos swirling inside her. "We're going to play a little game."

Rudy's brow furrowed, but he nodded, his expression shifting from worry to determination. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just keep your head down and act normal. I'll lead them away from us," she instructed, her mind already racing with a plan. She took a sharp turn into a narrow alley, the tires screeching slightly as she accelerated. The black car followed, but she could see the driver hesitating, unsure of whether to pursue them into the tight space.

As they sped deeper into the alley, Rai spotted a small parking lot ahead. She swerved into it, cutting the engine and ducking down in her seat. The black car slowed down, its headlights sweeping across the lot, searching. Rai held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Stay quiet," she whispered to Rudy, who was already leaning back, his eyes wide with anticipation.

The driver of the black car parked a few spaces away, stepping out and scanning the area. Rai recognized him instantly—a man she had crossed paths with before, someone who worked with her before, but they had a serious issue. She felt a surge of adrenaline; this was her chance to confront him.

"Stay here," she instructed Rudy, slipping out of the car with a confidence that masked her inner turmoil. She approached the man, her posture relaxed but her mind sharp, ready for anything.

"Looking for someone?" she called out, her voice dripping with casual curiosity.

The man turned, surprise flickering across his face before it settled into a smirk. "Rai. I should have known you'd be around here. Always poking your nose where it doesn't belong."

"Funny, I could say the same about you," she replied, stepping closer. "What's the deal? Following me like a lost puppy?"

He chuckled, but there was an edge to it. "Just making sure you're not getting into trouble. You know how it is in our work line."

Rai tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, I'm just here to enjoy some jewelry shopping. You should try it sometime; it's quite relaxing."

The man's expression hardened. "Cut the games, Rai. I know you're up to something. You've been a thorn in my side for too long."

"Maybe I just enjoy keeping you on your toes," she shot back, her voice low and dangerous. "But if you're looking for trouble, you might want to rethink your choices."

As they exchanged words, Rai felt a rush of satisfaction. She was in control, and she could see the uncertainty creeping into his demeanor.

"Listen, I have places to be," she said, stepping back. "But if you're smart, you'll forget you ever saw me here."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked back to the car. She slid into the driver's seat, her expression unreadable.

"Everything okay?" Rudy asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Better than okay," she replied, a smirk playing on her lips. "Let's get out of here."

As they drove away, Rai felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had distracted the stalker, but the day was far from over. 

She needed to meet Kevin later to discuss Nisha Roy and the file he had prepared. There was something about Nisha that didn't sit right with her, and she was determined to uncover the truth.

Later that evening, Rai sat across from Kevin in a dimly lit café, the atmosphere buzzing with chatter and clinking glasses. She sipped her coffee, her mind still racing from the earlier encounter.

"Alright, spill it," she said, leaning forward. "What do you have on Nisha Roy?"

Kevin pulled out a folder, sliding it across the table. "Everything you need to know, boss. Nisha is more than just Mr. Singhaniya's fiancée. She has connections—powerful ones. And they're not just business-related."

Rai's interest piqued as she opened the folder, scanning the documents inside. "What kind of connections?"

"Her family has ties to some of the biggest players in the city. They're involved in a lot of shady dealings, and it seems like she's been playing both sides," Kevin explained, his voice low. "I think she's using Rudy to get Singhaniya's property."

Rai's mind raced as she processed the information. Nisha was a pawn in a much larger game, and Rai had to be careful. "Keep an eye on her. If she's a threat, I won't hesitate to deal with it. I want all other proofs within tonight only. I don't have any time. And you keep other copy in other pen drive as backup, right? "

Kevin nodded his expression serious. "I'll dig deeper. But you need to be cautious boss. If she suspects anything, she might get cautious."

Rai leaned back, her thoughts swirling. The stakes were higher than she had anticipated, and she was ready to play the game. With a determined glint in her eye, she knew she would protect what was hers, no matter the cost.

"Let's see how this unfolds," she said, a fierce resolve settling within her. "I won't let anyone come to attack my family. They are my other family." 

Rai stepped into her home, the familiar scent of sandalwood and jasmine wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. She quickly gathered her essentials, tossing clothes and toiletries into her bag with a sense of urgency. The earlier encounter with the stalker still lingered in her mind, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. She needed to get to Singhaniya Palace and prepare for whatever lay ahead.

Once she arrived at the palace, she made a beeline for her room, her sanctuary amidst the chaos. The moment she closed the door behind her, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts, and what better way to do that than with a cold bath?

Rai turned on the shower, letting the cold-water cascade over her, washing away the tension of the day. As she stood there, she realized with a jolt that she had forgotten to grab her clothes. Great job, Rai! she thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes at her own forgetfulness. With no other option, she wrapped a towel around herself, hoping it would suffice until she could find something to wear.

Meanwhile, Rudy was in a state of mild panic. He had just heard from his grandmother that Rai had returned, and his mind was racing with thoughts of the earlier incident. Why had someone been following them? Was she okay? He decided to check on her, his concern outweighing any awkwardness he might feel.

As he approached her room, he noticed the door was slightly ajar. He knocked gently, but when no response came, curiosity got the better of him. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to be greeted by the sound of running water from the bathroom.

Rudy took a seat on the edge of her bed, scrolling through his phone to distract himself. But just as he was getting lost in the digital world, he heard the unmistakable sound of the bathroom door creaking open. He lifted his head, and time seemed to freeze.

There stood Rai, towel wrapped around her, hair damp and tousled, looking like a goddess who had just emerged from a mythical spring. She was so focused on adjusting the towel that she didn't even notice him at first. Rudy's heart raced, and his brain short-circuited. What am I doing here? Why is this happening?

When Rai finally looked up and their eyes met, the world around them faded into a blur. Both of them froze, caught in a moment that felt like an eternity. Rai blinked rapidly, her brain seemingly malfunctioning as she processed the sight of Rudy sitting on her bed.

"Uh, you... change, I'll wait outside," Rudy stammered, his voice cracking slightly as he stood up, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. He turned on his heel and bolted out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a little too much force, as if he were trying to slam the awkwardness away.

Once the door clicked shut, Rai let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Why do you embarrass yourself in front of him every time?!! she scolded herself, gripping her hair in frustration. She quickly shuffled to her closet, throwing on a comfortable outfit, her mind racing with thoughts of the unexpected encounter.

Outside, Rudy leaned against the wall, his heart still pounding in his chest. The image of Rai in that towel replayed in his mind like a broken record, and he scolded himself internally. Get it together, Rudy! How can you imagine this like a pervert? He shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel the thoughts that were making his cheeks burn even hotter.

Just then, the door creaked open again, and Rai stepped out, looking composed but with a hint of nervousness in her eyes. Rudy's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly averted his gaze, pretending to be intensely interested in the wall across the hallway.

                                                                                                                                                                   (to be continued)

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That's it for today. I know its small chapter.

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