It's dark outside but the lights of Black Queen's cabin were still glowing. She was doing some work like daily. As the clock showed 12 a.m., she closed her file and picking up the keys left the office closing her cabin behind. She took the way to stairs when she found a 'construction-going-on' board over there. She frowned as no one informed her about t it but shrugging it she made her way to the lift. She pressed the button and took deep breaths to calm herself. As the lift opened, she went inside and pressed the button. She keeps taking deep breaths to calm herself but as she feared the lift stopped in the middle with a jerk.

She took deep breaths but it didn't help her.She looked at her mobile only to find no network. Sweat started flowing. Shehad claustrophobia which no one is aware of except one, Navya, who is not inthe town as Nandini has sent her for some work. Only she knows about her beingclaustrophobic and asthmatic. She pressed the emergency button but nothinghelped. Lights were also gone. She started feeling suffocating and punched the door to open it but as it was late nobody was present. Her suffocation trickled her asthma and she got an attack. Anxiety and asthma attack together. She fell on the floor holding her neck to get some air but it didn't help. She didn't have her reliever inhaler with her. It is in her car.

After 15 minutes when she was about to pass out the lift started working and light got on. It opened at the parking zone where only her car was parked. Somehow, she gets out of the lift and sat in the car and inhaled with her pump. She didn't have the energy to drive so she closed her eyes and darkness took over.

Next morning,

Manik came to her building and found her car parked at its place. He made his way to her office but found it empty. On asking with her manager he got to know she's not here yet to which frowned and decided to wait for her.

At half past twelve, she woke up and jerked up as she looked the time. She found herself in the car so she went in her office as she's already too late which so is unlike her. She hurriedly went to her office only to find Manik sitting in her cabin.

Manik Malhotra

I was waiting for her for the past three hours and she still didn't have shown her face yet. There's a limit of carelessness. Last time also she was late. But whatever may happen I'll meet her today as I want to see her reaction when she'll get to know about my next surprise for her. That'll be worth to watch.

Finally, the gate opened and she entered. I clearly heard her groaning looking at me. I smiled at her and asked, "Again got a boy?"

She rolled her eyes and nodded. I looked at her only to find her in the same clothes which she wore yesterday.

She ignored me totally and went into the closet attached to the cabin. Taking her clothes, she went into the bathroom. I can clearly hear the shower sound.

She's taking shower over here?

I mean it's not a big thing as even I had a closet in my office and I do take shower in my office sometimes when I have loads of work but what must be the work that caught her so much that she didn't have her shower even. After an hour she came out all fresh. I gave an approving nod to her dress which is black but was covering her whole body. For the first, I have seen her wearing something less slutty. She sat on her seat and nodded to me asking for the work. I looked her face which was caked up with makeup but still was not able to hide the pale look. She was looking less confident today and very much tired. What more caught my attention is she's not replying me. Shrugging all that, I started the conversation as she went through the file which I passed to her.

"As we didn't have that land, I got this land! It will be perfect for our business! It's in the outskirts and there's no other mall like we've planned for. So, it'll be profitable for us." I told her.

"It's in outskirts then how will it be profitable for us?", she asked with hoarse voice. I looked at her with raised eyebrows asking about her voice which she clearly understood but choose to ignore.

"You're not well!", I asked and was surprised at myself as my voice was extra soft. I had planned to be extra caring but never knew that she still has the cast on me.

"It's in the outskirts then how will it be profitable?", she again asked this time looking into the file. I rolled my eyes at her question. I was being genuine and she's showing attitude.

"It is! As people over there have to travel a long distance to buy anything."

"But they're living in the outskirt which means they are not so rich then how'll they buy from our mall? Moreover, the employees will have to travel so it'll be hard for them. I don't find it profitable!", she said as she kept the land's paperback on the table and leaned on her chair with closed eyes.

"That's why we will hire people from there only. In that way they'll be more attracted as their natives will be working and moreover, they'll be happy that unemployed will get a job!", I told her to which she nodded.

"So, if all the interrogation is done then I think we should go to the site!", I told her to which she nodded and asked, "When?"

"Now! If you don't have any meeting!", I told her as I want to take her to that place as soon as possible. That's the place where it all has started. That'll be the start the end of her.

She nodded and called for her manager asking about her schedule who informed that she didn't have any of it today. She picked her bag and followed me as I made my way towards the parking.

She went to her car when I went to her and shuts her door before she could sit.

"If we're going at the same place then why not in the same car?", I asked softly.

"We might have the same destination but we've to part away!", she said looking into my eyes. Her words always confuse me. I always feel like she wants to say something else. I looked at her with a frown to which she smirked and said, "I have other work also Mr. Malhotra!"

"I will drop you!"

She rolled her eyes and said, "Black Queen doesn't need anyone!"

"But Nandini do!", I whispered unknowingly.

She looked at me in shock and quickly sat in her car to ignore me.

I can't afford to let her go alone because this way has lots of surprise for her and fun for me to watch her reaction. I pulled the keys out of her car.

"Now you don't have any option!", I smirked at her as she gets off and followed me.

I opened the door for her with a smile and eyed her to sit down which she obeyed after rolling her eyes.

I sat on the driver's seat.

"I drive very fast baby! You better wear your seatbelt!", I told her cheekily as I wore mine.

She didn't say anything and chooses to ignore me checking her mobile. I smirked and leaned to her. She looked into my eyes. I leaned and looked into her eyes.

Her eyes!

That used to have nothing but innocence!!

But now!

All I could see is her deeds!

Death of my parents! Soha's parents! Her being a backstabber!

I looked into her eyes which were also looking into my eyes.

I looked at her features, like old times! She's caked up with make-up, unlike old times which were always void of make-up. I remember she used to hate all the girly stuff which a girl of her age used to love. Make-up, shopping, TV was never her stuff.

As I learned to her face, her eyes widen. I felt a fear in her face which she was trying to hide. Looking into her eyes I tied the seat belt.

I chuckled and asked, "What? Expecting something?"

She looked at the belt and sighed as I sat back on my seat.

I started the car as she didn't answer me.

On the way, I tried to talk but she was not answering so I turned and found her sleeping soundly.

As it was raining slightly, the droplets fell on her face making her look more innocent. She's looking tired and pale so I didn't have the heart to wake her up. Though this route will surely remind her of her past then I choose not to disturb her.

She may don't have the heart anymore but I still have my feelings for her.

Yes! I do accept! The more I try to run away from my feelings for the more I fell for her and I hate it that I love her so much!

She killed my father in front of eyes!

I was there! She knew I loved my father the most! She knew my parents were my weakness but that night she killed my father and snatched my mother also who couldn't take the death of dad.

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Will try to end this short story as soon as possible.