Aashi announced where everyone will be working and with whom. Kriya, Nicole, Simmi and Vihaan were the four assigned with Aashi where their work will be to review the files sent over from the departments for final projects before they would be sent over to Swayam. Kriya squinted her eyes at Aashi. The poor girl gave a helpless, apologetic look. Both of them knew that was Swayam's doing.

"Everyone, get going now." She instructed. The four waited for others to leave and then followed Aashi out to her cabin.

"By tomorrow, each of your individual desks will be there with me in my cabin. Since I am Mr. Shekhawat's personal secretary, there will be many chances when you four will have the chance to work with him. With that, there will be times when there will be emergencies and I shall be away. During that time, you might be on your own and I trust you four to not mess up, understood?"

By then, they were inside her cabin. "His cabin is right next door and if you turn the shades of the curtain, it's actually see through. Therefore, none of you are to mess around. He should not be disturbed." She assigned them one file each. "Just one for today but starting tomorrow, you will have to do multiples. Accustom yourself accordingly."

When everyone, except for Kriya gave a terrified look, she smiled softly. "Relax girls..." Looking at Vihaan, she added, "... and guy. You'll start loving this job before you know it. Now let's get to work."

After sitting down at her desk, Kriya glanced a look towards Vihaan. He had a look on his face which made her sympathetic towards him. She understood that he must feel completely out of his comfort zone.

××××××××××××

When the girls were away on errands and Vihaan was going over his file, Aashi walked up to Kriya. "Darling, have your medicine before he blasts on me." She handed it to her with a glass of water in other hand. Kriya chuckled and gulped it down.

"It was just a normal viral I got from the trip." She whined. "He worries too much."

"Correction, he loves you too much." Aashi winked and went back to her chair noticing Vihaan looked up towards them. After some time, Aashi got up to step outside. Since the girls were still out, Kriya decided to go talk to Vihaan.

"Hi, Kriya. We didn't have an official intro." She side holding out her hand.

He nodded and gave a firm shake. "Vihaan."

As if it were completely normal, she leaned back on the desk, facing him. "So, how do you like it here so far?"

"I'm not here to like it." He replied, earning a chuckle from her. "What?"

She shook her head, "Why are you here then?"

He was caught off-guard. "I..."

One of the best agents, huh? She thought, remembering Swayam's words. Not that she doubted, but she was sure it must have been a while since Vihaan had gone undercover. "I get it. Why would you tell me? You don't even know me. I get it." She continued her act.

"No, it's nothing like that. I'm just..." Oh, how bad he felt. He was so not doing well for his first day.

"Relax, Vihaan. Lighten up. I'm not offended or anything. I'm just joking. We all aren't here to 'like' it. I mean, it is work."

"Yeah, exactly what I meant." He grabbed on the chance to fix his slip-ups.

Nicole came up, holding two cups of coffee. "Coffee?" She offered. Kriya refused.

"Nah, I'm good. Not a fan of coffee."

Aashi come around as well, "More like never had a sip of it."

Kriya frowned at being corrected, "Hey, I don't like the smell alright? It makes me nauseous." She defended herself.

Nicole got back on topic, "Mhmm. Well, Vihaan?"

He readily took it, "Don't mind if I do."

Simmi walked in and dropped on her chair, "It's only day one and I'm already exhausted." She complained.

Aashi spoke, back in business tone, "Sorry to break it to you, but it only gets worse from here. Everyone, break time is over. Get back to work."

××××××××××××

"Kriya, aren't you going home?" Nicole asked when she got ready to leave. The time for them was up for the day. It was past 5. Aashi had left just minutes ago. Her stuff was still there, so Kriya assumed she'd left to remind Swayam of his calendar for tomorrow.

""Yes, as soon as I finish this. You go on. Take care." Kriya replied.

"Alright, see you tomorrow." Nicole left, leaving just Simmi, Vihaan and Kriya in the room.

"That's an expensive ring." She commented. Kriya looked up to face her.

"And it bothers you because?" Kriya challenged back, instant dislike.

"Just saying. Didn't steal it, did you?"

"Actually, now that you point it out, yes. I did." At that, Vihaan's face jerked up towards them. Who could blame him? Not only was he an FBI agent but also in the same room and not overhearing a conversation was impossible. "From my husband. Any problem?" Simmi had no come back and with a scoff, left.

Swayam, watching from the other side of the glass, chuckled. He could not hear their voice but from the way Simmi left, he could assume. Simmi picked up her things and was out for the day. Kriya took a relaxed sigh and closed the file.

Vihaan's voice made her realize of his presence. He was so quiet that it was hard to remember he was in the room. "Aren't you too young to be married?"

She nodded. "Probably, but it's not illegal to get married after you're 18."

"Ofcourse." He replied and got up with a file in his hand and briefcase in another. "Well, see you tomorrow."

"Bye." She replied and watched him leave. Only, she didn't see him take a turn around and walk towards Swayam's cabin. Believing herself to be alone, she stretched in the chair. It had been a long day after all. She could not remember when she had lied so much in her life - all in one day. For the most part though, this cover up was fun to carry on.

She then got up and walked next-door to Swayam's cabin. Seeing Vihaan there, she instantly made up a reason, "Ops, wrong cabin." And walked back out, pretending to have not seen them.

She hit the back of her head, as she scolded herself once back at her desk. "Should have knocked first, stupid. You can't just walk into his office anytime. Remember, he's the boss."

She lazed around till she saw Vihaan leave. A few minutes later, she went towards Swayam's cabin again. This time, she made sure to knock, despite knowing that he was alone in there.

She peeped in. "Safe to enter?"

"You didn't have to walk out before." He leaned, sitting on the table.

"I know. So this is your condition? Keeping me in front of you?"

"You wanted to be an intern and you still are. You never said I had to keep you on a different floor or department."

"Nicely played, Mr. Shekhawat."

"I know, love." He made her stand up. "Now, how about we go watch a movie?"

"Really?" The only reason for her surprise was that they hadn't gone to watch one in a long time and because he would always keep himself indulged in his double-life work that there'd rarely be room for some free time to loosen up, just sit back and relax.

"Of course. I'm sure Aashi would love to go home early after the hectic day we've all had." He could see a thought forming in her head. "And no, she is not coming with us. I doubt she'd want to watch this movie."

"Okay, another time then."

They waited for Aashi to come back. When she did, he told her they were going to leave and that she could leave early as well. Happily, she agreed.

××××××××××××

"Can we first go change into something casual?" Kriya asked looking down at her business clothes.

"Just take that coat off and it'll be casual." He told her. That was an alternative and she did.

Once inside the theater, Kriya frowned. "I thought we were going to watch a Hindi film."

"We watch them all the time." He countered and handed her the popcorn as he paid for it. Finding their seats, they waited for the movie to begin.

"I swear, if the movie has anything gross, you're gonna regret it."

"How am I supposed to know if there is or not? I'm watching it for the first time too."

She glared at him. He admired her and looked back in her eyes softly. The next second, the glare vanished. Her eyes blanked. In front of his softness, everything vanished. He cleared his throat and turned back to front. He knew he had nothing to worry about. It was a horror movie but he could tell there wouldn't be any over the top bloody scenes.

He opened his palm up. She looked at him. "You'll need it." Feeling conscious, she slipped her hand in his and he placed it on his thigh. Then at intense scenes, he could feel her stiffen. She would hold on to his hand tightly, squeezing it almost. Then she would go back to eating popcorn like she hadn't just been scared out of her wits.

××××××××××××

"I'll just be back." Kriya told him and went in the washroom after the movie had ended. As she washed her hands, Simmi came out from one of the booths. She made a disliking face. "Feeling's mutual." Kriya murmured back.

"Wasn't seeing you in office enough?"

Kriya spat back. "No one asked you to come watch movies today." For some reason, she was simply not liking this girl. And there were only very few people Kriya disliked. Sometimes by their actions. Sometimes by intuition on first meeting. Kriya was simply deciding which one it was for Simmi, for it seemed both applied to her.

Getting out, Kriya turned Swayam and warned, "Whatever you do, do not turn back. I ran into Simmi." Swayam was about to turn around only but hearing the rest, he quickly faced front again.

"What's she doing here?"

Kriya gave him a 'seriously' look. "It's a movie theater Swayam. Why would anyone come here?"

Simmi tried her best to see his face but it was hard for her for he would not turn even sideways for her to get a glance at him. Why are you so eager to see him? She questioned herself, then satisfied herself saying it was because he simply made her curious.

××××××××××××

Rey rang the door bell to the house, and his mom answered. She was surprised seeing him there, close to midnight. "Rey? What are you doing here?" Her eyes traveled down to the travel bag he had on the floor next to him.

He picked it up, while his mom made way for him to enter the house. "I can't live under his roof anymore, mom. I can either only see him at work, or at home. Not both places. I'll go crazy."

She sighed, "What did he do now?"

"Does he need a reason?" He scoffed, "Just seeing his face is enough to set me off."

"Rey, you know you can't just leave home like that."

"I didn't." He argued. "I am home. This is my home, where you are. Not where he lives and brings his mistresses."

He watched the expression on her face change, and felt guilty right away. He apologized, "Mom... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up."

She shook her head, trying to force her lips into a smile. "No. Um, it's fine. We're divorced. He can do whatever he wants. I don't care."

Rey knew, regardless of what she was saying. She did care. A few months ago, he wouldn't have understood. Now, when it had happened to him, he could. You don't choose who you fall for. And just because things do not work out between the two, does not mean the feelings will go away instantly.

"You got any ice-cream left?" He questioned, knowing that one topic would definitely change her mood.

"Always." She answered.

"Awesome. This time, you pick a movie." He left towards the kitchen. She smiled watching him open the fridge door. This time? He always let her pick a movie, and he'd watch it without complaining even if she picked a sappy chick lit.

The back of her mind worried about what his father would do now that he had left home. She knew he wouldn't let it go easily. He would retaliate, and Rey would get hurt. She did not want his son to be hurting anymore. No mother would want that for her child. And yet, she felt helpless. To her, it felt as if there wasn't much she could do to protect Rey now than she could when she was married to the man.

For now, she decided she could least enjoy some stress-free time with her son. Since the longest now, they weren't arguing. He was finally home with her. Honestly, she was surprised he had chosen to come to her. She knew in the past, he'd gone to Taani, or just staked out in a hotel. She didn't mind that he would go to Taani. She knew he would listen to her more than he would ever listen to her.

××××××××××××

Kriya was sitting out on a chair in her balcony when Swayam walked out. "Aren't you sleepy?" He checked the time. It was almost 10.

"Hmm." She nodded but did not move an inch. She remained still in her place. "Swayam?"

"Mmm?" He leaned back on the railing facing her.

She got up and took a step closer to him. She did not know what overcame her but she placed her hand on his cheek, caressing it. Swayam stood straight on his feet, stunned by this action of hers.

"Sometimes you surprise me so much. You've done so much for me without wanting anything back."

He wrapped his hands around her, making her gasp slightly. "Do you want me to ask for something in return?" He smirked while she shied looking away. "Do you want me to behave as a husband?" He repeated the same question he'd asked at the club. Seeing her face go crimson red, he became serious.

"You don't see it. But from my point of view, you have given me your company - work that I love doing not just for money but because it makes me happy. You have given yourself as my best friend, my guiding angel - always pulling me out of the dark and my worst fears, guiding me to light. I have you as my wife - who cares for me and my family more than herself. What more do I need? Even if I asked for anything else, it would not be better than what I already have."

Her heart felt heavy. She never did look from his view. She always thought that he gave his happiness away to protect her; worked hard day and night for a company where he did not have to; looked after her as a husband and did not demand any other relationship and force her into anything. A tear escaped her eyes and dropped down on her cheek.

He shook his head and leaned in to kiss the tear away. "I did not say this so that you would cry." She chuckled between her tears and rested her head on his shoulder, hugging him getting on her tip-toes.

"You're the best Swayam Shekhawat." He hugged her back before she pulled back, his arms still around her.

"Bhai!" Vicky called out, disturbing them and walking in the door. Kriya turned around but Swayam did not let go of her.

Vicky saw them but ignored. "I don't care if I'm disturbing your romance." Both of them gaped at him as he settled on the chair previously occupied by Kriya.

"What do you want?" Swayam asked, hating him in the moment for disturbing them, since he had a lot more to say to Kriya.

Vicky looked at Kriya. "Bhabhi, can you get me some warm milk please?" Kriya nodded and left. This time, Swayam had to let her go.

As soon as she was out of the room, Vicky stood up. "I actually came to ask if you've thought of anything for her birthday. Then next day is your wedding anniversary too. We only have a week left."

"I remember, Vicky." Surely Swayam would never forget that date. Then they got into sharing ideas they had thought of till the time Kriya came back. When she entered, they changed the topic and started talking about Neha. Kriya excused herself and went to sleep. Minutes later, Vicky walked in the room and Kriya was still awake, just lying in bed. He bid her "Good night bhabhi" and left for his room.

Swayam lied. "He needs some help with Neha. So I'm gonna go. I'll sleep there itself, okay?" She nodded in approval, despite catching on to the lie, and turned the lights off after he left as well.

××××××××××××

author's note:

I'll be doing a Q & A session for next update. I know you guys have tons of questions on various characters and couplings on this book. Leave me a personal message in inbox (NOT ON COMMENTS) and I will answer them next Wednesday. You can also ask any personal questions to get to know me, or anything really. As long as it's a decent question, I won't mind answering (:

See you next week!