Chapter 12 ~ "Really Hot"

EDITED.

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Akira's POV

"So when are you going to be back from the wedding?"

"A few weeks." Ayan replied.

Chased nodded, "Unfortunately, I won't be able to come. I was looking forward to it, but this month is busy, and it's tougher since the venue has changed to India."

I zoned out againas they continued to converse about mybrother's wedding, completely ignoring my presence. The continuous obliviousness to my presence began tonight after Chase found out that Ayan and I were associated prior to merger.

When Chase had stumbled back our table, for the first few seconds he remained silent and simply stared at us in confusion. I was quite terrified that he would ask about the incident, assuming he heard our entire conversation, but to my relief he simply asked if we had known each from before.

My mouth opened and closed unknown to the answer I should provide my boss, while Ayan had smoothly jumped in claiming that he was my brother's best friend and we had known each other from childhood, smartly leaving out details of our animosity towards each other. And since then, Chase's questions didn't seem to stop, varying from why we hadn't told him about our relation, to aimless topics.

Ayan hadn't even glanced my way since earlier, most probably bitter from my statement earlier. I didn't mind Ayan's ignorance, Chase on the other hand, seemed to forget I was present before pulling me into some arbitrary conversation.

Another hour had passed, and I was ready to escape this tedious dinner and drown myself in a bottle wine.

Clearing my throat and grabbing the attention of both men, "If it's alright with you gentlemen, I'd like to retire back home." Concern made its way across Chase's face, and before he could raise worry, "I simply a little jet-lagged and have to work on the presentation as well," I lied reassuringly.

Chase furrowed his eyebrows before looking at his watch. His brows shot up seeming to finally noticed the time, as it struck just past 11.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Akira, I completely lost track of time. Let me drive you home." He exclaimed, smiling apologetically. My attempt to smile failed as I grimaced and thanked him.

As we both stood from our seats, Ayan spoke up. "Mr. Greyar, I do believe you mentioned having work remaining back at the office?"

I suppressed a groan watching Chase's smile faltered, "Yes, but that's alright. I'll drop Ms. Kapoor before heading my way there." He replied hesitantly.

"Wellington avenue, right?"

Chase nodded on my behalf. I clenched my teeth.

"That's unnecessary, I'm headed in that direction anyways so I can drop her off. And Greyer Corps is in the other direction." Ayan replied, nonchalantly.

"That's quite alright. Thank you both for the offers but I'm sure there is a taxi I can find right outside." While I smiled at Mr. Chase, I did not doubt Ayan to detect the hostility hidden in my voice.

"No it's alright, Akira. I have no problem dropping you off," Chase repeated, but I could see him wavering below Ayan's words.

The devilish man in turn simply rolled his eyes, "If you're worried about her safety, I think it is better to remember that I've known her for almost two decades now." He arched his brow, continuing on. "In fact I should be the one concerned about her if you were to take her home. What would I say to her brother, if anything were to happen to our sweet little Akira."

I'm going to slit his throat.

Any moment now, my teeth were going to crack from all the gritting I was doing. Chase looked at me with his wide blue eyes, nodding to Ayan's reasoning. "As much I hate to disagree, he makes a fair point."

"A taxi is also reliable, Mr. Chase." Displaying my forced smile, I reminded myself that this oblivious idiot was in fact my boss, and had a great part in my career advancements.

Voicing his final protests and making me promise that I would let Ayan drive me home, he paid for the bill and bid us goodbye.

Determined to ignore the twat and keep my razor words at bay, I stepped out the restaurant. Waving my hand as the limited taxis flashed by, one finally came to a stop near my feet.

I leaned down and smiled uncomfortably at the driver, immediately noticing his leering eyes following me from head to toe. I suppressed a shudder and threw another look down the road hoping to spot a free taxi with a non-creepy driver.

After a few more seconds of contemplating, I sighed in resignation, "Melling—"

An arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back against a hard body, cutting off my words.

"Not happening." I craned my neck to noticed Ayan's dark gaze glaring down at me. Turning to face the eerie taxi driver, his commanding voice rumbled against my back, "Leave. Before I report you for indecent behaviour." And that's all it took for the vehicle to speed off down the street.

I shoved his arm free and stepped to a respectable distance while facing him.

"Are you really that stupid? You saw his leering gaze, and yet you were willing to sit in the same car as that creep?" Ayan growled.

He cut off my assertion to continue. "Can you ever think rationally? Seriously, are you not concerned about your own safety?" He huffed, running his fingers through the gelled hair.

"Okay fine, that was stupid of me." The surprise that flickered through his eyes was satisfying, "but you basically threatened my boss to let you drive me home."

"Whatever. I'm going to the restroom, so don't you dare move Akira." He said, ignoring my statement, and slipping back into the restaurant.

I huffed loudly in irritation, startling an elderly couple walking along the street. Immediately apologizing with a heated cheeks, I slipped my hair out of its original bun, and glanced across the street.

Screw the wine, I need something stronger.

Acknowledging that I would not take the risk of a taxi, but still irritated at Ayan, I rebelliously I crossed the street and walked into the quaint and seemingly decent bar. Smirking to myself as I pictured Ayan's discontent, I slipped inside noticing only a few people littered around the tiny room.

Striding straight to the bar and settling into the stool, I turned to the young bartender and plastered a dazzling smile, "I'll have a shot of vodka please."

He arched an eyebrow, "Rough night?"

"You have no idea."

A few seconds later, he placed the shot in front of me, and without hesitation, I gulped it down, feeling the burn in my throat. I coughed, spluttering, "Why do people drink that?"

The bartender laughed at the visible distaste on my face, simply shaking his head. I sighed, and glanced at the door just as it opened, revealing the furious jerk.

Rolling my eyes, I turned back towards the boy, "Actually can I have two more shots?"

"I thought you just asked why people drink it?" He replied bemused.

"Yes, but I'm going to need a little alcohol in my system if I have to endure a lecture worse than my mom's." At this he chuckled again, pouring in my request.

"I told you not to leave." Ayan snapped, slapping his palm against the table and attracting attention from few others sitting at the bar.

Completely unfazed, I turned to face him, leaning my elbow against the counter. "And I'm not your trained dog."

He ran his fingers through his raven black hair, clearly frustrated. "I thought something happened to you again."

"You would like that, wouldn't you?"

"No, not really."

I scoffed, gulping down another shot.

"So what's the plan? Getting drunk, and then what?"

"Actually I came to get just one drink, but seeing your face made me change my mind." I stated.

Our quarrel was interrupted by the clearing of someone's throat. We both looked over at the bartender who couldn't seem to hide his amusement.

One glance at him had me snickering lightly, while Ayan seemed about done with shit and pinched the bridge of his nose.

He grumbled incoherently under his breath and lifted the shot glass.

"Nuh uh," I interrupted. "You're driving," I took the glass from him and had the drink down in seconds.

He silently watched me down another shot before handing his card to the bartender and latching his hand onto my shoulder. With a mumbled 'thanks' to the still grinning worker, he dragged me out with my protests hollering through the room.

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"I'm moving to Antarctica."

The thudding of Ayan's head against the metal wall resonated through the elevator. I paid no heed to his frustrations and continued with my nonsensical ramblings.

"Seriously, it's too hot right now. Stupid global warming."

"Please Akira. For the love of bhagwan, shut up."

I pouted, and leaned over to poke his cheek. He smacked it away with a scowl settled upon his lips, pursed lips that grabbed my attention. His eyes followed me cautiously as my gaze flickered over his face.

"It really is hot in here."

"Must be the elevator heating," he mumbled, eyebrows raising the slightest.

I frowned, "oh."

He shook his head, the sparkle of amusement shining in his dark eyes. "Bhandar."

"Idiot," I sang without missing a beat, resting my head against his shoulder.

Drunk Akira was most certainly more complacent with her enemies than sober Akira.

He stiffened at the contact before releasing a sigh and pushing out the door once reaching my floor. I felt the cool touch of his fingers against the fabric of my dress at the small of my back.

"You know, you aren't that bad deal with when I'm drunk."

He shot me a pointed look, "but you are unquestionably difficult."

Sticking my tongue out at him, I turned to open my lock hearing his chuckling in the background. Entering my room, I didn't bother to change before flopping onto my couch. My drunken self was not as self-conscious as I would've liked her to be—not that she ever was.

At the brink of unconsciousness, I could feel the same cool fingers tracing along my ankle until the heavy thump of my heels hit the ground.

Before he left, I asked the question that had seemed to linger at the back of my mind, "Why do you care?"

"About what?"

"My safety. After the restaurant scene, why did you bother yourself and try to find me?" I elaborated, my eyes fluttering shut.

It was silent for a few minutes, and I thought he already left. But then the lights turned off, and I heard a soft whisper before the door closed, "The last time I didn't try, someone died."

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Thanks for your patience and hope you enjoyed this short update. 

Here's a gif of our happy lil Deepika for now:

xoxo,

loveYJHD