Nivin.

I closed my laptop and yawned. The project is going well. I was surprised to find it interesting too, second best to racing!

I looked at my watch, It was 1 am already! I walked out of my office, yes, I have my own special office now.

At first, everyone in the company was cautious around me; like they are not sure how to treat me... like they don't know if they want to accept me or reject me. but now they all seemed to accept me.

My phone started to ring and I picked it up.

"Neev?"

"Sachin? why are you calling me at this hour of time?"

"I heard you are working, so was I," he said. "I would like to meet you when you are finished with works."

"What is it?" I asked, I don't know why I have to meet him at this time.

"Meet me at our old place," he said. "The seafood place."

"I have things to do tomorrow, Sachin, I can't make it today"

"It's important," Sachin said and I sighed.

.....

"No, I can't do that," I said firmly.

"I thought you would say this" Sachin sighed.

"I know you want people to help you with this project, I heard you are doing an interview tomorrow, I just want you to accept me as a candidate."

"Yes, I do need people, but I can't accept you," I said.

"That's not fair! all I am asking you is to select me fair and square!" he said.

"You don't understand-" I started.

"I do understand, Neev, I know you, you are worried about grandpa, even if our company get selected, you are not sure if grandpa will accept it or he might pull another dirty trick and throw you away again," Sachin said.

I stared at him.

"I understand the risk and volunteer for it,"

"I can't do that Sachin," I said.

"Why?"

"I can't tell you."

"How about I tell you?" he said, I looked up at him

Surely he doesn't know...

"last time I checked, your project was almost over and you didn't have the chance to submit it since grandpa fired you," Sachin said.

I was speechless, just like I knew all his moves in basketball, he has an advantage over me too, he knows everything about me, the way I think, the way I act, everything.

"Fine," I said. "you are right, I am in the process of making another one, a backup project just in case,"

"I thought so, how is it going?"

"Not much, I put all my best to the Asian project," I said.

"So you are having difficulty in beating yourself?" Sachin asked.

"And that's why I don't want you in it," I said.

"Because I might be thrown away too if I were to do this second project with you and another company?"

"It's all an assumption, I don't want to work for another company," I said.

"But you still are preparing another one"

"Because I know grandpa"

"Then let me in"

"You want to leave the best company to work in the smallest, unknown company with me?"

"You are selecting the smallest company to do your project? you want to humiliate our big company?"

"Sachin, It's all just assumptions, first, they have to kick us out for me to do it, second, my second project has to get selected if I ever want to win and humiliate our company, which I am having a difficult time to believe myself because It took nearly two years for me to do the Asian project"

"Still you are going to try"

"I have no other choice, Sachin, you heard grandpa, he said he will only open the CEO position for voting if I completely hand over the Asian project"

"It's a trap, I know," Sachin said, then looked at me. "Count me in, It's my responsibility"

"If you ever left the company with me, you will lose your management rights," I said. "You are the COO of Hi-life industry and one of the directors in Aldrick corporation, It might affect your reputation if you decide to stay with me"

Hi-Life industry consists of luxurious hotels and belongs to Sachin's maternal family.

"I don't care, I am in," he said again. "My hotel groups are fine and Grandfather is already taking care now, So it will not be a problem if I take a break now," Sachin said. "I will stay until we complete this project" He added.

I looked at him.

Looks like he has thought it through.

I sighed. "Sachin, I am going to make a paper company which only exist in the paper to submit the second project, If grandpa is trying to take that Asian project, I will submit the new project through the paper company, let the selection team decide which project they really want" I stopped. "It's a very difficult situation, I can't drag you to this"

"I am in Neev," he said firmly.

"You are not going to stop, are you?"

"No, you better accept me."

"On the other hand, It's easier for me to accept you, nobody will match up to you"

"Exactly, now we are in agreement there," Sachin said arrogantly.

"Why?" I asked.

"why what?" he looked straight back.

"You are risking everything, you know that, If we are ever thrown out, we will be competing against my grandpa and your father," I said.

"I like the challenge and don't worry about my dad, he will take it easy," he said.

"Don't be too sure, It will be war," I said.

"Make it more interesting, doesn't it?" Sachin said. I sighed.

He is determined.

I looked at him for a moment.

"It's not your fault I have all these problems, you should stop no,w" I said slowly. "It was me who pushed you away two years ago, so you don't have to try har-"

"I should have told you as soon as I knew about Nirosha, I was in shock too," Sachin said. "I know it was not about her, I broke your trust-"

"You didn't even know anything Sachin, I knew it, I knew you just knew about the engagement only days before grandpa announced it, but I didn't want to keep any connections with the family or friends, I wanted to be alone then, It's partly my fault too, so-"

"I watched you getting beaten up and getting punished as long as I remember, I know you were going through a very hard time, but I couldn't stop it, I couldn't talk to you about it too, I was totally silent about it, I was a coward, the truth was, I was so ashamed to face you-"

"Whenever I needed you, you were there Sachin. we never talked about the beatings, we had some sort of silent agreement over it, but it was you who always helped me" I said firmly.

I should stop it now, I know Sachin feels guilty for not standing up to me, but I know he can't do anything when grandpa is involved.

Sachin sighed, then looked sideways.

"Uncle Jose, bring some more soup here" Sachin shouted. I looked at him for a moment and both of us laughed.

"You will need me Neev, you don't have much time to finish this project,t," he said.

"I have to think this through,h," I said. Sachin was still looking at me now.

I raised my eyebrows at him.

"What are you planning?"

"What?" I said.

"You are planning to fight grandpa?that's why you, who usually don't care a damn about the company wants to be the CEO, you want the managing rights!"

"I know you will think I have gone mad, I can no long-" I started.

"I think you have every right, Neev and I think it's time you start fighting back too," Sachin said. I looked at him strangely.

"I know it's crazy to think of fighting him, but that's more of a reason why you would need me."

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Really, because I am one of the board of directors, I have the right to vote Nivin, how many do you think will vote for you when something happens?"

"You are truly your dad's son," I said. "you can convince people by your words" I chuckled.

"I am not as good as you, you gave me a shock at the meeting" Sachin smiled.

"Here you are" Uncle Jose came with the steaming bowl of soup. "it's nice to see you two together again," he said.

"Hey uncle, how are you these days?" Sachin asked cheerfully.

"I am good, boy, It seems you don't have time to come here anymore," he said then turned to me. "And tell that girl of yours my regards"

Arggg...

I groaned mentally.

"Who?" Sachin asked.

of course, he will pick it up.

"His girlfriend came here with him last time" Uncle Jose said before turning around to others.

"You brought Riya here!?" Sachin eyed me, his spoon still in midair.

"She's just a friend Uncle Jose," I said quickly but he was already walking back to his next customers.

"Are you sure Nivin? because it doesn't seem like that to me" Sachin said seriously.

"Let's stop talking about Riya, okay," I said irritated. but it was too late, my mind has already started to go there.

Again...

"Why, don't you feel comfortable talking about her?" Sachin asked.

"No, I don't want to divert my attention anywhere else for the time being"

I am even avoiding her now.

"So she's disturbing your focus now?" Sachin asked. "Is that why you no longer want to know about her?"

"Sachin, we are not here to discuss this!"

You have no idea what's going on! I am actually worried about myself around her, I am getting too much affected by her.

"Sure, do you know how Riya is treated these days? the students are torturing her, even the teachers are giving her a hard time and you know it's her exam time!" Sachin said.

"She said she will be alright," I said slowly, but I felt the strange tightness in my heart, the sensation I have been trying to ignore this past week.

"She would have gotten seriously injured if it was not for Praveen who stopped others, her head hit the lockers and she was in nurse room half day yester-"

"Stop it Sachin" I cut across him.

I can't take it anymore.

"Fine, but I can't sit back anymore, I was true about my feelings from first onwards, so keep away from her," Sachin said in serious tone.

Anger filled me all of a sudden.

"Back off Sachin, she's not one of your fangirls," I said, trying to keep my cool.

"She's not, I told you she's special to me, I was clear about it from the beginning," he said. "I asked you many times too, I don't want a love triangle, especially with you, Neev"

I couldn't think of anything to say. I don't know what's wrong with me when it comes to her.

"I.. I care about her," I said, at last, speaking up.

"So do I, Rohan, Danny, everyone care about her," Sachin said. "but that doesn't make you her guardian, she's someone with her free will.

"I cant...let anyone hurt her, I am...kind of...strangely protective of her" I admitted. It was the maximum I could admit aloud.

"I can understand it, you want to protect her from grandpa, It's a given, both of you are in a similar situation with him," Sachin said.

"If something happens to her, I can't sit back, Sachin," I said seriously.

"I have feelings for her, Neev," Sachin said firmly. "ever since I saw her, I have always wanted her, I am not confused Neev, I know what I want"

Something snarled inside of me. something strong, something unbearable.

"Let's stop this now" I tried to sound normal.

What're all these, Neev? what's going on with you?

"Okay, I just hesitated because you guys seemed connected somehow, now that we are clear, I won't talk about this anymore," Sachin said, getting up too.

His words were supposed to settle things, but It made me uneasy and unsettled.

"I will postpone that interview and let you know about your proposition," I told him, getting up too.

......

Security opened the gate for me. I walked in as Auntie Alice opened the door as usual.

"Should I get you dinner?" she asked.

"Don't bother, I had my dinner already" I said walking upstairs.

It's been years and she has still not stopped the habit of waiting for me whenever I am late.

The first few years was really annoying and I was pretty rude about it, the next few years I decided to just ignore it, but now, It's making me burdened.

I removed the blazer and loosened my tie in irritation. I never thought there would be a day when I will willingly wear these things!

I stopped.

What the hell, Neev, your room is on the other way.

I looked at the closed door.

'I have feelings for her Neev'

Sachin's words started to ring around me, making it difficult.

Yea..that's right, Sachin likes her, what the hell am I doing here? I have to go back!

Except that I couldn't go back, I was still standing transfixed in front of her door.

Sachin said she's hurt pretty badly, I just want to check on her, there's no problem with that, right?

I moved forward and placed my hand on the handle.

Nivin Rosh Aldrick, you have gone mad!

I opened the door slowly.

I stepped inside, closing the door back, careful not to make any noise.

I walked inside, the room was dimly lit with the blue neon light.

I looked at the bed, but she was not there.

Where is she!?

I looked around, there was no sign of her. I turned to the other side.

"What the-" I stopped myself just before cursing out aloud. she was curled around in the settee seat near the window, fast asleep.

Why is she sleeping there?

I walked near. the soft wind was blowing her hair out of place, she was wearing that cute pyjamas again.

I miss her!

I realised as I dropped on the handle on her settee. I spotted the faint bruise on her left side of the neck, upper arms and wrists.

Before I knew it, I stretched my hands and touched her bruise on the upper arm.

I was trying my maximum not to give in to the temptation of talking to her these past days. yes, I really wanted to talk to her, but the intensity of it worried me. And I know that grandpa will get obsessed with her the more I am close to her.

"I am sorry" I whispered. I feel so much guilty now.

She winced slightly and to my utter horror, opened her eyes slightly, staring at me.

"Um.." I don't know what to say, actually I am speechless at myself!

"Neev?... I am dreaming..pathetic" she murmured. "don't..don't " she closed her eyes again.

She's sleep talking!

Don't what?

"It's cold," she said again, trying to snuggle into the seat.

I sighed and walked to the bed to take the blanket.

What the hell Neev, are you stupid? she'll know someone was here in her room!

And against all my judgement, I wrapped her up in that. she smiled slightly in her sleep.

I just watched her for some time. I still remember her text message, It was a few days back.

She said her mamma had undergone the surgery and that she's okay, she also asked if I want to meet her.

But I couldn't do it, the last time I tried to see her mamma, I was reminded of the one person I hate the most- my Amma.

I was reminded of the dark past. It was painful first few years of her missing. then it was bitterness and as I started to understand what really happened, It became hatred.

No, I don't remember her face, It was too long ago and traumatic to me and grandpa had destroyed every single thing that was ever connected to her, Including the pictures.

"Don't..forget..aldriz first rule"

I was snapped back to the present when I heard her mumble again.

What's aldriz?...aldrick's?..then what's aldrick's first rule?

I watched her sleeping.

I am sorry Riya, I couldn't be there for you...

I looked at her position.

She's going to get hurt when she wakes up!

I sighed. I really want to transfer her back to bed.

Don't even think about it! and get out of here, NOW!

The voice inside me warned and I slipped out of her room before I lose the battle and lift her up again to move her to bed.

* * * * *

Sebastian.

I stilled when I saw her in my study. It was still early in the morning and I am surprised to see her here now.

"What are you doing here, Nirosha?" I asked and she looked startled. she jumped up and covered something.

"Did you think about it pappa-" she started. I sighed.

"Don't start it again, Nivin and you are never going to be together" I said sternly. "Rohan is much better than-"

"Why are you so opposed to it, papa?" she asked me, I could detect the sharpness in her voice.

I don't know what's with her suddenly. It has been two years since her engagement was fixed with Rohan and she's getting difficult now!

"That's not going to happen, you know Joseph Aldrick won't-"

"You have to help me then!" she looked at me. "Do something-anything to get me back with Nivin!"

"Nirosha-"

"No, I am not going to watch it if some beggar is going to take my place beside him! I can't allow that!"

"Nivin is never going to be in the company, his grandpa will throw him out again, you will end up losing everything"

"Then help me, I know you can stop it"

"I can't-"

"You can, If anyone can stop Joseph Aldrick, It's you, I know it, pappa "

"What are you even talking about!?" I exclaimed.

"I am talking about this" she raised up a picture.

I froze, now looking at the old photo that was taken during my college days.

It showed four boys and a girl grinning at the camera, everyone looked happy.

Nirosha touched the girl's picture.

"This is Neev's mom, Julia, Isn't it?" she asked me. "I don't remember her, but I guess it is his mom!"

"Yes, that is indeed Julia, and it was taken on the day of their engagement, It was a secret engagement because James didn't want to alert his father, we just had a little party for friends" I shrugged, trying hard not to look affected. "And this is James" I touched his image, then Anil, Dev and me, we were sort of a gang then"

"I knew you all were friends, but I didn't know you were this close!  especially Dev uncle and you don't seem so close now"

"Yea, Dev didn't like it when I was elected as the CEO after James's death. he seemed to think of it as my betrayal, but I was actually protecting James's position" I said.

"You can stop it, papa, I am not stupid," she said sharply.

"What are you getting at, Nirosha?" I asked her.

"This!" she dragged an old foto album out of the table and opened it.

I thought it was destroyed? where the hell did she find it?

I looked at it, stilled. It was full of her pictures.

"I think I know what happened, papa, Auntie Julia rejected you and get married to James uncle" she stated, "And you were taking your revenge!"

"Nirosha!" I warned.

"I know you are the reason for her missing pappa, I can guess what happene-"

"Tell me what is it you are trying to get from me," I said.

"Neev, I want him back, no matter what," she said slowly. "And I have no interest in your history," she said.

"Are you trying to threaten me, Nirosha? if Joseph Aldrick comes to know about this, he will destroy both of us-"

"I told you, I have no intention of exposing anything that's already history, It will only mess up my situation with Neev," she said sharply.

I waited. I want to know what's on her mind.

"I know there's no way you will like Neev, but just think about it, Neev is the second largest shareholder in the company, not Rohan, you can use Neev against his grandpa better than Rohan"

"And what do you suggest I should do?" I raised my eyebrows at her. I am actually surprised at the way her mind is working!

"Nothing, just let us be together, Neev will do anything for the company now, he's determined to win grandpa, so make a deal with him or do anything, just let us get married, papa!"

"You want to get married to that boy!? James's son? Julia's son!?" I lost it then.

"Don't be so sensitive about it, you already got your revenge on him, just think like a businessman now, like you usually do, papa"

I was silent for a minute. I know she's right, If Joseph ever comes to know about the real deal, I should be prepared! And there's no weapon more potent than Nivin.

I have to admit it, Nirosha is clever, Neev will do anything against his grandpa.

"Papa...?"

"Let me think about it," I said.

No, I can't forget the fact that Nivin is James & Julia's son, everything has started from our college.

And Anil Ragunad, he had the nerve to warn me! he wanted to protect James and his wife, which only backfired, yes, he knew everything, I couldn't destroy him by myself, that's why I had to side with grandpa, turning the story on him, framing him.

Yes, I did it, but nobody knows about it, Julia lost her mind when she heard about James so-called "suicide". she's been mentally depressed after that. her doctor said she can't ever come back from that shock.

It suits me just fine, she was the one who rejected me to get married to James!

Anil had been a constant headache all these time. he had been trying to follow me and Joseph Aldrick, collecting everything against us, he had wanted to expose us, but I managed to stop him, yes, It was not an accident, I killed that bastard before he ended up in Joseph Aldrick's hand.

Everything is fine now, I just have to take care of Joseph Aldrick, he is the only one I should be worried about now.

I started to walk out of there. I stopped at the door and turned around.

"Why? why do you want him all of a sudden?" I asked her.

"I love him, papa, I realised it now! I can't just give up on him"

------------------

Guys!

Yes, It was Sebastian! I knew you will figure it out after the last chapter:)

And Riya's dad, Anil was framed and grandpa doesn't know about it.

Don't forget to vote & comment! share it with your friends too.

I am eagerly waiting to hear from you.

Love you all ♥️