Riya.

We all are having breakfast. I peeked at Neev out of the corner of my eyes and get caught.

He smiled at me and nodded, I removed my eyes hurriedly, my poor heart couldn't stand it.

Neev is smiling? actually smiling genuinely after all these days?

It's just a smile, nothing big, come to your senses, Riya!

Ever since I came to know I am in love with him, I was thinking how I should act around him, and I came to a conclusion, I will try to act normally, I don't want to get caught. I know the Aldrick's first rule- never to fall in love with a lower class.

I took the jug and felt pain in my hands.

You deserve it Riya, who in their right mind will sleep in the chair, waiting for some arrogant jerk?

I put the jug back and caught Nivin's eyes again.

Is it just me? or...Is Nivin actually looking at me?

God! I never know being in love is like this, I am now starting to hallucinate too!

"I will go then" I announced and get up.

Before I reached the gate, I heard his voice.

"Riya, wait" Nivin called out.

"What is it? I am a bit late" I said, I don't want to talk to him now, I will calm my heart in a few days and then I can talk to him normally.

"How were the exams? I heard it's your last one today?" he said.

I stared at him.

He can't just act like everything was fine after ignoring me all these days!

"Yea, I am running late, I will see-"

"I will drop you then" he cut across me.

"Um..?"

"I will drop you today," he said, I stared at him.

What's wrong with him? for the past one and half weeks, he didn't even give a second glance at me!

"There's no need, I am okay Nivin, we will talk later" I started to go, but he grabbed my hand.

"Wait," he said.

Oh my God!

I pulled my hand back in shock. Nivin looked a bit surprised.

"Er... It really is okay...I mean...we will talk...later" I said quickly, but he still seemed surprised at my action.

"How are you doing? I heard they are giving you a hard time?" he said. The question threw me off guard.

It's been freaking 11 days Neev! and now you asking me this!

"Nothing I can't manage" I shrugged and winced when my neck hurt.

"What is it?" Nivin looked concerned.

"Nothing Neev, you shouldn't worry about silly things, focus on your work, I promised you I will take care of myself," I said. "bye"

"Riya, I will dro-"

But I had already fled.

Neev.

Riya is avoiding me!

Yes, that is it, she's avoiding eye contact, she pulled her hand back and she seemed too eager to escape.

Why the hell am I getting disappointed?

I walked back to my car and started it. I was still kind of irritated.

I shouldn't worry about silly things?

I get angry instantly.

I remembered the incident a few days back, I intertwined our fingers at the table! it was so natural and it had calmed me down almost instantly. And we were closer that time. Riya was supporting me! I can't believe it changed in a few days, she seemed uncomfortable now!

And that made me frustrated!

Joseph Aldrick.

"Are you out of your mind, Sebastian!? do you even know what you are saying!?" I looked at him.

"I know, but however I try, I can't seem to change her mind, Nirosha is so stubborn on this," he said.

"So you are ready to do what she wanted? you want to plan her engagement with Nivin again!?"

"I am afraid of her these days," he said. "you know I don't have anyone else besides her, she had never asked me anything before, If I don't agree on this, she will go back to her mother"

"You know it, Nivin is going to be thrown out of the company, his position is only temporary" I warned.

"I know, but I have a plan, he's also the second largest shareholder of the company, he will do anything to stay in the company now, we will just make a deal with him over this engagement, one that he cannot deny"

"What do you mean?" I looked up at him.

"The only reason I am considering Nirosha's demand is because of his shares, I have a plan, If it is succeeded, we can have his shares back, he will be out of the company and Nirosha can't be with him!" he said.

"Let's hear it first" I sit back in my chair and Sebastian took the opposite one.

"We are going to trap him with the proposal first, you know the rules of the company, he can't deny it"

"Nirosha or not, I don't think he's thinking of settling down now," I said dryly.

"That's why I have this plan, we are going to leak that footage of party"

He's really lost it now! he wants me to leak that footage of the party Nivin screwed up?

"Are you out of your mind-" I started.

"Just hear me first, yes, I do agree it will bring a bad impression, but everything can be solved!" he started to tell me his plan.

"I want him till he finishes the Asian project"

"I know, just hear me out now" he started to talk.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Neev.

"Thank you! you wouldn't regret it" Sachin smiled.

"I think I already do, but you know the risks associated with it"

"Of course! what changed your mind?" he asked me.

"I only have limited time, I have to finish this new project in a few months and it should beat the first one too, I reckon I can't get anyone as efficient as you anyway" I shrugged.

"Are you complimenting me?" Sachin grinned.

"No, just wanted to remind you it's one of your stupidest decision"

"Thanks for the support" Sachin rolled his eyes.

"If we are going to be thrown out of the company, you are going to lose your-"

"I know what I'm risking.." Sachin stopped, now looking at his phone.

"No! it can't be.." he looked worried suddenly.

"What's it?" I asked, Instantly feeling something is wrong.

But Sachin switched on the huge LCD In my office, changing the channels.

"What is it sachi-" but I too stopped. I saw it too.

My heart stopped. Riya's face was clear, recognisable, It was from the party. It showed me wrapping my blazer around her protectively and wrapping her in my hand. It kept repeating when the news continued.

I never thought I looked that protective and pissed off that night.

"Impossible! I personally erased the CCTV footage!" Sachin said in a whisper.

"It's not the CCTV, the video quality is too good!" I gritted my teeth.

My office phone has already started ringing.

"Someone wanted to frame you, oh God, I think someone wants to throw you out of the company," Sachin said.

But my mind was in another direction.

"Riya! she's alone, she has no idea!" I said, now getting my car keys, I cut the incoming call and started to dial Riya.

"Sachin, we have to find her, she could be still near the college, If the news gets out, she will be in trouble" I shouted as I ran out of my office.

Riya.

I walked out of the gate.

"Hey, Riya? want a ride?" Sharath slowed down. I smiled at him.

Sharath is one of Neev's best friends, he always protected me.

"I will take the bus, thank you" I waved at him.

"I will see you then, Happy holidays" he grinned before driving away. I walked out of the gate and was momentarily blinded by the flashes.

"Are you Ms.Riya Mehra?"

"Do you study here?"

"You are the waitress Nivin Rosh Aldrick is been seen with, what's your relationship with him?"

And just like that flashes went on, I was cornered to a side, surrounded by the flashes and God knows how many reporters.

I never thought press could be this horrifying, I was starting to panic, I don't know what to say, I tried to hide my face but there was too many of them.

Dear God!? what's happening?

Nivin.

"I found her," Sachin said. "but she's trapped man"

We were in different cars, now talking through the phone.

"Yea, I am nearby, I am going to get her before they kill her," I said slowly.

"Wait! you can't just appear there, do you want the situation to get out of hand?" Sachin's voice stopped me from opening the door.

"Then am I supposed to-" I started angrily.

"No, I have taken care of it, just sit tight," Sachin said and sure enough, his dad's security officers were there, pushing through the crowd of reporters.

Thank God!

I said a silent prayer. but it was still not enough for me, I really wanted to take her away. she looked panicked.

Control it Neev...or her name will be splashed across every newspaper!she will be tortured more.

I watched as she was escorted safely back to their car. this seems to make the reporters more aggressive but thankfully she was safe at last.

Riya.

I was still shaking. I don't know what that was all about.

"Here, drink this, you will be alright," Auntie Nandini told me, handing me a cup full of warm coffee. "It will help calm your nerves"

"Take it easy Riya," Sachin said beside me.

I was escorted to the dexits and Sachin was there.

"Riya!" Nivin sounded worried.

Nivin's voice made me vulnerable. He pushed open the door and walked to me, he was all concerned for me and it made me even weaker.

"Are you alright?" he stopped in front of me and took my hands. "Are you hurt? how did you get this!?" his voice turned thunderous when he turned my face to the right side gently.

It broke me, tears started to fall on their own accord and I started to wipe it.

"God, you are hurt! I am going to sue them!" Nivin pulled out his phone.

"Neev," Sachin said slowly beside me. "she's okay, calm down"

"They had no right! she's hurt Sachin, It could have been much worse if we were not there at the right time!"

"It's...It's...It's nothing...I was...just...scared" I tried to control it, but I was still trembling.

"I will get her an icepack or it might swell," Auntie Nandini said.

"I'm...okay, Neev," I said, looking at him, he still had that furious look on his face.

"The question is who did it? It's unlikely that grandpa would do that since it affects the family reputation" Sachin said.

Neev.

Sachin's phone started to ring. "yes dad, yea, she's safe, um. I think he switched it off...okay, I will tell him" he cut the phone and looked at me.

"There's a board meeting?" I guessed.

"Tonight," Sachin said.

Riya dropped to the chair.

"Here, place it on the bruise" Auntie Nandini gave Riya the icepack, who was busy staring at us.

"What is it? are you in trouble? I am sorry, It's all because of me" Riya started to cry again.

"Just drink your coffee and take rest, we will sort it out," I told her firmly, now taking the ice pack from auntie and placing it on her hand. "apply it," I said.

"On the bright side, we will know who exactly leaked it," Sachin said.

"Okay, I will go now, please take care of her for a while auntie, I will take her home in the evening" I looked at Nandini.

"I will drive her Neev, don't worry about her," Sachin said and I had no way but to accept it silently.

"Riya, I will see you at home then" I looked at her for the last time, she nodded, smiling tentatively

Sachin.

I watched the exchange. I was right, they have a deep connection and it felt disturbing even to interfere.

I have never seen Neev like this in anyone's matter, not even Nirosha's!  even when they were together, I have never seen him like that.

I won't just sit back if she's hurt, Sachin...

I am kind of...strangely protective of her.

I still remember his words, It must have cost a lot for a cold-hearted Nivin to say something like that. he didn't care about a single person before, but he cares about her.

Nivin likes her...more than like her and he doesn't know it!

I realised.

"Are you alright?" I heard my mom's voice beside me. she had just let Riya sleep in the guest room and came back.

"You saw it too, didn't you?" I asked, not turning around.

My mom already knows about my feelings, she's like my best friend to whom I can talk all the weird stuff and I talked about Riya a lot of time, In fact, I talked about everything from the first onwards.

"Nivin's protective of her," she said quietly.

"It's more than just protectiveness mom, he loves her and the idiot doesn't realise it yet!"

"Are you alright?"

"You didn't see his face earlier mom, he was trying very hard to fight grandpa and the news broadcasted could even destroy all of his plans, but the first thing he said was to find Riya to keep her safe, I was shocked too"

"No matter what decision you are taking, I am with you," My mom said.

But I was still in shock.

I really think Nivin is falling for her!

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

Guys,

So what do you think? Neev is stubborn but, he can't actually hide his feelings:)