Joseph Aldrick.

"CEO? Really? I thought we both agreed to keep that boy far away from the company?" Sebastian looked angry.

"Why did you do it?"

We were both in a hotel that we usually meet up for plans.

I was still sipping my drink, Sebastian looked at me.

"Then what about me? Who am I to be exact? I was working like a dog all these years and did you just vote me out!?" he shouted.

"Did you really think you could fool me, Sebastian?" I looked at him in fury.

I couldn't control my anger anymore.

"What are you talking about?" he looked alert.

"Where's Julia?" I turned to him, "where did you take her?"

"What!? It was you who hide her! How would I know where she is!?" he exclaimed, looking shocked now.

I know I can't trust him.

"She was with me until the board meeting, but some people took her away, and you are the only person who knows about her whereabouts,"

"It was not me!" he exclaimed again.

"Do you think I will trust you again, Sebastian? Especially after all that stunts you pulled?" I looked at him evilly. "Do you think I don't know about Dev's accident? Why did you do it?"

He looked shocked now.

"Dev is not dead, he's still-"

"That's not the point here, Dev was working on Anil Ragunad's accident case, I knew it from my sources, is it why you tried to kill him?"

"I buried Ragunad's case and I am not worried about that!"

"What will happen if I reveal that it was you who caused that? That it was not an accident, but a murder?" I asked him.

"Then you will also become an accomplice, you knew it and hide it all these time,"

"Do you think I care about that?" I looked at him. "And about Naina's accident too, now that I think about that, it too was not an accident, it was an attempted murder because when she fell down the stairs, you didn't even attempt to take her to the hospital, instead, you just ordered your people to bury her," I said.

"What do you want from me?" the bastard looked at me.

"You can't hide anymore, I watched you from the moment you disobeyed my orders and sent that gift to Nivin and Riya, you should have been more patient, Sebastian, you were desperate to hide your path that you didn't notice I was watching you."

Sebastian took a deep breath and looked up at me, the bastard had a half smile upon him, his eyes turned cold.

"You are right, it was not an accident, I pushed that girl, Naina down the stairs when she came to talk to Rohan, because the only way for me to get into the company the easiest way was the marriage between Rohan and Nirosha that time, and that girl was in the way," he sits opposite to me and poured himself a drink.

"You... just because you wanted to-"

"Don't act so self-righteous, Joseph, because you were as relieved as me when she was out of the way-"

"You told me that she's dead! You said she fell down the stairs and she's dead  Sebastian, what do you expect me to do other than hide it from Rohan!?" I exclaimed, my insides were boiling with anger, "I have done many things, Sebastian, I have done many evil and heartless things, but I am not a murderer, I have never murdered anyone!"

"Keep telling yourself that if you want to believe it," he smirked, and then takes a sip from his drink.

"It would've been easier if she died then, But no, Anil just followed my people and rescued her when my men walked away," Sebastian said, there were no signs of humanity in him, "I never would've thought that she's still alive if it was not for you, You wanted me to find out where Anil hide his daughter and I knew about Naina's existence through her,"

"You knew about Riya because she turned up in the hospital when Anil was there,"

"Yes, and let me tell you, I am going to destroy them both, Riya and Naina," he said smugly. "No one's ever going to know about Naina even if something happened to her, the only people who know about her is you, me and the guy who was supposed to bury her at the graveyard. My men will take care of him, which leaves us, Joseph Aldrick, And her Uncle will do anything for money, He is even ready to kill his niece," Sebastian laughed.

"You are crazy!" I looked at him; He looked really crazy right now.

"And Riya too," he added. "She doesn't even know Naina's real identity, By the time she figures it out, I will destroy her too, I have a debt to repay Nivin for taking my position, I know what will hurt him the most, I will get his wife-"

"You wouldn't dare, Sebastian, I will kill you before that," I hit the table in front of me in anger and shouted.

It's true that Riya didn't know about Priya's identity, we decided to deal with it when she comes to know about it before, but not anymore, I can't let Sebastian touch anyone anymore, and He has been fooling me all along!

"Don't get so worked up, Joseph, because I have only started," he looked at me.

I could see that something is different about him today; His eyes looked cold and evil.

He has decided to do something!

"You were right all along, I killed Anil in that accident too, it was indeed a murder, Joseph, not an accident, Do you know why?" he looked in my eyes, A sadistic smile played on his lips.

"Because James didn't commit suicide, I poisoned him and Anil knew about it, he just wouldn't shut up and continued to bother me, Anil wanted to bring "justice" to his best friend's death," he said evilly.

"It was the main reason for me to kill him," Sebastian said smugly.

His words penetrated my heart. I could not believe what I am hearing!

James didn't commit suicide? He was poisoned?

"You bloody bastard!" I rose out of my seat, "you killed my son?" I whispered.

James was forced to drink the poisoned alcohol!

Anil was trying to help him; he was protecting his best friend!

All of these happened because of me! Because I took Sebastian's side!

And now, I am going to kill this bastard!

"Anil was giving me a headache all these time, but eventually he did end up in my hands too," Sebastian said smugly, "so much for challenging me!" Sebastian said. "He hid Riya in your orphanage under a different identity, He knew Julia is already locked up there and he knew we will never check that place,"

"...And he never turned up for his wife's funeral because he wanted to protect his daughter, he knew that the moment he turns up, we will trace him down and his daughter," I whispered, understanding him.

"He adopted his daughter through another name-Ananth," Sebastian laughed. "I knew it, he was going to be a pain in the ass, but I don't have to worry about him now," A self-satisfied smirk appeared on his face.

"But you have to worry about me now, you set me up in so many situations so that I would think Julia is having an affair with James's best friend while all the time, she was trying to avoid your advances,"

"Yes, she rejected me," I said angrily, "and she's paying for it now."

"You locked her up because she rejected you!?"

"Don't act so innocent, Joseph Aldrick, you knew about it, you knew your daughter-in-law has been locked up all these time, you never had a problem with that,"

"I knew the person who cheated my son and drove him to suicide was locked up and I thought she deserved it! And Neev! I hated him for being her son; I tortured him all these years!"

"How sad Joseph Aldrick, it takes you more than 20 years to come to a realisation?"

I stared at him. I can't believe I didn't figure out his true colours! I refused to believe my own son when he told me that Julia wouldn't run away with Anil!

"That letter... the letter she left-"

"It was easy," Sebastian laughed, "I let her believe that James is trapped and I threatened her with Neev's life," he looked at me. "Do you know what's really funny? she couldn't even come and ask your help because You were too busy trying to ruin her then, Just like you were doing to Riya and Nivin these days, It was entertaining to watch,"

Even though I have done so many heartless things, I have never felt like curling to a ball and shrink away like now.

And Riya...the moment I knew she was Anil Ragunad's daughter, I wanted to ruin her!

"You made a mess out of my life, Sebastian, all these time, I kept blaming my son for ending his life and I wanted to take revenge on Anil Ragunad when in reality he was just trying to protect his best friend, my son!" I looked at him angrily, my fingers curled around my revolver.

"You are not going to get away, Sebastian, everything started with you and now, everything's going to end here," I took it out and pointed it straight at his heart.

Sebastian smiled.

"From the first day I joined hands with you, Joseph Aldrick, I was getting ready to face a day like this, did you think I came unprepared?" he said and something touched my head from behind.

"Don't move,"

I heard a familiar voice and stilled.

Philip!

"How dare you point a gun at me?" I am really outraged now, my own security officer, the one who always guarded my family is pointing a gun at me!

Sebastian laughed.

"Stay back Phillip, I can take care of him," he said.

I couldn't take it anymore and I pulled the trigger, but nothing happened.

Sebastian laughed again, "I told you, He's my man, Joseph, I planted him in your household all those years back," Sebastian said.

He touched my gun! Phillip removed the bullets! The bastard!

I realised.

"You can go back Philip, You have to "protect" Aldrick mansion, I can take care of this old man here," Sebastian mocked and I gritted my teeth.

Riya.

"Where were you, Rohan? You made everyone worried!" I looked at him.

He looked tired and beat up.

"I didn't know they would advance the board meeting like that, I was shocked when I heard about that,"

"Since it's resolved well, we don't have to worry about that, but why didn't you come home?" I asked him, "why did you tell me to meet you here?" I asked. We were in the CCD.

I got Rohan's message to meet him so I waited until everyone was out and slipped away from the family house.

"I don't want to meet Grandpa or any of his watchdogs," Rohan said harshly.

"Grandpa was not home after that board meeting yesterday, I heard he is on a business trip," I said, and then looked at him.

"Where were you these days Rohan? Everyone's so worried, Neev told your Mom that you are busy in the company, are you in any trouble?" I asked.

"I found that place,"

"What?"

"The last place your Mamma was," he said. "I would've gotten hold of her if I was even a day early, but they moved her again."

"You... you were trying to find her?"

"Yes, I am very close now, I think we can find her soon," Rohan said.

My eyes filled.

"Thank you so much, Rohan..." I whispered.

"Riya, don't give up; we are very close now," he said and I nodded.

"I know I can count on you, Rohan." I said, "But come back to the house, Auntie Alice is getting worr-"

"Two more days, I have a lead on Naina too, I think I can find her too," he smiled.

"Wow! That's great news, Rohan! I am so glad to hear it!"

"I promise you, Riya, we are going to expose Sebastian, and you can tell Neev everything about his Amma soon,"

I nodded; I really want to tell Neev about his Amma.

"You have to be very careful, Rohan, he's dangerous,"

"Okay, I will take care of things, but don't get stressed now, the sooner we expose it, the better, I am with you Riya, so don't worry, just take care of Neev for now," he said.

I wiped my eyes.

"Thank you so much, Rohan, you are like a real brother to me," I smiled.

"And you are my little sister, so I don't want to see you hurt," he said.

I smiled; he doesn't know how much those words mean to me. I have told him everything except for our "Deal".

I can't tell him Neev and I am going to be separated. I just want to solve everything for Neev. I want him to learn to love and trust again.

We both walked out of the cafe. Rohan's phone started to ring.

"It's important," he told me and I nodded.

"Harry? Did you know when they are reaching back?" he asked.

I looked at him.

"What!?" I watched as Rohan's face turned to shock and I was worried.

"I will be there now," he disconnected the call, His face was suddenly dark.

"Rohan?" I said.

"Riya, I have to go now, something came up,"

"I think you should tell Neev if you have any probl-"

"Be safe Riya, I will see you," he said before running to his car.

I stood there. I know something is terribly wrong and I don't know what to do.

Rohan.

I pushed open the door. I was out of my mind with worry. I was searching for them for a long time now.

Harry and his team managed to trap the missing security officers of my company. They were tied to the chair now.

"Where's she?" I asked as soon as I saw them. I took out Naina's photo from my wallet and raised it up in front of them.

Both of them looked startled to see it.

"WHERE IS SHE!?"

I shouted at them. I can't control myself anymore, "where did you hide her? Is she locked up? Did you send her abroad? What have you done to her?" I asked.

"Rohan-" Harry started from the corner, but I raised my hands, stopping him midway.

"Where's is she?" I asked again, now taking a threatening step towards the men, "Tell me."

"We told you!" one of the men said, "she's...she's dead,"

"You bastard," I gripped his collar in fury. "She's not dead! I don't believe it, she's not dead," I lost it completely then, I started to attack the already beaten up, men.

"Tell me where she is...tell me,"

"Rohan, stop this," Harry ran to stop me, but I pushed him off me, I gripped the first one's neck in a death grip.

"Where did you hide Naina, tell me or I am going to kill you now," I screamed.

"STOP IT, ROHAN!" Harry shouted beside me, trying to stop me, but I didn't let go.

His eyes were starting to bulge, his face turned red, he was making that horrible choking sound.

"She's at the blueberry hills," the second one shouted now, looking panicked. "She's there," he said and I loosened my grip.

He coughed and started to take deep breaths, but I turned to the other one.

"Two years ago... we... she's buried there, we are sorry, but her... her body is there," he said, looking worried.

I saw red again. I grabbed hold of his shirt now.

"What did you say? You buried her!?" all reasons left me; I turned to a real Devil now.

"I am sorry," he said again, "we didn't kill her, believe me-"

"Rohan," Harry and two of his people forcefully removed me from him.

"I am going to kill you," I tried to get back at him, "leave me!"

"Believe me, sir, we... we were only getting rid of the evidence, we didn't kill her, we got a call from someone else, we were just following instructions," he told me in a pleading tone.

"Who called you?" Harry asked, "I suggest you tell us the truth or you are going to die now,"

"It was two years back," he said and started to describe the person.

Philip!?

Philip ordered you to bury her?

Then he killed Naina!?

I shook off Harry's men and walked outside.

I am going to kill you, Philip...NOW!

And Grandpa, I know what I should do to punish you, just wait...

I pressed hard on the accelerator.

"Wait...Rohan-" Harry's words were cut-off when I flew forward.

Neev.

"What are you talking about, Riya?"

"I... I don't know... I think Rohan is in danger, he... I talked to him in the morning and-"

"You talked to him in the morning? Did he come home?"

"No, but-"

"Calm down, Riya-"

"Neev! Listen to me; I think Rohan is in trouble! You have to find him," she said again.

We were in my office. She came all the way here and she looked positively worried.

"Better check on him," Sachin said beside me. I nodded.

Sachin was already dialling.

"Yea," he said, "track this number for me, it's urgent, yes, now," he said.

Five minutes later, Sachin turned to us.

"He is in the city, he is moving towards your family house, Nivin..." Sachin said.

"See," I turned to a restless Riya, "just relax now,"

"I... I think he was trying to find out...Naina," she said hesitantly, "I think he needs someone now, you should go meet him, Neev," she said.

"Now? I will talk to him tonight-"

"No, I am really worried Neev, we should go now,"

"Riya-"

"I met him today, he was troubled, you have to meet him now, Neev." she insisted.

"It's okay, go ahead, Neev, I will take care here," Sachin said, looking at an anxious Riya.

I nodded; I have never seen her like this too.

Rohan.

"Where were you, Rohan? Do you want to get punished again-" Philip couldn't finish his sentence as I punched him hard.

We were in the library room. He looked shocked and fell back to the glass shelves and it shattered everywhere around us.

"Rohan!" he exclaimed.

"You bastard," I raised him up by the collar, "I will kill you," I punched him again, which he blocked, but I brought my knees up and kicked him in the middle.

He looked at me in shock; the fire in my eyes was not missed by him.

"Did you kill her?" I slammed him into the wall, "did you kill Naina?" I shouted.

"Rohan!" I heard my Mom, but I was no longer that calm and sensible Rohan. I was a complete devil now; I punched Philip and his lips split and started to bleed.

"Alice..." Kamala supported her as Mom lost her balance, looking weak and dizzy.

"Take her out of here!" I shouted and
Kamala and other maids take her out of there.

I was still furious, nothing was calming me down, and all I wanted was to kill Philip with my bare hands.

"Tell me you bloody-" I said again as other security guards tried to stop me, but I shook them off me.

Even the strongest and capable Philip looked shaken, He was trying to block me, but even I couldn't control my rage.

"I am going to kill you now, Philip, you deserve to die-" I pulled him up by the collar again, slamming him to the table.

"Rohan!" I heard Nivin's shout.

"Rohan! Please stop this...Please..." Riya pleaded.

Other security guards were surrounding me.

"Stop him!" Nivin ordered.

"Don't come closer," I shouted as I looked around at them.

I spotted the sharp glass piece and take it, its sharp blade cut me, but I couldn't even feel any pain.

"I said don't come closer!" I threatened as they tried to step closer.

"Rohan, you don't want to do it, you are just angr-"

"NO! I WANT TO DO IT; DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS BASTARD HAS
DONE? HE KILLED NAINA...HE KILLED HER AND BURIED HER!"

Everyone froze.

"He doesn't deserve to live," I whispered. "Yes... He DOESN'T DESERVE TO LIVE!" I shouted as I raised the glass.

I want to kill Philip in the most painful way possible; I want to shred him into pieces.

"Ro..han...please...calm down...think...think of Naina," Riya said, she was crying, "she wouldn't want this...she wouldn't want you to be a murderer..."

But I could no longer see or hear things, I just wanted to kill him, I know, he deserves to die.

I lowered it; I am going to stab him to death, now.

"Rohan..."

"No..."

Everyone shouted, the sharp blade of the glass was only inches from him.

"I... I didn't kill her," I stilled as I heard it; Philip looked at the glass piece that was only centimetres from him now.

"I...didn't-"

"You liar-"

"No, it was not me! It was Sebastian sir! he...he was trying to threaten her only but ended up pushing her, her...her head hit the wall and she fell down the stairs," Philip started to talk.

"I was... I was merely helping to remove the evidence... It was not me!" he stopped.

Nivin.

No one moved.

Everyone was still. Rohan was shaking too much. He seemed to have broken down.

I stepped forward and pulled him away; he didn't even resist and dropped the glass piece down.

His eyes were filling and flowing down. His whole body was shaking and I hugged him.

I hugged him tightly.

"I am sorry," I said. "I am so sorry..." I whispered.

My own eyes were filled. I could literally feel the pain and anguish spreading from him.

He looked like a man who has lost everything in life, hopeless, weak and in pain.

"Get him out of here; I don't want to see him anywhere near this house again!" I ordered angrily.

It must be my tone, for the first time in my life, the security officers took the order from me, and Philip was dragged out by the others.

I will deal with him later... I need to talk to Grandpa first, If Philip did that, I am sure Grandpa know about it...

Riya wiped her eyes and came to us, she took Rohan's hand that was bleeding and I pulled my kerchief out.

Together we tied it around his cut.

"Let's take him to his room," she whispered.

"Come on Rohan," I said gently.

I could see him trying to take control of himself.

He wiped his eyes and got up.

"No," he said. "I can't stay at Aldricks anymore," he stated. "And Riya... is right, she...Naina...wouldn't want me to be a murderer," he said.

"Just come with us, Rohan, stay with us for a few days," I said again.

I am worried about him. I know I can't leave him alone like this.

"I have to think about what I am going to do next, I want some time alone," he said. "Don't worry; I am not going to do anything like this," he added.

"But-" I started.

"Let him take some time, Neev." Riya whispered beside me.

"Thank you, Riya..." Rohan nodded, and then looked at me.

"Take good care of her, Neev," he said before walking out of there.

"Are you alright?" Riya asked me softly.

"I am okay," I wiped my eyes and Riya just hugged me.

I didn't know I wanted it badly because I hugged her back tightly.

I am glad, I have you in my life, I am glad you are safe Riya, thank you so much for being my reason to live!

I love you Riya...

I tightened the grip around her.

"Thank you so much for forcing me to come here, Riya, I had no idea what Rohan was going through," I said.

"We are family Neev, we take care of each other," she whispered, "just give him some time to get hold of himself," she said.

I nodded, then slowly let go of her, both of us seemed at loss of words. Riya was avoiding my gaze.

I need to tell her...

"Riya-" I started but my phone started to ring again. I take it out.

It was Uncle Jayaprakash, Grandpa's PA.

Why is he calling me now?

"What's it Uncle J.P?" I attended.

"We have a problem," he said.

"What's it?" I asked.

"Your Grandpa has been attacked and he's hospitalized,"

"What!?"

"It was Sebastian, he is hospitalized too, it's a matter of time before the media get hold of this, As the CEO of the corporation, you must start now,"

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

Guys,

Hope you are not confused. Everyone including the security people thinks Naina is dead and buried two years back. Grandpa and Sebastian are the only ones who know about Priya's identity. Riya is still not aware that Priya is actually Naina...

Hope it's clear to you :)

Don't forget to tell me what you think!

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