Neev.

I heard the sounds from outside and instantly stilled. I  know the punishment is waiting, but I didn't expect it this soon, at least not until the party is over.

I heard the whisperings then.

What's going on?

"Brother Neev?" I was surprised to hear Danny.

"What are you doing here?" I asked,  moving toward the door.

"Keep your voice down!" I heard the second voice and was shocked, it was Riya!

"What the-"

"Shh..do you know how difficult it was for me to get inside this house, please shut up"

"Brother Neev, please help Riyechi to go out, she has some family emergency" Danny supported her.

"Are you out of your mind Danny? get out of here! do you want to get punished?"

"But Brother Nee-"

"He is right Danny, thank you so much for your help, now go back before anyone spots you missing"

"But-"

"Danny!" I am angry now.

"Okay, but you have to help Riyechi," Danny said.

"It's impossible to escape, you know that," I said bitterly.

"Can you at least try?" Danny asked, now getting on my nerves.

I sighed, I don't want him to get into trouble because of me.

it's an empty promise anyway.

"Alright, just get out of here now," I said.

"Hurry up" I heard her voice, making me more irritated.

"Brother Neev, you promised," Danny said. "I know you never break your promise, bye then" I heard him walking out.

Silence filled for a moment.

"So? how can I get out?" Riya asked.

"Are you stupid? do you think you can get out of here?"

"Can you help me if you can come out?"

"Like that's gonna happen, Ha!" I am now more amused. She seems more clueless than I imagined.

"Let's put it like this way then, do you want to get out of there Nivin?"

"Do you even know where the key is?" iI asked her sarcastically.

"Yes, it was in Phillip's locker," She said and I sat up straight.

"What? was?"

"Yeah..it's with me now" I heard the jingling sound.

"How in the world!....open this!" I said, now getting up and moving to the door.

"So do we have a deal Mr.Aldrick?" She said.

How dare she!

but I know she has the upper hand now.

"Fine, I will get you out of here," I said, gritting my teeth.

"And you will make sure I'm home safe, you will protect me from your grandpa until then?"

"I can't do that, I'm not your bodyguard!" I exclaimed.

This girl is infuriating me.

"Goodbye then!" She said and I heard her walking away.

"You can never escape without me!"I shouted.

"And you can't come out without me!"

"Fine! I will do it" I sighed. "I will try to save you from my grandpa until you are home"

"Good, now we have a deal!" I heard her coming closer. She started to open the heavy old door and I waited.

"Uh..it's too heavy!" she panted, trying to push it open.

I know the building I am in is an old one, so was the doors, it was made of that old and heavy wood. It was built for the workers long before and no one uses it now. It's in the backyard of Aldrick's.

"Push more.."

"Argh..okay..you have to help me..pull it on the other side..on the count of three, one..two..three...."

I pulled it and the door opened with a creek and next thing I know, I was on the floor and she was on top of me.

"Aww..my hand hurts.." She said and I looked at her, for a fleeting moment I was surprised.

The beautiful girl was not the one I was expecting, she looked good in the maroon gown, her hair looked soft and smooth, now flowing down her shoulders and touching my face. her smooth skin visible through the transparent net of the gown. I wouldn't have recognised her if it was not for the stubborn raise of her chin and the glint in her eyes.

"What are you staring at?" she said suddenly."You pervert!" she shouted. "Take your hands off me!" her eyes widened.

"What-" I stopped, I could feel it too, my hand was on her firm and round Backside.

I moved my hand down and stilled when I felt the warm exposed skin on her long leg. Obviously, her gown was torn on one side.

"Don't touch me!" She struggled to get up and kneed me on the process.

I groaned again, It was so painful that my breath was knocked out of me.

"Oh God! my dress is torn! oh my God!" she started to try and fix that damned gown, unaware of what she has done to me.

I slowly got up, trying my maximum to hold the pain in.

The girl is trouble! I knew it!knowingly or unknowingly she's dangerous to be around!

"Auntie Alice will be so disappointed! oh my God! I don't even have the money to pay back" she keeps on blabbering.

She wants to escape the Aldricks and she's worried about making Auntie Alice disappointed?

God! I have never seen someone so stupid and clueless! of all the people, it has to be her that I have to deal with today!

I closed my eyes tightly for a moment.

"Riya, we have to get out of here," I said slowly, as calmly as I could.

"I can't even walk! it's hanging down here!" she said. "how am I going to fix this now?" She whined.

I opened my eyes.

"it's easy," I said.

"Huh?" she turned to me, noticing me for the first time.

I marched to her, knelt down and pulled the torn part away, the dress made a tearing sound like the lower part of the gown was torn away.

She seemed shocked, frozen in her spot. I got up.

"It's fixed, now you can walk" I put down the cloth.

"Nivin Rosh Aldrick!" she exclaimed, now examining her gown all around, that came up to her knees now. "how dare you-"

"We don't have time for this, follow me if you want to get out of here"

"I don't have words, oh God! I'm speechless!" she folded her hands across her chest.

"we don't have much time," I said again. she was looking around the room, her eyes were wide.

"Did you?....man! this is a mess!" she exclaimed.

I can't blame her, I have destroyed every single thing in that room in my fury.

I started to walk outside.

"Remind me not to make you angry" she muttered before following me out.

I just started to hurry out of there.

"So what's our plan?" she asked.

"I have to get my bike," I said.

"No! they have someone taking watch there" she followed me.

"I will take care of it...We can't get out unless we get it" I said.

"You will take care? but-" she started.

"Shh.." I said while moving to the wall and watching the place where my bike was. she followed me and pressed herself to the wall beside me.

"You can't! there is someone there..see" she whispered, now peeping past me.

"Watch me," I said as I stepped out completely, making her shocked and I walked to the guard, I know him well.

"Sir-" he seemed startled to see me all of a sudden and took his mouthpiece.

Too late, I was faster, I kicked it out of his hands then punched him on the face

"That's for locking me up," I said as he fell down.

I got hold of my bike and started it.

"Come on!" I shouted.

she ran to me.

"I can't believe you just did it!" she said as she hopped up behind me. "where's the way out, the back gate is closed?" she asked me.

"The front gate, of course," I said coolly.

"WHAT!?" She nearly broke my eardrums.

"Shut up and hold on," I said and accelerated the bike.

"Jeez!" she tightened her hands around me as we flew forward.

* * *

Riya.

Yes, we managed to get out!

They would never have expected such a scene and everyone was taken aback for a moment.

Grandpa did not want to ruin the party so we managed to get past and we managed to shake off all others who tried to follow us too.

But no, I am not sure I will be alive, you see I don't know if I'm riding or flying, I am holding him in a death grip and praying with all I might.

Dear God! I don't want to die this way! I'm still young, I haven't even experienced life yet..oh God!

"Nivin!" I called for the umpteenth time, still there was no reply.

"NIVIN ROSH ALDRICK!" I screamed in his ear and the bike slowed.

"What the heck?" he asked me, irritated.

"Slow down! I don't want to die" I said.

"I have a race now, hold on"

"What!?..you promised you will drop me home!"

"Yeah, I will..but this race is important to me or there will be a fight," he said.

"But-"

"Hold on," he said without giving me much chance and we were flying again. I closed my eyes tightly and hang on to my dear life.

* * *

Neev.

She is clinging to me. I could feel her soft body pressed against me, her left cheek still resting against my back and her hands around me.

"Er..we are here," I said, there was no movement.

"Hello?we are here," I said a little loudly. I'm starting to feel something, especially after I touched her.

She slowly raised her head. then realising the position we were in, she let go suddenly and got down.

"Jeez! this is the last time ever!" she said. "you are-uh" she touched her head.

"What!?" I watched her. And the next moment she was falling down.

"Uh..wait" I wrapped my arms around her, she must've felt dizzy from over speeding.

I don't know what I should do now.

I supported her and slowly leaned her to my bike.

"Neev! you made it! you are here!" Rick and others were running towards me.

"Come on, it starts now, everything is ready for you," Jason said.

"Uh.." I moved to support her as she started to fall back.

My gang stopped midway.

"Who in the world is this?" Sid asked, they all reached me and watched me with wide eyes.

"I will explain everything, first I have to take her to my room," I said hurriedly and pick her up.

Her head rolled to my chest and her hair was slightly flying as I started to walk.

The other three followed me.

"Where did you get her?"

"Did you kidnap her?"

"Who's she?"

I opened the door to my cabin by the shoulder and placed her on the bed.

"Oh God! you came!" Amy sprang up from her seat. "DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS!-" She started to scream then stopped as I sprinkled some water in Riya's face.

"Wait a minute! did you just walk in with a girl?" Amy focused her attention on the girl as all of my teammates crowded around,
everyone watched her as she blinked and slowly opened her eyes.

Riya.

The fan came into my view and then I saw-

"Arrrrrgh.."

I sit up on the bed and moved to a corner. four or five guys were staring at me.

"Relax, they are my team" I heard Nivin's voice and spotted him behind me. I watched all of them again and they all smiled at me-rather creepily if you ask me, except the girl, who is now seizing me up with her eyes.

"She helped me escape," Neev said reluctantly.

I tried to pull my dress down, after wearing that floor-length gown all day, I feel so underdressed even if my dress now reached the knee.

"I Am Sid," the one with a lot of hair up to his shoulder said.

"Jason" the bald one

"Rick" the one with the piercing on his ears winked.

Wait a moment!

I stared at him, I think I have seen Rick somewhere!

Of course, it was him, who was with Neev on that day I trapped him in the elevator!

"Amy" She added a moment later.

I really don't know what to say now, thankfully, Rick doesn't seem to recognise me.

"Uh..hi?" I said and they still stared at me. luckily Neev interfered.

"Enough with the introductions, we have a race to win!" he said,  he turned to look at me. "you can take rest here," he said.

"I'm not staying here alone," I said looking around the unfamiliar room.

Amy snickered like I'm some baby and I glared at her.

"Don't worry about her, she can stay with us" Jason said.

"Yeah..we will take care of her"
Rick added. Neev still looked a little reluctant then sighed.

"Okay! now, where's my jacket? is the bike ready?"

"Yea, everything is ready, you just have to reach the starting point," Sid said.

"Good thing you are here! I was so worried, we were going to send Sid if you didn't appear" Amy said.

"Come on, There's no time to waste," Jason said.

* * *

So here I'm..in some kind of stadium in the mountains. Neev was ready and all his team were doing those group hugs and things.

Neev was in a T-shirt that is stretched on him and the logo said "dragons" in bold letters.

There were a bunch of people, all looking very fierce with their black dress and shorts. even the girls including Amy were dressed in black and I felt out of place with my party wear.

Some of them watched me with curiosity and others like I'm from another planet, which I felt I really am.

"All the best Nivin" All of them were wishing him luck.

"Okay," Nivin raised up his hand in acknowledgement.

We all turned to go back.

"Wait," Neev said as we started to walk out.

He grabbed a long leather jacket and pushed to my hands.

"You better wear it," he said.

I looked at the black bad boy jacket in my hands.

"Umm?"

But I already know what he meant, I was getting too many stares. I slowly slipped inside it and strangely felt safer.

It covered my gown completely.

Nivin Rosh Aldrick actually did something thoughtful?

I looked up at him, but he was already near the starting point.

"What the f**k!" I heard Jason and turned to see very angry looking team members besides me. "its Simon! they can't do this!" he said and started to go there.

"I will kill that bastard if he tries something," Sid said, following Jason and Rick.

I watched bewildered as there formed some kind groups. Jason, Rick and Sid angrily went back to Neev.

"What's happening?" I asked and Amy scowled.

"He is a bastard, he don't play fair" she replied."if it were not to babysit you, I could've gone there with the guys" she added, giving me a dark look.

"I didn't ask you to babysit me" I scowled back.

Ha!dont teach me how to be rude.

"Feel free to go" I shrugged.

"You came with Neev, do you know what will they do if you are left alone?" she nodded to a side from which some girls were scanning me.

I shivered from the cold vibes.

"who..who are they?"

"His fans of course!" she said like I'm stupid. "and that red hair there was stalking him like forever and she would totally kill anyone who's close to him"

I don't doubt her! I moved a little close to Amy and she gave me a look.

Suddenly the path cleared and everyone was back to their places.

"What's with him! he could've rejected" Rick said.

"Don't tell me Neev is okay with the change?" Amy asked.

"He is," Sid said

"That means he wants to play dirty, I can't blame him after what his grandpa do to him," Jason said.

And man! it was some race! I never thought the road was through the mountains and so much curvy. we watched as the bike jumped through and Neev was leading.

"Oh god! it's going to go down the cliff" I said, standing from the seat, both Sid and Amy pulled me down on either side, still shouting for Neev.

"Go Neev..go man!"

"Simon is gaining on him," Rick said and I watched as he deliberately pushed one of the players to the side

"Ouch" I touched my head.

"Neev..go go.," Amy shouted.

"It's the last 50 meters! Neev...COME ON" Jason punched the air, there was a collective protest and I watched Simon push Neev to a side, then overtake him.

"That bloody-"

"F**k"

"Oh no! What's he doing?" Amy's voice registered.

"Don't tell me he's going to jump!" Sid said.

"What! no way!" I was shocked to see him take a turn and drive to the end of the road, there was a large gap before the other road and it was steep in between.

"Yes..its Neev, of course," Jason said and all the voices died down.

"Oh my God" I fisted my hands tightly as I watched him make the jump, and...

God! He made it!

He risked his life!

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Yeeeaaahhh" his teammates jumped up beside me as Neev made it to the finish line, but I was trembling, I couldn't move.

There was a roar around me as everyone ran to him, I saw Neev taking off his helmet then my view was blocked when they were surrounding him, hugging him or clapping him in the back, but still, I couldn't move. my limps were trembling too much.

* * * *

Neev.

I feel alive at last! This is my life that I love, here nobody gives a shit about my title or family.

I danced to the music with a free mind. The girl who was with me was starting to give me hints but I know I can't enjoy the night, my eyes moved to the corner and I saw her.

I sighed, she was sulking from the moment we reached here and occasionally she would give me a glare that I completely ignored.

What's with her anyway!? it's my party, I have every right to enjoy it after the daring game..oh yes, don't forget the glare she gave me after the race! I mean, what's her problem? fine...I would drop her home, a deal is a deal, after all.

"Uh...I want some fresh air" I said to the girl next to me.

"Oh! I would love some fresh air too" she squealed.

Uh oh! I think she got the wrong impression.

"Another time" I winked and walked to the counter. Tony, the attender gave me a smirk while fixing me my usual.

"Nice game," he said to me and I grinned, taking the glass, but before I could bring it to my mouth, a hand took it from me.

"You had had enough, stop this," she said, and I saw the irritating face look up at me. "you promised to take me home" she reminded.

I got the glass away from her.

"For your information, it takes more than a couple of drinks to get me drunk" I took the drink in one go and she scowled.

"I want to get out of here please, I have more important things to do," she said.

"Ah..like lying and fooling everyone?" I asked her and she glared at me, then walked back to the same spot.

"Who's it?" Tony asked me. "The cute lady who talked back to you!?" he asked me.

Cute?

I snorted.

"Just someone I am trapped with, can't wait to get rid of her," I said.

"Well-" Tony stopped, I too heard the sound of glass breaking and a slap. I whirled around and my eyes widened at the sight.

"You bitch!" The club manager was rubbing his cheek, his white tee that said "let's rock" was now stained with wine.

"I warned you!" Riya hissed angrily and I ran up to them.

"I was just trying to be polite" the manager took a step towards her threateningly.

"Trying to kiss me without my permission is not polite" Riya retorted.

"Who do you think you are?" he cornered her.

"Uh..excuse me... Jerin, she's with me" I said, now stepping to them.

"Neev!" he said surprised, then looked critically at her. "your girl!? she doesn't look like one" he said.

"Ah..if you will let go of her" I took her hand in mine, luckily she didn't resist much.

"I will let it go since you are with him, it's a small misunderstanding anyway," he said

"Misunderstanding..my foot" I heard her muttering under her breath and I gave her a look to shut her up.

Soon the guys and Amy reached us.

"Please escort her out Amy, I will be there in a few minutes," I said and Amy took her hand.

"C'mon," Amy said and Riya followed her out, keeping her head high and chin raised.

"Man! you sure have a stubborn girl to take care of" Tony chuckled beside me.

I decided to quit and walked out.

The gang was waiting in our usual spot.

"He was my friend! You have no right to insult him" I said to Riya firmly.

"Oh please, we all know Jerin is a womaniser! he had it coming anyway" Amy supported her for the first time. We all, including Riya, looked at her in surprise.

"She's not his type," I said, not ready to give up, actually I too know about Jerin, but I just wanted to blame her, I guess.

"Yea, That's why he told her how much kissable her lips are" Amy snorted, but It had the very wrong effect on me, I subconsciously registered her soft pink lips.

What the heck Neev! soft pink lips?

"Uh..everyone hop in.." I said, taking my eyes off her face."I have to ditch her as soon as possible"

"The sooner the better" she added.

"We can't agree more there" I retorted.

"Okay, let's go" Riya snatched the keys away.

"What the hell!" I exclaimed.

"I'm driving, I don't want to die," she said and the gang snickered at me.

"What! you guys are okay with this?" I looked around.

"Er..we sort of talked about it before you came," Rick said.

"Let her, she's the only one who didn't touch any alcohol" Jason supported.

"Since when did you became so reasonable?" Sid asked. "you drive us Neev, I have confidence in you" he supported.

"Stop it guys," Amy said, exasperated. "Riya, I didn't take you for a jeep girl," she said pointing to our red gypsy.

"Trust me, I am," Riya said confidently.

"Ok..then let's go," Amy said and I looked at her, but Riya folded her hands across her chest stubbornly. 

I sighed, I was starting to get frustrated. by the time I turned, everyone was already inside and waiting. I sighed and opened the passenger door.

"Ha! I won" Jason outstretched his hands in front of Sid. "you lost, I told you he will let her drive!"

"No, you voiced your opinion, it's against the rules," Sid said firmly.

"Did you guys really bet on me!?" I asked.

"Oh please, shut up you guys," Amy said from behind. "I just wanna get home as soon as possible"

Riya.

So I took the jeep forward. I used to drive my boss's battered van sometimes for deliveries from my old job, I never thought it would become handy someday.

You see...I don't want to take more risk, I mean, I have experienced Neev's driving a bit before, there's no way I would let him drive again, that too when he's drunk!

We dropped them at their places.

"We will take my car now, guys will need the jeep," Nivin said.

"I thought your car is locked up too?" I asked.

"I have a spare one here" Nivin shrugged.

"Of course, he is Joseph Aldrick's grandson after all," Jason said, then threw me the keys which I caught. "Always a step ahead of him" Jason winked.

"So are you ready to do as promised?" I looked at Neev.

He walked to the passenger side of the car, not fighting for the keys like I expected.

We said bye to all and I started driving.

"I still don't know why I have to come with you," he said.

I'm actually worried about his grandpa, Joseph Aldrick, what if he sent his guards there too? I just want someone to be there with me while I just take some things and leave the house, I will have to find a new place.

"Wait..turn left," Neev said suddenly.

"Uh?" I looked at him, he was adjusting the rear view mirror so that he can get a better look.

"Now!" he said urgently.

"Why!?" I asked him even as I turned left.

"I think someone is following us!" he said, making my heart beat faster.

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