"How do I know that you actually personally confirmed them after visiting the place?" I asked shutting the door of the car behind me. I had driven to work on my own after successfully dodging the chipmunk.

"I esteem myself with being a responsible official." He said on the other line.

"Lawrence. Lawrence. The company doesn't grow by self esteeming officials and personal opinions." I took out my folder from the back seat and something fell on my head as I retreated.

Thump.

I looked up. Dark ceiling and heavy raindrops. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"But company does grow with satisfied employees. That's what you always say sir." He replied. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"Send me a picture of the place will you?"
"You can google up 'Alphi and Ryder Pvt. LTD. Latest collection news.' You'll get them." He spoke amusedly. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"Telling your boss what to do isn't the best option now is it?" I handed the keys to the valet and walked towards the entrance. Through the garden.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The rain drops fell faster on my head and I walked ahead.Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"I don't have a picture." He ranted.

"Then go and get it." The raindrops stopped and I did too.

"I'll call you back." I extended my hand and surely it was raining.

"Good evening." Ughgh!

She was holding the umbrella above my head from behind.

Grinding my teeth together, I turned towards at her.
"What are you doing?" I pushed the umbrella towards her.
"Trying to prevent you from getting wet." She again moved it towards me.

"I don't need." I shifted it, my fingers touching her hand.

"You do."

"Don't argue with me." I growled.
"Dex please." She tried again.

And we stood in the middle of the garden, pushing the damn umbrella to each other.

I looked up at it.

It was a 'Hello Kitty' umbrella. Pink coloured. Disgusting to the next level.

"Don't force me to do something we would both regret." I scolded.

"Ouch Dex." She exclaimed almost violently as I clasped her hand which held the umbrella and pushed it towards her.
W

ell. I didn't mean to be rough. Though I mean to seem. Whatever.

"Saw this." I raised an eyebrow.

We were both wet. Rain drops fell almost into my eyes and hers too. Her indigo clothes darkened and red hair turned brighter.

"Take this umbrella and go to the room."

"I am not going to go anywhere until you take this."

What the hell? Did she just question me? Or dare defy me? Dexter Alphi?

I pushed the umbrella and it fell down.

"Pick it up and move. Right. Now." My ire at its peak was dangerous.

She folded her arms. "Nope." She shook her head like a stubborn child.

Little chipmunk. You are inviting trouble.

I moved closer.

"I will kill you. Right here. Right now." I grunted.

She stared at me before her voice turned soft again, my ego swelling up like a balloon.

"Sorry. But please. You take that umbrella. I'll hold it for you." She bent and placed it over our heads. I heaved out loudly. I sometimes wish I were a fire breathing dragon.

Well...

Scratch that please. Ahem.

I shifted back and strode at the fastest speed to our room. My room. She was just sticking around.

I took off my coat and brushed my hair. A girl gaped at me with an open mouth.

I narrowed my eyes dangerously at her and she turned her head away. Idiot. No. Idiots.

She came after like forever. Precisely, five minutes, all of which I used to change into comfortable clothes.

I placed the comforter in the living room of the suite and the bell rang just in time.

She was still carrying that Hello Kitty umbrella. Ew.

"Where do you get disgusting stuff like yourself?" I scowled pulling her inside. I took the umbrella and threw it outside.

"Dex.. ." I glared and she subsided, pulling out hair ties  from the two ponytails that held her hair.
"It was cute."

"It was abhorrent. Stupid Hello Kitty."

That night, I tried to eavesdrop on her again as I had forced her to sleep outside.

Her body had been shaking convulsively for sometime when she looked up at the ceiling and mumbled laughing, "Hello Kitty."

Damn this woman.

^^^

"Good morning Dex." She chirped. Her voice was a little hoarse and I found myself looking up at her.
She placed a cup of coffee in front of me as I sat on one of lover seats.

"Don't." I spoke as she advanced towards the other one.

"Why?" She sat down and I tensed from my earlier relaxed position.

"Oh okay. Relax. I'll go." She got up, her voice awkward.

"You don't need to speak in another voice. It will remain derogatory till it's coming out of your mouth." I sipped the coffee. A little darker than I am used to. I hate dark coffee.

I placed it on the table.

"You can ask me directly of what happened to my throat. It's quite rasping since you left me sleeping outside in cold. But don't worry. I'll be fine in no time." She smiled in my direction.

Did she just see right through me?
Nope.

"Get me the whitener." I muttered before she left the room.

"Here." She handed it to me smiling.

"You know you are so pathetic that next time I would fire an employee for being useless, I'll write your name under reason in their termination letter."

"That way, I can tell you that you have an exceptionally impulsive tendency to crack Dorothy jokes."

"Is the coffee fine?" She asked.

"More bearable than your vibes." I responded.

"Alright. I'll be outside. Tell me if you need anything." She smiled before walking outside silently.

I saw her sitting on the couch, holding her book. She seemed to not notice me as I sauntered to the small refrigerator and got something to eat. I settled for the packet of nachos which was placed on the top of it. Glancing at my phone, I deleted a few irrelevant messages and then took a look at her again. She shut her book and placed it on the side table. She then put the legs down on the carpet, her expression distinct.
She seemed to be surprised to see me.

"Oh! When did you come? I didn't notice." She grinned immediately.

"Sappy love stories with adult themes?" I asked popping another nacho.

"Yes. Something of that sort only."

"Oh no. You'll be reading about how to be the most lunatic person on this planet. Or how to make things filthy and you know full of stench. How to spread disturbing vibrations and how to dig for gold." I spoke coldly and she looked at me in a lost manner.

"And perhaps, how to be ugly and win bets too." Speaking that, she shook her head and then came towards me. Offering me the sauce in a plate, which I definitely refused, she went back to grab her phone.

"Do you want me to go out? Do you want to be alone?" She questioned sweetly.

"What are you trying to say? Threatening me? I'll push you from the top of the building. Piece of shit." I glared at her.

"Please don't get me wrong. You said you wanted me to ..."

"No one is interested in hearing you talk."

Nothing is more frustrating than being cut off without being heard even. And this girl isn't just affected.
"Sorry." She walked to the balcony, sitting by the railing on the floor.

I took a few moments to stare at her. I decided to sit outside and work. By late afternoon, she was asleep in the same position.

Even I was busy working when a sudden gust of coughing hit her, interfering with her sleep.  She got up, successfully suppressing it, went inside the kitchen. I tried to peep but I didn't hear anything.

When she returned, she silently apologised and went back to the balcony. What shocked me was that she didn't speak anything. No questions. No disturbance. Also, she didn't eat anything. Why is she so.. Wierd?

Her phone buzzed and she took the call, moving away from my line of vision.

"Good evening to you too sweetie. How was your meeting?" She spoke careful to me let me hear.

"Oh no. Nothing. This must be my excitement making my voice different. Nothing else."

"Oh it's great here. Yup."

"He's been great to me. Leave it no. Tell me, missing my cake?"

"Yes. I'll come and bake for you. When are planning to finish that? I'm waiting eagerly to see that."

"Come on! You're great at it. Just because you couldn't get an idea does not mean that darling. Work on it and you will."

"Hugh! Being immature and unreasonable is my part. You are much smarter than that."

"Oh Kay! I won't preach. My apologies."
"You're angry?"

"Aww. Sorry. I'll do some sit ups and send the video to you if my fat tummy allows."

"Hey! Don't hang up. Hugh." She spoke.

"Did you meet anyone new who was interested in your brother more than you? " She asked.
"Oh come on! I promise I won't be jealous. " She laughed.

They continued their talk. Even during the dinner, she didn't eat much.

"Get me a glass of water." I told her.

"Okay." My gaze followed her as she washed her hands and then went outside.

I quickly added some more stuff to her plate.

When she returned she was holding the glass with a napkin.

I studied her as she seemed a little off.

She observed her food and then looked at the bowl.

"Want it? You can take it since you washed your hands. Also, I am not going to take anymore."
"Did you just.." She shook her head and then sighed.

===

"Have a great day ahead honey." She wished me as I put on my coat.

I approached her to find her shifting back.

"Yes?" She asked, her voice hoarser than before.

"Here." After I had scared her enough, I presented her a card.

"I am not leaving Dex."

"This is a library card. Visit the library if you want." I shoved it into her face frightening her once again before I strode out.

^^^

I placed the file on the table and held the phone to my ear.

"Yes. Jason Exactly. And if you could just meet up with me, I can have the papers ready."

"Mr Alphi I am currently going on a vacation with my family. Although I am working but yes, if you could email me the highlights of it, I will get back to you soon." My teeth clenched at the word Vacation.

Alphi that's past.

"Mr Alphi?"

"You are making me work for my own money, eh?" I smirked.

"You are making me work during my family vacation sir. No one is more dangerous than wifey. Businessmen can damage your career. Wives can damage your whole life." He laughed. Easy there Alphi.

"I will send that to you."
"Okay. Good Day, Mr Alphi."

I turned around to find the papers having flown away.

"****." I put them back in the file.  Chipmunk wasn't there. I had returned within half an hour after leaving and she was gone.
I had received a message from her that day.

Her as in Dorothy.

Thank you Dex! You are the best!❤️

Tomorrow we had to leave. I was glad to not have had any talk with
her about anything. Just great.

:::

****. I was on the budget part and the paper was missing. I didn't forget it at the office right? I clutched my head. The whole day on laptop really got my eyes in trouble. If only I could ask Lawrence to do this.

There was a distinct noise.

"Who is there?" Dorothy? She doesn't have such a strong voice.

Then there was silence.

"How di.." There was a serious frown on her face which disappeared immediately, her tone changing.
She blinked.

"Good evening Darling. Early today?" Her changed demeanour had me a little startled.

The girl which entered was not the one talking to me then.

"None of your damn concern." I muttered turning my unbelievably-disturbed-by-what-happened concentration.

"Can I come in?" I asked.

"Can I kill you?"

"Darling, don't be so.." I glared and she shut up.

"The sheets? I had asked the house help to clean the room. Wait, I'll just.."

"I sent her away. No need." I said typing away furiously at my laptop.

"Oh.. Okay." She then began cleaning the bed, putting the comforter properly and arranging the side table.

"Dex my med..."

"I'll punch you in the face if you speak." I growled.

She cleaned the bed and then took the water tray outside.

I checked the file twice. That damn paper.. I had seen it in the morning. I raked a hand through me hair, thinking about it intently.

The bed was immaculately maintained.

"Dorothy!" I hollered.

"Yes?" She responded.
"You.." I walked outside.

"You.." I repeated.

"Thank you." She said to someone and shut the door.

"You. How dare you touch the damn bed?" I shouted, towering her.

"I thought.."
"Who cares about that?" I inched closer and she shifted back.

"When I asked you to not touch anything, why in the world would you touch it?"

"I..I am sorry." She spoke looking at my face, fear stroking her softly. Dangerously.

"You better be."

^^^

It had been two hours. I had called at the office to ask if I had left that paper there. It contained financial information about some important project and I just can't lose it.

When I walked into the room, she was on the floor, knelt beside the bed, her back towards me.

"Dex.. This paper.." She got up and walked to me.

I glanced at it and then at her.

"So you had hidden it?"
"Oh no. I was here to pick my medic..."
"Gold digger. You bloody witch. How did you dare?" I screamed at her and she jerked.

"Why did you hide it? Here I have been searching for it since evening and you hid it. Now coming out and giving it to so that I would thank you?"

She shook her head.

"Now you will go and bark in front of him. That's why you're here right? Or wait. You probably wanted some money for personal use. You know what? Tell me your requirement. What do you want? Money? How much? Man? You want a handsome man? I'll get you. You would prefer an old one like him or a young one? Probably anyone who is senile and stupid enough to give you money. What else? Come on! Speak up? Fame? I'll get you that too. Just please spare me the torture. Get out of my life. Leave me alone."

"Of all the things I need, another man is not one, Dex. Money would do just fine." She replied.

"Get out."

"Let me get my medi.."

"Get out!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and she walked out.

Bloody hell.

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

Hey berries!
How are you people? ! And how was the chappie? Hope you liked it!

Why would Dor hide that paper? Do you know that? And what do you think of the chapter ending? Do you think that Dor had really hidden that? And was Dex's anger justified? Hmm? And what exactly was that paper?

Ohkay so since we're very close to 2K reads and as someone pointed out, I think I'll set an update schedule.. You know I had done it before but it didn't go well.. But anyway, I think I'll update it once a week .. On Sunday or Saturday..

And you guys gotta congratulate me on my risk taking capacity.. I have an organic chemistry test at my school tomorrow and still I am here, posting this for you! Imagine people!

Also, do tell me your opinion of the chapter and any suggestions on what I should do next!

Thanks for reading!

VOTE & COMMENT!

XOXO❤