Another disturbing information she learned on the day before yesterday caught her off-guard.

While they were having mid-day lunch, Abhimanyu didn't join them. It was only the three of them eating. Since the dining hall had a very good view of the backyard, Shreya sat on the seat that faced the giant windows to get a clear view. But she nearly faced a heart-attack when two shadows ran from behind the outhouse towards the lined-up pine trees in a flash. It happened so swiftly that she barely got time to make others aware and see.

At the unexpected incident, she shrieked and jumped in her seat causing alarm in others. The main reason of her shock was the firearms they were carrying. Both of them had guns in their hands and they wore complete black suits with black sunglasses and shoes. Even the masks and gloves were black.

She pointed her index finger right at their direction and stuttered, "Th-they have gu-guns."

Sunny shifted his confused stare at the direction before a knowing look crossed his face. "Oh- you saw Neil and Rafi. They are with us. You weren't supposed to notice them. But-" He shrugged and rolled his eyes. "I'll have a talk with them."

"What do you mean they are with us? They had guns!"

"Yeah, I know. There are three more of them. They are AR's personal security team. Should've stayed undercover the whole time, but you saw them. I'll have to take care of this carelessness strictly." His voice was firm. Her brows rose higher at the revelation. Although he went back to eating, the tension created in the room was thick enough to cause fear in her heart. After that, she knew better to not ask anything further. Cause she didn't want him to take the same steps for her as he mentioned about the guards.

How important was Abhimanyu Roy that not a single chance was spared of his safety?

~~~

Sometimes, life fucks you up, and you can do nothing but cope with it accordingly.

It was difficult for her to breathe the same air as Abhimanyu Roy after what happened yesterday. Since he left after their clash in his room, she hadn't actually seen him around the guesthouse, which was in fact good for her. It saved her the embarrassment. Even, she didn't see Sunny too, and the guards. Last night she didn't have her dinner and she served Dev in their room. She couldn't eat after that mortifying encounter.

Today morning also, she hadn't seen Abhimanyu, or Sunny or Dinu. She skipped the sunrise too.

It was around 10 o'clock when Sange came rushing towards her out of nowhere.

"Have you heard what happened yesterday afternoon?" She was slightly panting.

Shreya averted her eyes from Dev and gazed up at the girl with a curious look. "What happened?"

"There was an accident in the factory."

Her jaws dropped in sudden shock. "What? What accident?" She asked the girl, breathlessly, sitting upright immediately.

Sange dropped beside her as a pained look crossed her face. "Actually, I'm coming from there. Never in my dream, I expected to see such horrific sight."

Shreya straightened up. Her brows knitted in frown as she asked again in a panicked voice, "What happened?"

"The factory... it's closing for an indefinite period of time." Sange's voice broke as she pronounced the next sentence, shrouded with pain and misery.

She couldn't understand what the hell was happening. Why was the factory closing off for an indefinite period? What was going on? Even if no words came out of her mouth, she could feel her heartbeat rising in apprehension.

Sange added after a momentary pause, "Permabell has declared suspension of work from today because of an unwanted and unexpected accident happened yesterday afternoon. Norbu, a labourer attacked the estate's assistant manager, Thapa with a sharp weapon."

"What???"

"Not only that, he allegedly put fire on some machineries and one of the halls completely burned down before they were able to put off the fire."

Oh my God! What was she even hearing? It clicked on point. That was why Abhimanyu hurried out yesterday afternoon like that.

Sange continued, "Norbu came along with a sharp sickle from behind when Thapa was on his way to the garden factory around 3.40 pm. Chetan uncle wasn't there, because being the manager, he had more responsibilities. He was out to attend a meeting. Thapa was there, supervising the factory work, which was when it happened. He got a severe fracture and cut on his head."

Shreya gasped at the terrible news.

"Although he has been transferred to a hospital in Siliguri for treatment soon after Abhimannyu sir reached on the spot, his condition is still serious."

Oh no!

"That is why, the management has declared the suspension of work with effect from today.

"I'm so sorry." Because she really was! All of the workers were now jobless for an indefinite period. She couldn't even imagine how would they survive. They already had a such low wages to work with. "Is anyone else injured because of the fire?"

"Thankfully no one else. They all cleared the hall as soon as the fire broke out, and turned the power down. Their immense fortune is, inside the factory, they had a water reservoir. So, everyone immediately got to work to put off the fire. Otherwise, even if they had informed the fire brigade, the truck couldn't have reached uphill. The road is too narrow and steep."

Shreya's shoulders slumped down. "I don't even know how to react..." She trailed off.

Sange released a deep sigh. "Police came and took Norbu under custody. He was drunk all along. Though, he didn't have a good reputation to begin with, and he's one of the little minions of the union leader, Gurung. You saw him that day, right? That jerk – Niten Gurung. He always looks for ways to pick on fights." Sange gritted her teeth. "This Norbu is no different. When he arrived at the factory after the short tea break, Thapa actually found him drunk. Naturally, Thapa blocked him from getting into the factory. Because it's not possible to work in a drunken state. So, alcohol consumption is banned inside the factory. That was when Norbu attacked." Sange looked at her with a meaningful, unwavering stare. "But I don't think it was just because of this little mess. There must be a motive to put the fire on. He couldn't just start a fire out of the blue. He must have had a motive and preparation. Maybe a larger conspiracy?"

Shreya frowned. A larger conspiracy? Abhimanyu came here to sort out a problem and things turned into a bigger mess.

Sange added, "Nothing can be helped until Mr. Roy comes here personally and look into the matter. I'm cent percent sure, the rival group has something to do with this accident. Someone must have instigated..."

"Where is AR? And Sunny?" Shreya interrupted. "I haven't seen them since yesterday afternoon.

"Huh?" Sange looked at her. "Oh- they had been sorting things out since yesterday. You know, taking legal actions and such sort of things. But they arrived a few minutes back. You haven't seen them because you're sitting here. C'mon let's get inside."

She called for the playing kids and they all went inside.

Although she was expecting a gloomy atmosphere, it still felt difficult to face it when they got inside and met with the whole bunch of people in the lounge. Some were standing. Her eyes roamed over and settled on Abhimanyu, who was sitting on the couch. His face, exhibiting the same impassive expression. He was looking at the laptop screen, while Sunny was sitting beside him, operating the laptop.

Other people she found their standing were the bodyguards. Why had they come out of their cover? She wasn't particularly surprised to see them. Because she, kind of, knew about them. Each of them wore the same set of attire and, even when inside. They had their black sunglasses on.

When they entered the room, everyone's eyes turned towards them as expected. But she wasn't ready to meet Abhimanyu's eyes. When he made eye contact with her, the tremor inside her chest, returned with full blast that she took a step back unconsciously.

Her body reacted on its own as she blinked and averted her from Abhimanyu to Sunny. Sunny was staring at her as well, and his stare was unlike Abhimanyu's. When he gave her an once over, it made her feel cautious. Somehow, his stare felt like he was judging her. But why?

She gulped and stood aside.

Abhimanyu broke the silence. "We're going back. Start packing."

What? Why? At this time, he should be here. She glanced at Dev who was looking at Abhimanyu. Nima was there beside him. They looked sad to get apart.

She wanted to ask why, but swallowed back her words. She had no authority to do that. Whatever she was asked, she had to obey. Because, her cold employer would never give her an explanation. That much she knew, and still, she was expecting him to tell her the reason.

~~~

"Do not remove your sunglasses and masks until we are inside our car," Abhimanyu ordered quietly before getting out of the Innova. These were the first words he spoke since morning.

It was only been three hours, after he told her to pack. Things were happening too fast that she barely got any time to object. They were supposed to stay here for another three days, but he decided to leave out of nowhere, and it was so unexpected. Because, the accident of the factory was more concerning issue.

Sunny wasn't coming back with them. He stayed back to investigate the case at the factory. But the thing that was bothering her more was, Sunny didn't talk to her at all. Not a single word. Not even when they were leaving for the Bagdogra airport, he didn't even wish her a safe journey. At first, she thought, perhaps the accidents had shaken him up. But when she saw he exclusively avoided her but continued talking to everyone else, things became too awkward.

Abhimanyu's bodyguards were accompanying them this time without their cover. Things escalated quickly and everything was becoming suspicious. The five men looked too much alert and they didn't leave their side for a single moment. Not even when she wanted to use the washroom at the airport. It was embarrassing. But she couldn't say anything against that.

Abhimanyu stayed silent as usual. Dev occasionally asked him a few questions which he answered in clipped words. It was truly suffocating to travel with him. Seeing this side of his, she reminded the words of Tiyasha which was, in fact, true to each and every words.

While walking out of the airport after landing, she accidentally bumped into a middle-aged woman who let out a condemning sound.

"You should see ahead while walking, Ms."

"Oh- are you okay? I didn't mean to cause you trouble. I was just looking at my kid and accidentally..."

She didn't get to finish her sentence, when the lady hollered, "How could you have possibly seen? You were even wearing this damn sunglass the whole time inside the flight! I don't think you're blind. Take it off if you dare and talk to me. I was almost going to fall. How inconsiderate of you! You can't even take the blame!"

Shreya staggered back a little when the lady pushed on her shoulder. This was way more embarrassing than she experienced yesterday. This lady was accusing her publicly for no apparent reason.

Having no other choice, she took her sunglasses off and pulled her mask down a little so that her mouth was visible. If she could see she truly was apologetic, she might let the matter slide. Because, as she started this verbal accusation, people started throwing glances at them. But as soon as she removed her mask, the lady hiccupped and stopped talking with a shocked look on her face.

Shreya apologized again before Dev pulled her away from there. They were only a few steps ahead when the lady shouted aloud. "You- aren't you girl from the news? Oh my God! Indeed, you are! Even you got the audacity to roam freely after that kind of stunt you pulled. What shameless..." she couldn't hear anymore. Because, people were looking at her, and she could hear whispers that resembled the lady's words.

"Yes, you're right. It's her."

"Oh my God! She's so shameless."

"Yeah, I saw her on the news today only."

"The video has been circulating on news and social media since yesterday."

"She has a nice body though. What do you think how much she demanded?"

"Golddigger!"

She put on the sunglasses again and walked away quickly from there. Her ears started to ring as she turned deaf until they were out and neared the car. She could recognize, it was Abhimanyu's car. His security team parted in half and two of them stood beside a cab, parked just behind Abhimanyu's car.

When she and Dev neared the first car, he turned towards her and said in a flat tone, "My men will drop you at your house. I and Dev will go to Isha mansion on my car." She understood it was his way to tell you to leave for her home instead of going along with them. She nodded and let go of Dev's hand, who hopped onto Abhimanyu's car without looking at her. But it was kind of expectable. Because, Shreya had never seen him disobey his Manyu uncle till now. She walked towards the cab behind and got inside it. Two of the men in black, got into her cab as well. One sat on the passenger seat and another one beside her.

Meanwhile, her mind was haywire. What was all that about? What were they talking? Why should she be shameless? What had she done?

The whole ride back to her home, she felt dreadfully pessimistic. What could have happened here when she wasn't around? Even Abhimanyu didn't allow her to go along with Dev to the Isha mansion. Not that she expected anything positive from him after what happened in Darjeeling. Perhaps, he wanted to avoid her. Then also, when he didn't? She got a huge problem already at home. She hadn't been able to talk to her mother for three-fucking-days! She might as well have her head when she reached her home. She wouldn't be too surprise if that actually happens.

Abhimanyu's men didn't talk to her a single word. Although, she was very well aware of that fact that they were carrying firearms. They stayed mum the whole time until they reached the turning that led to her home's way. They had to leave the cab at the main road, cause the car wouldn't go inside the narrow alleyway.

The world of her turned upside down as soon as she stepped closer to her home. It was crowded and filled with media people, cameras, and a never-ending series of disturbing questions. Everyone surrounded her in a flash, even with the two bodyguards trying to protect her with full effort. They tried to make her move closer to her house protectively while the media people rained questions after questions on her.

"Ms. Shreya, what made you return to your home after what you've done? Aren't you afraid anymore?"

"Where have you been hiding all this while? You came back to your home. Aren't you afraid to be seen in public?"

"Did you make the plan all by yourself or is there someone else? Speak up, Ms. Shreya!"

"Do you work for someone, Ms. Shreya? Did they forced you to do this? Why aren't you answering?"

"Since when did you plan to blackmail one of the topmost businessmen in India? Ms. Shreya! Ms. Shreya!"

"Ms. Shreya, you have to speak up!"

"Ms. Shreya!"

Simultaneous camera flashes blinded her from seeing anything in front of her. One of the bodyguards caught her arm and pushed through the crowd until they reached the front gate of her house. She didn't anymore know what was happening. Her luggage dropped somewhere and she couldn't even stop and look for it. Her heart beat ran like a rabid animal and her vision gradually turned blurry. This unexpected and humiliating situation happening with her, but she didn't even know why. What had she ever done? In reality, in a very short span of time, she lost her analytical ability to process things.

When finally, they squeezed through the crowd and reached the door, the door opened before her right away. She only saw her mother's face until the latter pulled her into a bone crashing hug and broke down while mumbling one sentence over and over. "Why did you do this? Why did you do this? Why did you..."

~~~

Author's note: If you're still reading and enjoying the story, please give me a follow. Help me reach 400 followers. Thanks.