Dedicated to nandhu26 💜
Thank you for all the support, sweetie

(If you guys haven't checked out her books yet, which I doubt, you should definitely)

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"Come in." Vikram permits his employee to enter the room with the parcel. 

Vikram can feel his heart racing while the man brings the parcel in. He shouldn't be so paranoid though. That blackmailer said that he would give him 2 weeks. But can he believe the words of a man who is capable enough to blackmail him? Certainly not. 

While Vikram is having an internal battle with his own thoughts, the boy who is supposed to be the main suspect on his list, carefully watches the scene unfolding. Not because he is curious enough to know what the parcel holds but because he wants to escape from here anyhow. This scary man is not letting him leave even though he listened to anything he asked him.

"Mr.Arora, your parcel." 

"Leave it on the couch." He replies before dismissing the man from the room. 

"Can I go now, Mr.Arora? I mean I have no interest knowing what parcel your girlfriend sent you. I mean it can be all kinds of kinky stuff that I don't even want-" Kairav shuts up as soon as his eyes land on a very furious CEO. 

"Oh…. N-Not a girlfriend. That's alright, dude. I mean I don't have a girlfriend either. Can you believe it, Mr. Arora? It happens to the best of us." The boy feigns sadness, looking down. 

God. Why did he have to open his mouth and talk stupid stuff? He swears he will end up being killed by the fuming man. If looks could kill, he would be a fossil by now.

He can't help it though. It's his habit to talk nonstop whenever he is nervous. The situation calls for more than his nervousness. So, it's totally understandable that he is acting this way. 

It was easy to act brave and all but by the passing moments his bravery is escaping through the window. It's more concerning to him that he doesn't know what to expect next. This man stood as still as the statue of liberty a moment ago but now he looks like he is ready to be an avenger. 

"Keep your mouth shut unless you want me to really blow your brains off." Kairav can't help but gulp down in fear. 

If he knew he would be stuck with a psychopath whose hobby is giving him death threats, he would hunt down the thief even if he had to run to the moon. 

Kairav brings his finger to his lips and makes a shush sound to make it clear to the man that he is done talking. For now. 

Vikram ignores the kid even though he wants duct taping his mouth more than anything. Making his way towards the couch, he examines the parcel. 

"You should bring your ear near the parcel to see if there's a bomb in it." Kairav suggests. 

Vikram looks at him suddenly with an unreadable expression. 

"I was just suggesting. Talking from experience." Kairav puts his hands in the air to surrender. 

He doesn't know his words are giving Vikram the wrong impression. It must be due to his lucky stars that Vikram decides to slide it. For once, that kid makes sense. 

Kairav gives him a "told you" look when Vikram takes his suggestion and acts on it. 

He sighs in relief when he doesn't get to hear the ticking sound of a bomb. Vikram does something next that surprises both Kairav and him. He looks up at Kairav as if he is asking him with his eyes "what's next, kid?" 

"Take it in your hand and give it a violent shake." 

Vikram doesn't know what comes over him but he decides to listen to the kid. Maybe it's the fear that is rendering him useless and helpless. His whole point of keeping the boy here is to see if the parcel has something to do with him or if it's connected to him in one way or another. But here, he is listening to the instructions of the very kid. What's wrong with him? However, he can't deny that his consciousness is engulfed by the fear of witnessing something horrible. So, he puts the blame on his subconscious mind. 

It was a mistake. A big fucking mistake. He shouldn't have listened to the kid because the next thing he knows is that the gravy of butter chicken is all over his wooden table and on his suit as the container flew out of the cotton bag due to the force of his one violent shake. His custom made suit is now ruined.

"Oh, shit. I said a violent shake not an earthquake." The boy sheepishly says, probably to put the blame on the CEO even though he was the one to suggest it. 

Vikram is so paranoid that he couldn't figure out a container of curry. 

"You shouldn't have believed me. I speak nonsense most of the time." Kakrav confesses when the man glares at him with hardened eyes. 

"Just awesome." Vikram mutters in annoyance while cleaning his suit with a tissue paper. 

Seconds after being done with the cleaning, he grabs the bag so see what else is inside. 

"Visit me sometimes too :( I miss you" a handwritten note reads. 

All his fear, anger and annoyance dissolve at that. How come that particular boy  can always turn his shitty day into something beautiful? He won't lie though. Today he nearly got a heart attack. 

"Eat it at lunch time. I'm putting it in a hot pot so that it won't get cold. I made your favorite, enjoy!" Read the rest of the note. 

A fond smile makes itself apparent on his face unknowingly. 

"Definitely a girlfriend." He hears the boy mutter. 

Vikram's mood gets rotten at that so he glares at the boy who turns his head down like an obedient child. 

"You almost gave me a heart attack, idiot." He shakes his head, talking to himself, still smiling.

"Ehh, he can smile too? He shouldn't though, it's creepy as hell." The boy says to himself though Vikram can feel he says it slightly loudly for him to hear. 

"I can hear you clearly." 

"Good for you that you have a normal hearing sense." The boy retorts. 

Wasn't he being scared a few seconds ago? 

Well, to answer Vikram's confusion, the said boy is tired of being scared. He is also tired of being bored. So, he needs to do or say something to keep himself entertained even though it can bring him to the door of death. 

"Is that kheer?" Kairav suddenly yells in happiness when he notices Vikram taking out a clear plastic container of kheer out of the bag as well. 

Thank God it wasn't affected by the earthquake! 

"It looks yummy. Can we share it, Mr.Arora?" Apparently he loves kheer so much that he is willing to play with the devil's anger. 

Then again, when is the man not angry at him? 

Vikram gives the boy a confused look. Fine, it was his fault to think it would have any connection with the boy while in reality it's his lovely brother who was thoughtful enough to send his favorite food. But he doesn't remember being friendly enough to the boy that he is smiling and asking to share the food. 

"Thank you, Mr.Arora." Kairav gives a full display of his perfect teeth as he flashes a bright smile at the man. 

Alright, Vikram can't ignore the cuteness. That boy looks as innocent as a new born baby right now. But looks can be deceiving, he tells himself. 

Kairva finally leaves the chair to walk towards the couch even though he doesn't want to walk.

Anything for kheer. He reminds himself that. 

He takes the container of kheer from Vikram's hand but then looks at him with worry written all over his face, " There is no spoon though. Can you call one of your spies and bring me a spoon, please?" 

Vikram is so dumbfounded that he doesn't know what to say. Yet he manages to question, "Spies?" 

"Those men in suits who bring you stuff." Vikram rolls his eyes at the boy. 

"Why don't you make yourself at home while I call one of my spies for your service?" Mockery heavy in his voice. 

"I will. Thank you." 

Is this kid for real? 

Vikram's gaze follows Kairav as he makes himself comfortable at the other side of the couch. 

"What do you think you are doing?" 

"Waiting for the spoon?" 

He doesn't know what to do now. He thought the blackmailer makes him speechless but now this boy is way ahead of the blackmailer. 

What if he is the blackmailer? His subconscious mind tells him. 

"I was being sarcastic. This isn't for you." Vikram says before snatching away the container from Kairav. 

The teen pouts at that. 

"Aren't you gonna share the food with me?" 

"No." 

"But that's unfair. You aren't even letting me go. I'm hungry! And this kheer. It's calling my name. Can't you hear it, Mr.Arora?" He tries to make the man understand his situation. 

"You know what, I don't need you anymore. Just go home and be here tomorrow in time." Vikram deadpans. 

"It's always the rich ones. Miser ass! Can't even share food." 

"Excuse me?" 

"You are excused." 

When Vikram makes a move towards him, he immediately stands up from the couch to defend himself and takes a step back. 

"Alright, fine, Mr.Ass-" Vikram's glare stops him from completing the sentence.

"Mr. Aesthetically pleasing boss. I guess I will see you tomorrow." 

Kairav runs for his life after grabbing his file from the desk. 

It makes it the 4th time. Yup. Today is definitely going down in history. 

Vikram receives a call from Priya as soon as the brat leaves his room. 

"What happened, Priya?" He asks, his voice sounding tired. 

"Don't you remember Mr.Agarwal?" Vikram can feel his sense getting alarmed at the mention of the name. 

"Mr. Agarwal? What about him?" Vikram asks quite desperately. 

"Why didn't you list his name?" Priya questions back. 

"Because he wasn't there that day. Why are you talking about him? You and I both know he is a nice man." 

"Well, he was a nice man indeed." Silence hangs in the air till Vikram finally comprehends what she is actually talking about. 

"What? What are you talking about, Priya?" 

"Well, I'm telling the truth. He is dead." 

Mr.Agarwal was one faithful man. But he had to fire everyone who worked at his home after that day. He didn't want anyone to get any hint. He didn't keep contact with Mr.Agarwal after that though he paid the man handsomely before firing him. 

"What's his death got to do with it?" 

"It wasn't a natural death, nor an accident. He was murdered. In fact, his murder took place a few days after that night." This information gives him goosebumps. 

He can already feel a terrible headache coming. Why does it have to be so complicated?

"You think his murder is connected to this case?" 

"To tell you the truth Vikram, I'm not totally sure. But I have my guys searching for his family. Maybe we can get some leads." Vikram nods his head while humming in agreement. 

"He told me once that he had a son but I never got to meet him." 

"Don't worry. We will find him soon." Priya assures. 

"Thank you so much, Priya. I don't know what I would do if I had to face it alone." Vikram confines in.

"I'm as responsible as you. Just remember, I will be there with you." Vikram hums at that. 

"What about the number? Did you talk to the boy?" He will get a headache now for sure. 

"Don't tell me. That boy is a total nutcase. I don't know if I'm wasting my time suspecting him or he's trying to fool me." 

"We should rather be on the safer side and keep him under our radar for now." 

"I have someone stalking him. Hopefully I will get something from him soon." 

"Good luck with that and enjoy your lunch. My husband spent almost 3 hours in the kitchen making food for his lovely brother. So, you better appreciate it." Vikram chuckles at that. 

"You know I will devour the food." 

"You better." 

******** 

"He has been sitting on the park bench for an hour now. No movement whatsoever." The stalker informs his boss. 

He didn't know his job would be so easy. That kid is doing nothing at all. He is just staring at the sky while sitting on the bench. Now, he can't be such a big nature lover to stare at nothingness for about 60 minutes, can he? 

"Sir, would you like some tea?" A little boy comes up to Kairav with a kettle to sell tea. 

Kairav shakes his head at the kid at first but then he goes, "Do you have poison instead?" 

"I don't but my friend sells rat poison. Should I call him?" 

"Sir, he is talking about buying rat poison." The man informs his boss. 

"How about you tell me something useful instead of this nonsense?" Vikram texts back.

Now, how can he deliver important information when the boy is doing nothing? 

"Nah. Just give me a cup of tea. That will do for now." The boy pours him a cup. 

"Pour me another cup." The boy does. 

He ushers the boy to come closer who complies. 

"Can you see that man behind me on the bench? Give him that tea." 

"You promise not to run away with my kettle?" Kairav laughs at that. 

"If I have the energy to run, I would go to the man myself." The boy still looks skeptical. 

Kairav gives the boy a note of 500. The boy takes it happily. He then takes the cup and runs over to the man. 

"Sir said to enjoy the tea. You must be tired from stalking him for so long." The man looks shocked at that and then his eyes meet a smiling Kairav. 

(This perfectly fits here 🤡)

"Say hello to Mr.Arora on my behalf." Kairav waves his hand and smiles at the man while the man looks like he is about to shit his pants. 

What will he report to Mr.Arora now? 

"What a lousy stalker. I expected better from Mr.Arora." kairav laughs as he shakes his head.

A/N:

Please wish mahek778 the happiest birthday 🎂

May Allah grant you life long happiness, you not so innocent soul. Welcome to the adult life though I'm not sure if adult life is anything good lol.

Anyway, I would really appreciate if your guys give this book a chance

       this particular Book doesn't have a lazy protagonist but a passive-aggressive one :) while I'm not yet sure about humor level, I can guarantee the suspense and heartbreak 😉