Radhika was stunned; she flung her hands on her sides as she looked at Ethan but addressed Arjun,"Why? Why do all the good ones swing the other way.”

Ethan let out a loud bellow, “I like her, I really like her."

Arjun simply rolled his eyes, feeling like the third wheel, he slapped Ethan's back," Okay, enough of making me feel like an outsider."

Radhika stepped towards the pair and looked innocently, “But...but we haven't even started."

Ethan burst out laughing.

Arjun gave her a fake smile which she countered with her own warm one," Come on. Let's proceed for the mission." He loved seeing her this way, so easy, so open, and just beautiful. There would be time later to tell her these things, now was the time for action.

Arjun knew he was in trouble. He did not have to look at Radhika to see the resentment in her. Being even ten feet away, he could feel it burn him.

He didn't want to face her now. He knew he had hid important things from her but how could he explain her that he was just looking out for her. He didn't want her to be too involved. Knowing her, she would have not rested until Charles Marty would have been caught. And Ethan being gay, he had dug his own grave there. How would he tell her, he deliberately did not tell her about Ethan. After all, Ethan had provided to be the perfect safeguard. Arjun could trust him with her and not be scared of losing her. What if someone else would have fallen for her, what if she had fallen for someone else? There wasn't any dearth of people, men, vying for her attention.

He shrugged as he walked behind Radhika and Arjun, half listening to their babble.

He had to do what he could to protect his love. And Ethan had gamely provided his services; it was difficult to explain his friendship with Ethan.

Ethan was like his brother, yes, they had been rivals and maybe it was because of that that they could understand each other. Each other's competence, their aptitude, the thirst for success and one evening he had invariably poured his heart about Radhika in front of Ethan.

He had told her of his love, of their relationship; of everything she had been his...his. And how he had lost her. He had expected him to sympathize and maybe tell him he was better off. But to his shock, he had scolded him, conveying to him he was the stupidest person on the planet, letting his love go without any clarification. Without a second chance.

That had solidified in Arjun his determination to win Radhika back.

Arjun was still lost in his thoughts as he waved Radhika and Ethan good bye and decided to meet them after half an hour for the final, closing act.

"Hey, Arjun," Radhika screamed but was unheard.

"What? Is everything alright, Radhika?" Ethan asked concerned as he laid one hand on her shoulder.

Radhika put her hand in her pocket as she took out a phone," He forgot his phone with me. I had picked it up in the tower."

"Ah, he has already gone up in the elevator. Why don't you keep it? You can give it to him in half an hour." Ethan spoke as he walked away.

Radhika pocketed his phone and left for her room.

As she toweled her hair, her gaze rested on the phone lying on her center table. She was tempted to go through its contents and find some incriminating evidence against him. But, what if she did. Would her heart take it? Would she be able to sustain it?

No, there was no point in doing something that unethical and hurting herself for no rhyme or reason.

Radhika finished buttoning up her formal blouse. Arjun's phone rang, as she debated whether to pick it up or not and in the meantime, finished buttoning up her shirt, the call went unanswered.

She gave a sigh of relief and turned to put on her shoes when she heard his voice mail booming out a message.

"Hi, handsome.."

Oh my, she did not want to hear his lover’s voice. Fury at its highest magnitude claimed her. How dare he be with her, claim he loved her, when..

"So, it seems you have forgotten me. Well, who forgets his own secretary? Only you. Okay, before you kill me for babbling and being so informal. I just wanted to tell you that - The annual ball for your charity- ‘Radhika foundation’ is set on the 20th of next month and....."

What?.... Radhika was hyperventilating. Did she hear it right, he had named his charity in her name- 'Radhika Foundation'. Oh my god, what was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to react?

She needed to sit down.

Badly. Where was she going to sit?

Radhika tumbled on the couch and patted her thundering heart. God, such an honor. Such a big honor. Oh my! He really did love her. He had never forgotten her.

She wanted to spin, laugh, and scream.

Oh my!

Oh my!

Radhika squealed.

But...but ..he had played her. Darn it, he had played her. He had not trusted her enough to tell her about his friendship with Ethan. They had been partners; partners and she had been made to believe that they were rivals.

Radhika picked up a glass of water, sipped. And hiding Ethan's identity, his preference for men had been the ultimate blow. Oh, Arjun had played well. Played really well. She flung the glass on the wall.

She had been made a fool. All those acts of jealousy, all of them were false. This wasn't love. Love was supposed to be true, open. A person, who couldn't trust me, could never love me; Radhika dropped in her bed and clinging to her pillow, cried out her hurt, his distrust. Her irritation. What would it take for him to understand her?

She wiped her face. No, enough. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction to hurt her more. She would behave normal. Yes, that was the right course. She would behave as if nothing was amiss. She was hired to help him and dammit to hell, she would put in her heart and soul to nail that man, Charles Marthy.

No more tears.

No feelings.

It was a battle that she had to win.

……………………………………..

Arjun, Radhika and Ethan stood facing Charles Marthy in his room.

"Why don't you sit down?" Charles Marthy entered the room and took a seat gesturing them to sit down around him.

"Thank you," Arjun spoke.

Charles nodded," so, you requested this meeting?" His voice spoke of authority.

"Request...that is such a generous word," Arjun retorted as he put his arm behind the sofa and stared at him.

"I agree, words create difference that separates ordinary from blue blood," Charles spoke clearly, crisply.

"Blue blood, ordinary blood; caste discrimination. That is the pass time of few," Arjun said calmly.

Charles nodded twice indicating them to voice the issue that had bothered them to march in their room.

"Mr. Marty I do hope, you recognized my assistant Radhika Verma and my colleague Ethan Mc Cain," Arjun gestured to the two introducing them.

"Yes, yes," Marty spoke with a trace of irritation lining his tone.

"I suppose, you're aware of the attack on Mr. Khanna and Miss Verma today morning?" Ethan said as he accepted a glass of scotch from the waiter.

"Yes, I was shocked to hear that," Charles looked at Arjun and Radhika," I promise you an inquiry would be conducted right away."

"Thank you, Mr. Marty but that won't be necessary," Radhika chimed.

"I beg your pardon," how dare that little chit of a girl speak to me like that? Marty wanted to roar in fury.

"Ah, uh. Let me explain," Arjun rose and walked towards the long window and shut the curtains," don't want any intrusions."

Charles tilted his head. He knew he was being played, he was caught. The damn sniper had no way to target Arjun now. Not with the curtains closed. He took a deep breath, and decided he would play till he controlled the moves.

"We have nailed you, Mr. Marthy," Arjun spoke as he turned from the window sharply.

"What? What nonsense is this?" Charles said calmly. He was sure he did not have anything to worry; they did not have any evidence.

"I bet you're confused," Ethan leaned forward, touching his joined fingers to his lips.

"Yes."

"Alright, we will start your way, heard of Bill Maxwell?" Arjun crossed his arms across his chest and met his stare.

Charles let out a snort," Who hasn't?"

"Heard of his murder," Radhika spoke in a clear voice.

"What rubbish is this?"

"Mr. Marty, why don't you inform us of this rubbish?" Radhika continued.

"How would I know, what the hell is going on here? Bill Maxwell, god, bless his heart, he disappeared didn’t he? “Charles thundered.

"Aha! Relax, we don't want you having a heart attack and dying without paying for your crimes," Arjun rolled back on his feet.

"Excuse me," Charles narrowed his eyes.

"No, sorry, we can't excuse you anymore," Ethan gave him a wicked smile.

"Right you're, Ethan. So, Mr. Marthy, how much did you pay for my assassination bid?" Arjun sat down in front of him.

Charles sputtered but regained control,” What nonsense is this? Are you accusing me or defaming me?"

"Neither, we're simply stating the truth," Radhika’s voice rang loud and strong.

"Truth, pish posh."

"Yes, Mr. Marthy, truth, we have evidence" Radhika countered him and enjoyed watching the shock filter on his face.

"What evidence?" Now he spoke in cold, stony voice.

"I have you barking orders to take Arjun down," Ethan crossed his legs.

"Who would believe you?" Charles laughed.

Unfettered Ethan looked at Charles and said," Well, I did say I have you, didn't I?" He looked straight at him.

Charles shifted," Have me where?"

"On tape, Mr. Marthy," Arjun cleared his doubts.

"I don't believe you. I don't," Charles screamed. This wasn't supposed to happen. What? How?

"Too bad." Radhika cooed without any sympathy

Charles had to think fast, he stood and paced," What do you want? What do you want? Money..jewelry.. bonds…Oil fields..I can give you anything."

Arjun stood and walked to him," We want justice."

"How?" Charles gulped.

Ethan stood up and joined Arjun," Easy, you step down from the post of the president but not before passing our proposal."

Charles staggered," You do realize the implications of your proposal. It will finish us, finish us."

"No, it will herald in a new change," Arjun spoke.

"If I don't then what.."

"We definitely won't sit idle or let you twiddle your thumbs," Radhika muttered. The gall of this man.

She knew they had limited options. They couldn't hand him over to the police. The evidence wasn't solid enough, he could take them on in the court and walk away scot free and they had no witness for Bill Maxwell apparent disappearance as well. She had to think fast.

There was only one solution.

"I don't take to threats kindly, Miss Verma," Charles sneered.

As Arjun took a step forward to punch him, Radhika held on to his arm and shook her head. She conveyed to him, she could take him.

"Of course, Mr. Marthy, we apologize for wasting your time. Come Arjun, Ethan; let’s leave."

"But Radhika," Ethan started; Arjun shook his head and indicated him to follow her.

A smile bloomed on Marthy's face; no one could take him on. He walked to sit on the sofa when he heard Radhika's voice.

"Oh, Mr. Marthy,” Radhika turned, “Yes you sit here and listen to the evening news. I bet you will hear some very interesting news. The media is going to have a field day today."

Charles stammered as he struggled to stand, “no…wait…wait,” he shouted.

“Yes, Mr. Marthy?” all three stood in a line facing him.

Charles was not a fool, media would tear him apart. Any news like that would travel widely and the tape would be shown again and again, there would be nothing left; no reputation, no power, and no status.

He conceded they had played the right game, the moves were out of his hand now and he would adhere to them. That was the only way out.

After getting Marthy’s support, the proposal was passed with resounding success late that evening. It was announced due to ill health, Charles Marthy was stepping down from the post of the president and elections for the same would be held soon.

Unknown to him, police had been informed and they had watched the entire scene unfold in Charles Marthy’s room. Bill Maxwell case had re-opened. It was only a matter of time now to peg him. He, out of the presidentship made it easy for the authorities to conduct an inquiry; and confirmed that no political power would be dumped on them.

Radhika, Arjun and Ethan had been celebrating their fruitful endeavor. Their job was done. Radhika prided over the smooth sailing, now, she could get back, away from Arjun, her heart twisted at the thought.

She couldn’t bear to be in the same room with him.

She put down the drink she had been sipping and marched out of the doors.

Suddenly she was lightly pushed towards the wall, and she found Arjun leaning forward laughing as he pressed his lips to hers.

“You were brilliant, Radhika, brilliant,” before she could utter a word, he kissed her again.

She had an instant of pure shock. How could it be that the heat was still here? Still here, enough to make her tingle. To feel things she thought she had blocked by now. As the seconds trickled by, the kiss deepened, pleasure homing her very senses.

She moaned, her mind blank of the pros and the cons, of what she had decided, what she had thought; as pure want, needless without a reason over powered her. Heat and passion mingled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She loved his taste; he tasted wonderful of something wild. Arjun tangled his hands in her hair, dragging her towards him, angling her head so that he could have more, more of that sensual mouth.

He tore his lips from hers and ran them along her jaw, licking, kissing, and tasting her till his senses clouded with her scent, her flavor, her taste.

"Radhika...." He closed his eyes and moaned. Arjun opened his eyes and looked at Radhika, her unabashed look glazed with pure lust sent a thrill up his body.

God!

He kissed the side of her mouth.

God!

He licked her earlobe. He wanted to have her again. Be lost in her again. Never to be found.

"Radhika, let me have you," Arjun moaned, Radhika was breathless, her gaze blurred. She was already lost. His ways had breached her walls.

With restraint she pulled herself together, fisting her palms tightly, what was she doing? She couldn't do this to herself. She deserved better. She had no room for games, what was done was done. Never more. Never.

Without uttering a word, she turned and took two steps away from Arjun.

She continued walking but Arjun's voice stopped her," Radhika."

Radhika did not turn. She couldn't. If she would, only see him, she was sure she would lose her willpower; she would melt in his arms.

"Radhika," Arjun spoke his voice soft and near to her, so near that she was sure she only had to turn to touch him.

"Yes, Arjun," Radhika whispered.

"Won't you look at me?" Arjun asked as he folded his arms across him, if she had turned she would have found his face shadowed by hurt.

As an answer, Radhika simply shrugged.

"You still haven't forgiven me, have you?" He knew call it instinct, he knew he was losing her. He was sure of that. What would he do without her? Was there any way he could convince her of her love, faith and above all trust. He trusted her, dammit. He did. He was only a boy those eight years back. Now, he was a man who wouldn't let his anger rule his emotions. He wouldn't let it overpower him. Why couldn't she understand? He loved her, he simply loved her.

Arjun wanted to scream out his love for her, his frustration, his guilt that was slowly but completely eating him away. How would he ever forgive himself for her pain? How would he live without her? How?....How?

"You have my forgiveness, Arjun." She did not know who to listen to. Her heart wanted her to turn and rush into his arms. Give him one more chance but her mind, continuously reminded her of his betrayal. What if that happened again? Will she be able to survive a second blow? Was it even fair to him to be loved with a doubt in her mind? She wanted to love wholly. To not let any doubt, any confusion grow, creep between them. Love had to be wholesome; able to consume them fully else what was the point of loving someone.

If one wouldn't give in hundred percent, was there any point in being in love. Could such a love even survive the test of times? No, love had to be complete; it had to involve the intermingling of complete heart and soul of two people. Anything less, didn't deserve to be termed as love. Love when dissolved in pain should leave the person paralyzed. That was love. That was what it like was to be in love. To flow in love!

Radhika had already conceded to the fact, that they both deserved that kind of love. Nothing less, maybe more. If they couldn't give that to each other, then they were simply not meant to be with each other.

“And your love, Radhika?” Arjun asked as he caught her wrist and turned her, cupping her face in his hands, his eyes pooling it’s warmth in hers.

“I….I don’t know, Arjun. I don’t know,” a tear slipped down Radhika’s eyes, as she ran away from Arjun leaving him all alone.