Priya's POV:

(Friday morning, a few days later)

"God, Ajay, why aren't you people able to track those bastards?" I hissed angrily, my hands curling into a fist. We'd been looking for a drug-peddling gang for the past two weeks. But luck was not on our side. There was no trace of them as if they had never existed.

"The cyber team is on it, ma'am, and I am sure we will be able to track them down soon," Ajay replied nervously. He was well aware that if I lost my cool, no one would be able to stop me or escape my wrath.

"Fine. I need the information by noon," I said firmly and I walked back to my office.

I sat in the chair and rested my head on the table, a long sigh leaving my mouth. I was tired and disappointed. My sole life goal was to bring justice to the victims who came seeking my help. Truth should always win and even if I had to fight the world for it, I would. I had failed once and was not ready to fail again because that one failure had caused me to live in guilt for the rest of my life.

'You still have a chance to make it right,' my conscience assured me. I shook my head and remembered my promise. I had taken the oath to resign if I failed again.

Soon, my thoughts returned to the painful memories of my past. I, like some others, was a victim of fate's cruel games. It was difficult for me to imagine a happy future because of my dark past. It successfully instilled an apprehension about making a commitment in me. I didn't want any more people in my life because I was afraid of losing them.

I was woken up from the reverie by Ajay who was asking for permission to enter my office. I didn't know how much time had passed. Anyway, I nodded and motioned him to take a seat which he politely declined and came straight into the matter.

"We got their location, ma'am," he said. My heart jolted and adrenaline rushed through my body.

"Brilliant. Tell the cyber team that I appreciate their efforts," I replied with a happy smile.

"Sure, ma'am, but the problem is they are out of our reach," Ajay said sadly.

"What do you mean Ajay?" I asked, concerned.

"They're hiding in Gajju Bhai's area, ma'am," he said, sighing.

"You mean that local goon?" I asked angrily.

If that was the case, then it would be impossible to arrest them. Gajju Bhai was a local yet powerful goon of Mumbai. He was the hero of the people who lived in Dharavi, Asia's largest slum. If we arrested the drug-peddlers from his area, it would mean that we were not afraid of him, which was true. But we were afraid that he would incite slum dwellers to rebel against the government and the government would then blame us.

"Is there any other option?" I sighed, frustrated.

"Yes, ma'am. They go to a famous club every Friday night, according to our sources, and today is a Friday."

"All right, then we're going to that club tonight and finishing this as soon as possible."

"But ma'am...," Ajay began, but I cut him off.

"Now what, Ajay? You keep saying but," I groaned.

"We don't have passes for the club. That club doesn't accept people without showing passes," he said regretfully.

"Check the VIP list of the club. Maybe someone will be there who can help us," I suggested.

Ajay went back quickly and returned a few minutes later with a list of people. I checked the list and was surprised to see that we did have a person who could help us. He would help us, but only if I asked. Yes, it was Neil Singhania.

It had been a few days since we last talked, but I did get his flowers and wishes every day. Without any other options, I dialled his number but he didn't answer it. I was a little disappointed and told Ajay to try finding some other way.

After some time, Neil called back.

"Sorry, Priya, I was in a meeting. So tell me what happened?" he asked. When I heard his irritating voice, I realised just how much I'd missed it. Even though he was frustrating at times, it was fun to yell at him.

"There is a gang of drug-peddlers we want to arrest and tonight, they are going to be in 'Ethereal Happy' club," I started. I almost laughed as I pictured his eyebrows scrunching together cutely in confusion. "We need passes to get inside but we don't have enough time to arrange them. When we checked the list of members and I saw your name. So can you help us?" I pleaded. I was biting my lower lip nervously and my hands were sweaty while he thought about what I'd just said.

"Sure, I will, but what will I get in return?" he said and I swear I could imagine him smirking.

"I will go out for dinner with you," I replied. I wanted to get rid of him and now, if I took his help, I should pay back too. I didn't like being indebted to someone.

'Get rid of him? Seriously?' asked my conscience.

"Fine, then. We will meet there by nine," I hummed in response and cut the call. Only the action was pending now.

When we arrived at the location, the A-list parking lot was filled with luxury cars. There was a Bentley, a Maserati, a Ferrari, and an assortment of BMWs and Mercedes.

"Ready?" Neil asked me after opening the door for me. I nodded in return. I got out of the car and followed him. As we walked toward the entrance, I resisted the urge to pull at the uncomfortable dress that clung to me like a second skin. A shimmering thin layer of transparent net covered my shoulders and legs, the rest was another thin layer of hot-red satin that clung to my body.

A heavy crowd filled mostly with teenagers thronged outside, hoping to be let in. But huge double doors at the sleek entrance stopped them. Along with the door, there were two black-suited, muscled bouncers also stopping the crowd from daring to sneak in uninvited.

But he didn't stop us. Instead, he nodded at Neil and opened the door for him.

'He is a frequent visitor, I guess,' I thought.

"No, I am a partner to the owner of the club," he replied with a cheeky grin.

'Did I say it aloud?' I thought, mortified.

"Yes, you did," he said huskily.

'I better keep quiet,' I warned myself.

"No, I love to hear what goes through your little head," he replied with a wink. I just smiled awkwardly. I was so embarrassed.

As we walked ahead the faint music that could be heard from the outside began to get louder. We entered the club where youngsters were busy dancing, more like grinding on each other sweaty bodies. Some of them were busy drinking booze. It was pretty crowded on the main floor with barely any space for people to dance.

I left Neil and walked to the centre of the crowd as per our plan and began swaying slightly to the beat. My moves were not seductive but still, they were different from everyone else's. They were grabbing attention, I could feel eyes on me, especially men's. I turned my head to look at Neil who was now standing on the second floor which was reserved exclusively for VIPs and overlooked the dance floor.

Soon the music changed. It was still thumping, but more sensual. I changed my moves into sexy ones and saw Neil's expression changing, his eyes widening in surprise. I didn't know what came over me and now, I was dancing without breaking our eye contact.

'Let's tease Mr Billionaire,' I said internally, smirking.

My well-toned body was fully on display while I gyrated to the music in my high heels. My shimmering, strapless red dress barely covered my hips.

The look I was getting from Neil was clearly telling me that I was trying to awake a beast. But the excitement and fun in watching him standing there helpless were encouraging me to continue the tease. It was clear that he was suppressing the urge to burst on the dance floor and take me away from prying eyes.

A slow smile spread on my face when I saw him sighing and looking away to escape from my spell. But soon my tease came to an end when I heard a drunk stuttering voice, "Hey, beautiful l-lady."

"Waiting for someone or maybe something high," I flirted back.

"M-maybe I have that something high," he replied with a wink and I faked a sexy chuckle. His arm circled my waist and guided me to the back of the club. My skin crawled, but I stayed put, continuing to giggle.

Soon, we entered a semi-dark room that was hazy as it was filled with smoke. I could smell marijuana apart from tobacco.

My eyes took in the scene in front of me. Four leather couches were placed around a large square glass table. Empty scotch bottles and beer bottles lay around the couches. But what immediately caught my attention was the pile of white powder on the table, some of which was divided into thick lines.

I recognized the drug-peddlers who were seated on the couches. Some other people were also present there. One of them was a character actor and supporting actor in most of the South Indian movies. Two men were considered celebrities because they frequented the social scene in the city. One was a son of an MP and the other, the son of an industrialist.

"Who is she?" the actor asked. His eyes looked glassy even from a distance. "Someone w-who was looking for something high."

The actor's eyes lit up slightly.

"You are definitely at the right place," he said.

I stared at the table with an exciting look. "That looks potent. Is that good stuff? Lately, I've had bad experiences."

"Marijuana, LSD, MDMA, cocaine, opium... Take your pick. This stuff right here is the best quality you can find in the entire country," a boastful reply came from one of the peddlers.

"Hmm. Is there more where this came from? I am willing to do anything for it."

I bit my lip and batted my eyelashes. It looked obviously fake, but the men took it as a desperate attempt by a drug addict.

"We have an unlimited supply, sweetheart. Snort to your heart's content." There was laughter around me.

I smiled back angelically. "I'm going to have so much fun tonight."

As soon as I said that, they could hear shouts from outside the room.

"What's happening?" someone asked.

"Someone informed the police about what's happening here tonight."

"Who?"

They looked frustrated. "There's no one new here apart from these girls."

All the girls were drugged except for me.

"Her! The police must have planted her. Get her!"

One of the peddlers whipped out his gun and came towards me menacingly. He placed the gun against my forehead.

"Speak, bitch! Was it you?" he demanded.

In fewer moves than it took me to get ready that night, I had the man lying on the floor with his nose bleeding and his arm wrenched behind his back. His gun was lying on the floor next to him, but no one dared to move.

"Stay right where you are. The police are here." As soon as I said those words, the people trying to scramble out froze in their places.

Finally, after arresting the drug peddlers and the actors I walked towards Neil who was standing near his car watching everything silently.

"Thanks a lot, Mr. Singha..." My words died in my throat when I saw him pouting. I chuckled a little at his cuteness and amended my sentence, "I meant Neil."

"That's okay Priya, I am a kind man you know," he joked back while huffing his chest in pride.

"Of course, you are." I played along.

"I will get going then. Don't forget about the dinner."

"Sure," I replied with a smile.

He left but not before saying, "This time I resisted your teasing but I won't stop myself the next time. So don't play with fire, Priya."

_________________________________________

Third person's POV:

I saw her telling the constables to take those peddlers to the station. She looked proud of her achievement which only fuelled my anger. I wanted to drag her to the nearest wall and bang her head until it split open. But I couldn't. All I could do was silently stand and watch her ordering around like a queen.

Queen, my foot.

All she deserves was pain and I would give her that.

'Very soon Ms. Priya Mehra I would destroy you in every aspect.'

_________________________________________