Priya's POV:

"What do you mean when you say they closed the case?" I asked with a trembling lip.

My blood pumped faster and I felt sudden dizziness. How could they close the case without catching the perpetrator? It wasn't just any old drug smuggler. We were discussing the most notorious drug lord, the mastermind behind the majority of drug dealings in India. It was my first high-profile case and it was the most sensational of my entire career.

"Can you tell me what part of what I said was too difficult for you to understand?" he said and I couldn't quite catch the emotion behind the speech. Argh! He was so annoying! Why God? Why did you pick him out of so many people to be my colleague?

"I'm sorry, Arjun, but I'm not interested in your stupid comebacks. Can you please explain everything to me?" I hissed at him. He nodded once, his expression suddenly serious.

"The commissioner called me today and informed me that the case is closed due to a lack of progress. I tried to tell him that we were doing our best and that we needed more time to track down that jerk, but he said he was helpless," Arjun explained calmly, but his disappointment was palpable.

"Okay," I said slowly. "Thank you, Arjun. I am really sorry for not returning your calls and for keeping you waiting so long," I apologized once more. And I meant it. Then, he said something that shocked me.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have insulted you," he said in hushed tones. He wasn't looking at me, but I could tell he meant it. And the fact that an apology had somehow crawled out of his mouth, still surprised me. I finally managed to find my words.

"Okay, then. Good night," I said softly. "I need some time alone."

"Good night," he said as he moved towards his SUV, which was parked outside my house and I hadn't noticed until now. After taking a few steps toward it, he turned around slowly and added, "Take care."

I opened the door only to be greeted by an eerie silence. I turned the lights on and made my way to my room, depression clinging to me with every step that I took.

To clear my mind, I decided to take a warm shower. I sat under the shower. Tears of disappointment flowed down my cheeks as the warm water ran down my body. I had failed once again. I hadn't provided my parents and sister with the justice they deserved. I failed to fulfill my responsibilities. I cried my heart out, covering my face with my palms. Sometime later, I stepped out of the shower and looked in the mirror. The person who stared back was a woman with a puffy face and slumped shoulders. It wasn't me.

"I've let you down yet again, Dad," I sobbed quietly. The one chance which I had to correct the biggest failure of my career was snatched away from me.

Fresh tears streamed from my eyes like a raging torrent. I screamed in frustration, gripping my hair and pulling until I was numb.

I wished I could call Kashi and tell her everything, but I didn't have the energy to. I was irritated and disappointed in myself. I knew we couldn't find any evidence after he escaped from prison, but we couldn't give up so easily either.

Two years after I arrested him, I learned that Karan had escaped from prison with the help of some corrupt officers. I was shocked and angry and even though I tried everything I could think of to catch him before it was too late, he still escaped. We had no idea where he was. We didn't even know if he was still alive. The best night I'd had in a long time had quickly turned into a nightmare.

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Flashback:

(Four years ago)

"I can't eat all of this, Mom," I grumbled as I looked down at my plate. My mother was an excellent cook, but this was too much.

"To fight the criminals, you must stay strong." She attempted to persuade me to change my mind in a sing-song voice.

"Mom, if I get fat, I won't be able to fight them. It will slow me down," I moped around. According to my trainer, I had gained five kilos and was now required to run for miles every day. To be honest, I was never a big fan of the exercise. I joined the gym solely to stay fit for fieldwork but my mother made it difficult for me by feeding me so much.

"Subhadra, stop pressuring her." Dad finally stepped in. He winked at me as he lifted his gaze from today's newspaper. I couldn't help but laugh. Mom glared at dad and me while preparing breakfast.

The morning was beautiful and bright. I was having breakfast with my parents at their home. My house was only a twenty-minute drive away. I came in whenever I felt I was missing them too much.

"Good morning, everyone," my sleepy, sweet sister greeted us (note the sarcasm in 'sweet sister').

"What exactly are you doing here? You have your own house, right?" she asked me, her brow furrowed in annoyance.

See? Very nice.

"Where are your manners, Ganga?" I smirked when mom rebuked her.

"I missed my parents," I said, shrugging at Ganga.

"Oh, please! I know you didn't want to cook, so you crashed here," she smirked mischievously. I locked my gaze on her. What she said was half true, but I also missed my parents. She was just being an irritating sister.

Soon I finished my breakfast and kissed my parents goodbye and hurriedly left for work. While driving, I received a phone call from one of the undercover agents. Of course, I had spies on my side; I required eyes everywhere to know where what is happening.

"Ma'am, they're planning a party at the 'High Life Club,' but the main motive is to hold an auction in a secret room inside the club," Kumar stated confidently.

"Okay, Kumar, great job! Thanks for the information and keep an eye on them," I said as I hung up the phone. Huh, finally! Today, I'd like to tie them all together. I was sure that all of the major players in human trafficking would be present at today's meeting. The mare thought about those bastards, made my blood began to boil. They made money by selling helpless young girls. Monsters. I would arrest them. They wouldn't be able to flee today. I was determined to put an end to this.

When I arrived at my office, I immediately arranged for an invitation to the party. It was an easy task because I had connections but what came unexpectedly was the weird requirement. I needed a date to bring with me because the party was couple-themed. Where was I going to find a date now? I cursed under my breath. I couldn't just take anyone because it would be too risky. I also wanted a trained individual who could assist both me and them if something went wrong. I knew a person who was perfect for this. But how could I approach him? I was 100% certain he would reject me. Still, I'd give it a shot. After all, how bad could it really be?

I walked towards his cabin, my entire self-esteem on the line. On the golden board across the door, the words 'ARJUN NAIR' were emblazoned in large bold letters.

'Just do it, Priya,' I thought to myself.

I knocked on the door.

"Come in," he said, his voice low and hoarse. I entered through the door. He was reading through some files and looked up as I approached. His eyes widened a tiny fraction.

"Woah!" he exclaimed. "Are you real?" he inquired sarcastically. My brow furrowed in perplexity.

"No, you never come here! It's almost as if this place is haunted," he added with a smug grin.

"Because it is," I said, pointing my index finger at him. He scowled.

He was right though. But who could blame me for never approaching him first? Because of his ginormous ego, we didn't have a good relationship.

"Arjun, I need your help with something important...," I started but he abruptly cut me off.

"I understand how important it is for you, otherwise you wouldn't come here to ask for help. That too from me," he smiled as if to say, I-know-you-bitch.

"Yeah, you're correct. It is important to me. Will you help?" I asked him directly. Rather than wasting time by going around in circles, I preferred to keep it short and straight to the point.

"I'll give it some thought. First, take a seat and tell me what kind of help you need," he inquired professionally, as he closed the file in front of him and crossed his arms. I sat down and exhaled deeply. It was difficult to ask someone to be your date for the night, especially when the person despises you. I had my words crisp and ready but my eyes suddenly landed on his crossed arms. The muscles beneath the cloth flexed and I gulped with a suddenly dry throat. Yep, my brain was officially mush.

"Willyoubemydatetonight?" I asked him and then resisted the urge to facepalm myself as I averted my gaze from his lean muscles and chest... He gave me a puzzled look.

"Can you say it slowly and clearly?" he asked with a frown, clearly trying to comprehend what I'd just said. I kept looking at him, hesitantly. He was becoming agitated.

"If you don't want to talk, you can leave-,"

"Will you be my date tonight?"

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