Steven Richards

Here we were again at Zainav Fashions, I look at the building from inside the car and memories of all the previous times I have been here flashes in my mind. Everytime I have come here there has always been some drama; the word drama reminds me of the name Arayna gave me once I was here 'Drama-queen' a small smile plays on my lips as I remember our arguments, now it all seems silly but I do not regret any of it. Coming to think of it I am not even that angry at Susan, it is in a way because of her that I got to meet Arayna again; definitely I hate her for hurting my sister but I think it was about time Stell realised she is not her real friend.

I had not checked the time before I had called Arayna, it was only 7:30 in the morning but as soon as I got the news from Kyle I just couldn't wait to call her. It was like I had just got the perfect excuse to speak to her. I was thrilled that she had recognised my voice instantly, she also joked around with me, I know it wasn't much but it reminded me of Arayna, the way she was that evening and thinking of these little things gave me these stupid butterflies. I knew her annoyance at me was only because she had let too much out with her frank statement and was regretting it. One thing was sure, that it is going to take lots of effort to bring that side out without her regretting.

All of this also makes me think what must have been the reason behind all this, behind this tough exterior; was it only because of the business she has built that she wants to maintain this distance and professionalism with everyone but deep down I know its not just that, she is hurting it was clear that evening we met first time and its clear even now when I look at her void brown eyes. I promise myself that whatever it is I will find out.

Myself, Stell and Bryan; we reached first at Zainav Fashions, Mitch had gone to help Kyle get Susan. She definitely would not have just come with us without creating more fuss so Mitch had offered to go and get her in his own way and I had no doubt he would succeed. As soon as I got Mitch's call that they had managed to get Susan in the car, me, Stell and Bryan left house. Bryan had an important shoot scheduled which he had already rescheduled due to wedding dates but he cancelled it for Stell as he knew Stell might need him today and I appreciate that he gave her more importance than work. It gave me an assurity that he is indeed the right guy for Stell.

We wait in the parking lot for Mitch and Kyle to arrive so we can go upstairs together.

"How long will they take, why don't you call Mitch and ask." Stell says in an impatient tone,with this being the tenth time she's asked me to call and ask if they have arrived yet.

"Stell relax, I just spoke to Mitch they will be here in ten minutes max. Why are you so impatient?" I ask her.

"She's just afraid, Susan will manage to escape again." Bryan answers for Stell.

"Don't worry Stell, this time she is not escaping." I assure Stell.

Mitch and Kyle pull up beside us after five minutes with Susan in the backseat and her hand is cuffed to the handle of the door with a lacy pink and black handcuff. Mitch comes out of the car with a grin on his face he says, "Got the devil."

Coming out of the car I close the door behind me, "You went all overboard, I see." I say to Mitch pointing at the handcuffs.

"Wouldn't risk her escaping." He says innocently.

"I don't mind the handcuff just wish the situation were different." Susan interrupts looking at Mitch with what she thinks is a luring look. The audacity of this woman is extremely shameful.

"I'll call Evelyn." Saying that Stell moves out of the car and directly towards the elevator not even sparing a glance a Susan.

"Boss, I need to talk to you," Kyle says addressing it to me. I just nod and direct Mitch to take Susan and go ahead.

"What is it?" I ask motioning him to talk quickly so we can go upstairs and you could also say that now I was a little impatient to see Arayna again.

"I've got some clues on our last case." Kyle says in a low tone referring to finding Arayna.

"Kyle, there's no need now, that case is closed. I've found her."

"What, how? This is the first case I have been unsuccessful in. I am sorry Sir." Kyle says sounding apologetic and embarrassed.

"I won't lie, I am disappointed Kyle, you're the best that I have. I get it that we didn't have enough information on her, but I was still hoping we could have found her much before especially when she is just a few steps away." I say not wanting to stretch the subject now.

After a short pause of thought I continue, "However, now we do have more than enough information. Kyle, I want to know everything about Arayna Oberoi. Her childhood, her schooling, her friends, family, boyfriends, everything. I want a report right from her birth day till today, anything and everything even of little importance."

"That's her!" He says pointing to the building astonished and surprised, his eyes wide; mouth agape. "Great choice!" He says covering it with a cough but I hear it well.

"I heard that, anyways don't mention any of this to Stell and Mitch. They don't know yet," I say to Kyle and start to move towards the building.

Massaging my temples I think about how I will break this to Stell and Mitch and how will they react. My phone rings interrupting my thoughts, removing it from my pocket I see its Mitch.

I receive the call to his taunting voice, "Done discussing your 'Find Miss Paris' case? We're waiting Pal." He says impatiently. God, everyone is impatient today, including me.

I roll my eyes and disconnect the call without bothering to answer him. We're taken upstairs by an elevator through the back gate, Evelyn now accompanying us. This back gate sure is secretive, even my office has a back entrance but it's easy to find as it is at the back of the building, however this is different. We reach the floor that I assume is Arayna's office and Evelyn scans her hand at the biometric that opens the door. Why is everything so secretive about her. Is she some undercover agent or mafia or something. I wouldn't be surprised if she is.

We are seated at Arayna's office, the same office I had created scene, at that time I hadn't paid much attention to it as I was already taken aback by her. Observing it now, it is quite spacious, her desk is wide with things neatly arranged. There are three mannequins with some material that I assume she is working on. Two couches lay close to her desk against the wall and on the other side of it is a huge glass wall overlooking the city, its not a very high building but still the view is good, the decor is simple in white, grey and black colours almost similar to the clothes she wears. However the mannequins are covered with colourful clothes setting a good contrast to the overall room.

Mitch, Susan and myself are seated opposite to her chair with Susan in the middle. Mitch has made sure to secure one of her hands to the handle of the chair with the handcuff. Looks like he is in a full investigation mode. Bryan and Stell are seated at one of the couches, Kyle standing at the corner of the room with his hands folded in front of him.

I look around to see Arayna is not around, Evelyn is quick to answer my doubts, "Arayna will join us shortly, she is in middle of a meeting. Meanwhile, why don't you help Elise with your order for tea or coffee." Evelyn says motioning towards a short petite woman in white shirt and black skirt who asks everyone what would they have.

Arayna walks in the room in about a few minutes that feel like hours as I am very impatiently waiting to see her. As soon as she enters the room she draws everyone's attention, all eyes on her and I have already stated it earlier but her presence is enough to  catch everyone's eye. She looked gorgeous as she confidently walked in the room like she owned it, which she did but her persona emitted that graceful power. I didn't realise I was checking her out in her long beige coat with white fitted jumper underneath tucked in dark beige trousers that fit her well until her sweet little puppet started barking at me. I hadn't seen him earlier, 'How will you when you were busy eyeing someone else' my subconscious mocked.

That damn dog would just not stop barking, he kept glaring at me, yes so many people in the room but he only barks at me. He must really hate me so much, but why? I remember my last encounter with him at my house and images of him pouncing at me comes to my mind and I gulp the fear. In that moment I hear Mitch's laughter that he swallows as soon as he sees my glare. "Dex, honey relax, stop it," Arayna says slowly bending and patting his head trying to calm him down and he instantly stops barking but keeps glaring at me.

"I am sorry about him, he's just very selective with who he likes." Arayna says with a hint of sarcasm that I think only I noticed.

Susan scoffs besides me rolling her eyes and says, "The same way, only selective people like you, isn't it?" She points at Arayna with her untied hand.

"Susan! I would advise you to choose your words wisely and not forget where you are sitting right now." Evelyn says curtly, very annoyed at Susan. I can see the love and respect she has for Arayna, I had seen the same on the day I had spoken ill about her and she had defended her in the same way. For a reason I know this tough exterior is a pretence and it's just about time and I will unravel the true Arayna Oberoi.

"Let it be Evelyn, she is just too scared to think straight at the moment." Arayna says smirking at Susan. I realised she is doing so to spite her.

Susan is about to counter but Arayna intervenes pointing at the chair Susan is seated on at handcuffs, "Oh God, who got that thing here?! I hope that thing is unused and uninfected?" None of us answer the question thinking it is rhetorical or she is just stating a joke, then immediately it hits me its Arayna she doesn't joke and that just clarifies itself with one look at her, her eyebrows raised, lips turned upwards in distate, hands raised in question; she looked cute.

I look at Mitch raising my eyebrows at him and for the first time I see embarrassment on his face for getting that handcuff, still trying to act nonchalant and shrugging his shoulders he says, "Not sure about the unused part but its definitely not infected." His tone almost sounds defensive, almost.

Arayna huffs in exasperation and says to Evelyn, "Please ask someone to get a disinfectant for the chair."

Evelyn complies immediately and calls one of the staff to get the disinfectant spray. When the lady comes with the spray Mitch is literally shocked his mouth open and eyes wide open looking at Arayna, he exclaims, "You're insulting me!" At that point I  don't understand if he is really offended or just being his goofy self. As much as I know him he is definitely joking, but with the wrong person.

"Well, I don't mean to Mr Powell, but you have to understand this is a very inappropriate thing to get to someone's workplace." Arayna says pointing at 'the thing' with a disgusted look and actually sounding a little apologetic for offending Mitch.

"Can someone just appreciate me for securing this woman from running away or hurting someone for all we know." He says faking a sad look and I instantly know he didn't mean what he said earlier and was just fooling around.

Arayana too realises this and looks at Mitch sharply saying, "We have important matters at hand and we should get at that." Coming around the table Arayna removes her coat and puts it around her chair and takes a seat on it crossing her leg, her elbows on either side of the armrest and folded in front of her. She looks powerful, exudes that authority just by simply sitting there.

Mitch moves his hand as if motioning for us to begin. I roll my eyes at his antics, he cannot be serious, even for a minute.

Stellary Richards

Sitting on the couch there in Arayna's cabin, I had completely zoned out all the conversations and all I could think of is why would Susan do such a thing. I keep replaying our times from recent from the past college days trying to come up with something that might have hurt her or did she always have a motive to become friends with me. I remember in college she wouldn't let me speak much to anyone saying you trust easily and they might take advantage of you. Honestly, I never felt the need to have too many friends at that time. Susan was the only friend I made and I was okay with it.

Sure, I knew she is a little selfish and self centred but we were friends and you accept friends the way they are. We have known each other for so many years now and this is never how I imagined this would end She was supposed to be the maid of honour at my wedding, that is the level of respect I gave her so it hurt that she was never really my friend.

Bryan clutches my hand tighter and I look at him with a small smile, "Baby, just let it go. We've got this." He whispers in my ear softly. I am so grateful he is here with me. Knowing that he had my back and that I am his number one priority makes my heart swell. I nod my head as a reply to him. "She is not worth your concern and sadness Stell." He says trying to make me feel better and I nod again. I want to say something to assure him that I am fine but I don't find words to.

Bryan looks at me with concern, I take a deep breath and try to assure him, "Bri, I'll be fine. I just need a closure, just need to know why she did this and then maybe I'll be fine."

I look at Arayna in awe, the confidence she has, all of this that she has achieved makes me admire her and also envy her. She is her own identity, whereas me, my identity goes with Steven's sister, Bryan's girlfriend and now I'll be Bryan's Wife. I want to be Stellary only Stellary. Maybe this is the reason that Susan got a chance to walk all over me. She got a chance to manipulate Steven, because he thinks I cannot take care of myself. I will have to work on this, as it's said everything happens for a purpose and this maybe my chance to find my identity.

So, I am the one to break the silence and face the issue. I look at Susan curtly and ask her, "Susan, we're done with your drama, now, just spill." Everyone's shocked at my outburst and that is when I realise my tone was a little high.

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