Steven Richards

Fair enough, you need to clear your stand though. What do you plan on doing?" Arayna says looking at me with her eyebrows raised. That was indeed a good question, what plan did I have for Susan! I had not thought it through. Just one thing was clear, I didn't want to risk sending Susan back to Ryan.

I take a moment to think then say, "I don't want to ruin her life by filing a legal complaint against her, her deeds are not justified but still I understand she was under an influence and it would be too extreme. So, I think putting a restraining order on her should be the right way.  She cannot be seen anywhere close to me, my family, friends, home or business. This would not only serve her right but also safeguard our interest" I say with conviction thinking this is for the best.

I observe Arayna's expression on my thought; there is obviously not much she just nods in acknowledgment.

"So, shall we vote now. This is exciting." Mitch says excited rubbing both his hands like a little kid about this. "I think we should start with Stella."

Stell looks at me for a brief moment then looking at everyone she responds, "I have already made my decision, it will be whatever Arayna decides and if this way we can get back at Ryan then why not!"

Next goes Bryan, "I am sorry Stell, but here I am with Steven. He is right about all this turning the other way round. I think we must just let go of it and move on. Restraining order would be best to keep her out of our lives. She has hurt you enough." I knew Bryan would be on my side, he doesn't believe in revenge, he is the peacemaker.

Evelyn goes third, "I have seen what Ryan is capable of. I don't think it is wise to be involved with him in any way. I think we should just close this matter right here and not complicate things. I am sorry Arayna, I hope you understand." She says apologetic of going against Arayna.

"Of course, we are all independent to choose." Arayna says assuring Evelyn.

"So, I am the only one left, I choose Ms. Oberoi." Mitch says and continues after a small pause realising he did not frame the sentence well, "I mean, I vote for Miss Oberoi's decision. I agree we must not leave this open ended. Ryan might not stop with his ways and he must be exposed. Also, Susan should pay for her deeds." I look at Mitch disappointed with him not being on my side.

"So, it's a tie. Now what?" Mitch asks looking at everyone with his brows raised lower lip turned upward in thought of a tiebreaker.

"I have not voted, even I should get to vote. It's my life you guys are deciding upon." Susan pipes in. I knew she'll choose to go with Arayna and I would not let her win. So before anyone could agree or disagree I reply, "You cannot vote, you are the subject matter. It would be biased."

It looked like we were a bunch of teenagers voting for our favourite soccer team.

"I know exactly who can be the tiebreaker." Arayna says getting up from the chair and slowly starts to move towards the corner of the room.

Standing in front of him she says, "You are also a part of this, you were the one to find her whereabouts and get her here. So, even you should vote." Even in her four inch heels Arayna looked tiny in front of Kyle. Kyle was tall and bulky but even in her petite frame Arayna looked more intimidating with her strong stance and glare.

"Me?" Kyle says looking at me as if asking for my opinion on voting. I just nod my head in response.

"I hope you will cast your vote with honesty and not out of respect for your boss or in his influence." Arayna says looking at Kyle straight in the eye her chin raised to match his height.

"Now, isn't this influencing, you're trying to intimidate him Ms. Oberoi." I say smirking at Arayna.

She just shrugs her shoulders and takes a few steps back folding her hands beneath her chest and waiting for Kyle's response.

He takes a while to answer, then says; "I vote for Miss Oberoi. Ryan should be exposed and punished."

"Kyle!?" I was astonished he had taken Arayna's side. "We can work on exposing Ryan together Kyle. Even you can get us insights on Ryan. Using Susan for this is not the only way!" I exclaim and try to convince Kyle.

"It is, it is the only perfect way. Susan has been with Ryan for quite  some time, she can get us insights that no one else can. Besides, Kyle has already voted and we close it here." Arayna says with finality in her tone.

Arayna Oberoi

I stare at Steven sternly as if challenging him to counter me further. As much as I hate to admit it I have always been a sore loser. I mean who likes losing and by the looks of it; Steven is a sore loser too. His face speaks high volumes of dissatisfaction, irritation and even anger. What I don't get though is why is he so bothered. This whole revenge thing won't involve him, not even a bit. Is he worried about Stellary, that Susan might hurt her again?

Whatever it is, I am not going to leave Ryan this time; especially when I have found a way to end this feud once and for all.

Moving away from Steven, I face Susan with folded hands and warn her, "You will be on my watch Susan, at all times. You act funny and it won't take me a second to make your life miserable." I say pointing a finger at Susan. Susan replies in a convincing tone, "I get it, I won't ruin this chance I promise."

"As convincing she sounds, I still don't trust her." Steven butts in shaking his head as if warning me that my decision is wrong.

"I think this is settled, and we should all get back to work, not to forget it's a busy working morning, right?" I say quoting Steven's words from earlier briefly looking at him.

"Ahem, that's some interesting way to say, 'get out now'." Mitch says standing up ready to leave.

Susan also, gets up ready to make a move when I stop her, "Where do you think you're going Miss..." thats when I realise I didn't know her last name.

"It's Susan Parker, and didn't you ask all of us to leave?" She asks confused.

"Everyone but you." I say pointedly continuing "We have details to discuss and plan against Ryan Jacobs."

"Mitch, Kyle will drive you to office. I will join you in the evening for that meeting with the Johnson group." Steven says to Mitch implying that he is going to stay here.

"Pal, we have a meeting in half an hour." Mitch says asking for Steven to join him.

"I know you can manage that. I need to be here." Steven says leaving no room for argument.

"Apologies for interrupting but you do not need to be here. This is no more your business." I say pointing back at Susan and myself making myself clear that I didn't need his intervention or help in this.

I see Steven's jaw clench as if he was irritated or angry at this. What is he being mad at? He is the one who didn't want to get into all this in the first place.

"Since when do you decide my business! I will be a part of this every step of the way. I will know and approve of each little detail in this plan and I am not arguing further." He says putting a full stop at this discussion. I stare at him annoyed.

He thinks I am not capable of dealing with a rival on my own. He doesn't know I have tackled bigger battles. I don't know why he wants to be so involved in this though. Doesn't he have more important matters to look into?

I don't realise I am still staring at him, first I was looking at him with annoyance but now with all these things running in my mind there is more question than annoyance left. He is looking right back at me with conviction, as if challenging me to argue with him and he has a reply ready right at the tip of his tongue.

I slowly look away and towards Evelyn telling her, "We are way behind our schedule for today. You get to it." She nods her head and moves towards the door turning around mid way she says, "Just be careful Arayna."

I can hear the concern in her voice. Why is everyone so scared of that Ryan Jacobs? Sure I know his parents were very successful, they have good connections and a legacy but nothing is invincible.

I did not think much into getting revenge on Ryan for trying to get in my way with all his wrong deeds. I always believed if I had to get to him I should get stronger than him and win what he desires and so when he hurt Evelyn I tried and worked so hard that it would be Zainav Fashions to enter the World of Fashions in Paris and that would be enough to bring 'Ryan and Ellora' down; but now I realise that Ryan won't stop. This will only end with destruction of one of us and I have never learnt to lose. I have got this chance to finish it once and for all.

"We need all and any information that can be used against them. We should not miss even a little detail about him, tell us his smallest of habits, his schedule, where is goes, everything you know about him.." I tell Susan to start telling us all that she knows so we can come up with a plan.

"What do you plan doing to him?" Steven looks at me all serious.

Does he think I am devising a murder plan on Ryan? With the look that he is giving me it seems he is thinking I am going to go all overboard and he is here to save me from doing anything extravagant.

Just to take his case I reply nonchalantly, "What do you think we are sitting here for? We have to know all his whereabouts so we can find a way to kill him and dispose his body."

He is looking at me with horror in his green eyes and his look changes from horror to that of disbelief.
The look that he has on him makes me want to burst into laughter but I compose myself with a smirk on my face.

"You know, sometimes your eyes give away the actual feeling you're locking away. I don't understand why though; why do you have to hide?" He asks more with concern than curiosity.

I ignore what he just said and continue to answer his previous question, "His power is not his company anymore it is only the money and some strong connections that his parents have left in a legacy. I want to see him bankrupt, I want to ruin his name to the point that no powerful connection will want to get their hands dirty."

"Uhmm, death will be better than that," Susan says looking a little scared.

"Scared already? You have to be very sure of what you are getting into because once you are in there is no out. Working with me is not going to be easy." I tell her very clearly. I don't want her to waste my time if she is eventually going to back out. Well I won't leave a way out for her other than the prison. I still don't want her to do something she doesn't want to.

"No no, I am not scared. I have got this. Wherever I need help you will be there? You won't just use me as a pawn and then leave me there right?" Susan asks for my confirmation.

"You have my word. You must also know, every little move of yours will have my approval. You will be on my watch 24/7. So don't even try to do anything stupid." I warn her again, this is our only chance to get at Ryan and I do not want to ruin it at any cost.

We discuss a few things, Susan gives us the information we need; and we process it all as to what can be used against him. After a good two hours of discussion we call it a wrap. I arrange for a room for Susan near my office so I have her under my watch. Having Steven in on this plan is not as bad, he has some good suggestions and ideas. He sure is a smart man and of course that is the reason he is where he is.

"So, I'll see you then." Steven says moving to leave. He brings his hand forward for a shake saying, "I'll take your leave Ms. Oberoi." He stresses on the 'Ms. Oberoi' part or is it just me over analysing it.

Shaking his hand I nod at him acknowledging his help in this matter, "I hope you now have trust in this plan and don't think that Susan will again try to hurt your sister." I say not knowing what answer I am looking for. I just maybe somewhere want to know why exactly he wants to be so involved in this. I know I must not be bothered by it and stay away from all these reasonings and motives.

"Susan won't even dare to come a mile near her. You think I am into this for Stell?" He says waiting for a response from me but I do not say anything. I just look at him and he looks back staring deep into my eyes. A part of me wants to know and a part of me dreads his answer; I don't want him to tell me things like 'Because I care for you' 'I don't want to leave you by yourself' or anything that shows that he is concerned about me because honestly I won't know how to react or respond to it. I am not used to this uncertainty, ever since the only response I am used to is authority and command.

"My reputation is at stake too. If this plan falls back it will affect me as well. Susan is linked to me. I won't risk a stupid revenge plan to ruin my image and as much as you disagree deep down you know you need me to be here, to make your plan fool proof." Steven replies looking me straight in the eye.

I was tongue tied for the first time in a while. I felt a mix of emotions at what he said. First was disappointment; of course it is his reputation why would he waste his time here for a stupid revenge right! Why would he care for someone who is pretending to not even recognise him? Get a hold Arayna, since when do you need someone to look after you! Second was anger, I was filled aggravation at his so full of himself attitude.

"My stupid revenge plan does not need you just like getting the truth out of Susan didn't need you." I reply reminding him that he was unsuccessful in getting Susan to talk.

"Keep your arrogance in your pocket." It is just so easy for him to get me all worked up. One second we are both cordial, sharing ideas, brainstorming and the next taunting each other in these arguments.

The cell phone ringing breaks our heated gaze at each other. Realising it is Steven's phone, I move towards my desk.

He receives the call, "Hello, yes Stell?"

Steven listens on the receiver for a while and his expression changes to concern. The look is so pure and genuine that I feel envious and lonely all at once; Stellary is lucky, very lucky.

"I'll be right there." Steven says hanging up.

He looks at me briefly and with a nod his head he is out of my office. I lay my head back on the chair with my eyes closed all kinds of vivid thoughts keep twirling in my mind.

Dexter's bark jolts me out of my thoughts and he comes running to me jumping on my lap. I caress his ears and think to myself, even I am not unlucky.

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