A/N: This chapter is dedicated to PerksOfBeingAnanya and bhikaria01.

VANESSA

"What do you mean, Bryan?", I asked the third voice.

I had called him later last night, after winding up with Blake.

Last night, when I finally got out of the daze the revelation had put me in and began thinking rationally, I knew what I had to do.

The moment I remembered who I was, the tables turned. I was Vanessa, the same girl who locked Adrian in a sauna like a lunatic, for revenge.

Blake had hurt some of the people closest to me at the moment and I wasn't going to let him get away with that. I was going to show him he messed with the wrong person and I was going to get back at him.

I told Steven what I wanted and he said that if I could get Blake away from his computer, Steven could help.

I agreed and went back in to the restaurant, fixing my make up and getting rid of any signs that revealed the horror I had just witnessed.

I finished my meal and the date with it and went back home. While I was still processing what had just happened, I realised I needed to tell this to someone who was directly related to all of this. I was pretty sure revenge could not be the only motive behind such an elaborate scheme, the motive had to be bigger than that and the only person who could tell me what was going on was someone who knew Adrian and Blake's history.

Charlotte was already mad at me, I didn't want to infuriate her. This was the first time I had seen her being angry and I have no intentions of seeing her like that ever again.

Adrian was not an option. He had told me repeatedly not to be with Blake. If he realised what my stubbornness cost him...I could only imagine.

So I finally decided to tell Bryan. He deserved to know. It took him quite a while to digest what I had said but a few accusations and apologies later, he agreed to help and also to not tell anyone else about it.

And now here I was, trying to clean up the mess I helped create in the first place

"Do you remember Montexo's Aurora project?",Bryan asked me.

"Only a fool wouldn't. It was in the news, everywhere. Aurora - The most ambitious project to ever be taken up in the states. Truth or myth!", I said, recalling the project Montexo's president had taken up in an attempt to make internet - device free. So no routers, no dongles and no need for data packs.

Unfortunately, an year ago, when their software was initiated, it crashed due to a sudden technical failure. It was talked about everywhere, some believed it was a shortcoming on their part while others believed it was a sabotage as many internet companies were weary of this project.

"Please don't tell me that Blake hacked them too.",I said, hoping for dear life.

At this point, I seriously didn't know what all Blake could do. It was just one more thing to add to his list of bad deads and setting a limit would only be underestimating his capability.

Hell! He might even have a gun somewhere and be involved with the mafia. Even worse...he might be a part of the illuminati or be behind what goes down, inside the Bermuda triangle.

I shuddered at the thought.

"Nope. I assure you he couldn't have. If I could track him, the other genius hackers working on the case could, too."

"Then why are we discussing this?", I frowned, shaking away the image from my head where Blake was dropping me off at the Bermuda triangle at gun point.

"Well, the company which had invested money into their project withdrew and filed a lawsuit against them so they needed a new investor.", Bryan said.

"Wait! They restarted the project?", I asked, surprised.

"Um hum. Though this time, they decided not to go public with the news until they were done."

"So Adrian's investing?", I asked Bryan.

"Montexo approached Adrian and he decided to tell them at the end of the year. I guess Blake came to know about all of this through Rebecca. Unfortunately for him, Rebecca didn't know Adrian that well or had access to his house so he couldn't dwell on it long enough but then he met you, the perfect source of information, working with Adrian and also living in his house. He staged the car accident because..."

"So if Adrian couldn't be there, Blake would go and offer his help. They were desperate anyways and would readily agree. They had the model ready, they just needed the money to go global and the moment the project was in action, Walters Pacific would be at the top of the charts.", I completed, horrified.

"Yup. Only second to Bill Gates. That guy is a genius."

"Bill or Blake?",Steven asked.

"I'd rather run over Blake with Adrian's broken Maserati than ever compliment him but well, he played quite the game...sabotaging this deal."

"But I don't get one thing. He leaked your tape. Why?", I asked.

Steven said, "Oh! I know why. Blake had access to your phone. When he must have heard you talk to Charlotte about what happened between you and Adrian, he must have flipped out and reacted by doing this."

"Wait! Something happened between you and Adrian?", Bryan said, shocked.

"Long story. I'll tell you when Blake isn't trying to kill Adrian anymore. By the way, why do you think he is in Seattle?",I said, opening the door to the pizza delivery guy.

"Ask him, Vanessa.",Bryan said.

"Yeah, sure.", I rolled my eyes.

"No. I meant it. Act clingy, get him tell you why he is going to Seattle, even indirectly is fine."

I sat down on my bed with my pizza , after paying the delivery boy and locking the door.

"Clingy? My first boyfriend literally left me for my sister because I wasn't clingy enough. Why don't you just hack into his phone, Steven?"

"I thought of it. I also almost tried it too but if Blake can hack into your phone, he can definitely prevent himself from being hacked and the last thing I need right now is to be in jail and you, your cover blown."

I sighed,"I am a businesswoman, not a spy. We need to let a professional handle this situation."

"I don't think so. That's too risky. Blake can buy the spy's loyalty. Hell, the spy would rather be reporting to him about us, than to us in a matter of days.", Bryan warned.

"Then? We can't just let Blake do as he pleases, can we?", I said worriedly.

"I kno...Hey! Vanessa, did you say something to Adrian?",Bryan asked.

"About what?"

"The...tape?", Bryan asked, hesitantly.

"I told him it wasn't you, it was Charlotte. I know it's none of my business but I had to to do. He'll forgive Charlotte, she is his sister. He has to. But you, I wasn't so sure. But wait...how do you know that?", I frowned.

"Charlotte texted me that she was in a bad mood as she had a fight with you and you somehow know that I didn't leak the tape and...Adrian's car just pulled into my driveway."

Adrian listened to me.

"Woah, that's quick. You know what, go get your best friend back while we brainstorm. If we find a good idea, we'll text you."

"Okay. Um...Thanks."

"You're welcome. And thanks to you too.", I said as he put down the phone.

"Well, Steven. If you come up with something, call me. I need to process...this is a shit ton of information.", I said.

"Bye.",Steven said, cutting the call.

I rolled over , burying the phone beneath a pillow and looked back at my pizza. As I took a bite from it, the cheese melting into my mouth, I tried to come up with a good plan.

29th December

Three Sherlock episodes later, an idea popped into my mind. I could only imagine how people who did this for a living, thought of ideas when in such a situation.

I looked up online for the official phone number of Lucian Salvatore, the president of Montexo and dialed it.

"This is Montexo Private Limited. How may I help you?", A young female voice asked.

"Um...who am I speaking to?"

"This is Mr.Salvatore's secretary...um...Maisie.", she replied, hesitating to say her name.

She must be new if she didn't know what the customary greeting was. If she was, I was in luck.

"Can I speak to him. This is urgent.", I said, firmly.

"Uh? May I know your name? Sir is just about to leave the office, can this wait.", She said nervously.

She was definitely new.

"So a sister has to wait a day to talk to her brother?", I said.

"He doesn't have a sister.", She said, unsure of her own words.

"OH MY GOD! Ever heard of cousins? There are first cousins, second cousins, third...if I hadn't lost my phone, I would be talking to him right now and not to some stupid girl who is headbent on not letting me talk to my brother!", I said, sounding as annoyed as possible.

"I'm so sorry ma'am. I'll transfer the call right away.", She said, scared.

I covered my mouth to prevent myself from bursting into laughter. I had really messed her up.

"Ciao, sorella?", A husky voice asked.

"Ciao. This isn't your sister but a well wisher.", I said nonchalantly.

"I don't have time for thi..."

"Aurora 2.0", I said, interrupting him and then I paused. When I was sure that I had his attention, I continued, "You are signing a contract with the CEO of Grey's & co., am I right?"

Lucian drew in a deep breath,"Is this a blackmail?"

"Oh dear! You don't listen, do you? I am your well wisher.", I repeated.

"How do you know about the deal?"

"I know a lot. Not just this but also...who sabotaged your first project."

"I'm listening.", came an interested response.

"There is a man who will be approaching you tomorrow morning, before the signing, to look at a better offer. You might even consider it but what you don't know is that he is the one who sabotaged your first deal just so that the next time you ask him to invest.", I smugly smiled at my ingenious cover story.

"And who must he be?"

"Oh. None other than Blake Walters, CEO, mastermind and hacker."

"How can I believe what you are saying is true?"

"Blake won't be there at your office tomorrow if he hasn't unethically hacked into your system to get information about your signing. But if he is there...you are a wise man...you know what to do. Take care, Mr. Salvatore.", I smirked, cutting the call.

If everything worked out perfectly, Blake would be in thick soup. My work here was done.

I texted Bryan about the developments and then rested my head on my pillow, peacefully drifting off.

■■■

I hummed the lyrics to Closer as I walked out of the elevator. Third cabin from the right, I recalled as I walked in that direction and opened the door.

I cheerfully greeted, "Hey Br...Adrian?!"

I froze when I saw him.

What in the actual hell! He was supposed to be in Seattle, wasn't he?

"Since when are you two friends?", Adrian frowned.

"Since I kept the peace between you two.", I grinned while Adrian rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Vanessa. I was just going to suggest that we go to a club tonight. You want to join?", Adrian asked impassively.

He asked me?

Was it like a thank you for patching him up with Bryan?

Ugh! It took so much effort to turn down such a good offer.

It looked like getting even with Blake wasn't as high up on my priority list as hitting a club with Adrian was. So my plan of telling Bryan of the latest developments in my quest for revenge would have to wait.

"Umm. Sounds good.", I smiled.

"What are you here for, anyway?", Adrian asked.

Shoot!

"Oh!Um...", I tried desperately to come up with a good answer, "Charlotte and I got into a fight. I was just here to ask Bryan to help me out with that."

"Wow! You both? Was it because of the..."

"Ya. The tape.", I interrupted him.

Holy hell! That was close.

"You could discuss it on the way.", Adrian said, about to leave.

"Wait, no! I have been working on this project all day and I am tired so I don't think clubbing is a good idea for me. You both should go though. What say?", Bryan suggested.

Bryan, nooo! Don't leave me alone. I had agreed to go with Adrian to a club but I knew, just in case I got drunk, I could imagine all the words coming out of my mouth.

I could tell him what was going on with Blake or that I had feelings for him. At this point, I didn't know which was worse.

I began to protest but then Bryan threw a glance over to the door and I frowned. He then looked at his laptop and back towards the door and this time, I quickly interpreted it.

Oh! He must be working on the Blake fiasco only.

"Fine, then. I'll see you later Bryan. Come on, Vanessa.", Adrian said, heading out.

"So where are we going?",I asked Adrian once we were out of the building.

"The same club where you irresponsibly took my sisters.", he smirked.

"Whatever!", I crossed my arms, pretending to be offended as he chuckled.

We waited for the valet to bring the car and then we drove off to the club.

Or so I thought.

Soon, I found myself on very familiar roads.

"This isn't the way to the club. Where are we going?", I asked, trying hard to mask the panic that was surging through me.

"We are going to a different club. I changed my mind. This club is called...",he said, stopping the car,"The Family Club."

"No. No no no. This is not happening.", I said looking at the tall gate that led the Hudson Estate.

"You need to go. Dad told me that William had asked you to go over for dinner."

"So dad knows I am here?", I asked.

"Not yet. But he will, once you walk through that gate."

I took in a deep breath and then an idea popped into my head, "I'll go if you go."

He hated Nate and wasn't a fan of dad either, he would never agree.

"What? No. What am I supposed to do in there?"

"Just be there."

"No. You need to do this on your own.", he was adamant.

I always do it on my own.

"Fine. I'll go.", I said, not protesting any further.

I really needed someone to be there but asking a second time was not in my nature so I got down from the car and walked through the gate as the guard opened it on seeing me.

I swallowed a lump of air as my feet carried me back to the house I was kicked out from. Yes, I had come here to get my Audi before but I didn't go inside until today.

"Shame on you. And on me. I raised a thankless daughter."

I remembered my father's words as I clutched the placket of my blazer.

I knew that Matthew had told me dad's side of the story but...coming here, it was overwhelming. It was surreal.

I stopped midway, staring at the door and taking a deep breath in, in an attempt to calm my wildly beating heart.

Nope! I can't do this.

I ran in the opposite direction, towards Adrian's car and then past it.

"What are you doing?", He asked, stepping out of his car.

"I'm not going! I'll take a cab home, goodbye.", I said, still running, trying to get as far from there as possible.

Suddenly I felt someone grab hold of me from behind and I snapped my head sideways to see my captor.

"You can't force me to go in there.", I said, wriggling to free myself from his grip but he kept his arms wrapped around me.

"What if I come with you?"

My eyes widened as I stopped struggling," You would?"

He nodded.

"But you hate Nate and...", I tried to reason with him but he interrupted me,"I know but you have to meet them sometime, right and if my being there makes you feel more comfortable, I'll do it."

I relaxed, leaning back into him as he continued to hold me from behind.

"I don't know if this a good idea. A fight could break out.", I whispered.

"I promise I'll get you out of there immediately if that happens and as for it being a good idea or not, we won't find out till we go in, will we?"

I nodded as he released me and we walked up to the door together. I reached out to the door bell but then I drew my hand back.

"You can breathe, you know.", Adrian said.

It was then that I realised I had been holding my breath for I don't know how long.

"Everything will be fine."

"In my case that statement never comes true.", I said, disappointed.

"Is that all that's troubling you? The past? Or is it the fact that you don't know if you'll ever fit in here ever again. You want to but you don't want to find out, just in case it's otherwise."

I looked up at him, my eyes widened with surprised as he read me like an open book but on a second thought of course he did. I had told him everything that there was to know about my unstable relationship with my family, he knew exactly how I felt.

Adrian took my freezing hands in his warm ones and he looked at me, blue meeting brown as he said,"It's okay to rely on other people sometimes...Nessa."

The name rolled off his tongue like silk.

He was standing so close to me, his face, just inches away and his gaze, so intense that I could melt like ice on fire.

To break the building tension, I pulled my hands from his and crossed them over my chest as I teased him,"Says the most independent man in the world."

"That's not true. Sometimes I need to rely on others too."

"Oh really? When was the last time you did that?"

"When I asked you to stay, that night at the hospital",he said in a smoky voice, placing his hand on the wall and leaning closer to me, my heart leaping again.

I was sure he was going to kiss me, the moment he reached for my face with one hand and I closed my eyes.

He had a certain type of control over me that I had never let anyone take but I flattered myself, thinking that it was the same case with him too.

I waited to feel his lips on mine again. Last time was definitely not enough and this time, I wasn't going to push him away, not just because Blake was out of the picture but also because that was exactly what I wanted.

However, it did not happen. Instead I felt a tug at my ponytail and then my hair fell down to my shoulders.

My eyes flew open as I looked at his mirth filled eyes.

Adrian moved away from me and then handed me my hair tie saying,"Loosen up."

Then he winked at me!

Adrian rang the bell, smugly smiling at me as I felt heat rise to my face.

Was I imagining all of this?

I didn't respond as I was still dazed.

What just happened?

A/N: Hey guys!

Sorry for the super late update. It took me quite some time to think things through about the upcoming chapters and to give my exams.

Hope you liked the chapter!

Next one will be out by the 1st or 2nd of February.

Keep reading, voting and commenting!

Love you all!😍😍