CHAPTER -25

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Everything went as planned. The culprits were caught and Chandras bagged the deal. Though half-heartedly she attended the meeting.

The meeting was continued further for the formality sake. At the end when the deal was finalised, Vikram approached and congratulated Radhika, however, she looked bothered and he noticed it. He wanted to comfort her but knowing it was not the right time, he didn't comment on it. Everyone retreated back to their respective offices but Radhika instead for taking the way to her office, turned her car in other direction and after few minutes drive, it stopped at the parking of police station when Brejesh Aggrawal, CEO of Agarwal company and Arjun were locked up. She entered in its premise and requested the officials to let have a few words with her employee Arjun Gupta in private and after a few minutes of wait, she was taken to the cell where he was retained. She assumed to see his regretful face but there wasn't.

Soon the constable left them for a few minutes, leaving them both in solitude. Radhika maintained a stone face, staring his eyes accusedly while gradually approaching him.

None of their eyes discontinued giving each other competition of gaze.

"Don't you have any shame left in your system after everything standing as an obnoxious person?" She screeched in anger but in reply only received a fit of manic laughter as an answer.

"You came here to ask only this." Soon his laughter turned into a dangerous scowl, "And I don't regret it."

"Time will only tell. You just count your days because after that you will see yourself completely ruined." She sneered at him with utter disgust. But her words didn't produce even an ounce of effect to him.

"Have to admire your humour." He grinned to which she couldn't help but frown. Definitely, he had lost a few brain cells.

She soon overcame the feeling and passed him a fake smile.

"Can't blame your mental state now. Live your handful days of happiness here as much as you want because, after the case and court procedure, I doubt you will even find any reason left to smile."

"you can't even hurt my hair." He claimed in a threatening voice. She couldn't help but feel unusual. He looked a psycho whom she never knew.

"So much overconfidence is not good for your health and doesn't forget there is a fraudulent case against you, Sir. Your whole career is destroyed in a finger snap." She retaliated back in a firm voice.

"Try it." He replied with amusement. She wondered why he was so confident and on what basis. The Arjun she knew had nothing on the name of wealth or property or any connection. Then what was the reason of this haughtiness?

"Even after knowing you for 2 years, I find it hard to understand. You had a perfect job and did you forget you have two young sisters dependent on you. What they will go through after knowing it and what about your future. Did you even think about it?" She asked but received a monotonous reply.

"No, I didn't." He turned his gaze another way.

"Look into my eyes and tell the truth who did the data-stealing in our office."

"Me." He replied in sheer confidence. Radhika rolled her eyes.

"That I know. who is your partner?" She raised a brow in question.

"No one... I did it all alone." He answered looking directly in her eyes. She huffed in annoyance and took a threatening step toward him and hissed in an audible voice enough for him to hear.

"Don't you even dare to lie. I still have CCTV footage when the photographs were copied that day. All the time you were present in your cuticle including the time when a wary man entered my office. Tell who is a crime partner in a nice way the police standing outside know how to squeeze out information." She pushed him back in anger.

"So you know. Yes, it was not I who did the thief of photography that day but have to accept it was very easy to steal the data with such low security." He smirked, removing invisible dust off his suit. Radhika shrugged in frustration. Instead of answering in one go, he was wasting time. She was about to return as the meeting was turning futile but his voice stopped her in her trance.

"I was never involved in it until some goons arranged by the other party, approached me to do the larceny which I instantly declined. That time the security was increased and with police involvement, they have to be at bay but soon found a bait to their aim and it was I. After a few days I started receiving threats which mostly included my sisters. What could I do when my sister's safety was at risk. I was forced or who happily wants his destruction." His eyes filled with unshed tears and his voice chocked once or twice while speaking. And this information did affect her. She cautiously replied.

"You should have involved police but still this story doesn't victimize you. You are still culprit of thievery and it can't be overlooked. But most importantly it is not too late. we will inform the police." She suggested but this caught him off guard. He hurriedly declined it.

"No. Don't. They said they will leave forever after the meeting." He tried to make her understand but she eyed him bewildered.

"And you blindly trusted them." She rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"What can a common man then? They are mighty people and here only money talks over justice."

"An extreme level of Idiocy. A common man like you can file an FIR. Wait they are still in Oakville." He nodded.

"Great. If you don't believe the Indian judiciary system, we can lodge FIR in their jurisdiction."

"Please. Don't make thing more difficult. It is my matter and I can handle it. Don't you try to interpret." He stated in a pleading voice.

Before Radhika could argue, a sound was heard as a constable beat his stick to the iron rails to grab their attention and soon it was followed by his grumpy voice," Meeting time is over. please come out."

"If you say but don't mind contacting me if you change your mind. I will try my best for sisters." She assured.

------------------------------------------

An exhausted Radhika entered her office and started her work. There were files piled up on her table which the needed to review before signing them. She forwarded a file placed on the top of the pile and dug her head inside to divert her mind. But nothing seemed to help. Every scene started coming back in her mind one after another. She frustratedly shut the file and placed her hands on the forehead, trying to curtail the increasing pain.

While she was trying to calm her mind, a phone call disturbed the silence.

As she saw the caller id, she hurriedly answered it.

"Madam we found it. You will not believe what we got to know." The man said excitedly.

"How will I know, until you tell?" She replied in an emotionless voice.

"Everything comes with a price." Radhika tightened her jaw in anger. After all, everyone was the hunger of money.

"Your reward with be transferred in your account." He received a monotonous answer.

"Madam, You are so good. I knew it you will not disappoint me." He replied in too much happiness dipping from his voice that even she could feel the change on the name of money. She scrunched in disgust. Because after all money always talks.

"You don't disappoint me and your happiness will be continued. Let's settle the equation in even then."

"Yeah. Alright. As I told the girl is leaving with an old lady who is none other than the mother of ex-employee of your company." Radhika froze hearing this piece of information. This meant, she had an affair with her employee and when Vivaan forced her for marriage, she eloped with him. This did make some sense.

But where was he now? Because last time she was informed she lived with an elderly woman.

"Where he is?"

"Haha, you are too quick. Didn't even let me complete. But never mind I was coming to that only. The point is he died a year ago." He...

"What??" Radhika actually shouted hearing it.

"Yes madam. And the interesting part is - people say he died in a car accident but you can't ignore the spread rumours that claims it was a well-executed murder."

He died a year ago. She was also not pregnant then what the hell she has been going in Shimla all these months underground?

"Anything else you got to know?"

"Nah, till now this is it." He replied in pride.

"Fine. Keep an eye on her." She threatened him and cut the call in annoyance.

More she knew the details of her sister, more she seemed restless now.

Meanwhile, she was in deep thoughts, a knock was heard.

"Come in." She said in a muffled voice.

"Madam these are the details of the bank account holder you asked for." Norah passed a file to her. She took it from her hand.

"Thank you. You may continue your work."

"Norah, is Tuval in her office?"

"Yeah, she has been present there since morning."

"How long have you been working here?" Radhika asked casually.

"Around two years now. I guess."

"Do you know about one of our employee who died in an accident a year ago?"

"Oh yes, I heard about him. What was his name- wait yeah.. his name was Aryan Mehra. What a good person he was! Some even say he was killed. But I highly doubt he was very kind and well mannered."

"Okay. You were Sneha's assistant too. You might have noticed how they used to interact. Was there something going on between them?"

" What are you saying- Sneha ma'am and Aryan Mehra had something? What a joke!" Norah laughed at it but compared herself after. receiving a stern stare

"No. As far as I try to remember they always discussed business-related issue. I didn't find anything fishy between them. Is everything all right?" She asked in concerned filled voice.

"Yeah, everything is okay. You may go now." Norah as ordered retreated back to her office, adjoining to Radhika's.

She opened the file, Norah just gave her. As soon as she saw the name of the account holder whom Sneha had been giving money without fail every month, the ground beneath her feet got snatched. And for a few seconds, she became too shocked to respond to other details mentioned. She quickly shut the file and throw it to the other corner of the room in anger. She now felt all the feelings- anger, disgust and remorse at once. How could someone do it? Today she was again betrayed. Twice.

------------------------------------------

She didn't want to think about those things more. So to divert her mind, she called her best friend. Another reason way, she wanted to reach Arjun's sisters for help.

"Hello."

"So finally madame got some free time to remind this servent. Today my fortune just shined." Kavya taunted her for losing contact in just a few months separation.

"Where are you stuck in between this fashion designing and job, wasting your time as well as Uncle's money? Do one thing to join the film industry? I can see your bright future there." Radhika fired back.

"You too can see it but not my family. Huh, I always knew I am as talented and beautiful as Madhubala but there is my father who always stops my fly. But here thinking a lot I have decided, it is not good to give inferior complex to other heroines because of who? A newbie. Nah, I am not that much evil. I am just doing a charity to them for denying my entry to Bollywood or else I was to be famous in a blink." Radhika rolled her eyes witnessing her overconfidence.

If they were to talk, they might have ended up talking the whole day. So without wasting both of their time, Radhika came directly to the point.

"Where are you now?"

"Hell hole." She grunted.

"Do you mean office?" Radhika tried to guess.

"Or elsewhere? It is a true hell with my boss making this innocent angel burden with his scoldings. Save me before this devil fries me alive in the hot oil." She even started complaining about her so-called complains. But Radhika knew better than to get trapped in drama queen's acting.

"What are you saying? Hot oil?? Why is that?" She furrowed her eyebrow in question.

"Haven't you heard how the devil fry the body as pakora in the hell? Seriously girl every night I get this nightmare." To till point, Radhika patience limit was crossed and she advised with strictness.

"Stop your daydreaming and start your work sincerely as at the end of the day, you will want an appraisal like everyone in the office."

"Hmmm. I am trying but you tell who scold and make this innocent face work like a mule."

"Nothing can happen to you. By the way, I called you to ask if you have one of your friends there in Oakville."

"Maybe. I am not in much contact with them. What is the matter?" She asked in confusion.

"Do you know Arjun's two sisters? I wanted to talk to them." Kavya wondered why she wanted to do with them but didn't voice it.

"You can ask him only. I am sure even you still have his number saved."

"I don't want to talk to him. Do you know the address to his home where we drop him a few times?" She asked

"Hmm."

"Send someone there soon. It is really very urgent. I have to meet them as soon as possible."

"Don't worry your work will be done," Kavya assured. If she had asked, there must be some reason behind it.

"Thanks, yaar." She replied completely revived.

"My boss is coming...he is coming. Shit, he saw me........" Kavya started muttering nonsense in the panic of being caught but fortunately turned the table before he reached to her. "Don't you understand a single thing. I have assigned you a single work to take a single from the delegate and hereafter roaming for two hours you are telling you don't remember the address. " she started scolding to the person on the other side who was I luckily no one but poor Radhika. She huffed hearing her drama. Well, it was nothing new for her.

"Who is there?" She heard a horse voice saying. Maybe it belonged to her boss.

Kavya replied instantly.

"A clerk. I send him to get a sign from our manager from the main branch. He is new here. Don't worry sir, I will handle him." She replied in an assuring voice with a fake smile and quickly turned her attention to the person on the phone who was none other than Radhika.

"And yes, how careless you can be, huh!! You come here and I will take your class." She turned back to give him a bright smile making sure he thinks how decidedly she is working in the office and for the office.

"You leave it and look into this file. I want the details for the next two hours." Her boss replied passing her a black file.

"Two hours??" As soon as she heard the time limit her eyes literally bulged out in shock.

"Yes, a madam in two hours. Better soon make an appointment to an otolaryngologist. You seriously need it." He taunted. And on the other hand, Radhika couldn't control her laughter hearing her boss literally roasted her.

"Okay, sir." She replied as an obedient child which she never was. As soon as the boss left, she huffed and brought the phone close to her ear with caution.

"Hahaha. Suits you." Radhika commented in between her laughter.

"Laugh as much you want listening to my helplessness. Can't see how much I am pressurised here."

"You still didn't start your work." The voice shouted from the back and Kavya froze. She turned back and found him standing at the corner of the hall. Thankfully he couldn't hear them. She passed him a smile and signalled him toward her phone pressed to her ear.

"Doing it. Just giving the poor boy some instructions." She shouted back, deliberately making sure every employee present in the hall hear her voice. Her boss huffed in annoyance and returned to his office.

"Okay bye... Or else it will be my last day here."

"Hmm, bye," Radhika replied in a sad tone.

-----------------------------------------

Radhika entered in Tuval's office and found her engrossed in her work. She silently settled on one of the chairs kept for visitors, waiting for her to wrap up her work.

After a wait of few minutes, Tuval shrieked, gaining the attention of frightened Radhika due to sudden voice in an utterly silent room.

"Nothing is working." Tuval crying.

"What happened?"

"I am trying to combine the colours for a particular pattern. Some look old fashioned, some too are light and some are too dull. What is happening to me today?"

"Really it is a very gloomy day. By the way, show me the pattern. I may try to help." Radhika muttered. Tuval slightly pushed the sample fabrics, a paper containing designs and her colour pens in her direction.

"You tell, what happened there in the meeting? How? Arggh, I missed the golden opportunity to be part of the drama..." She started muttering irrelevant in enthusiasm to hear what happened in the meeting, even after listening to every bit every detail from Norah twice. It was just she couldn't content herself with the mere thought her honey trap worked perfectly well.

But Radhika remained silent and mostly unresponsive while looking deeply at fabrics and designs, Tuval passed to her. Realising her state, tuval didn't push her further.

"I don't want to talk about it now. And yes thanks for your help. If it was not your idea We would have lost this contract too." It was her idea to install secret hidden cameras all around the office whose control was in Radhika's hand. Most importantly their circuits were not mixed with other CCTV cameras. So the security room too had no access to its data. Noone except Radhika and Tuval knew about this new arrangments. So if there was anyone who tried to disturb the security couldn't be able to hamper the work of newly installed CCTV cameras.

And most importantly they even informed the police as well as included Vikram in this plan whose payment they had to do with including him in the photoshoot at Khandala mostly at his insist.

"You are not looking well. Take some rest first. I think I should ask someone to bring a cup of coffee for you. It will freshen your mood in an instance."

"It is not needed. You may continue your work as well. " She pushed the materials aside in worry, muttering "My brain is not working right now."

"Don't turn the topic. You are looking so pale and weak. If you are not listening to me, I will have to use my weapon." Her eyes twitched while mentioning the word weapon.

"I am the boss," Radhika stated in a firm voice.

"Wait, tell the same when I call your father to inform how his daughter is neglecting her health these days. I am sure, daddy is gonna be so proud of you, Radhu." Tuval unlocked her phone and started searching for her father's number.

"Tuval please don't disturb him. Okay, I fine. I will have some leisure time. Now happy."

"You know what do one thing take a half-day leave and go to your home. There you can have a proper rest." Radhika got annoyed.

"Tuval it is extreme. And you are turning your words. It is called cheating."

"Wait I call your father."

"Huh! Know only one trick against me to dance on your beats." She taunted.

"Okay, this time your mother-in-law also seems fine." Tuval grinned at herself.

"No, no from where you are bringing my all pedigree. Okay fine. I am going home. Take care of the office with your eagle eye wide open."

"You don't worry about it. And I am informing my driver. He will drop you at your place in my car."

"You are worse than my mom." She muttered slowly.

"Holla woman,

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net