Lights Out

The meanest tricks that life plays come at the most unexpected times. Annika had learned this hard and early. She had breezed through the most difficult of times in life and had come really far. Only for this?

Was this another mean trick life was playing? Or was it a blatant disregard of all that Annika had achieved in her life. Her career and that of this company were dependent on one single decision of hers. It was a choice between her conscience and career.

Annika’s pulse quickened as she processed the situation she was in. She couldn't believe her eyes, or ears for that matter. She trusted him. He has supported her for 7 years now. This is not possible. How can he stoop down so low? Yes, he was ruthless at business. But going to this extent was totally unexpected.

Annika turned around and tiptoed out of the common washroom. She closed the door behind quietly. The last thing she wanted now was attention. She was in a state of utmost disbelief. But he said it. He himself told everything clearly to that busty new secretary she had never seen before. Admitted each and every word.

But what could she do? She was helpless. Knowing the entire truth about her boss, all she could do was keep mum about it. She had all ideas about the powers he possessed. He would make her life hell if he knows she did it. He would try to harm Sam. No. Forget Annika. Forget what you heard. Never trust anyone in your life ever again!

___

Khanna was clearly worried about something. Shivaay knew it the moment he asked if he could himself drive the car today. He wanted to speak to him. Shivaay was running out of patience. It had to do something with the matter he asked him to investigate today. DAMN!

"Khanna, would u just open your mouth for God's sake?"

"Sir, we have a problem. You were right. Someone overheard about the chip that evening. She is your own employee. And...

" And?"

"Sir, probably has leaked the chip to Mittals."

Shivaay knew it. He doubted her the moment he saw her peeking into the washroom.

"Take me to Mittal’s Head Office right now"

"Sir, why don’t we wait a day and see if my information checks out with our sources?”

" FUCKING DO AS I SAY”

Shivaay clenched his fists as he tried his best to not smash the window he was looking through.

___

Annika was shaking. If at all she gets caught doing this treachery, she would never be able to live her life, her way again. She knew. But after overhearing what she did, she couldn't silence her conscience! She was the reason why Oberois did this deal.

"It can't be that hard, could it? You can do it Annika" she pepped herself up.

She opened the laptop. Its light battling the pitch darkness. But that was enough. She felt her fear for darkness subdue. Password it asked. Without second thoughts she typed.

ANNIKA

*Welcome*

Annika didn't know if she should be happy she got through his laptop or mourn after knowing his true colors. "Why? There's only so much I can bear without complaining. Why do I have to land in a situation like this and betray my own boss?" She whispered looking up as if this time God will reply.

She mentally slapped herself for wasting time and transferred the contents back to the chip and deleted the data from the file. She could not let her boss use this against anyone.

She put the chip in the back pocket of her jeans and hurried out.

____

His Audi was parked around the corner. "Sir, I would still insist, let me do this. How can I let you trespass when I am at your service?"

Shivaay smiled. The wicked one. And flicked his hair in his fashion. This was enough proof Shivaay was in for this adventure himself. He got out of the car and entered the parking lot.

"Hah! I'm here, Mittals" he muttered to himself.

_

She fastened her pace. She was suddenly getting a sinking feeling. Shit! Someone was following her. She had to get out as soon as possible. She looked behind to see who it was while her steps took her forward and THUD!

_

She banged into a wall like a man. By the time she knew what was happening, she could only make out someone swearing right into her ear.

"Fhat the whuk?"

Did he just misplace the alphabets or did I hear wrong?- she thought.

She looked up. He was wearing glares. Seriously? Glares at 2 am in the night/ uh or morning? Whatever!

"You! Whatever your name is! You thought u could double-cross me? "

Annika was puzzled for a second. She was expecting the same words. But from her boss. Wasn't Aayushman Mittal supposed to say these words to her when he would find out abt what she did? But oh she knew why this man was saying all this. He was a mad man!

“Look Mister, I am usually not this blunt to people like you in condition like yours. But I’ll still lend some free advice to you since I am a born savior People save water, electricity, I save people from problems. Take my advice, and leave here right now!"

Shivaay didn't understand a word she said. "Wait what? What do you mean this condition?".

Annika’s nerves were getting her to lose all her patience. She skipped the formalities and switched to her original self;

"Look, I understand that in your condition people don't really get a grip over what they're saying. But just know that I wish you well, getting lost is the best option you have." Annika's tone was dripping with sarcasm, enough to make Shivaay go bonkers.

Who the hell was she to talk back to me? Let alone in a tone like that? Was she mistaking me for someone or was she plain stupid?

"Do you even know whom you are talking to? I'm Shivaay Si...

She grabbed his collar and ducked down pulling him down too. A black sedan saving them from the follower's view. She kept a hand over his mouth. "You must be Shivaay. But don't you dare think for a second I'm an obliging Parvati." (Parvati is Shivaay's dutiful, obedient wife in Indian mythology). "Do as I say and better do it with your mouth shut". Annika gritted through her teeth. She was shocked with her own rude words but that was the need of the hour.

She just didn't make sense to Shivaay. Only the fact that her body was pressing on to him did. He carefully scanned every move of her. This woman, steals such a confidential chip under my nose and sells it to that bastard Mittal and still has the guts to speak to me the way she did? And why haven't I ever noticed her in the office? But then I don't notice anyone. But then she is So.. Noticeable? Attractive? What the hell are you thinking Shivaay?!

Shivaay was pulled out of his thoughts and under a car with a jolt. Within a fraction of second, he found her entire body over his. She was pressing her hand against his lips to muffle any sound he makes. But herself was squeaking. She literally dug her face inside his coat. Timely peeking out for the footsteps. Each time the footsteps would come closer, she would press in a little more. Shivaay, well putting his poor body on fire. He could even feel her heart beating fast against his chest. And inside, his heart, tugging at him. What was happening? Oh yes, they were hiding apparently.

If paparazzi were to capture this situation, it would be the controversy of the millennium. Not to mention the volatility in the Oberoi group’s stock prices. Shivaay Singh Oberoi under a car with a backstabbing employee over him in the parking lot of his rival? He smiled against her hand. She had no idea what was going to come her way. He will destroy her for her treachery.

Or so he thought he would. Until…