Rhea's POV:

Everything was great until 10 pm. We were having a great time eating and watching some random movies on tv and talking about random things until Alina decided it would be great to go to the club. I was in no mood to go to the club and dance like a monkey who is high on weeds but which friend in the world ever heeded the other friend's wish?
I even tried keyword- tried to make reasons like I didn't have a dress and I am not well and my imaginary dog not well on whom I must check on but they both just stared at me blankly and pulled me out of the house saying you don't even know to make reasons.

And here I am wearing black jeans and a simple white T-shirt which by the by I didn't change from the morning because I don't like creeps staring at me and sitting by the counter, sipping a mocktail, watching my friends dancing like drunk hooligans even though they are not drunk.

They are just being crazy.

I looked around casually and my eyes zeroed at a fellow who was dancing with a girl. She looked quite uncomfortable. He looked heavily drunk.

Suddenly, someone tapped on my shoulder and I turned around and saw it was Niki and Alina who were smiling at me slyly.

What's wrong with them?

"Geez someone is ogling at boys Alina. Did you see that?" Niki said amused, grinning.

"That's quite a surprise, Ree. I didn't think I would live to see this day." Alina exclaimed dramatically and sighed keeping a hand on her cheek.

I gave them a deadpan look.

"Are you both done?" I questioned them blankly.

"I guess," Niki replied with a cheeky smile.

I rolled my eyes at her and turned towards the bartender and asked him to serve two lemon sodas to my heavily drunk friends to bring them back to earth from their lalala land.

"Hey! We are not drunk." Alina exclaimed, offended.

"But your antics say so." I smiled innocently at her patting her cheek.

I got down from the barstool gulping the mocktail, I took my jacket and looked around for the girl who I saw earlier. I am 99% sure she is in a problem. I tried to spot her in the crowd but I couldn't.

Guess my instincts are right.

"Will be right back," I said trying to spot the girl and moved ahead scanning the club.

"Hey wait we are coming too." I heard Niki shouting behind me as the music in the club was blasting in our ears. I moved through the crowd with Alina and Niki behind me and reached the hallway at the back of the club.

I was right. That same fellow was now forcing himself on her and she was trying hard to push him away.

"Hold these," I said infuriated at the scene in front of me. I handed my jacket and watch to Alina.

"Just don't go too hard on him." She whispered to me so that only I could hear her and I smiled at her nodding. 

Niki looked opposite to Alina like she was ready to bring popcorn and watch it.

She is into action stuff so when she sees one in real she just becomes more entertained by it.

I walked towards the bastard ready to break his face.

"Woohoo." Cheered Niki clapping her hands excitedly.

"Oh shut up already this isn't a stunt show." Alina hissed at Nikitha though I knew Alina partly liked it but she doesn't want encourage it.

"Break his bones." Niki cheered ignoring Alina's comment.

He was busy forcing himself on her to even notice me. "Come on, baby, don't be like that."

 I tapped on his shoulder he just shrugged and continued sucking the poor soul's face making her uncomfortable and scared and I lost it when I saw the fear in her eyes as she stared at the man.

"Hey, leave her alone." I said hoping against hope that this will be done verbally not physically.

"Buzz off, man. I'm busy." He said dismissively slurring.

I grabbed his jacket from behind, yanked him forcefully away from her and he slumped against the wall with a thud. 

"I said, back off!"

Then the girl came behind me and clutched my t-shirt crying "Thank you!" she said between her cries.

"Come with me, it's safe now." Niki came forward, helping the girl as she walked her back to Alina. Now the bastard got up from his crouching position and was ready to reach the girl when I stood between them, crossing my arms and glaring at him to stay the fuck where he was.

"Move." he slurred.

"No," I said firmly.

"Move or I will have to get rid of you in my way," he said reaching out for her again but I didn't let him.

Movie dialogue even in a drunk state. I cringed internally.

"Try me," I said determined narrowing my eyes at him.

"Move you bi-" I didn't let him complete his sentence as I punched him hard on his jaw and he slumped on the wall again holding his jaw. Blood oozed out of his lips as it had a cut from the punch.

"Watch your language," I snarled pissed at his language.

A dull pain started to form in my fist but I didn't care.

His eyes flared with anger as he tried to hit me. I dodged his fist.

"You really should pick a fight when you're sober." I said in a mock pity tone enraging him.

I grabbed his collar before he could reach me and punched him hard again.

He was trying hard to hit me but his shot would get missed as he was too drunk.

He tried to kick me and succeed in kicking at my calf but I didn't waver as my stance remained rigid.

I grabbed his collar one last time and kicked his stomach hard and pushed him on the wall. He fell to the floor clutching his stomach and groaned. He rolled on the floor knocked out. I crouched beside him and looked at his condition.

"Tch tch tch pity you. Looks like you need face surgery." I dusted my hands as I saw his now bruised face which had a split lip, a bruised jaw and a black eye. I had a dull pain in my fist but I was too blinded in anger to even acknowledge it.

"Anyways, next time you try to touch any girl inappropriately without her concern you will remember this day." I spat menacingly and stood up, dusting my clothes.

"You'll regret this." He said groaning his eyes trying to open.

"I highly doubt that." I left him with one last kick on his hip and he groaned out loud in pain.

Then I walked to my friends and saw the girl, she looked traumatized.

It was easier if men like him considered the women's permission. But no. Their mind too clouded and driven by lust in their drunk state which is disgusting.

Its a shame men act like this.

Not all men are like that but some are.

And such men only understand it the hard way.

"Are you okay?" I asked her concerned.

"Yeah...Thank you." She gulped hard and whispered, blinking back her tears.

"Hey hey relax. You are alright okay? Don't be afraid." Alina whispered caressing the girl's hair comfortingly and the girl nodded in response.

"Learn some basic defense. It might help you in such situations." I said in a soft voice to which she agreed nodding and wiping her tears. And I felt pity for the girl who easily got preyed on by an inhuman.

I caressed the girl's spine who was in Alina's embrace and mouthed It's okay as I blinked at her in assurance. I let her have a few seconds to come to a normal state from the shock.

"I guess you need to leave. Did you come with your friends or should we drop you?" Niki asked her in a concerned voice and I looked at the girl.

I don't think she will be able to go alone looking at her state. She was trembling under Niki's hold.

"No...No I will go with my.....friends they are maybe searching for me. I need to go. Thanks." She replied weakly looking at me and I gave her a small smile and she walked away from there.

Niki and Alina were looking at that fellow as if contemplating something.

I looked at them and raised my brow asking what were they thinking.

"Maybe we should hand him to the cops," Alina said while looking at the fellow as she took out her phone to call the cops.

"Instead we must keep him in one of our houses a week and maybe torture him?." Niki proposed as she gestured a punching motion and Alina and I snapped our heads towards her wide-eyed she was looking at him intently as if she already plotted ways to torture him.

"What the fuck Niki? Have you finally lost it?" Alina asked Niki irritated at her non-sensical joke as she smacked Niki on her head.

Between Niki and Alina, Alina is more sensible one that every trio friends group as, who thinks about the pros and cons and Niki is that one who likes to break the rules and enjoy the adventure and adrenaline it gives. And I would consider myself 50-50 as it depends on the situation. The mood. The work. The situation. Everything.

"2 or 3 days? No?" Niki said unsure looking at us both as she ignored Alina's previous comment and hit. 

"I am gonna pretend I didn't hear that." I said rolling my eyes at her.

When we didn't reply agreeing to her she just crossed her arms saying "You people are no fun."

The thriller and crime movies are taking a toll on her.

The symptoms have started showing.

"Guys, come on that was a joke." She said rolling her eyes as she saw our straight faces.

"You might need to look into the dictionary for the meaning of the joke Nikitha," Alina said in a monotone and I nodded agreeing.

"I don't know how did she become a doctor, it is still a mystery to me," Alina muttered under her breath loud enough for only me to hear.

And a low chuckle left my lips at her comment.

"FYI, I have a sharp hearing. And how dare you talk about my skills and knowledge like that." Niki said narrowing her eyes and pointing her finger at Alina who looked bored at Niki.

Alina opened her mouth to reply when I interrupted because I know there would be no end to this argument.

"We must leave. Maybe the guards might be coming up here after seeing the CCTV." I announced looking around saw a CCTV at the far end of the hallway wall as I heard faint footsteps down the hallway and I tied my watch quickly to leave the place.

I don't want anyone to see us.

Because of course, there would be a lot of questioning maybe even cops might come. Who knows what will happen?

And I have no energy to explain anything.

They too agreed. I took out my mask and wore it followed by my jacket. Putting my hair into a bun I looked behind me once as the sounds of footsteps became more prominent as we walked towards the door with Alina and Niki trailing behind me as they gossiped about some man they saw near the bar but I zoned out soon.

I used to be a peaceful person, not prone to violence at all. But everything changed on that particular day. It was a dreadful experience that transformed my entire character. Since then, I couldn't accept being weak anymore.

That incident made me realize I needed to learn how to defend myself and be able to fight if necessary. I didn't want to remain the innocent and vulnerable girl I used to be when that terrible thing happened.

I can't help but think that if I had been a bit stronger and braver back then, I might have been able to prevent it from happening.

Lost in my thoughts, I accidentally bumped into someone, snapping me back to the present.

It was a man, taller than me, with a strong and muscular build. It was hard to see his face clearly because the hallway was dimly lit, but I noticed his brown eyes and disheveled hair.

He looked attractive.

My conscience butted in. That reminded me to focus and brought me back to reality.

He seemed to study me with his intense gaze as if trying to figure me out. I quickly apologized and moved away, and he just gave a brief nod in response. We both decided to leave the club through the back door.

I wondered if I had met him before, but I brushed off the thought. However, my conscience continued to nag at me, as it always does.

For a moment, I stopped and looked back, but he was already walking away with another man

Alina and Niki raised their eyebrows at me suggestively signaling with their thumb behind them to the man.

I stared at them blankly for 2 seconds and resumed walking ahead ignoring their teasing giggles.

We walked into the parking and got into our vehicle, Niki and Alina were on Alina's bike as Niki was too lazy to bring her own, and me on my bike.

"Long time Ree. Let's race." Alina said with a challenging smirk and wore her helmet.

"Alina, you do remember I am coming with you right?" Niki said horrified and got down from Alina's bike.

Drama queen.

"I don't want to break my bones I have a delivery to assist tomorrow so please just drop me home intact," Niki stated clearly.

Such a dramatic bitch. Always exaggerating things.

"Don't worry babe you will be dropped at your house with no scratches," Alina said patting Niki's cheeks and smiling at her sweetly, and throwing the other helmet at her.

Niki caught it at the right time and sat behind her muttering something like 'Who knows' along with 'God please I should reach my home intact'. I chuckled at her wearing my helmet.

Crackling my knuckles and stretching my neck side to side I gave a challenging look to Alina and she smirked at me. Even though I want to smirk she can't see me since I am wearing a mask so I just settled for a challenging gaze.

"So where is the endpoint?" I asked adjusting my mirror making sure it was perfect for me.

"Niki home," Alina replied and instantly turned the keys and accelerated her bike a little. Because of the sudden action, Niki smashed her helmet with Alina's.

"For fuck sake Niki it's not the first time," Alina said irritated. Niki straightened up and caught the side metal of the bike as if her life depended on it.

"Fuck you," Niki replied. I shook my head at their banter. There is not a single day when these two have not cursed.

We have a very colourful vocabulary.

"On the count of 3," Niki said cheerfully though she was dreading from inside as she knows how Alina drives when it comes to race. She is the rash driver in our gang.

I ignited my bike and waited for her to count.

"3 2 1. Let's go." She began with a normal voice but ended up screaming as Alina accelerated at high speed nearly making Niki fall as they both rode past with me in their trial.

Only our bikes' roaring sounds were heard in the streets as it was almost 1 at night. It was too good to drive at this time as the weather was perfect. A cold breeze hit our faces and my nerves immediately calmed down. The adrenaline rush I had when I hit that man slowly reduced.

After a few moments, I was leading with Alina behind me.

Slowly I calmed my nerves and enjoyed the ride. And relishing the weather.

Aarav's PoV:

I never thought I would ever come back to India. I was fixed on my decision to stay in New York and not return here. But because of my dad's health, I had to come back. Already I lost one person who I thought was my world my Mom and I was not ready to lose one more person.

*

Flashback

I was in a meeting with one of the investors who was presenting a presentation, my Secretary Sam barged inside the conference room panting heavily.

"What is this behaviour, Sam?" I asked him furiously. This was an important deal and I couldn't lose it just because of miss etiquette.

"Sir it's urgent. Mr Dixit said it's something very important that needs your immediate attention." Sam said giving his phone to me as he tried to pass me a formal smile. I frowned my brows in confusion and took the phone from him.

Why was Dhruv calling my Secretary?

"Excuse me, gentlemen," I stated and walked to the end of the room towards the corner window.

"Where is your phone?" Dhruv snapped at me as soon I said hello.

"I guess I left it in my cabin. Why what happened?" I asked confused. Because it was night in India now.

"Uncle is not well. Get the next flight and reach here or should I send my jet?" He

"What....how I mean I spoke to him 3 days ago. He was alright then. But-" he cut me off mid-sentence as I asked worried my cold voice melting easily to softness.

"I will explain to you once you come here. Now I need to take him to the hospital. Bye." He hung up.

Dad was alright when I last talked to him 3 days ago. He was pestering me to get married but I just waved him off saying I don't want to get married. He tried calling but I ignored all his call because I was not ready to argue with him.

Immediately dismissing the meeting I left the conference in long and hurried strides. All my employees including the people who were at the meeting looked at me shocked as if they saw a ghost. Because they have never seen me like this. I was always cold and emotionless towards everyone. Because of this many thought I lack emotions. Which was true by the way. And this was the first time I showed some type of emotion.

As I walked I instructed Sam about my situation and ordered him to cancel all the meetings and to clear the schedule for the next few days until further instructions from me.

I took the jet sent by Dhruv and reached India the next day.

*

It's been a week now since I came here. Dad just had some health issues because of his age but nothing major. He had chest pain which was declared it was non-cardiac chest pain.

I had plans to return to New York today but my dad called me into his room at the last minute and started explaining how he is getting old and how he can't handle the company anymore and the Indian branch being the main one he asked me to stay back and take all the responsibilities. Which came as a surprise.

Till now I was only taking care of outside India branches but now I will how to take up all the responsibility. As in the whole company's responsibility. I was reluctant at first but then seeing my father's condition I agreed.

I didn't want to stay here that's why I always stayed in New York and never came here. The place gave me a lot of memories with Mom and it just hurts and is so painful when I can't see her anymore. Talk to her anymore.

And also if I come here I had to see his wife. When I was 18 my mom died in a car accident after which I was devastated. My dad thought it would be good for me if he marries someone else to take care of me and give me the same love as my mother. But sadly that was the worst decision he ever made. He married my mother's twin. I liked her as my mother's twin and as my aunt and she was close to me but when she married my father I don't even know the feeling I feel for her.

Resentment would be the perfect word.

I couldn't see her in my mother's place.

And it was always painful to see her as she is my mother's twin and they both had very striking similarities.

The way, they both had similar smiles and stark black eyes.

It was just very painful to be in the same place as her.

After that, I moved to New York studied there, and lived there maintaining that branch once I completed my under graduation and started studying for my master's I started learning and working for the company too.

I would rarely come to India even if I came here I would stay at a penthouse where my mom, dad, and my sister lived for 3 years until we moved to a mansion.

The penthouse had a lot of memories of me and Mom as that was the very first house we owned rightfully so I always go into her room in the penthouse whenever I remember her or when I miss her or when I am angry it calms me immediately since I have anger issues.

Anger issues started when I distanced myself from everyone in my close circle.

It was just my way of coping instead of wanting to feel vulnerable without her.

"Greetings robot." Dhruv barged into my cabin yelling like a madman. I glared at him. But he just ignored stood in front of me.

The intensity of my glare would send anyone running but my excuse of a friend stood there unaffected.

"What do you want Dhruv?" I asked in a boring tone typing off an email when I knew he was not going to budge.

Dhruv, Ansh, and I are friends since childhood. Since their dad and my dad were friends in business we ended up being friends. Then we became close friends. So we studied together and now running companies after our Father.

They both completed their studies and came back to India. They insisted I return to India a couple of times but I didn't.

Dhruv Dixit runs a multinational real estate and construction corporation.

Ansh Varma runs a multinational technology, consultancy, and business services cooperation.

And we are business partners and we are also shareholders in each other's companies.

And being owners of leading companies doesn't stop them from acting immature.

Like they love to annoy the hell out of me.

"Well, Ansh called he asked us to come to his club," Dhruv said in an excited tone.

"Hm-hmm," I said distractedly signing off some papers.

"He asked 'us' to come," he said emphasizing us.

"I am busy." I just waved him off.

"Come on. Don't be a spoilsport." Dhruv whined like a kid.

"No," I said firmly.

"You're coming that's it," he said in a final tone and came towards me shutting down my laptop and closing my files, and looked at me with arms crossed on his chest.

I clenched and unclenched my fist in anger and pinched the bridge of my nose.

Don't kill him.

Rubbing my face tiredly I glared at him but he stood there not bothered and was tapping his foot impatiently.

"Fine. Stop that." I said irritated pointing at his foot. He stopped and looked at me grinning about accomplishing his goal.

I stood up cussing a string of curses under my breath and took my phone with my car key and coat and went towards the elevator with Dhruv beside me.

Half an hour later we reached Ansh's club. Parking at the backside of the club we went from the backdoor since we had access and there was not much of a crowd here and the guards let us as he immediately recognized us. I walked distractedly scrolling through my phone with one hand in my pocket while Dhruv blabbered about how he missed me and how he so knew that I would come back to India one day.

Suddenly someone bumped my shoulder I jerked up a bit and saw a girl with a mask. She had grey eyes and baby hair slightly fell on her face her hair was pinned behind her head in a messy bun and two girls were behind her. There was not much light so couldn't see her face clearly though as only very less light fell on her face. She quickly said sorry noticing my intent gaze on her and I gave her a stiff nod she quickly walked away and I moved forward keeping my phone in my pocket.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me and I looked back after a few seconds but she was already gone.

She oddly felt familiar. I have heard her voice somewhere but can't remember where. And even her eyes seemed familiar to me. I have seen the eyes.

Grey eyes. Which shined like silver under the light.

Even when I turned to my left I sensed the vanilla scent on my shirt where she bumped.

And the fragrance oddly felt comforting.

Dhruv tapped on my shoulder snapping me out of my thoughts and raised his eyebrow questioningly at me. I just shook my head and strolled inside.

Ansh came from the opposite side. He was looking around as if searching for someone. When he noticed us he quickly gave us both a bro hug and continued scanning.

"Are you searching for someone?" I asked him confused and looked in the direction he was looking.

"Yeah, a girl in a white t-shirt and black jeans. Did you both see her she just went from this way?" Ansh said pointing behind us.

"Yeah, she just left from the back door," Dhruv said gesturing towards the backdoor.

"Why? What happened?" I asked him amused by his state. He looked eagerly across the hallway at the back door as if she will appear again.

"Come with me." He said impatiently.

We both followed him clueless and he stopped at a man who was held by two of his bodyguard and he was wasted. He had bruises on his face. He looked like someone just knocked the shit out of him.

"Woah Woah that looks painful." Dhruv cringed away looking at him as if it physically pained him to watch.

"Who did that? He must be pretty skilful." I asked astonished.

"It's not he it's basically 'She'." Ansh drawled applying pressure on the words she.

"What the heck!"

"What the fuck!"

Dhruv and I uttered stunned simultaneously.

"Yup. I was sitting in the manager's room waiting for you guys that's when I saw him on the CCTV. He was forcing himself on a girl I was about to come to help her but that unknown girl seems to notice him and she just beat the shit out of him. I was dumbfounded. This happened the second time this week the manager had warned him once but seems like someone like her only can get this kind of asshole's mind straight." Ansh exclaimed with understanding still surprised about the girl's skills.

"Is she some secret agent? Like the black widow." Dhruv said dramatically widening his eyes and waving his hand in the air as he tried to add effect to his words.

Ansh chuckled at him while I shook my head in resignation.

"You need to stop watching those movies," I said blankly staring at him.

"Nope," he said like a kid.

He will never change.

"She must be feisty," I stated looking at the man's state.

Broken nose for sure. Split lips might need stitches. And blood from the jaw also might need stitches.

The dude underestimated the girl.

Poor man.

"True that." Ansh agreed and Dhruv nodded in agreement but was still contemplating in his mind whether that girl was a black widow or not.

Then the guards took that man away and Ansh instructed them not to allow him into the club in the future, banning him. We continued walking inside to have some drinks.

They talked I listened just like all the time. I gave my input here and there. We drank. But still, we were sober. After some time we left. Dhruv and I were in one car and Ansh in another. We were going to my penthouse as we had to discuss the deal we were going to close tomorrow.

Little did I know that I was about to meet someone who would completely transform my life. They would add vibrant colors, much-needed light, and a new sense of life to my otherwise dull and straightforward existence.