“Excuse me” I mutter, squeezing between the person standing in the aisle and the row of seats before getting to my seat. I look up, making sure I am at the right number. I see a woman already sitting at the corner seat while I am at the window.

While I understand how much people crave to sit at the window seat — I don't.

The woman looks at me and smiles, pulling her legs back to give me room to pass “thank you” I mutter, quickly tossing my handbag in the above storage before squeezing in and sitting. I take a deep breath sinking into the seat, my heart already pounding.

I look down at my passport and ticket—both arranged by Jeff. He even managed to fix the visa that had been approved only a few days ago. After Veer dropped me off, he stayed with me until I got the tickets at the counter and walked me to the boarding gate. He looked like he wanted to come along, worry and concern in his eyes.

I feel guilty

Papa was right, I am hurting everyone around me.

I let out a sigh, leaning my head beside the window, my head was already pounding. I don't think I could sleep on the flight with the sickness already forming in my stomach. I wrap my arms around myself. My eyes falling on the cat plushie keychain that hung on my jeans

This was a lot easier with him

“Hey, you alright?” I hear the girl beside me speak,

I look at her to find her looking at me with concern, her headphones resting on her shoulders.

I give her a small smile and nod, fixing my posture to look decent. “Yeah yeah” I say quickly trying to come up with an excuse “Just tired…I am a bit scared of flights” I blurt out awkwardly, my eyes falling on the window.

She gives me an understanding smile “It’s alright, take few deep breathes and try to think about your favourites" she says, her gaze flickers to the screen forward “You can binge watch some movies later to distract yourself, bollywood is the best for it”

My eyes widens in surprise. “Wait, you are a fan?” I ask, unable to hold my smile

Her mouth opens as she nods frantically “omg you too?” she asks. We both let out a squeak while shaking our hands like we made a world changing discovery.

A few passengers give us a look making us quiet down, we exchange a glance before giggling quietly “I think that was a good distraction” she whispers. I smile, nodding in agreement, feeling my heartbeat calm down.

“Let's binge watch a few movies after take off, okay?” She suggests and I nod, taking another deep breath trying to feel better  “I would need that, I get sick on the plane” I confess, that's a bit of tmi but I couldn't help but overshare “I warn you that I could throw up”

She looks at me in disbelief “Damn that's serious”

I nods “I hate travelling by plane”

She hums and nods, thinking something “Do you wanna switch seats? I mean if you would need to get up?” she asks

I blink in surprise at her offer, which I would gladly take “Is that alright?i appreciate it but will you be comfortable?”

She smiles waving her hand dismissively “Oh totally, I am very flexible” She says unbuckling herself and getting up. “Oh thank you so much” I breathe out as I scoot and sit on her seat while she sits on my seat “usually people hate switching seats”

“Its alright, I did kinda wanted a window seat too” she replies

“Oh I get that but my mind just goes back to remembering how high above ground we are” I wheeze feeling the goosebumps crawl up my skin. She chuckles patting my shoulder “It’s okay, I have that feeling about darkness, I feel like someone is watching me”

I let out a gasp looking at her “What? Oh my gosh you wont believe me but me too!” I i exclaim “like in light we can see who is there but in darkness i feel someone’s eyes on me”

Her eyes widens “oh i believe you! Girl, we share the same brain cells!” I couldn't agree more to her words, already finding two common things between us in two minutes.

“where are you headed by the way?” I ask, bucking up the seat belt as the flight attendant announces. She also grabs her seat straps “Sydney, for studies. What about you?”

“Sydney” I reply, leaning against my seat “to meet my boyfriend”

Her expression softens “aww thats so sweet! Is he Indian or..”

I shake my head “no no, Australian. We were in the same university and class and clicked?” i say, briefing up, its better than narrating the while bolly+hollywood story

“Damn! Thats some nice collage romance, here I am gonna complete my degree and still couldn't find one boyfriend” she lets out a dramatic sob, wiping a fake tear from the corner of her eye “where can i find someone huh”

I couldn't help but chuckle, giving her a playful sympathetic pat “aww its alright, I pray that you find someone wonderful too”

She giggles and nods “thank youuu and of course may you both have a happy and forever kinda relationship”

My face softens at her words “thanks…” I pray for that too

The seatbelt sign dings, pulling our attention forward as attendants demonstrate safety instructions. I breathe deeply, calmer than before though the tension at the back of my mind never really fades.

✄┈┈

Finally

Landed

Without dying, throwing up or embarrassing myself

It was mostly easier because she kept me distracted throughout the flight with her talk or while we watched bollywood movies.

I was tired and was able to get some sleep without feeling sick. “You got someone picking you up?” I ask, helping her put her luggage on the trolley “Thank you” she mutters stacking them up, I got to know she is two years younger than me, returning back after a few days trip to her parents in India “Yeah, got my roommate. What about you?”

I nod, pulling out the handle of my suitcase “I got a friend” I reply, my fingers tightens around the handle at the thought. Jeff did say that he would send someone to pick me up. We both walk out of the airport and she spots her friend waving at her “Oh there she is!”

“That’s great! It was nice meeting you though” I smile

“Yeah definitely, thank you so much” she says genuinely, I move forward to hug her and luckily she reciprocates “You too, take care of yourself” I whisper before pulling back. She smiles before walking away.

Wait

I didn't catch her name

I sigh softly, its alright. A few people are supposed to be a chapter in your life while someone will be your whole book

I turn around to leave only to pause when i see him standing there

Jeff

He is standing in front of a posh car, dressed in a crisp suit with a black over coat. His eyes sharp and unreadable, he suddenly opens the car door — a silent command to get in. Before I could respond, his driver steps forward, taking my suitcase and loading it in the car.

“We don't have a whole day” he says, his tone sharp

I take a deep breath before moving forward and getting inside the car. He clicks the door shut and walks around to get inside from the other door, “I hope the arrangements were good” he says, his voice rough as he hands me a bottle of water

I take the bottle from him, feeling the coldness of water “Yeah, thank you for that” I mutter, opening the bottle cap, the car starts moving forward, making me pause and close the lid.

“Will you tell me what happened?” I ask, the anxious feeling inside me growing

He looks at me for a moment “Can I see your phone first? He asks.

I blink in surprise “What? why?”

Why on earth would he want my phone? That thing is basically my emotional support animal and safety net at this point

“Please” he extends his hand. I stare at it in disbelief but he doesn't seem to be joking. I let out a sigh and handed him my phone. He takes it, putting it in front of my face to unlock it before going through it “You remember your password and stuff?” he ask

My confusion deepens, a bit of frustration builds inside me. “Yeah I remember”

He nods once. Then, this man has the audacity to he switch off my phone, pull a tiny pin from his pocket and pop open the SIM tray. I watch in horror as he removes my SIM card.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I snap, lunging forward. He drops the SIM onto my lap and tosses the phone onto the front seat “Get it checked. It might be hacked”

The driver nods, taking my phone into his custody. My head snaps at the driver and back at him, my grip tightens on the seat infront of me “What is that supposed to mean!”

He looks at me "exactly what I said. Your phone appears to be hacked, I will get it checked. Don't use it until then”

“How are you so sure of it?”

He shrugs his shoulder “Everyone tried to contact you, they have been trying for days but your number was unreachable”

The protest dies down on my tongue, my mouth opens and closes as i try to process his words “They did? I didn't get anything! In fact their phone was unreachable!” I exclaim.

I knew something was wrong, they wouldn't leave me like this

He wouldn't leave me

He inhales sharply “Someone was messing with you, in the most discreet way that the calls or messages weren't passing through” he shakes his head “Liam, Stella, Lucas, Mia. everyone messaged you and tried calling but got no response. Stella assumed that something happened at your place and you couldn't reach them. That's why”

My breath gets caught in my troath, “Gosh I thought the same about them” I bury my face in my hands in regret

I try to speak again but he cuts me off “It's been rough. A few investors suddenly asked to end their contract with NYX, causing a commotion”

“What? Why?” I ask in confusion. I didn't hear anything about this on news when i checcked, i dont know deeply about NYX but their people are very loyal. “I have been trying to control the damage, keeping it out of media. Mrs Williams and Liam has been trying to solve that”

“That happened out of nowhere, NYX is never at loss for the investors to pull out unless its a setup”

The corner of his lip twitches up slightly as if suppressing a smirk “You caught on” the car suddenly stops, I look out to realize we are back in the city.

“Come” he says getting out.

I fumble out after him, watching him walk straight into a tall building without even checking if I am following. My feet refuse to move for a second, I don't know if it's alright to trust him this much

Of course he is confident.

He probably kidnaps people on weekends for fun.

I inhale deeply and force myself forward. The guard gives me a small bow as I enter the lobby. The place looks like a high-end residential tower all quiet, polished

“What place is this?” I ask stepping into the elevator as he presses the button to the top floor “I live here” he replies casually

Suspension crawls up my spine “Why did you bring me here? I wanna meet lucas!”

“You will meet him, but we still have a few things to talk about”

I let out a deep sigh shaking my head “Very honestly I dont trust you”

He continues to stare forward, as if he doesn't care or atleast he saw that coming, I hope he is self aware in that regard. I mean who does that? Is this a crime drama?

“But you are here” He counters

“Because I don’t have a choice!”

The elevator dings open. The top floor has only two massive doors with two tall bodyguards stationed outside. Jeff dismisses them with a flick of his hand

What is he doing?

What kind of Mafia nonsense is this!

I casually rest my hand against the lift button panel and let my ring slide off into the flower pot beside it trying not to catch his eye.

Just in case.

He was about to unlock one of the doors when he suddenly stops and steps back. My heart freezes, did he see me? Instead of entering, he walks to the second door and opens it.

“This is my study. A more appropriate setting” he says, gesturing for me to enter.

Okay…unexpected. But maybe he is not a serial killer after all.

‘That's a low standard’ I hear my inner voice scream

I walk in cautiously. I expected a dark, broody, villain-lair vibes like mahogany shelves, intimidating leather chairs. Instead, the room is bright — Soft olive and white walls. Light, fluffy-furry furniture. And most shockingly plants everywhere.

Am I in a plant nursery or a billionaire’s study?

“Do you watch a lot of crime documentaries?” He asks, walking past me, I look back to see the door is left slightly ajar and not locked. I feel a bit relieved, it's easier to run if things go south. “Yeah, why?”

He tilts his head slightly as if gesturing outside “That whole ring-drop escape plan move kinda gave it away”

I look at him in annoyance “It’s for educational purposes!” I say, almost defensively “You can't blame me! Don't judge!”

He raises his arms in surrender “Not judging. Better be paranoid than kidnapped”

Does he read minds?

I brush it off “Now will you complete the story and tell me who did that? Who is doing this?”

“The Clayton's. Know about them?”

I shake my head, I do think I have heard of them but I can't remember

He walks over to his desk leaning against it “Iris's family”. My expression flatters down, feeling a bucket of cold water thrown on me.

“Lucas held her graduation back as a pay back to what she did to you. And as a pay back to him? She helped Kavya”

I feel suffocated. My lungs tighten and the room suddenly feels smaller.

“Explain” I breathe, every nerve in my body on edge.

“Kavya hired a private investigator to dig into what you did here” he begins, pulling out his phone. He scrolls through something with an unimpressed expression. “Somehow that investigator contacted Iris and since Iris was obviously holding a grudge, she spilled parts of Lucas’s personal story.”

I slowly take in the information, my expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief, kavya went so low to literally send an investigator? I should have confronted her more properly “Wait ....but how does Iris know about lucas’s past?” i question

He keeps the phone back on the table “Not sure about that. You gotta ask lucas”

I nod weakly, Lucas mentioned that he liked Iris before but something happened and his feelings vanished so was this the reason? Kavya got to know that from Iris but how did she know about the fake dating?

“Kavya mentioned the…you know my and lucas's arrangement” I admit hesitantly. I am not sure if I am even supposed to share all this but who am I kidding? He already knows everything.

He raises an eyebrow “You mean the fake dating arrangement?” he asks, air quoting it to call me out.

I control myself from rolling my eyes “Yeah that she actually hacked your phone, your calls and messages were seen and deleted by her”

“How can she hack my phone—” my words die down in my throat at the realization.

My phone was broken ‘accidentally’ by her, so she gave me a new phone. Lucas and I joked about the fake dating many times. She read those texts. “I am very dumb” I mutter running my hand through my hair

He scoffs, shaking his head, straightening up “No, you aren't dumb. You just trusted your friend who back stabbed you”

“But now it’s hurting everyone I care about” I whisper, a sharp ache forming in my chest. My throat wobbles as I try to control my tears “What am I supposed to do? Because of their stupid grudges they stripped Lucas down to his most vulnerable state!” My voice cracks and I turn away, wiping my eyes quickly, not wanting to look emotional.

“Oh, they will pay for it” Jeff says, his tone drops to low and cold one. A shiver runs diwn my spine. I turn back toward him, waiting for an explanation.

“I can handle that, make them pay” he says confidently, walking around his desk and opening a drawer before pulling out a file and putting it forward on the desk.

I slowly step closer to it cautiously “What is that?” I ask

He taps his index finger on the file “This could drag them down in everything. All the black money, unpaid taxes, illegal imports of Clayton and Kavya’s father.”

My eyes widens “What? How did you find out?” I ask, picking up the file and flipping through the pages — there are reports and records of their income. Multiple bank accounts in different countries, receipts of raw materials brought in illegally “They did all this?” Sharma uncle too? I never expected that

He chuckles “Jasmine, every man has dirt under his shoes. Its not hard to pull a few strings and find that out”

Of course, Stella mentioned that. Should have expected that

“This can be used for their downfall, if you say it”

My breath stutters. My fingers tighten around the file. I know how many times Jeff has backed Liam, how he has stepped in whenever things got messy. He could ruin these families in seconds if he wanted to. But it wasn’t the parents who hurt Lucas. Unless they were involved too.

I don't know about Clayton but sharma uncle wouldn't.

I shake my head keeping the field back down “No no. that's too much…”

Jeff lifts an eyebrow, retrieving the file before pulling out a specific document “Really? Because what they did to Lucas was far worse” he says, sliding the paper toward me “A contract with Indigo Club. Become a member and any trouble you face will be handled without you lifting a finger”

“That's not what it's about!” I snap “I got your invite, I don't know what you will get from me, I will be a damn memeber but I don't wanna ruin them for what their daughters did”

Jeff lets out an amused scoff, crossing his arms “They definitely had a hand. They are too young and inexperienced to pull off this by their own”

“The entire Williams family is in trouble. They are stressed. Liam is drowning trying to manage everything. Stella looks torn apart trying to hold the group together. And all of this happened because your friend wanted to get back at you” He tilts his head, voice softening just enough to slip under my guard “Shouldn’t you at least try to undo the damage?”

I gulp nervously, my gaze lifting from the contract to him. He looks neutral, so calm like a sea before the storm but underneath it I can feel the pressure he is applying.

“I don't know. I can't do this until I have a hundred percent proof of their involvement”

Jeff rolls his eyes, lowering his arms before walking over to me “Do you know what the emergency was that Lucas rushed here?”

I frown in confusion, “What do you mean? You said it's because of NYX…right?”

He shakes his head, his eyes gleam with a hidden darkness “Mainly no. its because Lucas’s biological mother passed away”

I freeze, feeling air being kicked out of me

“W-what?” I let out a word, barely a whisper

He nods “Yeah, she suddenly passed away due to a heart attack. After this the news about NYX came. During her funeral"

My heart drops “God, no… I need to check on Lucas” I spin and head for the door, panic clouding my vision but Jeff steps into my path “Please tell me he is fine!”

“He faced a minor accident”

My stomach scrunches at his words, cold dress washing over me  “What?why didn't you tell me!” I yell in anger. My hand twitches with the urge to hit him.

He shrugs, very calmly like it's not big deal “Like I said, a minor accident, he is stable. I wanted to take you there after this” He casually takes hold of my sleeve and guides me back toward the table, like I am some frantic child he is trying to steady. My chest tightens, breathing quick and uneven, anger and fear building inside.

“Think with your heart here” he murmurs, voice dipping into something soft and poisonous “They hurt you. They hurt Lucas. Everything you both are suffering through? It started with them, because of them”

Like a devil whispering in my ear

“I can take care of everything, you know?” His tone slithers smoothly, he taps the paper “I just want you to become a member, in return of three things”

I swallow hard, trying to steady my breath — trying not to fall into the calm trap he is weaving around me. But Lucas... the panic he is in, the fact that he is in a hospital bed right now, he is in pain — it all claws at me.

Maybe that's how Jeff is creeping inside my head

“What three conditions?” I manage to whisper out

Jeff’s eyes gleam, victory flickering through them for a second “Nothing right now,” he assures, his tone coaxing “O