"Tomorrow? Aah no-" I speak up.
"Don't worry. We have arranged for such sudden plans," Tarun reassured, standing to leave, "you just have to be there- at the airport."
"Um, okay then," I smile, trying to be optimistic.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" I nod in response as he narrows out of the office.
I sit back, trying to make a mental list for this very un-scheduled event when Shivay gets up, towards the doors.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To do my work," his left eye flinches as he speaks. When I finally need him to stay he's leaving me alone.
"Your work is being my assistant. And I need assistance wherever I go for business purposes," Shivay just stares at me as I finish speaking,"
If I leave him here in my office, God knows what he will do with it. The amount of access he would get, without my supervision. Leaving him here is like giving the palace keys to the thieves. I need to keep this enemy closer than my friends.
I snapped my fingers before his numb figure, "What time should I pick you up then?"
"No, why don't I pick you up," he suggests with a perky smile, that doesn't look very positive.
I narrowed my eyes, "No, I don't want to go in your rusty car. I'll have my driver pick you up. Just tell me the address."
"NO," he said aloud, "I mean no, I'll pick you up tomorrow in my 'rusty car', then you can judge me throughout the ride and I already know where you live so,"
"But I-"
"Laters, boss," He escaped the intense questioning he knew I was bound to do.
"This man is crazy."
****
"Zoe, Call Mr. Gupta and ask him about the expenses. Send Peehu some flowers and a bonus this month. Also, keep a stamped contract ready and send it to my house by the night," I was about to leave when I remembered, "Oh, also send me Lakshman's number."
"The computer expert?" Zoe asked, doubtful.
"Yes."
"Alright ma'am, have a safe trip. I hope you crack the deal."
"I will, Zoe," I state as a matter of fact. She turns to leave, "Wait, I need you to update me every day. I need the stats, who's in and out of the office, I need the information on deals, shares, everything."
She tucks her hair back, "Yes, ma'am. I'll keep in touch with Shivay."
"Why? Just send me the info."
"No ma'am, the thing is- you're working on an important deal. These things will just distract you."
I smile, "I like that you're concerned but I need to know how my office is working as I am responsible for it, not Shivay. The office is named after Annika Singh Oberoi, not Shivay Singh Oberoi."
"You mean- Shivay Malhotra."
My mouth dries up, "Whatever. Follow the instructions and make sure this place doesn't burn down until my return."
"Yes ma'am," she answered.
****
I don't know why everyone thinks they are smarter than me. Why? I didn't reach CEO just like that. I'm qualified enough to know the consequences of the decisions I make and the ones I don't. I can't let Shivay have all that information- especially the statistics. I have to walk carefully beside this one.
Because the line I walk on is so thin that if I don't balance well, I can fall either way.
I cannot forget that Shivay isn't my friend. He's a wolf in a sheep's clothing.
Pulling the door of my cabin, I walk straight towards the elevator. I spot Om in his office, talking on the phone. He catches my gaze in less than a minute, getting up to say something. But luckily, the elevator arrives and I rush in.
***
"Yes Gauri, I packed around twelve pairs for this week," Annika zipped her suitcase carefully.
"Wait a week? So you're not going to be there when I come?" she says.
"No, I'll be there-just a day or two later."
"Okay," her excitement lowered considerably,"So where is this grand event?"
"You won't believe if I told you! It's in Romania!"
"What? You're coming to Romania? That's- um- so close from here. I could meet you before you went back-"
"Yes! In fact, we could return together,"
"Perfect. I'd book our tickets."
"Oh, book one extra- for Shivay," Annika spilled, hitting her head when she realized.
"Why?" Gauri's voice filled with genuine confusion.
"How will he come back then?"
"No-no. My question is why is he- travelling with you?"
"Because he's my assistant Gauri!"
"Hmm," Annika could hear the smile in her voice,"Weren't you going to fire him-"
"Annika!" Shakti called out from below.
"Okay dad's calling me! Il call you later, okay-" Annika thanked her father's timing.
She spinned down the stairs in her pyjamas.
"Yes dad," she stood curtly. Annika was still angry with him for the second hand embarrassment she had to go through today at the office.
"What's going on? Why are Tara and Sudha running around so much? Are we having guests over? Is it Tarun?" He asked, with inquisitive eyes.
"Dad, no. No guests," she closed her eyes. She remembered that hasn't told her father about the business trip yet.
"I forgot to tell you-I'm going on a business trip- tomorrow -early morning."
"So soon? You just returned from one? Where are you going now?"
"Romania! And I'll return with Gauri, because she's also in- Europe-"
"No," Shakti said flatly.
Annika laughed,"It wouldn't cost extra, trust me-this is for a very big partnership. If I'll crack it then-"
"No it's not about the money," Shakti turned away.
"Dad," Annika smiled,"I'm going to Romania, even if you say no."
"But-"
"I'm not going for a vacation dad. This is for business. Plus I'll have my assistant with me so don't stress it."
"Shivay??" Shakti's eyes bulged out.
"Yes," Annika stated,"why does everyone overreact to that part?"
"No, no, no. You're not going."
Annika continued laughing. Being told what to do, what not to do- it was like she was a child again."
"Dad. I am going. Okay? Good Night."
Annika left for her room but something Shakti said, stopped her in her tracks.
"You can't because that's where it happened."
"What happened?"
"The accident, two years back," Shakti stared at the ground as Annika sat on a chair.
"No it happened here in Mumbai- that's what the therapist said-"
"She wasn't supposed to tell you about Romania. Something about Trauma- coming back in the places where you were hurt. We had a branch in Romania that you were handling back then. If you knew about it, you would try to go there because since the accident, the branch was scrapped out," Annika could not understand what was going on.
"If that's the case, then I should go to Romania."
"What?!"
"I may remember something dad! I was in Mumbai for so long, thinking I'd hit a nerve at some corner or street. But now I know why I didn't. Because the accident never happened here!"
"No Annika! You can't- Doctor Sinha has specifically instructed against it."
"But I-"
"No please try to understand! I can't lose you again beta."
"Okay okay, dad. I won't go. But I have to go to office tomorrow so go to sleep now," she looked up,"Mom won't let me live knowing I'm troubling you."
Shakti smiled,"Don't worry beta. I'll be fine."
Annika smiled back as Shakti retreated to his bedroom.
***
"Yes, I want everything you can find on him," I speak lower than usual.
"Okay ma'am, give me a few days- and I'll send you every single thing that exists on him on the internet"
"Good. Contact me as you find anything."
"Yes ma'am. Can I ask why you're researching your own assistant?"
Another person questioning my choices. I'm so done.
"Because I want to? He's my assistant. Now do I pay you to ask questions or for doing the work?"
"Work ma'am of course- work, sorry," he mumbled.
"Okay, let me know soon," I ended the call in a hurry. I have to sleep early, I have a flight to catch tomorrow.
I know I told dad I wouldn't go.
But he doesn't understand how much I need to go. The firm may never get such a partner again. I can't afford anymore losses, especially because of me. Sorry dad, but I have to go. Because I will not only be winning a partnership, I will finally know the truth about what happened.
Not any filtered lies. But the truth.
****
Words: 1449
(A shorter one this time!)
I kind of cancelled this trip idea at first, but the trip sounded like away time from the normal stuff Annika has to bear. So why not, cuz Romania was beautiful to research on.
Anyways, Good day :) Thank you for reading this.