DIVYA
1 WEEK LATER......
I groaned in annoyance as the harsh rays of sunlight pierced through my eyelids. Unwillingly, I got out of bed. As much as I wanted to sleep more, I knew I couldn't-not today.
Today, I had a lot to do, and sleeping in wasn't an option. I glanced longingly at my bed, feeling a pang of sadness. It was Saturday, and I wished I could sleep in. But duty called. I quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth. I combed my hair and tied it into a ponytail. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I saw myself in a tank top and joggers, which was fine for now.
I slipped on my white sneakers and picked up my phone and house keys from the table before heading out. I locked the door carefully behind me and walked to the elevator. It arrived quickly, and as I stepped inside, I found Mrs. Pauls there. Mrs. Pauls lived just one floor above me. She was a sweet lady.
"Good morning, Mrs. Pauls," I greeted her.
"Good morning, Divya. Where are you going so early in the morning?" she asked.
"Just for a walk," I replied. The elevator soon reached the ground floor. I said my goodbye to her and stepped out of the building.
The morning air was crisp and refreshing. Despite my initial reluctance to get out of bed, I felt a surge of energy as I started my walk.
I walked a few blocks and found myself standing in front of Bella's Café. The familiar sight brought a small smile to my face. Bella's Café was a cozy little spot that had become a refuge for me on hectic days.
I pushed open the heavy wooden door, and the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee enveloped me. The familiar chime of the bell above the entrance greeted my ears, blending seamlessly with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional clink of porcelain cups. As i stepped inside, the warmth of the café embraced me, a stark contrast to the crisp autumn chill i had just escaped.
The space was a charming blend of rustic and modern. Exposed brick walls adorned with eclectic art pieces and vintage photographs created a cozy ambiance. Mismatched wooden tables and chairs, each with their own history of countless conversations and quiet moments, were scattered thoughtfully around the room. A few plush armchairs, strategically placed near the windows, beckoned with promises of comfort and relaxation.
I noticed the barista behind the counter, deftly maneuvering between the espresso machine and the array of syrups and flavorings. The hiss of steaming milk and the rhythmic tamping of coffee grounds were almost meditative. Shelves lined with glass jars of loose-leaf teas, stacks of colorful mugs, and a display case filled with decadent pastries added to the café's charm. I could see the glossy sheen of the freshly baked croissants and the vibrant colors of fruit tarts, each one a small masterpiece.
The lighting was soft and inviting, with Edison bulbs casting a warm glow that reflected off the polished wooden surfaces. It was quite early in the morning, so the place wasn't crowded and it was easy to locate her. She was sitting near the windows, sipping her coffee silently. I took a minute to admire her beauty.
She looked beautiful and regal in her business suit. Her hair was neatly tied in a ponytail and she sat erect with elegance. She was everything I desired to be. I know every person is different from another, but still, I admired and desired to be like her.
The soft morning light streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow on her face. Her eyes, focused intently on something outside, held a quiet determination that I found both intimidating and inspiring. She radiated a calm confidence, an air of assuredness that seemed almost effortless. Even in the simplicity of her movements-the way she lifted her cup, the slight curve of her lips as she tasted her coffee-there was a grace that made everything else around her fade into the background.
I shook away my thoughts and made my way toward her. I pulled out the chair and took my seat. A smile crept on her face when she saw me.
"Did you have your breakfast?" she asked.
I shook my head no. "Then first, order something," she said, handing me the menu card. I called the waiter and ordered a latte and their freshly baked chocolate croissant. I have a sweet tooth, even at breakfast.
Diya chuckled at my order. "You will never change," she said.
"So, why did you want to meet so early in the morning?" I asked.
"Today, I have a board meeting and will be busy the whole day, so I thought to meet you before going to the office," she said.
"Okay, I get that, but why do you want to meet me?" I asked.
"Because I want to give you this," she said, pulling out a small wrapped box from her purse and placing it in front of me. She signaled me to open it. I sighed and quickly opened it. Sometimes my sister really confuses me with her behavior.
I opened the box, and as expected, it was jewelry. Nestled inside Tiffany's iconic blue box was a beautiful pair of diamond studs.
"What is this?" I asked, examining the diamond studs.
"It's a small gift from me for what you did. I know it's nothing compared to what you did for us," Diya replied.
I sighed and set the box aside, folding my hands on the table as I looked at her directly. "Diya, I really don't understand all this."
"Divya, you swallowed your pride and went to apologize to Raghav. I know it wasn't easy. And because of your apology, the investment went smoothly," she said.
I licked my lips nervously, feeling warmth spread through me at the mention of his name. It had been almost a week since I last saw him, and I couldn't stop thinking about him. I had no idea why, except maybe it was because I'd been single for so long that I was easily attracted to a man who was, quite literally, a walking danger.
The waiter arrived with my order, snapping me back to reality. I smiled gratefully at him and picked up my coffee. In my haste, I took a big sip and immediately burned my tongue, quickly spitting it out.
"Be careful, Divya," Diya said, handing me a tissue. I dabbed my mouth with it, sighing. Just thinking about Raghav had me burning myself. I set the coffee aside, deciding it was safer to let it cool.
"So, the investment went smoothly?" I asked.
"Yes, it did," Diya replied.
"I'm curious. With your intelligence, how did the company end up on the verge of bankruptcy?" I asked. Our parents were never perfect, but they were exceptionally talented when it came to business.
Diya heaved a frustrated sigh and replied, "I don't know. There are a few things that I'm still trying to figure out. But don't worry, soon I'll have everything sorted."
I nodded, offering her a reassuring smile before glancing out the window. My gaze landed on two bulky men standing near a black SUV. They were watching us, but when they noticed me looking at them, they quickly got into the car and drove away. That was strange. Were they stalking me? No, why would anyone stalk me?
Diya squeezed my hand, bringing my attention back to her. "Are you okay?" she asked, her expression concerned.
I chuckled nervously. "I'm fine. I just zoned out."
She smiled, then glanced at her watch. "I need to leave, Divu. I'm running late. Take care," she said, standing up and grabbing her purse. She placed a hand on my shoulder and said, "Thank you for everything, Divya."
"It's okay. Take care of yourself. Raghav is a dangerous man, so be careful around him," I said. If only I knew then that it wasn't Diya who needed to be careful of him-it was me.
She nodded before walking out of the café. After a few minutes, I paid the bill and made my way back to my apartment.
I needed to take a shower and get ready for the day because I had promised Ananya we'd go shopping together. As much as I would love to go back to bed and complete my sleep, I knew I couldn't break my promise to her.
I quickly took a shower and dried myself with a towel. Wrapping it around me, I walked out of the bathroom and proceeded to dry my hair with a blow dryer. Once my hair was smooth and dry, I opened my wardrobe to choose an outfit for the day. I decided on light blue bootcut jeans paired with a white top. To ward off the autumn chill, I added a green cardigan and slipped on a pair of white shoes. Keeping my makeup simple, I applied just a touch of eyeliner and a lip tint.
From the shelf, I grabbed my white Saint Laurent bag and placed all my essentials inside. After giving myself one last glance in the mirror, I walked out of my apartment and headed toward the garage, where my beautiful red Bentley waited for me. It was my pride and joy.
Running late, I didn't take the time to admire my car. I quickly got in and drove toward the mall. As I arrived, I saw Sakshi and Vaani already there, and shortly after, Ananya pulled up with her two bulky bodyguards in tow. I shook my head, amused at Aakash's overprotectiveness.
"Hey, you made it!" Sakshi called out as I approached.
"Yeah, sorry I'm late," I said, giving them each a quick hug. "Ready for some shopping?"
Vaani grinned. "Absolutely. Let's make the most of it."
We walked into the mall, the familiar hustle and bustle of weekend shoppers surrounding us. Ananya's bodyguards followed at a discreet distance, their presence both reassuring and slightly comical. Aakash's protective nature over Ananya was well-known among us, and while it sometimes seemed over the top, it also showed how much he cared.
We spent almost an hour shopping, buying clothes, footwear, makeup items, and everything in between. But the best part of the shopping trip was when we went into the baby shop to pick out some baby clothes. Those tiny outfits were adorable, and Ananya bought unisex clothes since we didn't know the gender of the baby yet.
As we were paying the bills, I had the unsettling feeling that someone was watching us. I'd been feeling this way since we stepped into the mall. It was probably just my imagination, but my gut was telling me something was definitely wrong. I felt the stare again, and when I turned around, I saw nothing but a crowd of people moving about. I sighed, trying to shake off the paranoia.
"You guys go ahead. I'll quickly use the washroom," Ananya said.
Vaani and Sakshi nodded, but I decided to accompany Ananya. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, and I didn't want to leave her alone, especially since Aakash had already warned me about potential danger.
"I'll go with you," I said, giving her a reassuring smile. Ananya looked at me, slightly puzzled, but didn't argue.
We made our way toward the washroom, engaging in small talk along the way. Ananya had declined the bodyguards' offer to accompany us, as it would have been too awkward. After using the washroom, we stepped out and were met with four bulky men blocking our way. My heart raced as I realized what they wanted.
"You need to come with us," one of them said, his voice cold and threatening.
"She's not going anywhere with you!" I yelled, my voice trembling with defiance. There was no way I was going to let them take Ananya away in my presence.
As soon as the words left my mouth, a hard slap landed on my cheek. The force of the blow knocked me off balance, and I stumbled, falling to the ground with a thud. Pain shot through my cheek, and I tasted the metallic tang of blood in my mouth. Groaning in agony, I struggled to push myself up, my head spinning from the impact of the fall.
Ananya turned around to check on me, but one of the men stopped her by gripping her arm tightly.
"Leave me!" she shouted, struggling against his hold, but it was futile. Instead, he only tightened his grip on her, and then they drugged her.
"No!" I yelled, scrambling to my feet, but another man yanked my hair, causing me to groan in pain. Tears filled my eyes as I watched helplessly while they drugged Ananya. I tried to break free from their grip, but it was useless.
"You bitch!" the man yelled as I scratched his arms in desperation. I retaliated with another tight slap, but it only earned me more pain as he yanked my hair even harder. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I sobbed, pleading for them to leave her alone.
As I continued to struggle, I felt a sharp pinch on my neck. I tilted my head and saw another man standing behind me with an empty syringe and a sinister smile on his face.
"We need to take her with us too. She might cause some problems, and the boss won't like it," he said.
My vision began to blur as the drug took effect. I tried to fight against it, but I knew it was futile. They dragged us from behind the mall toward a waiting car. By the time we reached the car, I had lost all sense of my surroundings. My head and body throbbed in pain, and darkness began to engulf me.
I could only hope that Ananya was okay as I surrendered to the darkness, my last thought consumed by fear and uncertainty.