Devika refused and stood near the table.
Vikram went and sat on couch. He already know how stubborn Devika is.
Her phone was still viberating. Articles. Posts and mostly clips from the ten different angles.
Vikram Oberoi holding an unknown woman.
Their faces inches apart. Their bodies pressed together.
Hastages were exploding.
Arshi, karan and Ishaan stared at their screens in horror.
"Shit." Arshi whispered, scrolling," they are calling Devika gold digger-"
"Give me your phone" Rishi said,
But she didn't. Instead, she hugged her phone to her chest like a shield.
Rishi again got focus on his work. He was typing, his eyes were to sharp. " I have contracted PR. They are removing posts, but it may take hours. The cafe CCTV is already blocked."
Ishaan moving around, eyes filled with anger, " Sir, she can't handle this alone-"
Vikran turned towards Ishaan, extremly cold voice. " You three will not say a single word online"
"We are not idiots" Ishaan said.
Before anyone could react, Vikram walks toward Devika. " I am taking you home."
"No." She said, trying to be bold."i am not going anywhere."
Vikram's looking into her eyes, like she is stubborn child who didn't understand danger.
"My father called" Vikram said, cold voice."he wants to talk with you. Calmly and privately."
Devika frowns," why would your father care about me?"
"Because your name is being dragged through the fucking mud that media created." He replied." And my family, does not allow innocent people to be destroyed because of us."
And then, cafe filled with silence
Devika apart lips to say someone, but then close. As she didn't know what to say. Or what to not.
Arshi came towards Devika, voice trembling little "Maybe..maybe you should go. Atleast until this settles."
"No" Devika said, instantly." I didn't do anything wrong. Why should i hide?"
Vikram brows raise,cold voice." You think this is about guilty?". His eyes darken "its about damage control."
"I can control it--" Devika said.
Vikram smirks," you can't even control your heartbeat right now."
Devika cheeks turned red with embarrassment. Her phone viberated again with multiple notifications.
She tries to keep steady her voice" i am not running."
That was the moment when he starts losing his control.
Vikram turned towards Rishi." Arrange 2 private jet."
Rishi said, " sir?"
"One for Devika and me" Vikram said, " And another with security for the rest of marketing team. And destination, Banglore.
Everyone went silent.
"Banglore?" Ishaan repeated. " Devika is coming with us-"
"No" Vikram said, without even looking at him."you three go back to company. Assignment is over."
Arshi face got pale.
Karan frowns.
Ishaan jaw clenched.
"We are not abandoning her." Ishaan said, jaw still tightened.
Vikram takes step closer to Ishaan." You don't get to protect her from something you don't even understand."
Ishaan jaw tightened.
Devika thought he might punch him.
Karan stood," what if she wants to stay with us?"
Everyone looked at Devika.
She gulped hard, and looks at karan" i want to stay."
Vikram exhaled once.
Not loud.
Not angry.
But the kind of sound that meant he was done being reasonable.
Vikram's hand went towards the nearest thing, a heavy ceramic cup. And then. He threw it.
Thud!!!
It shattered across the floor.
Everyone flinched.
Even the staff froze.
Rishi didn't flinch.
Vikram's voice, when he again spoke his voice got extremly cold and his eyes darken." You. Are coming with me."
Vikram didn't shout. He didn't even beg her. Just power.
Devika eyes widen and her heart started beating faster.
Vikram's eyes was burning with anger. Fear. Fear for her.
That made her more unsteady than anythinf else.
"I don't belong stepped into it." She whispers.
"You already stepped into it." He murmured.
Their eyes locked.
Nobody dared breathe.
Ishaan looked from Devika to Vikram, his fist clenched.
Karan gulped hard, cursing in low voice.
Arshi stay froze.
Rishi stepped forward, clearing his throat personally." Two jets will be ready in forty five minutes.
Then, Arshi slowly moves closer to Devika and wrapped her both arms around her waist from behind. Her chin resting on Devika's shoulder. " Please don't fight him right now." She whispers," you are just making this harder for yourself."
"I am not a child." Devika said
"I know." Arshi replied, softly. " That's why i am begging you to be smart."
Karan was still silent. Ishaan was stood near window.
Rishi checked his watche, then he spoke calmly." The second jet will be ready at private terminal. I will escort Ishaan, karan and Arshi back to banglore. We have return route cleared already."
Devika looks at Vikram." No one is escorting anyone. You are not sending them away."
Vikram didn't even looks at her this time. He was trying to control his anger because he don't want to scare her.
"You are done in Singapur. Your work is complete. You go home."
"We decide when we are done." Ishaan said.
Vikram turned slowly and looked at him.
No anger.
No threat.
Just that look which can make anyone shut their mouths.
"You came here under my company." Vikram reminded Ishaan."you finish when i say you finish."
Ishaan said,"you are scared."
Vikram eyes darken," of what?"
"That you actually care about her."
Then
Deadly silence.
Arshi inhale sharply. Karan looked at Ishaan as he wanted to pull him back by the collar.
Devika Froze.
And Vikram...he didn't explode. He steps closer to Ishaan and said " you have five minutes to get ready."
Just like that.
No explanation. No emotion. Pure command.
Vikram increase security and take's everyone back to hotel. So they can take their bags.
All of them packed their bags silently. But their phones were still flashing with notifications. Headlines becames worse now.
"Mystery woman spotted with Vikram Oberoi."
"Is she his sceret lover?."
" Who is she?."
Devika scrolled once. She stopped on second post. Her breathing starts getting heavy.
Vikram Oberoi, caught kissing his new girlfriend at cafe.
It wasn't a kiss. But the camera angle was brutal. Her body tilted forward, his hand on her waist, their lips close.