Page 35 of Wicked Trap

Rashmi and Kavita looked shocked when Tanvi told them about her plan.

“You have been actively protesting against that company,” Kavita stated. “Why do you think they would hire you knowing that?”

“I don’t think they know it was me in particular.” Hopefully, they won’t know either.

“You are crazy!” Rashmi burst out. “If you get caught doing something shady, you will be in serious trouble.”

Tanvi nodded. “I know. But according to their schedule, they will begin cutting down trees in two months. So far, they have succeeded in blocking every protest that has been planned. If the Prism Corporation is going to be ruthless that way, I would have to be equally ruthless to stop them.”

Rashmi didn’t look convinced. Kavita looked doubtful too.

“It’s very risky, Tanvi. They are powerful people. You might get arrested or worse, harmed in some way.”

Tanvi knew it was a huge risk. But she was willing to take the risk for her cause. “The job won’t be for too long. I just want to meet the chairman and see which company is behind the mall construction.”

She smiled reassuringly at her friend. “Stop worrying about me, girls. You know my father will bail me out as usual if I get into trouble.”

“What if he doesn’t?” Rashmi asked.

“He will because he needs a clean reputation, at least until the elections are done.”

Kavita frowned. “But how will you get the job there in such a short span?”

“I know a couple of people who work there and will help me. Hopefully, I’ll be able to join the company before the two-month time frame.”

She was going to meet Sameer and work on the job applications right away. She might be racing against time, but she was determined to win the game against the ruthless corporation.

***

“Oh, Arjun. You are the best cook in the world.”

“Yes. I never had such a delicious meal in my whole life!”

“And you cooked so fast!”

Tanvi had just returned to her apartment complex. A big group of giggling girls was surrounding a tall man near the mailboxes.

“The color of the t-shirt suits you so well, Arjun. It makes your eyes and dimples stand out.”

A scoff escaped Tanvi as she heard and watched the show while collecting her mail.

Arjun’s eyes immediately fell on her, and a smirk formed on his face.

“Thank you, ladies,” he drawled. “I’ll be sure to let my girlfriend know since she picked out this t-shirt.”

“Oh!” There were visibly disappointed faces. “You have a girlfriend?” one of the girls asked.

“Yes. We only got together recently because it took me a while to impress her.”

“How can any woman not be impressed by you!” one of the girls asked in an outraged tone.

He shrugged with a smile. “I’ll be sure to let her know that. Excuse me, ladies. I better leave now. If I don’t call my girlfriend on time, she’ll be quite pissed and break up with me. She’s a bit short-tempered.”

With that excuse, he managed to walk away from the group. Tanvi joined him as they walked to the lifts. She stepped in, and he followed behind her. When the doors closed, a whiff of familiar cologne filled the inside of the small space.

“You owe me a big one, princess,” he drawled, pressing the button on the lift to their floor.

Her stomach fluttered at his presence. Once again, she felt the buzzing awareness which she tried to ignore.

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