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Tarun knew what we were up to and was trying desperately to block our advances. He was most likely unaware that he couldn’t trick the new software we had acquired. I had ordered Jason to push his developers to implement the feature and had him sign an NDA so he could not discuss it with anyone. We had made his staff do the same. They had assumed it was just regular paperwork that needed to be signed in an acquisition. All we needed now was a current photo of Tarun without any prosthetics or physical alterations to his face and a location of where the photo had been taken.

“His network in the States is still growing,” Jai said before he took another puff from his cigar.

This guy had some balls to think he could spy on us and then take our business. He had already lost his brother. Was he stupid enough to continue his dream of a takeover?

“Not for long.” His little fantasy did not stand a chance.

Chapter VIII

Amelia

The next week was a blur. All the developers were in a rush to complete our features. We were working on no sleep and copious amounts of coffee. Everyone wanted to do a good job to avoid being laid off.

However, I still had mixed feelings about possibly working for Sethi Tech. On one hand, I knew that something shady was going on in that company and that Shyam was responsible for it. My intuition told me that the rumors were true. But at the same time, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of him. I secretly hoped he would visit the office again before we delivered our product, just so I could see him again. I also hated him for leaving me hangingtwice, yet I couldn’t deny how he made me feel. My body always betrayed my brain when I was around him. It kept asking for more.

Friday came and no one had heard word about moving over to Sethi Tech. We felt defeated, even though we had miraculously completed our product on time.

Jason didn’t have an update for us either. He thanked us for our hard work and wished us luck in our “future endeavors.” I guess he didn’t care as much, since he was getting a huge payout forhissoftware. He’d probably just create another startup like all the other startup CEOs and make even more money selling that one too.

When five o’clock came around, Nat and I said our goodbyes. We hugged and kissed each other as the reality of not working together anymore sank in. I was going to miss her. We promised to meet up for lunch soon so we could sulk about being laid off. I also bid farewell to the rest of my coworkers. The mood was somber as we all left the office for the last time.

It was raining when I left the building. How appropriate. It matched my mood—dreary and dismal. I could have called a cab, but instead, I chose to walk in the rain and just let myself feel my emotions.

This was my first job out of college. I had never been laid off before, so this type of rejection was new. I knew I was smart and felt confident when it came to my work, but this layoff had bruised my ego.

I reached my apartment door and inserted my key into the lock. The door pushed open before I even had the chance to turn the key.Huh?I thought I had locked my door when I left this morning. I looked around before entering. My place was so small that it was easy to scan without stepping inside. Nothing seemed out of place. And I had my most valuable item with me, my laptop.

I quietly stepped inside and slid off my soaked shoes so they wouldn’t squeak on the floor. Tiptoeing further into my apartment, I checked the closet and the bathroom. No one seemed to be hiding in there. I was being paranoid. I must have left the door unlocked by accident. It made sense, since my mind had been preoccupied lately.

I took a long, hot shower and changed into some pajamas for comfort. It had been a while since I had called my mom. She had lived alone since my dad passed and I moved to the city. Luckily, she still worked as a nurse, so she had something to keep her busy and distracted from the loneliness.

I plopped onto my bed and dialed her number.

“Hi, sweetie! I was just thinking about you!” Her voice always sounded bright and happy whenever I called home. It broke my heart even more that I had left her alone.

“Hi, Mom,” I said, pretending everything was okay.

“What’s wrong, dear?” I could never hide my mood from her. We were so close that we could always sense when the other was upset.

“I think I just got laid off from work. I guess I feel disappointed.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. I filled her in on the takeover and how none of us had heard any word about being rolled over to the new company.

“Amelia, you’re a smart girl. Feel what you need to feel right now, but then move on. Tonight, you can allow yourself to sulk, but tomorrow, start looking for something new.” She always pushed me to be strong. After my dad died, she realized how much she had relied on her husband. She was lost for a while and struggled to manage the household bills, since my dad had done everything. She didn’t want me to ever be in that position, so she always pushed me to be independent.

“You’re right, Mom,” I said with resolve. “I’ll start searching tomorrow.” I would find something even better than my last job and start a new chapter in my career.

“That’s my girl. You’ll find something fast. I just know it. You’re too brilliant not to.” Her voice was full of motherly pride.

“Thanks. So, what’s new with you?” I asked.

“Well, work is busy since it’s flu season. A lot of people are being admitted into the hospital.” Her voice sounded tired when she spoke of work. I wished she could retire, and I could support her financially. Maybe my next job would allow me to do so eventually.

“That’s rough. Be careful, mom. I wouldn’t want you to catch anything either.” She worked in the emergency department, so she was first in line to catch whatever infectious disease wandered in.

She laughed. “Don’t worry, dear. That’smyjob.”

I sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted from the emotions of the day. “I miss you, Mom. I think I’m going to sleep now. I love you.” I hadn’t slept properly in forever because I had been working so much. Tonight, I would not work on code. I needed a mental break.

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