Page 76 of Always With You

When I am sure she is fast asleep, I slowly untangle myself from her. I rest her head on the pillow, being careful about not disturbing her. I then take my phone and climb out of the bed slowly, so as to not wake her up.

Shooting one last glance towards her, I force my feet to carry me out of the room and away from her. I need to make a few phone calls.

Then, I descend the stairs and step into the hall as I put my phone to my ear, listening to it ring. It’s half past four. So, I am not worried about waking up Mike, who is an early riser and a fitness freak. I made a promise to Alisha that I will get her all the information on Rewa’s boyfriend, and I intend to keep my promise. With the kind of money I have, and the connections I have made over the past few years, this seems like a walk in the park for me. I can pretty much dig dirt on anyone. Mike is one of my most trusted persons who I turn to when I need information on my rivals. And he has never failed me.

“Yes, Sir?” Mike answers, and as I hear the sound of equipment in the background, I’m sure he’s in the gym.

“I need you to find me details on one person,” I say, as I take my seat on the couch.

“Name?” No questions asked, he cuts straight to the point. Just the way I like.

“Jai Mehta.”

“On it, you will have the information in a few minutes.” Saying that, he hangs up the call.

Setting my phone aside, I take my laptop and start reading some mails to get somework done. I knowI won’t get any sleep, till I don’t get the answers which I am hoping to get to let my wife’s mind rest at peace. It takes exactly twenty minutes for my mobile to ring with Mike’s name flashing on the screen. Wasting no time, I swipe the answer button.

“You got news for me?”

“He is clean. No dirt on him,” he says, and I let out an aggravated breath.

“He is clean,” I repeat. “Are you sure about that? I mean, you did a thorough check and have not left any minor detail?” I ask him.

“Yes, Sir, I am sure. Stable man, doing good for himself. In fact, he is wealthy and is associated with many noble causes. Also, he has no track record of any police complaints. He stays in Australia and comes down to India to visit his parents. He is the only son. Apart from this, he was in only one serious relationship, which didn’t work out for him, as the girl he was dating was cheating on him. I have mailed you all the details.”

“Thanks, man,”I run a hand through my hair, relaxed to hear him say that.

“Call me if you need anything else.”

“I will,” I say, as I hang up, and then look towards the stairs which lead to my room.

I should let Alisha sleep. The good news can wait till she wakes up. The smile on her face when she learns that she was fretting unnecessarily will be worth it. With that thought in mind, I get back to replying to my emails.

Chapter 34

Alisha

The moment I step foot in the huge bungalow, I am on pins and needles. Truth to be told, I knew it’s a bad idea, but I had no alternative then to attend this private party. Earlier, when Jai stopped by the boutique to meet Rewa, I just couldn’t stop myself from regarding him with watchful eyes, hoping I could figure out something or anything that would say my gut feeling is true. And as luck would have it, he stepped out to take a call. I seized the opportunity and quietly followed him. That’s when I overheard his conversation that he will be attending this party. I kept the piece of information to myself and didn’t tell a word to Rewa or even Ranveer. I wanted to be sure this time, before I jump to any conclusion.

Ranveer did tell me that all my suspicions about Jai are baseless. He ran a background check on him, which came out clean. Yet, my mind and heart screamed in union that’s not the truth, making it difficult for me to believe the testimonial. I just needed to figure out how to extract the evidence without having my bodyguard or Ranveer hot on my heels.

And seems like God is in a mood to help me. When Ranveer and I entered my dad’s bar, he was pulled in by my dad for a staff meeting regarding the new cocktails, which they are planning to introduce. The meeting, I assume, will take hours, which totally worked in my favour and gave me a chance to make my escape out of the bar. And Ajay was not an issue, as his duty to follow me is limited only during the day when Ranveer is not around.

There is a little chance Ranveer will notice my absence. That doesn’t stop me from gate crashing the party. I am sure once I have the evidence, Ranveer will understand my desperate reckless need.

The music hits me the second I step inside the house. With a hesitant step, I make my way around the party, which is in full swing. The place looks clamped with people all over are drinking and dancing. I even notice a few of them by the couch, sniffing powder, which I assume to be drugs. Seeing the sight in front of me, I can feel panic to start building in me. Trying to appear cool on the outside, inside, I am a nervous wreck. God, I didn’t want to be here, but I needed to find my answers. And my intuition vouches that this is the place where I will find what I am seeking for.

Pushing all my worries aside, my eyes scan the room, but I don’t find Jai. I am about to take a step further when strong fingers snake around my wrist, and I am turned around tocome face-to-face with a very furious Ranveer. I gulp. Busted.

“Care to explain?” he demands in a clipped, pissed-off voice. Even with the loud music, I can hear the scorn in his voice. He doesn’t hide the disdain in his eyes as he pins me down with his glare.

I don’t answer him and instead, ask him a question of my own.“What a surprise! I was not expecting you to be here. I thought the meeting would take longer. How did you get here, by the way?”

His forehead wrinkles and his eyes turn even more wrathful, if that’s even possible. Wrong move, Alisha.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“What’s the matter? Can’t a girl come to have some fun?” I defend myself and lift my hands in the air, not wanting to confess my true intentions to be here.

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