After half an hour of agonizing ride, Shreya and Charan reached the warehouse. There were several cars parked around. There was one car in the far end which had men lined up all around it. There were at least a dozen stealthy looking men standing all around. They all parted as soon as Shreya approached.

Then Zack came out of the car holding a sleeping Akira in his arms.

Zack was a tall bulky stern looking man. He was fully geared up in blank cargo pants and black t-shirt that clung to his defined muscles.

"Hey princess, see your dad's here." Zack said in a very soft voice and handed over Akira to Charan. Surprisingly very different from his look, his voice was actually very warm.

Charan eagerly took her into his arms and clung to her. He felt as if his life had at last came back to him.

Zack pulled away from Charan and went to Shreya. He hoisted her into her arms and hugged her closely. Shreya clung to him circling her arms around his neck and at last let her guard down. All her anxiety in the past hour took a toll on her and she felt extremely tired. After a minute or so, Zack carefully put her back on her feet.

He ruffled her hairs and asked, "Hey baby girl, how are you doing??"

"I have been better." Shreya said. Her tiredness showed in her voice.

"Hey… She is fine. Doc said they had spiked her with sleeping pills. So she probably doesn't even know she had been taken. So nothing happened. Relax. Don't beat yourself up so much." Zack comforted her.

"I should have seen the tail Zack. I shouldn't have taken the lift. I should have just shut my gobs and slept at the hotel like I always do. I should have known better. I am not a damn teenage girl to want to spend a little more time with her crush." She said frustrated.

Charan who was listening in on the conversation slightly blushed. He can't believe she- The Shreya Srivastav just said she had a crush on him and wanted to spend more time with him. He couldn't help but be a little elated in spite of the circ.u.mstances.

"What's with the hair??" Zack asked a question instead of continuing with the topic trying to distract her.

"Oh it was Mr. Bhatia's daughter's reception. I just wanted to irritate him a bit. It is a temporary dye. It will wash off tomorrow." Shreya replied in an amused voice.

"You are telling me you went to a wedding reception looking like that??" Zack asked in disbelief gesturing at her outfit.

"What?? He wanted to use dirty tricks to make me come to the reception so that he can flaunt me. That's why I went like this to spite him. So that even if he introduced me around nobody will believe him." Shreya replied self-righteously.

"You are such an evil brat you know!!" Zack said ruffling her head.

Charan who was listening in on them felt speechless. He never thought somebody can purposely dress up like that just to spite someone. He then fake coughed bring their attention towards him.

Shreya looked at him, "Yea. I will drive you back. Zack you go back and co-ordinate with Adam. He has a new punching bag for you. I want everything out of him. And if he won't open his mouth, bring in his son too. Anyways we will be doing the society a favor. That son of his is such an asshole. That 30 year old hag made a tape with a minor. So don't hesitate to take him out if needed. I will handle the rest on my end. I will meet you guys there once I drop them off." She instructed and walked towards the car.

"You had Rakesh bundled up for me. Aww… Such a sweet gift! My baby girl is the best." Zack squealed with a goofy grin as if he had received a Christmas gift.

Shreya got into the car rolling her eyes while Charan followed suit with Akira securely in his arms. Charan was bewildered with their behavior. He did not know how someone can talk about torturing someone so casually. Zack's eyes were practically gleaming. He felt as if they were from another world or something. When his mind was working on over drive Zack called him and said, "Hey, Charan right??? Doc said she might sleep for at least 12 hours straight. So don't panic if she wakes up late tomorrow morning." Zack then pointed at Akira. Charan nodded his very diligently.

Shreya drove off after waving at Zack for one last time.

Half way through the drive Shreya called Pritham.

"Boss," Pritham excitedly called out.

"Once our men are all cleared from the ware house, report it to police. But do not let any information about the kidnapping leak. I do not want any information about Akira leaking to anybody." She instructed.

"Done. But Boss, why does only Zack get a punching bag??? Even I want one!!" Pritham w.h.i.n.ed and complained like a bullied kid.

Shreya let out a chuckle and replied, "Once you are done here, you can join them."

Charan jaws dropped once again.

There was absolute silence in the car.

"So all the bankruptcy of his family's companies and the burglary and other things reported- were all done by you ah??" Charan at last asked breaking the silence.

"A lot of shit happened behind the scene but yea it was all done under my instructions." Shreya replied straightforwardly nodding her head and Charan was left speechless for the nth time this night.

The car came to a stop outside Charan's house. For the first time she gave attention to the house. It was small and cute and somehow felt warm. It was surrounded but garden on all sides.

She got down and looked around a bit. "It's pretty. It feels warm like home." She said. There was a slight envious yearning in her voice.

"Thanks." Charan said.

"Can I… Can I see her??" Shreya asked tentatively looking at Akira.

Charan approached her with Akira still in his arms.

Shreya reached out and tucked a few strands of hair behind her tiny earns. She was the prettiest thing she had ever laid eyes on. She had a small face and rounded jaws. Her cheeks were plump her chubby while her nose was rounded. She had prominent brows and rosy lips.

"She is beautiful." Sindhu whispered.

"I know." Charan said with pride.

Shreya pulled away after a while. "I will get going." She said walking backwards.

"Once again, I'm really sorry." She said with a slight bow.

Just when she was about to get in the car, she turned towards Charan and asked in a very meek voice, "I know it is kinda shameless to ask but will I be hearing from you??" For the first time that day Charan saw her head hung down. There was no trace of the proud woman that she had been all day. For once she seemed embarrassed and awkward. Her voice was meek and pleading even.

A part of him wanted to approach her and comfort her but then he had a lot to consider. It wouldn't be difficult if it is just him. But he had Akira to consider.

"I don't know in all honestly. My daughter is my whole world. I can't put her at risk. I have a lot to think about." Charan replied honestly.

"I know. I understand." Shreya said and got on the car.

Charan went in when her car disappeared at the street corner.

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