The next morning as promised, Vikram arrived at Akira place around eight o'clock in the morning. He was looking all dapper in his grey colored tailored and custom fit suit. His hair was impeccable and his white shirt looked like it had been spun from the threads of rays of light. There was no wonder why he had the attention of all the female employees of his company. But in his mind and heart he doted only on one single person but unfortunately, that person had no idea about it as they were friends since childhood days.

"Ah, my boss's boss's boss has arrived", Akira said and chuckled.

She was dressed up very casually today. A cropped yellow tank top and a denim jacket paired with blue jeans.

Vikram's face beamed up after seeing Akira. She looked like a bundle of joy and happiness.

"What to do? When the intern with a 'Good Job' asks you to be her chauffeur, there is legit no way to escape", Vikram said and laughed.

"Uggghhhhh...", Akira got irritated.

"I knew I should never have told you about it", she said and stormed inside her bedroom to get her bag. When she came out of a room, she saw Vikram sitting on the kitchen slab binging on an apple which he had taken out from the fridge. Seeing her come back, he said,

"You are not planning to keep me hungry, are you? Won't you fix me breakfast? I hope you don't expect your boss's boss's boss to stay hungry", Vikram said and raised a high five at Mike who had just woke up and joined them in the kitchen.

"Count me in as well", said Mike.

When she saw both her brother and her best friend ganging up against her, she had no other option than gritting her teeth and making breakfast for both of them.

"What are your plans for this weekend?", Vikram asked both of them.

"No plans as of now", Mike said sipping on his cup of coffee.

"What about you Akira?", Vikram asked.

"I intend to hatch a full-blown secretive plot to kill one of my mortal enemies over this weekend", retorted Akira while making half fried eggs.

"And may I know how do you intend to do so?", Vikram asked.

"Well if I tell you, then it's not going to be a secret anymore right?", said Akira and rolled her eyes.

"Hey Mike, you are my witness right now. In case something happens to me over this weekend", then please bring justice on earth by punishing this treacherous woman", Vikram said and put his shoulder around Mike and both shared a good laugh.

"Who said I am going to kill you. I was talking about John Doe", Akira said and placed a plate with toast and eggs in front of Vikram.

"Were you?", Vikram said looking at Akira.

"Baby brother now you are a witness for me too. Did I ever say I was going to kill him?", Akira asked and started with the next batch of eggs for Mike.

And their banter continued...

---

Around 9 am, they both arrived in front of Delphi's office. Vikram parked his car at the visitor parking area and then escorted Akira towards the main door entrance. They had taken a few steps ahead when Raymond's car arrived and he got down in front of them.

"My man", said Vikram and extended his hand towards Raymond for a handshake.

"Good morning Mr. Vikram. I would have taken your handshake but right now my hand needs a little less of media and a bit more of rest", jested Raymond with a smile.

"My bad, I forgot that your right arm was injured saving this one", Vikram said placed his arm on Akira's shoulder.

Akira's body wanted to squirm in pain, but she didn't want either of them to know that she was hurt again and her shoulder was in pain. So she stood there with a straight face but her expressions didn't go un-noticed by Raymond. He kept his constant gaze at her for a few more seconds and then turned towards Vikram and said,

"So shall we proceed?"

"Sure thing", said Vikram and started following him.

"I will call for a meeting with the project leads so that they can meet with you and give you a brief update about the game development status", Raymond said.

"That won't be necessary. I just came here to drop this one and to see if you are doing ok", Vikram said and looked at Akira's face.

"I will just have a quick discussion with you related to the budget plan. My finance team has already briefed me with the status update from the last meeting. I just wanted to know more about the forecast for the next quarter", Vikram added.

"Sure thing. that can be arranged", Raymond said and pressed the elevator button.

There was an awkward silence in between the three of them till the lift arrived. Akira stood there all silent because one was her boss and one was her boss's boss's boss. She didn't want to mix her private and personal life. She was afraid that Raymond might get a wrong idea about her and Vikram. Raymond didn't say a word because he was still trying hard to understand the dynamics between the two in front of him. Meanwhile, Vikram was busy trying to comprehend the way Raymond was looking at Akira. The three of them were lost in their own deductions when the lift arrived.

"Ding. Ground Floor".

As soon as the lift arrived, Akira sighed in relief. Raymond got in first, followed by Vikram and then Akira. The lift was all empty and the three of them were the only people who got in. As Raymond was standing behind at the back, Vikram deliberately placed his arm lightly on Akira's back after she got in. His whole intention was again to clearly demarcate his property.

Akira stood there nonchalantly because that was normal for her. She was used to Vikram taking care of her this way since long. But somehow this whole thing disturbed Raymond. He was himself not sure why he was getting so much jealous and angry seeing Vikram's hand on Akira's back. Akira was not his property, to begin with, but he couldn't bear to see anyone trespassing her.

He just couldn't.