Sensing his breath on her skin, she was more than relieved.

She closed her eyes and let that stray drop of tear fall down. She didn't say a word and neither did he. They stood there all silently amidst the cool breeze, in each other's embrace.

She had no questions for him, nor he had any answers. All that was present was a mutual understanding and respect for each other, that needed no words to be conveyed. She didn't want him to say anything. His mere presence was comforting enough for her.

"I am done with hiding Akira. I will end this soon."

She turned back to look at him. His eyes were also moist and she knew that he had been hurting.

"Are you sure about it."

"I was never this sure about it Akira."

"What are you going to?"

"Whatever I am going to do, needs your help in achieving it."

"Anything for you Raymond, just say the word. But how did you come inside? No-one recognized you?"

"With this beard? Huh... no one did. Plus I had David's help in unlocking all the doors."

"I see."

Akira said and smiled looking at him.

"I need to leave now. I have an appointment with my lawyer. But I need you to immediately schedule for a press event for your project MEDUSA and inform about the scrapping of project RENAISSANCE."

"That will alert Vikram right."

"Let him be alerted. I do not care now. He is the least of my concern at this moment."

"But Raymond."

"I am telling you. Do not worry about him. It's time to push him to the brink instead of worrying about him."

"After that press conference is done, I need you to dress up all nicely as tomorrow evening you need to attend a party which will be hosted by my father."

"But I haven't received any invitation and I am not even aware of any such event being organized in the first place."

"You will hear about it soon. By the end of today evening."

"Raymond what are you doing? Are you sure about it?"

"Just hold tight Akira. We will sail through it all."

"I trust you, Raymond."

"I just hope, I can keep up with your trust."

Saying that Raymond quickly gave her a warm kiss on her lips and lingered there for a second before he turned back to leave.

Akira took a moment to recollect herself and then she also went back to her seat as soon as possible. After all, she had to prepare for the press conference.

-----

After reaching her seat, the first thing that she did was to call up Dr. Nelson for she had a hell lot of apologizing to do.

"Hello, Akira !!!"

"Hello, Dr. Nelson !!!"

"I cannot tell you how relieved I am feeling after hearing your voice."

"Why, you thought for real that I will never call you back?"

"Nothing like that Akira. I was just tensed to see you both suffering like this."

"Don't worry about all that. He just came to my office to meet me. You were right. He needed to know."

"Well, I will never say - I told you so."

Akira laughed a bit hearing his cheeky reply and then took a deep breath and said,

"But I will still stick to my words. I seriously do not know what I would have done without you."

"You don't need to explicitly say that."

"Well, I am saying that because I need one more help from you."

"Anything. Just let me know."

"Erm... I don't know how you would react to it, but I was thinking of going and visiting Dr. Oshana today. I don't want to face her alone, given her erratic and unpredictable nature."

"Why do you want to meet up with her? Are you insane? have you forgotten what all she has done?"

"I haven't forgotten a thing. But being a woman, I still feel for her. I want to talk amicably with her. We can sort this whole matter peacefully. I should have done it this way in the first place. But I was a bit blinded with anger."

"I will accompany you, but I still think it is a bad choice."

"Don't worry, there will be people around to help us out in case things go west."

"Fine, then. I will come and pick you up."

"No way Jaby. You are hurt and your hand needs rest. God knows how many operations have been stalled because of me."

"Oh, will you stop feeling sorry for once?"

"Ok Ok ... I cannot go there as Akira. I need to camouflage. I will take a taxi and I will text you the details."

Then immediately interrupting her, Dr. Nelson said,

"Pick me up from the hospital. Her house is nearby."

"Sure thing."

"One more thing, Akira."

"What?"

"Carry some pepper spray with you. Will you?"