Looking at Akira, he asked,

"Are we cool then?"

She nodded her head with a smile of relief on her face. Even though she knew that Dr. Oshana's accusations on Dr. Nelson were preposterous, but she just wanted to confirm for the peace of her mind.

Then, taking a deep breath, Dr. Nelson said.

"Akira, I am way past the age at which the heart gets excited about silly things. And to be honest, I have known only one woman in my life and I will worship her till death."

Saying that he didn't turn to look at her and neither did she, as she was feeling all silly for even having such a thought in her head. There was silence, that spread in the cab, only to be unmuted by the sound of Akira's mobile phone's vibration.

"Hello, Vikram."

"Hello, Akira. How have you been doing?"

"Well, I was just busy with the new project. What about you?"

"I just came back to town today morning."

"How is uncle now? Recovering well?"

"He is stable now, but vitals are not up to prime. So it was better that he stayed at the hospital."

"Oh, I see. So, you will go back to Dallas soon?"

"Yeah. I had come here to get some official work done. Once that is over, I will travel back to Dallas on Monday."

"I see. I will try to come and visit him on Tuesday or Wednesday."

"No need to travel Akira. Once I go there on Monday, I will shift him back to New York."

"I see. Then let me know when you come back. Will come to visit him."

"Sure I will do. By the way, I called you for a favor."

"Anything for you."

Akira said, but her fists were all balled up.

"The thing is, I need to attend a big party tomorrow night, and I would really like to introduce you to some of the pillars of the business world, who will be coming to the party. That will be good for our new project."

"I see."

Akira said all casually, but her fingers were running on her forehead as she was unable to decide if how to say no to him. Blocking the mouthpiece of her phone, she looked at Nelson and mouthed,

"HELP ME, PLEASE."

Dr. Nelson was startled at first, but then he realized that she wanted to dodge the call. So covering his mouth he said,

"Ma'am, the report is ready. We all are waiting for you in the meeting room."

Just after he finished his dialogue, Akira said,

"Hey Vikram, I will call you in five minutes. Let me just reschedule the meeting. I don't want my folks to waste their time waiting for me in a meeting room."

And saying that, before Vikram could even say a word, Akira disconnected the call.

She looked at Dr. Nelson and then smiled and said,

"Thanks."

Dr. Nelson, leaned back a bit towards his side and looked at her and said,

"That's a new problem I suppose?"

Akira smiled and shrugged her shoulder, before calling up Raymond.

.

.

"Hello, Akira."

"Hello, Raymond. Where are you?"

"I am meeting someone. Tell me."

"Actually Vikram just called. He was asking me to accompany him to the party, I mean your dad's party."

"Hope you said yes to that !!!"

"You want me to go with him?"

"Totally !!! His fate is always bleak whenever he plans to go out with you."

Akira chuckled at his sarcasm and then said,

"Well, I stalled him. Wasn't sure if I should go with him or not."

"To be honest, I am not sure what his condition will be after your press conference tomorrow morning. So I am not sure if he will still be ready to go with you. But chances are high that he will go."

"Don't worry, no matter what I announce at the press conference, he will not be angry with me. He will never be able to imagine that I will make him bankrupt."

"And how is that?"

"Leave all that to me, Raymond. You focus on your work. I will manage all this."

"God should forgive me for turning you like this Akira."

Raymond said and sighed.

"Like what Raymond? Sharper, smarter, wittier?"

"You know what I mean Akira."

"I know that Raymond. It's not you. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I am not going to be ashamed by anyone Raymond."

Saying that Akira disconnected the call and texted Vikram.

"The dinner is on. Hope you will come and pick me up." - Akira

A smug smile spread on Akira's face after she was done texting.

Dr. Nelson looked at her and asked,

"What's with that face?"

"What face?"

"That, you are going to be so sorry face."