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I kept peeping at Stephano who just entered the company, his hair messed up, his hazel eyes drowning in exhaustion and I knew exactly why he was in this condition, because of Xavier, I slowly turned to Diya who was chatting with Ann.

"It's must have been hard on Stephano to accept the truth in front of the world," I whispered, causing Ann and Diya to look at me perplexed, both of them masking the same expression of confusion on their faces.

"Umm...What Truth?" Diya asked confusedly, wheels in my mind started turning as soon as the words left her mouth, She didn't know about Stephano, and I'm damn sure if anyone who is always one step ahead of everyone, it is Diya, no way in hell she would have missed the news which only meant that he succeeded in stopping the scandal.

I sighed, not the exaggerated relieved type but the dreamy one, casually putting my cheek on my hand while gaping at Stephano striding across the entrance to the private elevators of our company, I made sure to look believable otherwise Diya will haunt me for answers, answers that weren't mine to share.

"It should be illegal being this handsome," I smoothly deviated the topic, seeing him passing to the elevators, not noticing three of us gawking at him, I wasn't sure if I succeeded in diverting Diya's attention from my previous statement, she stared at me for a while then eyed Ann.

"You're engaged Shana," I knew she was trying to hint me that Ann didn't know about engagement being fake but I shrugged her comment off, watching him getting inside the private elevators with his assistant trailing behind, I didn't need to glance at Diya to make out that she forgot about by my question.

She leaned closer to me and softly whispered, "And I should be the one becoming horny and suing my hormones for it, not you,"

"What? Can't a girl appreciate such a beautiful specimen?" I retorted pouting causing her to roll eyes at my comment, unlike her Ann smiled at me, eventually, we as well discarded ourselves in the direction of elevators to go to the conference room.

We both got into elevators, my eyes wandering down to her six inches heels on their own, "Are you comfortable in those?" She followed my gaze, eyeing me with a 'are you for real?' look while I just shrugged at her.

"It's going to be a long meeting, you aren't feeling queasy right?" I asked once again concernedly making her groan in frustration, what? I am worried! Sue me.

"I'm not dying Shana, I can handle myself," I nodded reluctantly, silently taking notes if her mood flips suddenly.

Apparently, we were having the monthly board meeting, which was going to be a lot more longer than usual because of the recent scandals that arose in the company, all the shareholders had to be present there, after what Diya told me about her talk with Aiden, I contemplated as much that Xavier gave her his father's twenty-six per cent shares, which left king family with forty-two per cent shares of the company, Aiden had nineteen per cent and Stephano owned eight per cent, some others companies owned the rest, attorneys of each major shareholder has to be present,

We got to know about it yesterday when Xavier showed up at her penthouse just after an hour of my arrival, I opened the door to see him standing there with his arms folded on his chest, his glare drilling holes on my head, Ignoring his abrupt presence I turned to see Diya standing behind me, not wasting any time to greet him she walked back inside with me right behind her, leaving Xavier at the doorstep, following to see her rushing as soon as she was out of his vision, hurriedly scampering into the bathroom and puking her guts out, I removed hair from her face, making sure she doesn't pass out by ushering her to breathe rhythmically, once all of the food was out of her system then only she stood up, slightly stumbling while I supported her out and hesitantly left her when she was stable on her feet.

She wiped her tears, both of us entering the living room which was so much cleaner than when I arrived, thanks to me, I saw Xavier leisurely settled on the couch while the front door was closed, he welcomed himself in, Diya glared at him, crossing her arms under her breasts but he didn't even glance at her making her even infuriated, she eventually stomped away into the kitchen while clutching my hand, and requesting me to make her something, I obliged without complaining which earned me snicker from Xavier and a squeal from Diya.

All three of us being in the same vicinity.

it was bad.

The elevators opened and we stepped out only for her to crash into someone, I noticed Aiden clutching her waist securely, saving her from landing on the floor while she clasped his suit in a tight grip, anxiety rushing through her gaze.

I was about to support and take her away but before I could do so Aiden's soft voice resonated, "I'm so sorry Diya,"

She reluctantly pulled herself away from him, I awkwardly pointed towards the conference room, glancing to see them gaping at each other. "I'm-I'm gonna go now,"

"Please forgive me for my behaviour yesterday, I don't know how I should apologise but can we talk for a second?" He asked hopefully, his eyes stuck on her with an apologetic glint while She kept watching him indifferently.

"Yep. I'm going," I rushed away in the direction of the conference hall, coincidentally noticing Stephano outside in a far corner, talking to someone on his phone. My gaze bounced between the door and him, after a moment I swiftly chose to go to him.

Tapping on his shoulder cheekily to gain his attention, he turned around, giving me a once over and taking me in, a beautiful smile contoured his face upon noticing me, I smiled back, he greeted the person on his phone before hanging it.

My smile plummeted into a worried expression when I remembered what Xavier did, slightly ashamed that he has to go through it because of me, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thanks to your message, I was able to stop the tabloids and news from publishing," he smiled, and I inhaled deeply in relief, thanking God for eliminating the fear of one accidental bomb from my life.

I could feel his gaze burning into my skin, and I could feel my curiously craving in just as hard. "Are the-Are the rumours real?" I asked timidly, uncomfortable that he might turn on me and won't answer.

And I was right.

He didn't give me an answer, I deemed as much, his face dulled at my question and I felt bad for uttering absolute shit just to fulfil my knickknacks. Moving closer to him I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him close to let him know that I was there for him.

"I'm sorry you had to take the hit because of me," I whispered softly, getting his answer when he wrapped his strong arms around me, encircling me in his embrace, keeping me close for a while.

"I'll tell you someday," he whispered back and I nodded, closing my eyes and hiding my face in his neck.

"I'll wait,"

We were basking the feeling of comfort in each other when a much familiar voice interrupted our moment.

"Am I interrupting something?" I sighed, feeling Stephanos grip on my waist tightening abruptly for a second and then loosening, gradually separating from him I turned to see Xavier standing there in his charcoal grey suit, his golden-brown eyes drilling holes in Stephanos head.

All three of us kept reserved, glaring at each other, me at Xavier, him at Stephano and Stephano staring at me.

"I think you should stop getting fascinated by my fiáncee and solve your daddy's issue first." Xavier gritted out and I clutched Stephanos hand tightly, glaring at Xavier and then taunting my ranting.

"You repent yourself first Mr obsessive, possessive, egoist, arrogant, abusive man,"

His face paled at my statement, I dragged Stephano into the conference room more like he followed me himself, leaving Xavier behind, just like I was going to do permanently.

Diya and Aiden entered right when we did, She, pretentious as ever and Aiden, he looked like he just cried, stepping away from Stephano I pulled a chair out for her, she smiled, thanking me before settling down and so did I beside her, away from all the jerks filling the room.

Xavier entered just after five seconds, his eyes glinting with anger and I knew exactly what was the reason, sitting on the head seat, staring at me then at the seat beside him, in his dream I would sit beside him. I ignored his gaze and peered pleadingly at Catherine, who sighed and hesitantly took the seat beside him to take notes, beside her was Aiden with his assistant, then Stephano, followed by many others, some older, some younger, we were sitting opposite to them on the long table, Mrs Lopez, Diya, me and Cameron sitting beside each other, only one seat was empty now and that was beside Cameron.

The doors opened, and in stepped Robert king, I felt myself stiffening, Xavier didn't look shocked, of course, he was going to be here, intricate blue eyes analysing the room and finally settling on me, everyone stood up, including Xavier and so did I, his father smiled, making his way towards me, I stepped out of my seat, waiting for him with a small genuine smile on my face.

"Dad," I let out softly, he walked up to me, smoothly embracing me in a hug, patting my head, his fatherly embrace melting me inside ever.

"How are you, sweetheart?" He asked and I just nodded my head, not answering, his gaze drifted from me to settle on Diya who was sitting, I didn't notice that she was the only one sitting, unaffected by the presence of Robert king.

"Ms shikhawat?" Robert affirmed in question, she turned smiling and standing from her seat finally, extending her hand in his direction.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Mr Robert King,"

"Same here Ms Shikawat, how's your father,"

"Same as ever, please take a seat," she replied smoothly, pulling out a chair for him, Robert seemed slightly stunned by her action, honestly I wasn't, she was trying to taunt him for easily talking over his shares without knowing how of a good person he is.

"Thanks, Ms Shikawat, that's very gentlewomanly of you," Robert smiled teasingly, not vaining her gesture by taking the seat gratefully, later just smiled and took a seat once again and so did I.

This is going to be bad.

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"Can you get me pineapple juice," Diya murmured to me and I turned to her confusedly, furrowing my eyebrows and leaning closer to her.

"Now?" David was explaining the future plans for the KING INCs production and legal work and he was in the middle of the presentation.

She nodded her head cheekily and I sighed before turning to Cameron and requesting him to get it for her, he smiled and happily obliged, excusing himself from the meeting, earning a glare from Xavier and a mean look from Aiden.

She literally stifled her squeal when he came back with her pineapple juice, slowly sipping on her juice, making sure not to make slurping noises, I continued smiling while staring at her absentmindedly, my eyes incidentally fell on Xavier to see him peering at me curiously, his eyes squinted and his face straight as ever.

Ignoring him I turned my focus on David once again only to be poked by Diya in my ribs to get my attention, I leaned closer to her once again.

"I need water," she pouted and I swiftly grabbed my bottle, opening and handing it to her, not noticing several curious gazes stuck on us. We were two hours into the meeting and I knew she was getting hungry and irritated due to the constant business talk.

"We'll take a break for an hour, everyone returns by then," I heard Xavier voice resonating through the room, everyone sighed relaxingly, some going out and the rest of us still sitting in.

Smoothly turning my chair to her I asked in a hushed tone, " Are you feeling nauseous?"

She shook her head and I nodded, "do you want to go to the restroom?"

She shook her bead again and I leaned back in my seat, keeping my eyes on her while thinking about what else she could want.

"I don't know but I want to eat something spicy, really spicy," she said to me and I frowned.

"You sure you can handle it?"

"Yep," she nodded grinning, and I stood up from my seat, telling her to wait for me for a while and leaving the hall to get her Korean Ddeokbokki. Playing with my bike keys I entered into the elevators only for a hand to stop the doors from closing at the last moment.

Xavier stepped inside, the elevator doors closing behind him, trapping both of us inside, ignoring him I searched for a good Korean place on my phone.

"Where are you going?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Marne ja rhi hu, (going to die.) Wanna come?" I asked sarcastically but being the ignorant f*ck he only understood the English part and nodded his head slightly.

The elevator dinged showing that we have arrived, ignoring him I stepped out, he followed behind me like a leech, I walked to the parking to my Duke, pocketing my phone and wearing my helmet while getting on and starting the bike.

"Where's mine?" He asked about his helmet but I pointed towards his car.

"Over there," and pulled out of the parking lot, accelerating and hoping he drops the idea of following me after contemplating the distance I put between us.

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Parking the bike I entered into the takeaway section of the Korean restaurant, sulking after noticing the long line, looking down I pocketed my keys while slowly walking to the line.

"What the f*c-"

Words flowed out of my mouth as I crashed into someone head-on, wobbling and falling down, I precipitously looked up to yell at the person to look where they were going only to see the man scurrying out of the restaurant, his black-covered back facing towards me, inflating I stood up, ignoring the humiliating stares I was receiving and checking where I got scratched on the arm, irritated at the stuck up bastard I once again got into the line.

Ordering the food I waited for a while and exited the restaurant when they handed me my order, after thanking and paying them.

I wasn't even surprised by noticing Xavier waiting outside his, leaning on his Audi casually and staring at me, his formal wear gaining him several looks while some of the girls squealed at some distance, clicking pictures of him.

Go and study kids, he's not good for any of us.

Swiftly crossing my bike I went to him,

"You're getting more stubb-"

I didn't let him complete and did what I came to do, booting his side mirror down with one swift kick, his mouth remained open at my startling reaction.

"That's for following me,"

I went back to my bike, got on and ignited it, knowing very well that I just gave the media a piece of awesome news and him very good lesson, I know there's something he is tracking me with, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get to me yesterday and today.

By the time I reached the company yet again, half an hour of the break was already over, hurriedly getting into the elevators I pressed the button to the private floor.

Diya was impatiently waiting for me, a cute pout crowing her face while she occasionally talked to Robert, Aiden was longingly staring at her while Cameron was comfortably doing some work, she grinned upon noticing me and I returned the favour, walking up to her and giving her her food, gaining a kiss on my cheek from her, she rarely shows any affection, and that too in public was an accomplishment for me, but I could feel Aiden staring at us.

Not even five minutes later, the doors opened again to reveal Xavier, fuming with anger and making his way to his seat, Catherine was intimidated by him, anyone could tell that when she readjusted herself on her seat, I sent her an apologetic look and ignored him, savouring my lunch with Diya and my godson.

It was tasty, she was literally sniffling to stop her nose from running, absolute opposite of her stern personality she usually holds, looking like a messy child munching on her food, I had the etiquette of at least tying her hair in a ponytail before letting her eat.

Surprisingly only the individuals we know were left inside the conference room, just think about the awkwardness she would have felt if it wasn't for her cravings and hormones.

She hissed while fanning herself, darting her gaze across the table, "P-Pani (water)," before I could give her water, another hand extended towards her with a bottle, I looked up to see Aiden passing her his bottle worriedly, even an idiot could understand what she was looking for while eating this much spicy food.

She eyed him after glaring at the bottle and starting looking for water again, Cameron passed her his bottle, opening it for her as well, if looks could kill he would have been six feet under the ground by the intensity of Aidens glare, I could myself feel Xavier drilling holes in my head but I was used to it by now.

I don't even need to glance at Stephano to know he was amusingly gazing at us, and Xavier was too close to snap at him for staring at me in front of his dad and was doing his best not to.

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"We're planning on opening new techno-companies in Austria in two months from now—"

*thud*

Catherine stopped talking at the abrupt sound, I confusedly turned my head to the direction where everyone was focusing, Diya's head was dropped on the table with her hair covering her whole face, lightly snoring between the important meeting.

I awkwardly leaned to her, slightly nudging her to wake her up, she hummed lightly, opening her cinnamon coloured eyes slightly.

"Diya? Everyone is looking, " she slowly straightened herself up, blinking continuously to focus on Catherine once again.

"Sorry ev-" her apology was cut short by Xavier.

"You're more amateur than I speculated you to be, Ms Shikhawat, "

She turned to Xavier, staring at him for what seemed like a long time before abruptly standing from her seat and striding out of the room, appalling everyone including me. Aiden stood up to rush behind her but stopped when he saw Cameron already excusing himself and hurrying behind her, Mrs Lopez stood up from her seat as well, her face void of any expression.