Who is she?

In fact, from the very beginning I thought she is familiar to Ashu but that was not possible because Ashu didn't have the wild side to her, like Ashna. They even have similar names. Damn!

Ashu was a very shy girl, unlike Ashna. Ashu was a wallflower, whereas Ashna is a reknowned social figure.

But the way they both speak, is so similar. These women...

Coffee overflowed from my mug and I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Thinking something?" Someone asked.

I turned and saw Shay, Ashna's manager standing with an empty cup, waiting for me to move from the coffee machine.

I smiled at her before answering, "woman."

"I see, then that was bound to happen." Shay pointed at my coffee mug and chuckled.

I shrugged. "Right."

"So are you coming for the masquerade party tomorrow?" She questioned.

Oh yes, that party. I never liked all these social gatherings or parties. Men in black and women in white, jeez!

"I'm not sure."

"Ashna wouldn't like it you know. She expects all her employees to attend the party." Shay said in a serious tone.

There was a sudden urge to say yes, but then I'm not the one to impress others. Women impress me.

I shrugged.

Shay held a coffee cup which was full now.

"Shay, you don't drink coffee as far as I'm aware, for whom are you taking this?" I asked curiously.

Shay hates coffee. That proved when a new peon made coffee for her and she threw it on his face just because she hates coffee. Quite harsh.

"This is for Ashna." She sighed. "Some horny and annoying teenage boys are in her cabin and flirting around." She said scrunching her face annoyingly.

Suddenly an idea popped in my mind.

---------

"Roy."

Ashna smiled as I entered her cabin with her coffee in my hand.

"There you go." I placed her coffee mug in her table.

"I told Shay to bring me coffee, where is she?" She asked, her smile not leaving her face. God, she looks beautiful and happy.

"I got it. She didn't want to come back here." I scanned her cabin and saw 6 boys sitting wherever they felt like.

"That little missy got scared." One of the boys cooed while the others let out a bark of laughter.

"I thought she liked us." Another one spoke up.

"She wasn't even that hot."

"I pity her guy, how would they be in bed?"

"Boys!" Ashna warned. I laughed along with the boys.

"Roy!" Ashna gave me a warning look as well.

"What? I totally agree with them." All of them chuckled. One of them fist bumped too.

Do not get me wrong but Shay was not that type of woman who you would find attractive. She is too serious for her own good.

Ashna rolled her eyes. "Boys! Meet Roy. He is my senior photographer."

"And a friend." I winked at her.

The boys whistled.

Before Ashna could retort with something sassy, one of them spoke, "Hey man! Pete." And one by one they introduced themselves.

I was still thinking who were these guys, because I couldn't find any reason for Ashna's involvement with these teenagers. They made her laugh and I wish I could be the one to make her laugh.

That adoring smile of her's, I wish I could be the reason.

Damn! What is wrong with me?

"So are you guys modelling for her?" I asked, knowing how stupid that sounded.

"Man! That sounds so... gay." A voice came from behind me.

I turned around and saw a very familiar person.

Landon Phillip.

I smirked at him. "Roy!" I stood up and gave him a guy hug.

"Lan!"

"You guys know each other?" Ashna asked curiously.

"Very well. We race together." I informed her.

"Well, he taught me to race." Lan said. "But modelling? C'mon man!"

"Then what are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"What is he doing here?"

A new voice came. I turned and saw a new guy, wearing a white v-neck t-shirt and blue faded jeans.

He stared at me with fire in his eyes. I know him well, he is the Indian billionaires stepson, Aditya Raichand.

"Ed..." Ashna's soft voice sounded.

Why is she calling him Ed? This little boy would not stop staring at me as if he will kill me right this moment. What's wrong with this guy?

"Hey, there we have food finally!" The boys shouted, breaking the tension in the air.

Lan took the packets from Ed's hands and shoved him inside.

"Ed cool down, will you?" Ashna whispered in Ed's ear. He seemed to relax.

"Roy, this is my brother."

What? First she has a daughter without marriage, later I got to know Avery is adopted. Now she tells me she has a brother named Ed just like Ashu used to call her brother. But how is that even possible? He is a Raichand and she is Kapoor.

I need to sort out my messed up brain or else soon I'm going to get mad.

Ed stormed out of the cabin and Lan walked behind him,cursing under his breath. Ashna sighed heavily and I didn't question.

I know who will give me answers.

Parth.

---------

Next day.**

Yesterday's meeting with Aditya Raichand got me curious high-time.

Can this be a co-incidence that Ashu also had a brother named Ed?

If someone is playing a big fat joke on me then he will have it. No one messes with Roy.

The fashion show was going in full-swing. Ashna was no where to be seen. Parth was in Annie's dressing room.

The D.J played the music, indicating for the show to begin. The emcee told the guest to be seated. My crew was ready.

The show started and proceeded well.

I saw Natasha wink at me during her second walk. Damn this woman! She needs to get a life.

"Please hold on to your breath, here comes our show-stopper!" The emcee hollered.

And there stood Annie, with full confidence. One word for her- beautiful. Parth would be drooling now. I chuckled at the thought.

The red gown fitted her body perfectly and she looked mindblowingly beautiful. She walked with grace to the front edge. And there goes the camera.

Click! Click! Click!

Avery was one of them to take her pictures. Just like me photography is her passion and she was too good.

Her pose was going to be the front page cover of the monthly fashion magazine, Basic. If this wasn't perfect then Ashna would actually kill me.

Ashna literally threatened me before the show that she will break my camera. You must be thinking it's kiddish but let me tell you she can do anything and my camera is my baby. I can't let anyone hurt my baby.

Click! Click! Click!

Annie took a turn and walked back, standing in the middle.

"Lets have a round of applause for our fashion queen!" People applauded, almost making the floor vibrate.

Ice queen stepped in, making my mouth drop open to the floor. Her brown wavy hair fell to its full length and the peach satin dress hugged her beautifully. Wearing flat black pumps, she stood to a height of 5'9. The white heart pendent caught everyone's eye. She looks like a tempting angel.

Ashna entered and Annie walked with her to the front and the other models clapped.

There went all the cameras. Click! Click! Click!

--------

"Hey man!"

Parth called out holding a glass of wine in his hand. I was drinking whiskey.

"Hey loverboy!" I greeted dryly.

Parth scrunched his nose in disappointment. "Call me that and I'm out if here."

"Tell me what you know." I asked, as if I'm an undercover cop and he is my personal investigator.

"Nothing much. Ashna is the step-daughter of Raichand. Five years back Mrs. Rita Kapoor and Mr. Raichand got married.

"What about Ashna's father?"

"No news about him."

"What else do you have?" I asked.

"Seven years back Ashna started this online shopping business and now here she is as the reknowned fashion woman."

"Did you talk to Annie about her past?"

"She doesn't open her mouth. She sweared herself to chicks before dicks." We chuckled. "Why so curious?" Parth asked knitting his eyebrows while suppressing his chuckle.

"She is a woman with multiple shades." I sighed.

"I asked Annie and she only said that Ashna was a nerd with glasses in high school always being tormented by Natasha." Parth chuckled.

That piqued my interest. If what Annie said was true then made a drastic change to herself. But why the change took place?

Ashna reminds me of Ashu.

Back then, we were a secret couple. I was only dating her because I was an idiot 19 year old, who wanted to date all types of girls. One of them was Nerdy Ashu. She was a nerd but with a free spirit.

For Ashu I was her first boyfriend and keeping it a secret was totally her idea. Whereas I didn't bother much. Being the idiot, I was flirting with other girls and sleeping around with the bitches. I was a young adult then with raging hormones.

I was cheating on her, not taking her seriously but she took me and our relationship very seriously. Those 3 months I never found out about her family or friends or her life.

I told you I was an idiot then.

But this woman Ashna, she is actually a woman of multiple shades. What is she like... i mean in real?

What is her actual shade?

I sipped on my whiskey but it was empty.

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