ARYLIE FF: My Everything and Beyond

Chapter 11 - "She's been crying"

A/N - Hello lovely people! Thank you so much for all your lovely messages and understanding for the big break in this story. I'm back now, and will be updating fairly regularly!

Several of you have been waiting for a real conversation between Aryan and Imlie and not the hide and seek they seem to be playing with each other since they met. Your wait is over! This chapter makes the first step towards them building a real bond. I hope you enoy it!!

As always, please do share any good or bad feedback!

Love,

Miss Quills

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In the previous chapter....

.....we saw Imlie standing up to Aparna's unreasonable expectations and comments when she meets her. Imlie decided to never fall in the same loop again and refuses to give Aditya another chance, disgusted at Aparna's insinuation. Aryan works late in the office reflecting on his brother-in-law, Arvind's support and how much he values it, when he gets another call about Mahesh Dubey.

Ab.....aage....

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15 minutes later, Aryan hung up on the secure line, the private investigator having relayed the information on Mahesh Dubey to him. He placed the phone on the table and cupped his face with his palm, massaging his forehead with his fingertips.

Leaning back in his chair again, he was only beginning to process what he'd learned when he heard a clunking noise from outside his office.

He flipped his wrist to look at his watch as he pushed out of his chair.

10 pm.

Who's in here at this time of the night?

He walked towards the door and pushed it open, treading on to the seemingly empty office floor.

"Hello?"

A shuffling sound.

He continued walking in the direction of the sound which seemed to be coming from a section of desks a couple rows down from him.

"Who is....?"

Aryan stopped mid-sentence at the sight of a petite figure crouched on the floor, her back to him, frantically gathering a stack of papers that was strewn on the floor. A tote bag lay horizontal on the floor beside her, its contents spilling over.

Imlie? There was no mistaking her. He recognized her kurta she was wearing earlier that morning when they had bumped into each other in the pantry. Quite literally.