Fates Entwined

Chapter 9: Love, Risk, and Unseen Forces

Risha stood in her apartment, a whirlwind of emotions brewing inside her. Sol's predicament at work weighed heavily on her mind, and Ashan's troubles felt just as urgent. Her heart ached for them both, but the rules of their mission kept echoing in her mind.

She turned to Miri, who was sprawled on the couch with a look of frustration. "I can't ignore this, Miri. Sol and Ashan are both struggling, and it's because of Eron. I can feel it."

Miri sighed, pushing her hair back. "I get it. But you're treading dangerous waters, Risha. If they find out you helped, it could spiral out of control. Not to mention, we can't afford distractions right now."

Risha paced the room. "They need me. I just have to figure out how to help them without breaking the rules or making it obvious."

The next morning, Risha got to work early and reviewed the files tied to the fraudulent accusation against Sol. She pieced together an anonymous tip that pointed HR toward the actual culprit: a jealous coworker trying to sabotage Sol's stellar reputation.

Later that day, Sol approached her in the breakroom. Her usual confident demeanor was visibly shaken. "Risha, something weird happened. HR called me back, and they cleared me. They said they got new evidence."

"That's great!" Risha said, trying to sound casual.

Sol studied her. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

Risha laughed nervously. "Me? No. I mean, how could I?"

Sol tilted her head, a faint smile on her lips. "Right. Well, whoever helped, I owe them big."

Risha quickly changed the subject, but Sol's gaze lingered a little too long.

That evening, Risha stopped by Ashan's apartment under the pretense of checking in on him. Risha actually wanted to slip a small envelope containing the amount he needed to cover his financial emergency into his bag, but that would risk letting Ashan know who did it.She texted Miri asking for suggestion. Miri said she would deliver the envelope thorough somebody else and Ashan will not know that it's from Risha.

Miri arranged everything. In the morning, Ashan received the envelope with a small note which was anonymous. He was overjoyed when he opened the wrapper.

Later, after lunch, Ashan texted Risha: "Rish, you won't believe it. My problem's solved! Someone left exactly what I needed to cover everything. I don't know who, but I'm beyond grateful."

Risha smiled at the message but didn't reply.She wanted to but just couldn’t.

However, by the end of the week, both Sol and Ashan had figured it out.

Risha was sitting at her desk when Sol appeared with two cups of coffee. "Hey," Sol said, leaning against the desk. "You know, I've been thinking. You're way too good at pretending not to care."

Risha blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sol smirked. "It means I know you helped me. I don't know how, but I'm not an idiot. And for the record, you're amazing for doing it."

Before Risha could respond, Ashan walked up, holding a bouquet of daisies. "She helped me too," he said, his voice soft but firm. "And I've got to say, Rish, you're incredible."

Risha looked between them, her heart pounding. Sol's calm confidence and Ashan's heartfelt honesty made it impossible to choose.

"I..." Risha stammered, but the sound of a throat clearing interrupted them.

Ursula, in her corporate disguise, stood nearby, her expression unreadable. "Am I interrupting?"

The tension broke as Sol and Ashan turned to her, startled. Risha, already overwhelmed, sighed in visible relief.

"Risha," Ursula said smoothly, "can I have a word in private?"

Inside Ursula's spacious office, with its sleek modern furniture and towering bookshelves, Risha perched on the edge of the chair, her nerves fraying. Ursula stood by the window, looking out as if weighing her words carefully.

"You've been playing with fire, Risha," Ursula said finally, turning to face her. "Eron is watching you closely, and every move you make gives him more power."

Risha stiffened. "Eron? How do you know about him?"

Ursula hesitated, realizing her slip. "Let's just say I've been keeping an eye on the two of you for some time."

Risha narrowed her eyes. "Keeping an eye on us? Why? And how are you even involved in all of this?"

Ursula's lips pressed into a thin line. She stepped closer, and with a gentle wave of her hand, the room grew unnaturally quiet.

"Listen to me carefully, Risha. Eron thrives on emotional chaos—on uncertainty, fear, and conflict. Every time you hesitate or let your emotions overwhelm you, you're giving him exactly what he wants. You have to be cautious and composed."

"I understand that," Risha said, frustration creeping into her voice, "but I can't just stand by while people I care about are in trouble. Sol and Ashan needed me."

"I know," Ursula said, her voice softening. "You acted with a good heart, but your mission is bigger than these individual moments. If you let yourself get pulled into his traps, you'll lose everything. That's exactly what Eron wants."

Risha stared at her, suspicion creeping into her thoughts. "You're speaking like you know him personally. Who are you, Ursula? And why do you care so much about what happens to us?"

Ursula froze, realizing she had overstepped. She turned away, her face shadowed by the dim light of the room. "You're not ready for that answer."

Risha stood, her voice firm. "No, you don't get to say that. If you know something—anything—that can help us, you owe it to us to tell the truth!"

Ursula turned back, her expression a mix of sorrow and resolve. She raised her hand, her fingers glowing faintly with an ethereal blue light. "I'm sorry, Risha. But some truths must wait for their time."

"What are you—"

Before Risha could finish, Ursula cast a quick spell. A soft blue shimmer enveloped Risha, and her eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment.

When she opened them again, she was standing outside Ursula's office, feeling disoriented. "What just happened?" she murmured to herself. She had a nagging feeling that she'd missed something important, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall what it was.

Inside the office, Ursula sat heavily in her chair, running a hand through her hair. She had made a mistake by revealing too much too soon. She could only hope the protective spells she'd cast would buy Risha and Miri the time they needed.

"Seven days," she whispered to herself. "It's not much, but it has to be enough."

In the shadows of his lair, Eron watched the events unfold, laughing to himself. But his amusement was short-lived when Ursula's disguised form materialized.

"Ursula," he sneered. "What brings you here, meddler?"

"I came to see how low you've stooped," Ursula said evenly, masking her true purpose.

Eron laughed. "Oh, I'm just getting started. Your precious girls are already tangled in their own mess. Soon, they'll be mine to control."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Ursula replied, her tone sharp.

Eron dismissed her with a wave. "You can't protect them forever, Ursula. Seven days isn't nearly enough."

"Maybe not," Ursula said, her voice calm but her eyes burning with determination. "But it's enough for them to prove you wrong."

As she left his lair, her heart was heavy with worry. The days ahead would test Risha and Miri like never before, and the threads of their fates were more tangled than ever.