Leap of Faith

Damned

I waited nervously stealing glances at my cell. Once Daniel picked up, I changed the call mode from loudspeaker to headset.

"Daniel, why the heck you took so long? Have you finished with our work?" I blasted in the private vicinity of my bathroom. It was already late at night. I could not call him because Aayan being on my side the whole day. We ate together, had a quiet and mesmerizing evenings stroll in the quiet grounds. I almost wanted to believe that everything was alright, there were no dangers lurking in the shadows to haunt Aayan and his family. However, when we were back to the hotel, it all came crashing down. Yes. There was a potential danger from Vikram. However, I wanted to overlook, I simply could not. As soon as I was back to my suite, I dialled Daniel's number.

"I... the server blocked me... Miss Trisha. I am sorry... I could not copy the whole of the computer files. The files were encrypted...," he mumbled through the other end of the line. And I sunk to my bathroom floor. This was not a good news. Not because Daniel could not copy the files. The real worry was the server had blocked him, meaning Vikram might know of the hacking. Good God! If he knows, all my put drama all will simply go waste!

"Miss Ray? Are you there?" his question brought me back.

"Yes. Daniel. Please tell me that he is unaware of the hack," I said quietly holding my breath.

"It depends," he paused. "Whether the program to block the hacking was manual or auto run. There is no way of knowing. Because all such software I know well. This was something customized. So I really can't say."

"Fine. What have you able to copy from the laptop?" I asked. "Did you get the information on his activities in that particular month?"

"I think so. I have copied his bank transactions, his travel plans, even his video conferencing audio files from his laptop, his history of internet usage. I can send it you on your mail id, if you want to see that immediately."

"Yes. Please send ASAP. I will message you my other mail ID. Send me on that one." I was relieved to the point of sanity. I hung up the phone messaged Daniel my anonymous ID. This was great. I was going to get a major lead through this. I hoped that it should be solid enough to get him locked up.

I was enjoying my relaxing bath in the beautiful copper tub when I heard a soft knock on the door. I thought it was probably Aayan. I came out the super comforting warm and bubbly water. Dabbed myself dry, put on the soft bathrobe.

I felt the floor slipping beneath my feet as I saw Vikram sitting on the small sofa by the window. The soft yellow glow of the room mystifying his persona even more. He was wearing a blank expression looking unblinkingly at me.

"Quiet a fetching sight!" he murmured as his gaze followed my body from head to toe.

I gulped my nervousness away. Knowing that he might had found about hacking made me even more afraid.

"What brings you here?" I asked keeping my wet hair to one side of my neck. The water on the end of hair strands was dripping on the carpet.

"We have to move forward with our plan, don't we?" he said beckoning me sit in front of him.

All I wanted in that moment was to run away from the room. Then I was doing this willingly, taking a risk that would cost me my life. My feet followed my brains order, considering my lack of options. I sat in front of me crossing my legs, trying to erase my thoughts temporarily. "What do you have in your mind?"

"Well, it is time to say yes to the proposal, Trisha," he said in quiet way never breaking the eye contact.

"What are you suggesting? What proposal?" I asked him knowing fully well what he intends me to do.

"Don't act so innocent, baby. I know Aayan proposed you on your birthday." He smiled fully, cocking his head.

"It was not official Vikram. He only told me that he wanted to get married to me," I spoke confidently crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Oh dear, he was going to propose to you on the grand backdrop of hills of Lonavala where he was taking you for your surprise." He replied coolly leaning forward in his seat. "And I know what made him turn away and take you to his house instead."

I literally felt the hair on my neck stand up. How could I underestimate his freaking insanity? That man was beyond a psychopath. For the first time I felt my confidence exterior breaking, hell I was afraid of that man, that devil.

"So you want me to accept his proposal?" I managed to ask after an overbearing long minutes wherein his gaze was penetrating my guards, to hurt me with all his might.

"Yes. Finally. I thought your smart brain had stopped working." He chuckled.

"What will I get?" I asked recovering a little bit. I had to know what was cooking in his insane brain.

"The life I promised, baby," he answered, standing up. My heart was hammering against my chest. My head was heavy with the fear as he came and sat beside me. His close proximity was making my bile rise to my throat. My breathing was shallow.

"You know dear. I will make you famous. I will take you to the new high! Why do you want Aayan anyway?" he said, as his hand was moving towards my face. The time had slowed down; I could feel the coldness of his hand even before it touched my cheeks.

"It is contradictory. Why are you suggesting accepting his proposal anyway?"

"Trisha, I think you are losing it, darling!" he retreated his hand; he had a look of surprise in his narrow and dark eyes. "Of course, it is more dangerous to fall from a great height. Now we are taking him to the great height, where he will think that he successfully has your love and commitment. And then BAM!" he clapped his hands loudly, making me jump. Involuntarily a tear slipped from my eye. I looked away and swiped it off my face. He was freaking right. I was indeed losing it. I should have guessed it!

**More drama to come. Are you with Trisha?**