*******

"Hel..."

"You will go first flight tomorrow morning and plant them as I say. I have left your tickets and all other necessary papers in the mail. Get ready."

"But, it's my sister's engagement and you promised me a day out. Take Fed1, he is free tomorrow."

"Did I ask for your suggestion? I need you down and that's it. You don't want to see tears on her face and that too on her precious day."

"You bastard...once this is settled..."

"And you will be gone by then."

Click!

*****

"Hel-lo..."

"Who is this?"

"is this Inspector Jenkins..."

"Detective Inspector Jenkins speaking. Who is this?"

"I am afraid I will get caught, there is a man who is very dangerous and he is planning to plant a bomb in Sandy Street next to Alex's Arcade..."

"Hello...this better be not..."

"I am standing in the line of death..."

While Jenkins was narrating the phone call, he said that the scream was anything but blood curdling and he was shocked to hear a grown-up man cry for his life. Now we knew we were really screwed for the threat was so hard and so damn dangerous. This was not a game of love or rejection. This was much more.

"Alex... I am sure; this is not a plot on mere jealousy. Do you have any idea, why Den must be this cruel towards you?"

"I will have to talk to Jack about this, I am sure I have no idea... You are sure that this is Den on the back? If then why are you not arresting him?"

"We don't have any evidence, do we? Besides, I don't see anyone else who is rival to you at this point."

They were busy talking about law and possible threats in the future. But, I was immersed in invisible tears and sadness to know that a grown man will validate his life to such cruelty. Now, I know what background people can turn into extremities.

Stacey chirped into the room bouncing and sat next to me taking the drink from my hand.

"Want to go shopping? I have many girly things to purchase."

"Sure, where's Nat?"

"Oh, she is busy practicing. You know her."

"Kay...Alex, I am going with Stacey for shopping."

"Where is Nat?"

"She is busy practicing, and it will only take an hour."

The conversation was cut short by the piercing ring of inspector's police phone. By the look of it, he jumped up and ran to his cruiser.

"We have arrested apparently a Mr. Sam. He was in Den's gang but he plotted against Den but it backfired. The evidence matched to his liking, I am not sure. I will update you, Alex."

"Yes. Thank you, Inspector"

"Well, that was fast!"

"So, let's go?" Stacey was impatient to get out and finally, Alex agreed.

The entire ride was in silence and that was not so Stacey. As we were about to reach our destination, Stacey looked at me and said sorry for everything and she climbed out of the car. As I was about to climb out... three men came from nowhere scaring me from the living daylight. One climbed into the driving seat and two climbed to the back while Stacey got into another black car as we drove off. I was silent and shocked; sitting like a statue and by the time my senses kicked in, one of the guys from the back made me inhale something and I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

----

I got up from my sleep with a heavy head; from the look of it, I was in a plush bed with beautiful quilt and dressings. Confused and unsettled, I called for Alex.

"Oh how sweet, you are in love."

The voice boomed in being the only distraction in this white room. Den was sitting by the windows in a crisp white suit. It was unbelievable. Stacey was sitting next to him with another girl; I don't know who, on the other side.

"Stacey..."

"Oh, you didn't know that Sandra was Stacey's sister... huh!"

Great, this was so great. Nat and Alex were as per my calculation, naïve and trustworthy. They just trust and feel hurt and I... well, more or less, I was also like that until, dammit. I can't believe the twist of happenings.

I thought long and hard about it, and Den just kept on sipping from his silver flask.

At long last, I had an idea lighting up my whole brain and I believe it might work; anyway, I have to try. Otherwise, this will get out of hand. A nagging feeling made me believe that I can only save Alex from this man!

OK, Den want's to play a game? Then, let's play a game.

"Den... I have been waiting to see you." I said with a sigh of relief.

"That's a change." He said disbelievingly.

"Yes, in fact, I was trying to plot a chance to be alone so that I can come and see you." the amount of confusion in Stacey's face was really alarming and I dearly wanted to laugh at her. 

I still remember the day when the mysterious man gave me several pictures of Nat and Alex as a couple and the closeness between them made me cry because of the unfairness of it all. I wanted to run away, so badly to my apartment and cry my life out; but I never was a person who played on the spot. So, I managed to mail the photos to Fabian and cross check the photos. 

Confirming my doubt, the pictures were photoshopped. They were altered and morphed into Alex and Nat. The clarity of the picture really astounded me but hey, the technology could really surprise everyone.

I never called to that number at the back of one of the image, but I knew Stacey was up to something. The way she snooped on me, watched my moves, noted what my pattern was... and pretty much everything made me realize she was the traitor. I would have called myself a fool if I had told about this to Alex. But, I was close...so close to telling him when I heard a phone conversation. I was sure it was Stacey's voice and it said; she was ready to take me and she wanted to know the time and place.

I was very much excited when she came the other day saying she needs to go shopping. It was really hard for me to keep still from excitement. And now, looking at them; I couldn't help but keep them surprised.

"Oh Den, you don't know how much I was meaning to meet you. I really wanted to call you, but I never got the chance since Alex was always by my side like a leech." My insides twisted and it hurt to say something like that.  

He gestured both of the ladies to get out of the room. He malignantly unbuttoned his shirt and came to me. I gulped down in fear. 

This turn of events was not expected by me.

"I am not a monster."

Phew!!! Breathe... breathe... "I know that."

"But, you really shake me, Girl, you know."

"I... I don't want to..." I staggered.

"Oh, you won't, but I can... only when we settle something."

Den switched on a TV which I never saw was there in the first place; in fact, I never observed the room. It was completely painted in white with a white bed with quilts and dressings in a beautiful white with dressing cupboard and dresser painted in white. On the wall next to the balcony was this TV which was again in white. I wondered what this was about. Everything in white

"Den, why is this room white?" I braved to ask him.

"Shut up."

From the intensity of his voice, I knew it was better to keep quiet than provoke him. He switched on the TV and made me see everything live. Yes, Stacey that b*** has planted secret camera to monitor every move in our home.

"Oh don't frown, this was only planted recently."

"Stacey did that? Are you this desperate?"

"Shut up...shut up..."

"What is this Den? You don't want me to think that you are a monster do you?" I have to play calm and composed as much as possible.

"But, you already think I am a monster, so, no point playing nice."

"Who told you I think you are a monster?"

I looked at him a little too softly which was a very bad move. On one go, he was on my lips, in fact, crashed onto my lips and he tasted cigarette and alcohol which was so different from Alex. My eyes pricked with tears and I chanted continuously I love you, Alex.

A knock on the door saved me and in came Stacey with a sly smile which was immediately knocked out to frown. "You kissed him?"

"That is none of your business Bitch, why did you interrupt the meeting?"

"Sam played along and they published the news. He is officially the man behind the Music hullabaloo."

"What about the evidence?"

"He won't get caught unless they have real evidence silly. They fell for it." Stacey rolled her eyes at him.

"Out"

She rolled her eyes once again and went away while Den got up to lock the door. He hastily unbuttoned his jeans and I panicked, racking my mind for some good excuse.

"I am on my periods." I blurted out before I can even think what I was saying. His face was of disgust and then to an amused grin. I was mentally debating what he will say to that.

"Damn girl... you make me so hard."

I nervously chuckled as a reply and he sat next to me caressing my cheeks and moving further down to the fleshy part of my chest. I didn't understand the feeling but I definitely did not hate it. Was I cheating Alex? I was about to cry when he kissed me again and I responded with such eagerness that he made me lay on the bed and ravish through my body. I was so immersed in the feeling that I saw Alex looking at me with wounded eyes and that was enough for me to snap out of it.

"What?"

"Sorry..." I had to do something that the girls always said they felt when they were on their time of their month. Feeling high on emotions; taking that as my cue, I wailed angrily and then sadly while I lay on Den's chest and slapped him repeatedly.

"You definitely on period"

To that, I laughed very much making him feel amused and mentally I was happier that my plan worked. Sure, Alex will feel hurt but when he knows my intention...he will laugh with me. I'm sure. yet, somewhere in my mind, I knew this was so stupid and I wondered if I was right in my choices.

"Now are you sober enough for story time?"

I am definitely sober to lust out every detail from him. Too bad, I couldn't make him kneel down in front of me with his confession.