MK lay sprawled on her couch, phone in hand, replaying Jesse's words over and over.
"Shriya doesn't do the dirty work," Jesse had said, eyes wide with the thrill of gossip. "She plans it. Every last detail. The woman could destroy a person's life without ever touching them."
MK shivered at the thought. "How can someone be that cruel?"
"She's not cruel," Jesse corrected. "She's… efficient. Remember that celebrity who was exposed last year and jumped off his balcony? That was her plan too. Calculated. Surgical."
MK had laughed it off then, but now, scrolling through photos online, her stomach dropped.
There was no mistake — the girl she'd laughed with on the rooftop, the one who'd called her cute, was that Shriya.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Shriya was pacing her living room, frowning at her phone.
"Damn it. I didn't get her number." She tossed the phone onto the couch.
From across the room, Leah snorted. "You've been sulking for days. It's not like you haven't done worse things, Shriya. You literally took her—"
"Shut. Up." Shriya's glare was enough to freeze her mid-sentence. "Don't ever mention that again."
Peach raised her hands in surrender. "We're just saying… she's the first person to mess with your head."
"I'm going to the gym," Shriya muttered, grabbing her keys. "Handle the job yourselves."
They didn't argue. Everyone knew better than to get in her way when she was angry — or distracted.
---
At the gym, the rhythmic thud of fists against the punching bag filled the air. Shriya's blows came fast, furious, unrelenting. Sweat clung to her skin.
"Easy there, killer," a voice said behind her.
"Leave me alone unless you want to be the next bag I punch—" She stopped mid-sentence, recognizing the voice. "Wait… you're the friend."
Jesse blinked, unsure whether to run or smile. "Uh, yeah. Jesse. Hi?"
Shriya dropped her hands. "Good. Then you can give me her number."
Jesse's jaw fell. "MK's number? Why?"
Shriya didn't answer — she just raised an eyebrow.
"Right," Jesse muttered, handing it over. "She's going to kill me for this."
Shriya's smirk softened into something dangerously close to a smile. "Thanks."
"Yeah, sure," Jesse mumbled. "Apologies in advance to my future ghost."
---
A moment later , MK's phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, cutie."
MK sat upright, heart pounding. "Who is this?"
"Ouch," came the teasing reply. "You forgot me already?"
"Sorry, who—"
"Shriya," the voice purred. "Miss me?"
MK froze. "I—what—how did you get my number?"
"Your friend gave it to me," Shriya said casually. "Said you've been losing sleep thinking about me."
"What?!" MK's voice cracked.
"So… dinner?" Shriya asked, clearly amused.
"I'm busy," MK said quickly, hanging up.
She immediately dialed Jesse. "WHERE. ARE. YOU."
"At the gym," Jesse replied, too calmly.
"Stay there," MK said through clenched teeth. "I'm coming."
---
Ten minutes later, MK stormed into the gym.
"JESSE!" she yelled.
Jesse, startled mid-rep, lost her balance. The weights slipped — and would've crushed her if not for a strong pair of hands catching them just in time.
MK froze. So did Jesse.
The hands belonged to Shriya.
"Easy," Shriya said calmly, setting the weights down.
Jesse looked between them, pale as paper. MK's face went blank, that practiced composure barely holding.
"You gave her my number," MK said slowly, pointing at Jesse — then at Shriya.
Jesse opened her mouth to explain, but no sound came out. Shriya's grin was pure mischief.
"Fancy seeing you here, MK," she said.
"I'm here to pick up this idiot," MK said, glaring at Jesse. Her tone was cold; her ears, however, burned red.
Jesse mumbled a quick, "Sorry," and vanished faster than smoke.
"Coward," MK muttered.
"Harsh," Shriya teased, walking over. "I just wanted to talk."
MK folded her arms. "Fine. Talk."
They sat on the bench. The silence stretched.
"So," MK began stiffly, "what exactly do you do for a living?"
Shriya hesitated, then said, "I'm a businesswoman."
MK raised an eyebrow. "Right. And I'm the Queen of England." She stood up to leave.
"Wait—" Shriya caught her wrist. "I wasn't lying. I own the club where we met. It's just… easier to say I'm in business than explain what kind."
MK stared at her for a long moment. "You could've just said that."
"I wanted to impress you," Shriya admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips.
MK's thoughts spun. Impress me? Why would she even want— no, don't go there, MK.
"Sorry," MK said quickly, looking away. "I overreacted."
Shriya's expression softened. "You didn't. I get it. No one wants to be seen talking to someone like me."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
MK sighed, then sat back down beside her. "Okay… maybe I do want to talk."
Their eyes met. The air thickened.
Shriya's gaze lingered — first on MK's eyes, then on her lips. Soft, she thought. Still remember how they taste.
"MK!"
The moment shattered. Jesse's voice echoed from across the gym.
Shriya exhaled sharply, glaring toward the noise. I should've let that weight fall on her.
MK jumped up, relief flooding her face. "Thank you, Jesse," she said, patting her friend's shoulder as she approached.
Jesse blinked. "Wait… for what?"
"For saving me," MK whispered. "From myself."