Devika tried to relax and focus on her pasta.
Her gaze went towards Vikram.
He wasn't eating.
Just watching.
He looked like he was trying to forget she existed but failing miserably.
His fist was clenched.
He would look anywhere else. The window, the floor, the waiter but inevitably his eyes returned to her.
Ishaan noticed.
His lips tightened.
The man who ignored Devika for the first weeks of this project.
Now couldn't even move his gaze away.
And ishaan hated it.
Rajat leans closer again."you must get overwhelmed" he said, calm voice."being surrounded by people older than you. Expecting so much."
Devika said, calm voice."I manage."
"I don't doubt it." He smiled." But if you ever need help--"
"I am here." Ishaan said instantly.
Rajat looked at him with amusement."you?."
"Yes." Ishaan said back." She doesn't need strangers holding her hand."
Rajat's smile sharpened." We are not strangers anymore. We are partners on this project."
"You met her today." Ishaan countered.
"Sometimes" Rajat replied smoothly, "one day is enough."
The table went silent again.
Arshi kicked Ishaan under table.
Karan whispered."bro chill."
Ishaan didn't even blinked.
"Enough" Vikram said, serious voice.
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was final.
Everyone in cafe went silent.
One word.
Three men straightened.
Devika looked at him, unsure if he was angry. Or simply tired of the circus.
Vikram wasn't looking at Rajat anymore.
He was looking at Ishaan.
"Focus on your food" Vikram said.
Not an insult.
Not a scolding.
A command.
Ishaan stiffened. Hands fisted. And noded.
Ishaan respected Vikram.
He could not fight him.
But he was controlling himself.
Rajat sat back, victorious in his own mind.
He thought this was over.
But it wasn't.
Because when Vikram turned his head towards Devika.
Everything in him soften little.
But only for few seconds.
Enough for Rajat to see the difference.
He didn't talk to her.
He didn't touch her.
But his eyes said.
I am not letting anyone take you away from me.
Rajat eyes widen. A new realization hit him.
He finally understood why Rishi called Vikram.
Because this wasn't normal interest. This wasn't even workplace care.
This is something older. Something dangerous.
A man who did rather bleed than he admit that he cared, for her, for Devika.
Devika didn't know any of that.
She only knew she suddenly could not breath.
She gulped hard.
Devika, cold voice" can everyone please just eat?"
They all looked at her.
Then their plates.
Then starts eating.
The real hunt had started now.
And no one there, planned to lose.
Then later,
Waiter arrived with the bill folder, and karan reached for it." I will split with Ishaan--"
Before anyone could react, vikram's hand moved. And black card slid into the tray. "Put it on this."
Everyone froze.
"Sir?." The waiter asked, eyes widen.
Vikram barely looked up."yes, all of it."
Rajat laughed softly," you didn't have to--"
"I know" Vikram cut him off." I wanted to."
Not a boast.
Not a flex.
A statement.
Devika stared at Vikram, " we could've--"
"No" Vikram said.
Just one word, quiet but abolute.
Ishaan muttered under his breath, " he always act like he owns everything."
Rishi heard it, smirks " he does."
The waiter went from there.
Rajat leans again towards Devika, elbows resting near her plate."you are lucky. My business dinners are never this generous."
"Your business dinners are also mostly at bars," Devika tease.
He smirks" And here i thought you were shy."
"I am not--" Devika said
"She is." Ishaan said, " she pretends she is bold but she gets nervous instantly.
Devika shoved his shoulder," I do not."
"You do." Vikram said, sipping water.
Devika blinked.
The table again get silent.
Rajat straightened and eyebrows raised." You noticed that?".
Vikram looks at Rajat, "its my job to notice my team."
He could have said that gently. But he didn't. He said it like a warning.
Everyone stood, gathering their things.
Rajat automatically walked to Devika's side and picked her opened notebook. "You forgot this."
He held it out her with his both hands, smiling.
"Thanks", she said. Reaching for it.
Rajat didn't let go immediately. Just one heartbeat too long.
Her went to rajat face, confused.
That was enough.
A shadow slid between them, tall, dark and controlled.
Vikram took the notebook with two fingers."she didn't forget. It was beside her."
Rajat step backs slowly, "relax, man. I am just helping."
"I am not your man" Vikram replied, cold voice and eyes darken," And she doesn't need help."
Ishaan smirked like someone had just cracked his favourite soda can.
"You are jealous" Rajat said, and smirks.
Rishi coughed.
Ishaan fist clenched.
Arshi put hand on her mouth.
Karan too shock to say something.
But Devika.
She froze.
Because, she didn't know if Rajat was wrong.
Vikram didn't react at first. He simply stared at Rajat. His head tilted slighly like a predator considering if prey was worth the energy.
Vikram said," I don't get jealous" cold voice.
Rishi's raise eyebrows. A lie, so clearly spoke it sounded like pure truth. But it was not.
Ishaan said" right"
Devika gulped hard," let's just go--"
She stepped away, clutching her notebook. Trying to escape the tension, Ishaan followed her immediately, hands in pockets like her unofficial bodyguard.
Rajat also went behind them. Vikram watched the three walk towards the exit.
Vikram did blink.
Outside cafe.
Devika stood outside, scrolling her phone to book cab.
Rajat leans beside her, " you know, if you are free later--"
Before the sentence get finished, Ishaan stepped forward, blocking him."she is busy"
"She can speak for herself" Rajat said, calmly.
Devika inhale sharply," i didn't even say--"
"Thats because they speak over you" cold voice added.
All of three turned.
Vikram and rishi stood few feet away, hands in pocket. Looking like they owns entire street. Behind them Karan and Arshi was standing.
Rajat smiles softly," You followed us?."
"No" Vikram answered," I just walked outside"
Devika tucked hair behind her ear, avoiding eye contact with all three men." Seriously, let's just leave."
Rajat moved closer," I will drop you, my driver--"
"I will drop her" Ishaan interrupted instantly."she came with our team car."
"No one asked you" Rajat said, eyes narrowing.
"No one asked you" Ishaan said back.
"Enough" Vikram said, extremly cold.
He didn't shout.
He didn't really need to.
Vikram took one step closer to Rajat. Cold voice" you are making her uncomfortable. Stay in your limit."
Rajat laughed" Limit? She is not your property, Vikram."
"She is my employee" vikram said, looking into Rajat.