Rishi was already acting like a crisis manger. Because he had done this before. Countless time. But not for girl. Not for someone Vikram looked at like she mattered.
Arshi kneeled beside Devika and grabbed her both hands." It will calm down. People forget fast, okay? News moves on, tomorrow they will find a new scandal."
Devika shook her head," No..internet never forgets anything popluar."
Silence....
Everyone know she was right.
Karan already looked lost somewhere. He rubbed his face, trying to erase panic."should we.." he gulped hard," call HR? PR? Management?"
Ishaan glared at him."what will they do? We are interns, idiots, nobodies to media. And Devika is the one, they are eating her alive." His voice filled with anger and trembles little. But Ishaan would even bleed for her if he could. He coudn't handle media.
Vikram, still quiet. Scrolling on his phone taking looks at posts with terrifying stillness.
Rishi kept working, cursing in low voice, calling some digital contacts, forcing to take news down.
One by one, posts disappeared. But ten more grew in their place.
Then.
Vikram's phone rings.
He answered.
No hesitation.
"Dad."
Every muscle in his back turned tensed. Everyone fell silent. They didn't know what was worse, his anger, or his father's.
Vikram's father voice came through the speaker." Bring her home."
Vikram expression change,"Now?" He looks at Devika," meida is everywhere."
"I don't care" his father said. There was no anger, just authority. "I saw the pictures." He said." She is terrified."
Devika lifted her head and looks at Vikram.
His father sounded gentle. Not the cold corporate leader they imagined. Not a powerful man demanding damage control. A father concerned for a girl.
"Do not let her sit there and shake." His father continued." She is young. This will scar her if we don't act quickly."
Devika close her eyes. Her heartbeating fast because she get nervous.
His father didn't even know her. Yet, he speak like she was family.
Vikram's grip get tightened on his phone." She doesn't want to be dragged further into this."
"That is why you will bring her here." His father replied." With me, not in front of the press."
Vikram Sighs, he knows what his father can do.
"You think hiding is protection? It is not. Bring her where no one dares to talk about her or touch her."
Silence..
Devika stared at floor, unable to process.
Vikram said,"people are already twisting narratives. Her name, her reputation."
"Exactly" his father cut in between sentence." And we will fix it before it gets worse."
"Tell her she is safe. Tell her it will be handled. Tell her she does not have to fight alone." His father said.
Devika blinked hard as tears burned behind her eye lashes. Nobody had ever said that to her. Nobody had ever fought for her future except herself. She didn't know how to accept this situation.
"Do not let her cry. Do not let her panic. Bring her here. Tonight." His father said.
Rishi looks up from his phone. He understood everything.
Ishaan stared at Devika like she was glass about to crack.
Karan, usually loud, chewing his nail.
Arshi hugged Devika's shoulders tighter.
Vikram glance at Devika, said" what do i tell her?" He asked his father.
"Tell her eveything i said, and everything will be fine soon." His father said.
Devika gulped hard,"what..what did he say?."
Vikram looked at her. Not as an intern, not as a scandal.
But as someone fragile, also on the edge of breaking. He didn't step closer. He didn't reach for her. He simply spoke." My father said, you are coming home with me."
The room went silent.
Ishaan stood up,"what?!"
Karan mouth wide opene." Home also yours?!"
Arshi stiffened." Devika, maybe don't-wait-think-"
Rishi leaned against the wall, he wasn't surprised. He expected this.
Devika stared at Vikram, heart beating fast." Why? I don't--"
Vikram interrupted gently." Because if you step outside like this, they will tear you apart. And i won't let that happen."
His voice was calm. And that calmness was more terrifying than anger.
Ishaan stepped forward, " She doesn't need your protection"
Vikram didn't look at him. He only looking at Devika." She doesn't need to," firm voice " she already has it."
Words landed with weight of promise.
Rishi's phone starts buzzing again. Rapidly.
He scanned screen." More pages posted. I can suppress, but we are running out of time."
Vikram noded once.
Decision made.
He extended his hand towards Devika.
Not demanding.
Not dragging.
But offering.
"Come" Vikram said, calmly.
Her hand starts to tremble.
She whispers slowly," i am scared."
He takes one step closer." I know."
His eyes darken slighly.
"And that's why you are coming with me."
Vikram mind was filled with so many thoughts. Why his father said to bring her. What he is thinking right now. He knows something big is going to happen.