99 Orchids (1/2)

Their gaze landed on Nico who was clueless amidst the crowd of people crossing and moving on the busy street at the office peak hour.

They wanted to make sure she was safe but she had assigned tasks to be behind each military man so they followed her orders while Nico dialed his men to ask where Aarvi was, ”Where did she go?”

Since they were in public, Nico's men didn't address as they used to, ”Sir, she just disappeared in a blink of an eye.”

Another man on the line also responded, ”She didn't cross the road either or enter the building.”

Another man who was very close to Nico's spot also added, ”She was right in front of me, a few passed between us and she disappeared.”

Nico could hear the disbelief in their tone to the extent they were already thinking of supernatural power. Nico had yet to respond when he heard flicking of the fingers next to his ear and voice in the earpiece, ”Sir, she is right behind you.”

Nico's cold indifference still didn't change. He was positive that she didn't know and if she knew, he was sure she can't do anything to him.

He turned around to see her sipping coffee with a very calm vibe, her formal jacket was on her forearm, her ponytail was now freed cascading long hair down to her waist with added messy style to it. She looked totally off style from the look she had two minutes back.

Aarvi wore her sunglasses back due to sun rays falling on her face and asked, ”Did I perhaps catch the eye of Captain Nick aka Captain Tuner?” Yeah, she got the full report on the Burton family and Nico early in the morning from her Apple Pie.

Not one, but whoever heard her over the call, froze and started looking at each other. Nico's fist clenched tight then unclenched, and it repeated several times. If captain Nick is used in the military mission, 'Tuner' was used in the secret mission in or outside the country. Getting that nickname is similar to having the other sensitive information in hand.

He almost asked, 'How do you know?' But assumed Aaron might have told her.

Aarvi saw his wonder and irritation replacing it with a mock which she didn't care about. She looked around and pointed at three men at a pretty good distance and one who was standing as though he was waiting for a traffic signal to turn green for pedestrians. ”White t-shirt... Olive green jacket... Black leather jacket, Cream blazer, and you, acting soldier.” Then her eyes landed on Nico's face.

Then the earpiece reached the ground and died under her sole of the heel into junk. Nico watched her every action as she fluidly carried out one after the other accurately. Without leaving the coffee cup from her left hand, she pulled the tissue wrapped around it to rub her finger on it, then she laid it on the earpiece junk and grabbed it under tissue before walking to the bin a few steps and dropped it.

Nico almost felt like he was watching a silent movie whereas his head was exploding inside and the surrounding vehicles were bombarding with bustling people. He realized she was no ordinary lady and wasn't a girl to get scared by him or his family background or power.

Aarvi stood in front of Nico and saw four men standing in a line in an attention position right behind Nico. The latter was inarticulate seeing them, he really wanted to ask, 'Who the freaking hell is your captain?' He didn't expect them to hear her orders.

They cared to listen to her orders because Nico was standing helplessly against a lady and she knew sensitive information.

Aarvi spoke again with her serene look but her tone was firm, ”Cut to the chase, Nico Burton, you really can't afford if you offend me.”

Nico's consecutive losses in his life against the same woman yet he failed to fathom her. He had many questions but he didn't ask, he wouldn't let his ego hurt because of a mere woman.

”You knew Dax Grant is trained in kickboxing.”

Aarvi shrugged taking a sip from her hot coffee thinking Aaron would kill her if he gets to know she was drinking coffee again. She was advised to take less caffeine that wasn't good for her heart. She was the least bit worried about the men in front of her.

'Vance is also trained in kickboxing.' Nico wanted to hear that line from her but she stood as if she didn't know anything. Of course, each scene in the fitness club happened right in front of him and he realized Elliot, Blake and Talon were the ones who spoke for Vance while all Dax did was look down on Vance.

”If you already had different projects for two companies, why did you let them fight?” He tried another way.

Aarvi innocently responded, ”I was bored.”