Toxic ~ Even if we can't be together in the end - Chapter 23 Up ! - Page 2

I love this Zoya and Adi... nice chapter

hii!! loved the update...😳

Awesome Start😊

Good start

Amazing start

Zo and Adi know each other???
Can't wait to find out...

Awesome update...
Loved it...

Do cont soon

How do Adi and Zoya know each other? What's the background story?

Great story
Would love to hear what's next
Thanks

The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.

Note: The flashbacks are in blue font.

Finally, Aditya's name was called. He strolled like a lazy panther to the podium, all grace and confidence. He cleared his throat and placed a stack of files on the podium. His movements were cold and methodical as he set the projector and arranged the files.

"Commissioners, I'm Aditya Hooda, and I represent the local population of Aloha"

What are all those papers for?

Are we having a surprise quiz?

"What's so funny?" Arjun passed me a note having noticed my sly smile. Arjun had already warned me that any whispering could be construed as disturbance since we were seated in the front row.

"Self-entertainment. So many files?"

"Dunno. You nailed it"

"As always"

"Cocky much!"

I turned back to the podium and noticed Aditya handing over a file to each Commissioner.

What was that?

Whatever. We were sealing the deal today. One way or another. Aditya might be able to get a monetary settlement from the Group if he really persisted. But, the hotel and golf course were surely coming to town. I just wanted this to be over. And soon. My flight to Delhi departed the day after tomorrow. Maybe we could go out for a nice dinner if he is not too pissed off from losing. I had even selected the right outfit. It would be a bummer if he declined. Sigh ! Aloha had been nice but home sweet home called.

He grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dance floor.

"What are you doing?" I panicked and tried to stop him. Unsuccessfully.

This dinner date was spiraling out of control. One moment we were having dinner and decent conversation and the next moment we were standing on the dance floor.

"Trust me, Zoya" He turned to face me and put his arms around my waist. His face was so close to mine. So near, I could see the brown speckles in his eyes.

"I am a guy. I know how we think. No guy wants to see his girl with someone else. Just go with me on this"

I didn't respond. I just raised my arms around his neck and he pulled me close-chest to chest, stomach to stomach, thigh to thigh. The music swirled around us and I felt buzzed. I should glance up to see if he was watching us. I should but I don't. I am too mesmerized by the onyx orbs looking at me.

He leaned in and brushed his nose against mine. My eyes closed and I inch even closer to him.

It's the alcohol. Definitely the alcohol.

He pressed his lips against mine softly. It's tender at first. Slow. Agonizing. I bite his lip gently. That's when he loses it. I open my mouth and he slid his tongue in slowly. Then harder, firmer, more intense like the downhill swoop of a rollercoaster.

Our lips separate and I force myself to look up, catching a frustrated glare.

"It worked" He whispered.

"What worked ?"

"Damn!" Arjun's curse brought me out of my dreamland. "I don't believe this" he said in utter disbelief.

Focus! I had to focus. I had already missed Aditya's starting argument. I turned my attention to the podium and to the source of my attention deficiency. Ironic, isn't it ?

Aditya clicked to switch over to the next slide on the projector and the ground slipped away. God. I felt as if I had grabbed a live wire and had the hell knocked out of me.

I was staring at the first draft of my design. Complete with scribbled side notes.

"This is the first draft of the design pitched by Wave Designs to Aztec Group"

Click.

"This is the second draft"

Click

"The third one"

Click.

"This is the final one which Miss Siddiqui showed earlier"

Betrayal sliced through my soul and anger simmered in my eyes.

From where did he get hold of my drafts?

Had I even bought them to Aloha?

Weren't they stashed somewhere in my office in Delhi?

Had he accessed my laptop?

My email?

"Kushsundar Lake is proposed to be used as a water hazard which will limit its access to the locals. Can you imagine Aloha without Kushsundar lake? Can we throw away our identity just for the sake of tourism?" he asked the public. He was good. I had to give him that. Several people had started whispering.

"The lake is as important to Aloha District as it is to the farmers" he hammered on.

"Besides the lake, the farmers have serious concerns with this developer."

"What do you mean, Mr. Hooda?" Commissioner Manohar was flipping through the file.

"I mean that the Aztec Group is known for pitching one design and then building another once a permit has been granted. Commissioners, you can find the complete details in the file" He punched in a couple of keys on the laptop next to him and a golf course design came up on the projector.

"This design shows a golf course with one-storey homes set every acre apart and was approved in Michigrun three years ago."

Click.

"This is the golf course actually developed." The golf course had eight-storey residential apartments lining the sides. The design clearly violated the approved projections. Aditya showed three more examples, all with the same result. The approved design was modified significantly during the actual development.

"All of these were developed by the Aztec Group" A muted gasp arose from the crowd. Then, Aditya turned to me.

And the brutality started ...

"Miss Siddiqui your design is beautiful and sustainable." He turned and fixed his eyes on me."Though it uses the lake as a water hazard, I am sure we can come to an agreement regarding that. Aztec is loaded, that's something" I wanted to punch that smirk off his face.

"I am a small time lawyer. I don't understand your architectural details. Can you clear up my doubt?" he gave me a placating smile.

Small time lawyer. My ass!

Yeah sure. I didn't get the memo for Supreme Court lawyers being small time. When did that happen?

"Yes, certainly. Ask away" I answered politely.

"Now, Miss Siddiqui, would your design work if eight-storey apartments replaced your one-storey homes?" he fired.

He was hard and cold. Determined. A slow anger started to build between my shoulder blades. How could I be so damned stupid? Stupid, stupid, stupid ! I knew better than to believe his charming facade, but let me spend sometime with Aditya Hooda and I was all but ready to swoon over happily-ever-after fairytale bullshit.

The ruthlessly logical part of my brain ordered me to pull myself together and deal with the situation - calmly and confidently. Sometimes the best answer is no answer. Or,so I thought. I waited him out.

"Miss Siddiqui?"

His tone was so casual, like the question was totally innocuous. Damn him. How dare he put me on the spot like this? Every muscle tightened in my body, my eyes shooting sparks at him. I felt betrayed but did I have the right to feel betrayed? I took a deep breath of air, fighting for control, fighting to think. I had to do something, say something.

"My design includes homes every two acres" I answered vaguely.

"I understand that." His voice gentled. "But that didn't answer my question. I asked you whether or not your design would work with eight-storey apartments."

The whole place was silent like a tomb, all eyes pinned on me and waiting for my assurance.I was silent for a moment as my brain struggled to form a coherent thought. His look told me he'd wait all night.

"No. My design would not work with apartments"

"Why not?"

The bas***d. He was going to get me fired.

We could play the dancing game all night, skirting around the issue endlessly until one of us gave up. But, the truth was the truth and I decided to take my chances.

"The setbacks would be off. The golf course is designed to complement the lake, which would be blocked by the apartments." Strength infused my voice as I met his challenge.

"Did you know?" His voice lowered even more. We could've been the only two people in the entire room.

"Know what?"

"Did you know that Aztec usually altered designs?" he asked point blank.

Kunal jumped to his feet. "We've had enough of this slander. I can assure you, Mr. Hooda, you can expect a lawsuit from us."

About time!

Aditya's eyes didn't leave my face as he retorted "Truth is an absolute defense to slander. In other words, bring it on."

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Chapter 4: It's a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver