The manager of the restaurant reached Aarvi and bowed to her, “Ms.Evans, Shawn sir, and President Rivas are dining for the celebration tonight. You..”

Aarvi cut in, “I know, Lauren. Inform them to start dinner, I will be late.” She took steps towards the exit but paused and instructed, “Arrange on the terrace and use the best wine case. Make sure to double-check everything is clean and tidy. Lights should be warmer than bright.”

“Sure Ms.Evans.”

Lauren saw Aarvi leave and caught a breath before she could faint from suffocation. Seeing Aarvi’s aloof face was just too scary. She couldn’t say when she is happy and when she is disappointed.

Four hours later,

Lauren received a call. She felt her soul leaving her body seeing the contact name. ‘God, please have mercy on me today.’

Her hands trembled to answer the call but sounded professional as if she wasn’t frightened a second back, “Hello, President Rivas!”

Aaron’s voice was icy cold devoid of any earthly emotions, “All the dishes must be on a low salt diet, no unhealthy fats, use fat-free dairy products if needed, Don’t use refrigerated vegetables or fruits, avoid strongly flavored dishes, the seafood will be delivered shortly. I don’t want to repeat anything later, Am I clear?”

It wasn’t the first time Aaron was instructing so Lauren knew all that. She also knew it is because of Aarvi. She responded immediately, “Crystal clear President Rivas. Ms.Evans instructed us to arrange on the terrace and she informed me to drop a message that she will be late for dinner, not to wait for her.”

There was a strange silence for a few seconds before Aaron let out a low grunt and hung up the call. She breathed a sigh of relief and was about to rest, a tall, handsome man entered in trendy clothes looking dashing.

Lauren’s face brimmed with hope, “Shawn sir, I might faint today.”

A tiny cheeky smile appeared on his face as he removed his sunglasses. His facial features were almost similar to Aaron but his face was slightly small giving off the feminine and friendly appearance that attracts a lot of women.

His voice sounded deep yet outgoing and friendly, “Let me guess… Bro called you.”

Lauren nodded her head vigorously.

Shawn continued, “Aarvi called?”

The manager shook her head and pitifully said, “She was right here… She used to be so lively unlike…”

Shawn’s tone turned cold and wiped off the playful expression on his face, “Lauren!”

Shawn entered the restaurant while Lauren hit her forehead for taking up Aarvi’s past topic. She guided a few customers to the table and went to placate Shawn.

—

At Rivas Industries.

After Aaron hung up the call, he instructed his secretary, “Secretary Wen, reschedule my evening meeting.”

Secretary Wen who had gone to deliver the news that the seafood he had asked to order reached the Highlands stood there and heard the conversation. Secretary Wen could practically recite every word in his sleep whatever Aaron said.

When Aarvi was recovering, Aaron would bring her to the office for change in surroundings. That time the whole office employees were restricted from smoking in the office. Smokers zone was eliminated too. Similarly, many changes were done by Aaron silently for Aarvi who hardly spoke to anyone other than humming.

He could easily say the importance of Aarvi for Aaron but he and every one are quite confused with their relationship.

Doctor and patient? Why will the doctor look after the patient who was found almost dead?

Friends? Aarvi and Aaron never really spoke more than ten words at a time to be friends.

Lovers? Seeing their cold faces while together, that never crosses the mind.

What are they for each other? Many had that same question.

Secretary Wen promptly reacted to Aaron, “Yes President.” How much ever the client is important, when it’s about Aarvi, everything is declined. Only another thing he would postpone meetings for the emergency operation of sensitive patients’ cases.

“President Rivas, Doctor Fisher confirmed her presence at the dinner.”

Aaron cued his secretary to leave and continued to work till dusk. He drove to one of the designer shops where Aarvi’s clothes are designed most of the time.

Rifling through the collection designed for Aarvi, he picked a simple minimalistic black evening gown. He was sure she would look elegant in that. “Sandals?”

The store manager directed him towards another corner, “President Rivas, this way, please.”

Aaron stood in front of the hidden closet opening which had only black different types of heels. It was a collection of black specially made for Aarvi buying from major brands. The store manager suggested pointing pumps, “This suits the dress with the design pattern and works on it. It is just like President Evans likes.”

Aaron nodded in satisfaction, “Pack.”

—

Aarvi’s private office

Aarvi was drowned in her work when a girl in her early twenties peeked inside Aarvi’s office, “Sis… Sis, Doctor handsome came. Are you coming out?”

Aarvi frowned without understanding why Aaron was there. She rose from her chair and went out with the girl entering the Florist shop.

A florist shop in the center of the city is owned by Aarvi where her private office was set up secretly. She wasn’t serious about the flower business there as it was opened for her office but unbelievably the business was too good due to white collars buying them for themselves or partners and all the nearest restaurants and offices had daily orders.

Her location was too private even Dax doesn’t know it and he never asked her thinking he shouldn’t spill it to anyone. Her Apple pie, Aaron, Shawn, Master Rivas knows it. The florist shopkeeper Tia has no idea about Aarvi’s identity.

Aarvi saw Aaron carrying two bags. She immediately recognized he was there to take her to celebration knowing she will purposefully reach after dinner time.

No greetings by both and Aarvi heard, “I will help you with work if it’s loaded.”

Aarvi didn’t want to socialize with anyone where Aaron’s fellow doctors would be present, “I don’t think a lab rat needs to attend the celebration for passing the experiment.”

While treating Aarvi, Aaron had worked on her case deeply for her treatment and submitted his complete thesis. He is formally an associate professor in the medical field, a step closer to his main goal to be a professor. His paper was published in International medical journals so the celebration was arranged by Shawn.

Aaron’s clutch on the bags tightened, his face darkened looking at Aarvi who avoided his gaze looking away comparing herself to a lab rat.

Tia crossed her both hands fingers praying that they shouldn’t start the word war in the shop.