“Colloquially Silent” would be the appropriate word for the silence in the room. A major crisis stroke and led the shares of VR Technology drop significantly, just after the collaboration with Green pharma, Mr. Smith got accused of illegal trafficking and forced drug trails on humans which made a sensational NEWS all over Italy.

Alexandro Esposito, the CEO and major shareholder of VR Technology was sitting there with a rather unpredictable expressions not because of rumors that were circulating over the media rather because of his Consigliere who is peacefully eating her Biryani early in the morning because she wants it hot. The aromatic steam wafted up, a savory delight that seemed almost sacrilegious in the face of the impending doom. The board members looked on, their faces a picture of conflicting emotions - hunger, fear, and a deep-seated anxiety that seemed to claw at their very souls.

“Miss Aishwarya Ramachandra Kumaran” Alex called in a low yet demanding tone, and at this moment Aishwarya knew she fucked up with his temper more than enough. She placed down her biryani on table and took a sip of water.

“Sorry Darling, I was hungry” she teases him…

"Miss Aishwarya, if you're hungry, perhaps you could step out?" he suggested, trying to keep his tone even. Alex made a quite questioning face, his left eyebrow up and with a so done look as he continued “Are you even aware of why we are in this meeting”.

“Mr. Smith’s no more.... May his soul never rest and be tortured in hell because of things he did which we never knew, maybe if we knew we could’ve avoided the contract with him but since we didn’t know we can’t help except for dealing with the rumors” Aishwarya said with a casual look which surprised Alex even more because of how normal she is acting despite all the rumors. Her response was immediate, her voice laced with a casual nonchalance that seemed almost obscene in the face of the crisis.

As the meeting erupted into chaos, Alex and Aishwarya's disagreement boiled over. Their voices rose, each trying to outdo the other, their words laced with a venom that left the others in stunned silence.

"You're being completely unreasonable, Aishwarya!" Alex's face reddened, his eyes flashing with frustration.

Aishwarya's eyes blazed with equal intensity. "I'm not being unreasonable, I'm being practical. And if you can't see that, then maybe you're the one who's not fit to be in this meeting."

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Aishwarya's words hung in the air like a challenge, and for a moment, it seemed like Alex would take the bait. But then, with a dismissive flick of her hair, Aishwarya stood up, her chair scraping against the floor.

"I'm done with this meeting," she announced, her voice cold and detached. "I don't have time for petty squabbles."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, leaving behind a sea of shocked faces. Alex's eyes followed her, his anger simmering just below the surface. He slammed his fist on the table, making everyone jump.

"This meeting is adjourned," he growled, pushing his chair back and striding out of the room.

The parking lot was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead. Alex's car was parked in a reserved spot near the entrance, and he strode towards it, his long legs eating up the distance.

As he reached the car, he flung open the door and slid into the driver's seat. To his surprise, Aishwarya was already seated in the passenger seat, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"You're driving," she said, her voice husky with amusement.

Alex's anger still simmered just below the surface, but he couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, the tension between them dissipating with each passing moment.

As they left the building behind, Aishwarya let out a whoop of laughter, and Alex couldn't help but join in. They laughed loudly, the stress of the meeting melting away as they let their guard down.

"I'm sorry about that," Alex said, wiping tears from his eyes. "I guess I lost my cool back there."

Aishwarya grinned. "I think we both did. But it was worth it just to see the looks on their faces."

Alex chuckled. "You're a menace, you know that?"

Aishwarya's grin only grew wider. "La Familia Cartel. They made some kind of dealings with Mr.Smith. I could only hear some conversations between them through Alia."

Alex's grip on the steering wheel tightened "what kind of deal was that"

Aishwarya's eyes narrowed as she pulled out her lipstick and started applying "St.luthin church, a holy sacred place for their dirty doings, it's some deal related to drugs and AR-15s shipment, the supply dock is stocked underground."

Alex's gaze hardened as the iron gates of Serenity gardens swung open, and the engine purred as Alex steered through, Aishwarya leaned back her eyes closed, the tension of her words still humming in the air.

Alex parked near the Building D, the Air carrying their deep silence as they walked towards the lift. The elevator whirred to life, it's metal walls clossing around then. Alex pressed on the 4th floor.

1st floor. Silence.

2nd floor. Silence.

3rd floor. Silence.

The lift paused. 4th floor

A soft "ding" shattered the stillness.the doors slid open .

Aishwarya exhaled, her shoulders relaxing an inch as she walked to her right. " we're here" she murmured.

Alex's gaze shifted to her as he walked behind her. Her heels echoing as he observed her every inch.

"tick tack , tick tack" he mumbled.

Aishwarya stopped at 402 ,Alex swiped the card. The lock clicked.

The silence was broken.

Alex smirked as the door closed behind them “11 PM: Recon. 1:45 AM: Ambush. 3 AM: Cleanup. It's war. Are you in?”

Aishwarya Smiled "Did I ever stay back?we should make sure this delivers what happens when you mess around without the permission of Morte"

The apartments elegance cloaked , as silence as a strategy. Aishwarya, known in shadows as Ash, dropped her purse onto the marble counter, her eyes burning with the fire of calculation. Alexander Morte—the whispered harbinger of death—leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze a promise of finality.

The clock struck 11, and bells chimed as the doors of St. Luthin Church creaked. A man in golden, embroidered white robes stood in front of the statue praying to the almighty. Aishwarya stepped in first , her head looking down, her hands shaking hesitantly in a fit of jeans and a green T-shirt with a complete nerd look. Alex walked beside her with an annoyed look, ruffled hair.

“Why are we here?” Alex said loudly in a displeased and arrogant voice as he rolled his eyes.

“Please be q…quiet.” Aishwarya spoke with a low and mumbling tone.

Their argument echoed off the walls as the Father of the church turned back from his prayer and glanced back at them. He stepped down and walked towards them with a fake smile on his face.

“What brings you here, children? At this hour.” He spoke as he eyed Aishwarya from head to toe.

“Father….that…i…” Aishwarya stuttered

“it's ok dear if anything is troubling you, Jesus is always there,” he said as he patted Aishwarya’s shoulder.

Alex’s blood boiled, and an unknown rush of fury hit him; he clenched his wrist tightly.

"There are a lot of things troubling me these days father, I want to confess some things and ease my burdens" Aishwarya said in a low tone.

Father gestured for Aishwarya to follow him, Aishwarya quietly followed him to the confession booth. Alex quietly sat down in the first bench. He slid his hands into his pocket and pulled out a tiny camera ball and rolled it on the ground.

Alex acted like he was playing in his phone to stay out of the man's eye. The father glanced back at Alex before stepping into the booth.

The tiny ball camera rolled across the hall to find any hidden compartments leading to the basement. Alex tried finding a hook but didn't get a single clue.

IN THE CONFESSION BOO

"Father..." Aishwarya squeezed her eyes shut, forcing a couple of well-timed tears to slip down her cheeks. She sniffed, pointing towards the hall. "That is my boyfriend sitting outside. He..he forced me against my will. 😢🤧.

She paused, letting out a dramatic sigh; she said, "Even though it was good 🫣"

"Ahmm....ahmm" Father cleared his throat loudly, slightly shifting his composure.

"oh! My bad" Aishwarya instantly gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth dramatically.

 The Father took a slow, deep breath, smoothing down his golden-embroidered robes."Continue, dear"

"Yeah... well," Aishwarya sobbed, wiping her face with a hand to hide her searching eyes as she tried to buy more time for Alex.

"I got pregnant. I'm just not ready for this, Father. We're planning to get an abortion. 😭😭🤧" She let out a loud, miserable wail, burying her face in her hands with her Oscar-level acting.

                                                                         IN THE HALLWAY

Alex grumbled in annoyance as he got no trace of the compartments. He kicked the bench leg lightly and looked up.That’s when he saw it.