"Okay!"
"Bye!" I bade, hanging up the call.
I placed the phone aside and returned to work on my laptop.
…But from the back of my mind— Should I tell David about Elena? That she's going to India too?
No—no! I mustn't. She isn't going there as a businesswoman, but as a shadow of Black Vane. Then I definitely shouldn't.
Yes, I know I'm doing this to push the organisation into a hole… but Monsieur Oak is a part of that very organisation.
That's why—I can't.
Let's not tell him anything.
I just hope David didn't overhear anything from our earlier conversation, though we were careful, speaking in low tones.
At the Lonhi Hotel…
"Welcome, sir and ma'am!" The doorman greeted as we entered.
As always, David and I walked with some distance between us.
We headed directly to the lounge. "Please have a seat here, sir. I'll handle the check-in," I said politely.
He nodded and settled in, busying himself with his tablet, while I walked to the receptionist. After completing the check-in, I returned to the lounge and said, "Everything's set. We'll be escorted shortly."
He nodded again, and I sat on the armchair beside his seat.
Suddenly, a woman approached—dressed in a sleek purple suit, a black woolen dress underneath, and dark sunglasses. She stood in front of me and addressed David directly, "Excuse me, sir. Our Madam wishes to meet you."
David raised his head, slightly confused. "Pardon me? Who?"
"Madam Elena Berge."
I shifted my gaze past the woman—and there she was.
Sitting elegantly on the settee, calmly sipping a cup of tea.
David followed my line of sight. "That woman in the blue dress?"
"Yes, sir," the woman confirmed with a nod.
I exclaimed in disbelief, "Madam Elena?!"
"Yes," she responded, coolly.
David and I exchanged astonished glances—our expressions quickly hardening into restrained anger.
I subtly signalled to him—I had no idea about this.
Thoughts swirled through my mind—Thomas had said she would spy on us like a shadow, not act as a public businesswoman. Maybe… maybe he had the wrong information?
David and I stood there, tension crackling between us.
Then, composed but alert, we both slowly walked toward Elena. She stood as we approached and extended her hand toward David.
"Hello, Mr. Charlotte. Long time no see!"
"Yeah," he replied tersely. "Lately, I've been busy with work."
She then turned to me, offering her hand with a faint smile. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Secretary."
"Uhmm… Nice to meet you too, Madam Berge. But I am Ms. Caroline Garnier," I corrected politely, pretending it was our first introduction.
We all took our seats in a triangle formation. A maid served us each a cup of tea.
Crimson finally broke the silence. "So, Mr. Charlotte… what made you decide to come to India?"
—PFFT! Tea splashed from David's mouth.
I glanced at him, wide-eyed. The maid immediately stepped forward to dab his clothes with a handkerchief.
"What happened? Are you alright?" Elena asked.
"Yeah," David muttered, regaining composure.
I remained silent, watching him cautiously.
"But," Elena continued, "was there something in my question that startled you?"
"Haha, no. Nothing at all," David replied with a smirk. "Actually, I came to India to take in some fresh air… away from the company."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? I suppose France doesn't offer fresh air anymore?"
He leaned forward slightly, his voice edged with sarcasm. "Is that so? I had no idea. Next time, I'll make sure to enjoy France instead. But for now, I'll enjoy what's here. Thanks for the suggestion."
In the back of my mind — Hahahaha!
And then—suddenly—David moved in closer and gently raised her chin.
A quiet warning.
"Next time… don't show your smartness."
My thoughts were: Whoa.
No matter who he was with, David and his partners always made an intimidating pair…
Well—except for Nari Park.
He walked back to his seat, and I followed just behind him.
But Elena's voice stopped us. "The Roman Catholic Church."
We paused. I considered walking on, but seeing David stop—I stayed too.
I turned back. "Excuse me, Madam Berge, do you want to speak more with sir?"
"No," she said calmly. "I just want you both to accompany me to the Roman Catholic Church tomorrow morning—for mass. Will you?"
She smiled warmly.
I turned to David. "Sir?"
He nodded, and I turned back with hesitation. "Yes. Thank you for your beautiful invitation."
Just then, a hotel staff member arrived. "Your rooms are ready, sir and ma'am. Please allow me to escort you."
We were led to our individual rooms. They were spacious and elegant.
I closed the windows and drew the curtains. As I removed my stockings, a sense of relief washed over me—so much that I couldn't help but smile in contentment.
Removing the rest of my clothes, I stepped into the bathtub, soaking in the pleasant warmth.
The water lulled me into sleep—finally, after everything that had happened.
Some time later…
My eyes opened slowly to a strange but persistent sound. A knock…
Then again, louder. It was loud and frantic.
Still drowsy, I threw on a towel and rushed to the door, flinging it open—
Only to be met with the tall silhouette of David.
I froze.
So did he.
Our eyes met—and we both blushed.
I slammed the door shut in a panic.
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my god!" I whispered, pacing. "What?! How?! How could I be so careless? Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
I leaned against the door, sliding down to the floor in disbelief.
"What do I do now, God?"
Outside the door…
David stood still, silent. Eyes wide.
"What… just happened?" he murmured.
His thoughts replayed:
Black wet hair, bunned neatly… the shine of her collarbone… those familiar yellow eyes… glossy lips…
He couldn't stop thinking about her.
He walked away—still lost in that moment.
Later at lunch…
I debated whether to check if he'd had lunch.
But after the towel incident—I wasn't sure how to face him.
But he blushed! That man—who used to do the most shameless things without a second thought—he blushed? Is he really David? Or his twin? …Let it go! But still, maybe I should ask…
I slowly approached his room, only to be stopped by his bodyguard.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly.
"I just wanted to know if sir had his lunch."
"Yes. He had. You can go now."
What the fuck! I shouted mentally.
I turned to leave, but couldn't resist.
"What's he doing now?"
"He's resting. He'll meet you tomorrow morning. Anything else?"
"No, thanks. And remember your position, Mr. Bodyguard."
I walked off, annoyed by his tone.
He stared after me with cold indifference.
The Next Morning…
Outside the hotel…
"Thank you for joining me, Mr. David and Ms. Garnier," Elena said as we shook hands.
We walked to our car, while she headed to hers. The drive was silent—David stared out his window, and I, mine.
Neither of us had yet spoken about the true purpose of our visit.
He looked unusually drowsy when we met that morning. Eventually, we arrived.
"This is it!" I exclaimed, taking in the grandeur of the structure.
"Yes," he said. "This is the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours."
(It's actually located in Thrissur, Kerala — but in our novel, it's near Delhi.)
"How beautiful!" I breathed.
"Ahem," Elena coughed gently, reminding us of her presence.
"Shall we enter?" she asked with a polite smile.
"Uh? Yes. Please," I replied.
We stepped inside.
The crowd looked distinct in their local attire—women in kurtis and salwar kameez, men in kurta-pajamas or jeans and shirts.
Younger ones looked striking in their modern styles.
The church bell rang. Everyone quietly moved to the pews and sat. We followed, sitting together.
The priest entered with a warm smile, beginning the liturgy—rituals and prayers followed smoothly.
The choir sang hymns with beautiful harmony. It felt so peaceful.
The mass ended.
"Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life," the priest said.
We responded, "Thanks be to God."
As we got up, David, seated beside Elena, remarked, "Aren't the choir hymns beautiful?"
"Yes," I agreed.
"That's why I invited you both today—for this harmony," Elena said.
"Thank you very much, Ms. Elena Berge," David said.
"You're welcome, Mr. Charlotte. But please, follow me to the priest. There's something I'd like him to share with you."
As the crowd exited, we moved forward.
She greeted the priest, who was arranging books.
"Good morning, Father."
He turned and smiled, "Good morning. Peace be with you."
"I just finished my prayer. I feel very grateful today."
"That's wonderful. May the Lord continue to bless you."
She nodded—and then shifted to her real question.
"Father, I've read that this church was originally built by a businessman. Since it's not government-owned… could the property be sold, if needed?"
The priest remained calm. "Yes. A generous businessman built this over a century ago. But he gave it for prayer—not profit. It belongs to the people—and to God."
"But it's still private, not state-owned, correct?" she pressed.
"Yes," he nodded. "But private doesn't mean for sale. Sacred grounds follow spiritual law, not commercial ones."
She smiled gently. "Understood, Father. I meant no offense. Just… exploring possibilities."
"No offense taken. But some places are eternal. Untouched by price or time."
"I understand, Father. Thank you for your kindness." She bowed.
"No problem, dear child." He resumed his work.
She turned back to us, smiling. "Hope you both understood what the Father meant, Mr. Charlotte, Ms. Garnier."
David clenched his fist slightly. His silence spoke volumes. I looked at him carefully.
As Elena walked past, I stepped forward.
"Wait."
She stopped. "Yes?"
I moved to her. "So… shall I take it that you also don't want this land, Lady Berge? Shall I?"
Silence.
Then she grinned. "What do you think?"
I stared at her—wondering what her smirk meant.
Without another word, she walked away.
David and I remained, still standing.
He stared at the priest, his expression calm but his hand clenched—just a little tighter this time.
I glanced at him again.
"What is going on, Mary?"