Am I missing something?......

11:30am Next day

The fan stayed closed it is lightly moving due to the wind from the window. A strong golden light is coming out of the window. A white curtain with green leaves printed on it is half closed. A figure is sleeping cuddling in a heavy blanket She moved to the other side and cuddled the blanket tighter. Her eyes opened she got up throwing the blanket off. ‘What time is it? I am feeling hungry.’ She thought while walking to the washroom. The phone rang when she came out with a small hand towel. It was James, she clicked the answer button and put it in speaker mode. “ Hey how is everything?” She sat in front of the table where the phone was kept. “ I have been calling you for a while were you busy?” The voice sounded a little pissed. James can be a little impatient. Alya looked at the phone there were 4 missed calls, “ Sorry I overslept this morning.” James, “ You did not go to work today? Is everything alright?” Alya got up from the chair and walked to the kitchen her stomach is growling for food, “ No I took a leave of absence today. It was feeling exhausted.” James went silent for a bit then he asked again, “ I understand, I will be in your area today can you meet me for dinner?” Alya checked in the fridge to search what to eat for brunch, “ Sure where do you want to meet up?” James, “ I will text you the detail of the place. Do not be late.” Alya giggled James is strict when it comes to punctuality, “ Alright big brother do not worry I will not be late.” She hung up the phone. ‘ At least dinner plan is set.’ She looked at the fridge again So what should I eat for brunch?’ she took a cold cut meat slices and a packet of instant noodles from the cupboard. ‘ I wonder what James want to talk about?’ She quickly finished her bowl of noodles. ‘ Maybe we are just going to meet up.’ The tea pot boiled on the stove she went to pick it up, but a new thought stopped her in her tracks. ‘Hey, no way James never does anything casual like that with me. Something must be wrong or worrying what should I do? Should I call him back ?” she picked up the phone to call but stopped herself there. ‘ What if he gets annoyed and cancel the meet up. I really want a fancy dinner.’ “Ahhhh this curiosity is killing me. What will I do ?” she held her head with both her hands and looked up the ceiling. “Maybe it is nothing that serious. I am just overthinking.” Her mood shifted to a calm state. “ I will just watch some movie.”

7:50pm

Alya dragged herself off the couch and wore a long dress to meet James. The taxi stopped at the destination. She walked out and took the stairs to the hotel. ‘ Last time he stayed in my place now in this hotel. I cannot figure out what he is thinking it is confusing.’ The surrounding was cold but as soon as she entered the building it became warm. She relaxed a bit and walked to the reception area and gave her name. ‘ Wow this is fancy. I would rather go for the café it is overwhelming.’ The followed the manager to a secluded area. She looked around no one is waiting for her. ‘ I thought I was late but what is it with the isolated arrangement?’ she looked around to check if there is any suspicious movement. Her body shook a bit. She quickly took out her phone and called James. She started thinking what to do. She is not comfortable being in an unknown area after the past experience. Suddenly the familiar ringtone played, she looked up to see two men approach her. James and someone mid aged who looked familiar, but the identity is not clicking in her head. He is wearing an expensive light brown coat. She relaxed looking at James and quickly stood up to greet them. James introduced the person, “ This is Mr. Orson Tuffin. Sir this is my sister.” Alya starred shocked at the introduction, ‘ Did he say Orson Tuffin no wonder he seemed familiar. Twirls owner what is he doing here?’ she quickly composed herself in the next moment and introduced herself. “ I am Sarah Greenfield pleasure to meet you Sir.” Mr. Orson, “ Can we avoid the formal greetings and settle please I am getting really hungry.” He seemed like a cheerful person. ‘ But he is from the rival company.’ Alya felt uncomfortable on what to do or say. James ordered the food, “ I hope it is to your liking Sir.” Mr. Orson chuckled, “ You take care of me so well James.” Alya felt confused at the exchange, ‘ What is going on here?’ “ Ah… um .. that is….” She could not find words to speak, she took the glass beside her and pretended to drink. ‘I was better off at home.’ Mr. Orson, “You must be wondering what we are doing here.” Alya was taken back at his words, “ Sorry it is a bit hard for me to understand.” The continuous display of smile on his face is making her confused. She looked at James silently pleading for help. ‘Why is there no such thing as sibling psychic connection?’ she thought. James, “ You are having some trouble in your office. The recent one was a close call right?” Alya, “ What how did you know of this?” ‘How does this guy get information’s?’ James dismissed her words, “ I have my ways. But it is time we take some action.” Alya sat up straight. ‘ I must be missing something here.’ She gave a serious look at him, “ Brother please come clean about what is happening. I am already in the dark on one side. I do not like it.” James, “There is a possibility of something worse to happen in the company and you might get involved in it. I want you out of there.” Alya got confused more her body felt cold and she shook for a bit. Taking a deep breath, she put her thoughts in line, “ Hold on please explain to me one at a time. Something worse is going to happen. How do you know about this and what will happen?” Mr. Orson, “I think we need to explain to her from the first. You got involved in some of the scandals in your company right? Do you know why you got involved in it?” Alya, “ I was just in the wrong place in the wrong time. Besides it had nothing to do with me.” James, “ Exactly the reason why you should leave. The next one might not be easy to get out from.” Alya, “ There is going to be more? I thought it was just some rival thingy and we did catch the guilty one.” James took out his phone and gave it to her. The screen made her eyes grow big there it was her work. She clicked on it more to access to the other papers. Tom’s data sheet was displayed there. She took deep breath to calm down “ How?..” Mr. Orson, “ My son was getting mail from your location this was the latest document and there were negotiations of business deals for the future. We declined it but we were not the only receiver.” Alya, “ Sir if I may ask. This was a good opportunity why did you decline it?” Mr. Orson chuckled, “ Oh that it is no fun to compete without real competition. Mr. Heimlich is fun to compete with.” Alya looked at him with a questioned look. “ And you do not know who it is?” James, “We have some ideas but …” He turned down the eager inquisitive look of his sister shaking his head to a no. “ It is not alright to reveal anything right now. Father is worried that this time you might be in a worse trouble.” Alya bite her lower lip, “ Father knows too aaahh haaaa I am dead.” She sighed. “But this is serious if a nobody like me can be in danger there are others who can get in worse situation.” The food arrived. It was one of the rare occasion where she had no appetite. “ Shouldn’t we warn Brian about this first about this?” James, “ If we approach as a rival company will you believe us?” Alya nodded, “ You are right I might not even believe you. I will even think you are trying to sabotage me.” James, “It is best you leave first. This time you might become a scapegoat again.” She looked at her brother, “ I understand brother. But it is also true that I was just there at the wrong time. But now that I know about this. I cannot leave my friends there.” She was determined to catch the person trying to harm her friends. “ I was thinking that there was someone stronger behind all the situations.” Mr. Orson, “ Well it looks like I owe you the wining money from the bet James.” Alya blinked her eyes looking from her brother to Mr. Orson, “ Am I missing something again here ?”