Jess surely, took her time and was adamant to not leave out even a single detail about Emily. She told Akari everything, Emily's favourite show, drink, colour, actor, Emily's dynamics with her family members, distant cousins and all. The warmth of the afternoon was already succumbing to a chilly evening, Akari was patiently listening to Jess until she mentioned the name of "Black Gate security". Apparently, Emily's father and brother were working in this firm and her father holds a very prominent position in the company. Akari's mind immediately started fetching all the details about Black Gate security, this firm was the largest security firm in the entire country, it has powerful connections with the ruling party and is the most trusted brand in the security field. The firm has slowly consolidated its power to a point that it might be comparable to the country's paramilitary force and due to the nexus between the Black Gate security commanding chain and politicians the firm often assists local law enforcement across the country. Akari's chain of thought was interrupted by Jess's phone which was vibrating and showing Mom calling. Jess quickly disconnected the call and texted a message to her mom that " I am on my way home, in a subway will call after reaching station".

While Jess was texting her mother, Akari glanced at her phone and found a message from Rachel saying " where are you? met me at our usual place at 6". A sigh escaped from Akari's lips as this time she has to met Rachel.

Jess looked up from her phone and said: " I have to go home now, tell me your number so that we can meet up again and discuss further". They exchanged number and parted ways. Akari watched Jess left and walked towards the subway and found her hands automatically clutching on to her crimson red yellow scarf. When Jess vanished from her sight her headed to her bar to meet with Rachel.

By the time Akari managed to reach the bar Rachel was already waiting for her having her Manhattan on rocks. Akari silently sat in front of her and let their eyes met. Both pair of eyes were observing the person across and trying to catch the drift which the evening holds. Rachel was Akari's ex-girlfriend or more of a friend with benefits because their relationship was very ambiguous. Akari and Rachel started seeing each other immediately after when Nicole cheated on Akari and when Akari was a mess. Akari found refuge in Rachel and Rachel finally got close to Akari, which she hoped for since her college days. Rachel, Akari and Nicole went to the same college and  Akari was Rachel's crush since then. Rachel did not get the chance to hook up with Akari in college, but now the situation is different and Akari is different.

Akari and Rachel still haven't said a word to each other, the silence was disrupted by the waiter who brought Akari's drink and placed it on the table. Akari decided to break the ice and greeted Rachel with " Hi"

Rachel pouted and said," where have you been? I have been calling you since the day before yesterday."

Akari avoided meeting eyes with her and muttered that " I have been busy, got a new case".

Rachel's anger was on the rise and her tone reflected the same when she said: "I know you are avoiding me after I told you I am getting engaged to  James, you know I can't avoid his proposal this time. I cannot come out to my family and society and my father will certainly banish me from my inheritance if I did that".

Akari sat silently and drank her drink, she gestured to the waiter to bring her another one, then she looked straight into Rachel's eyes and said in a very indifferent tone" look I know, it's your decision and I am not stopping you to marry him or anyone. But you got to realise that we cannot continue seeing each other after this, I am not going to partake in adultery. Leave me out of this".

A tear rolled out from Rachel's eye, Akari sat there without showing any expression on her face and straight-up drank her second drink as soon as the waiter put it on the table. Then she got up and left.