Chapter 17- Afsah's new rival

It was then that she knew that there was much more between them than what she had assumed.

…

After mother Devi showed the three around the mansion, Archie decided to call her father to let him know that she had reached.

"Hey dad, where are you?"

"Hey… I'm at the office. Did you reach San Diego?"

"Oh yeah, we reached last night."

"How do you like the place?"

"It's amazing. I'm glad mother Devi is here to help us. I already love her."

"Mother who?..."

"Mother Devi? The woman who stays here?"

"What do you mean?... I don't recollect putting anyone in charge."

"Uh… Father…"

"I need to tell you something, but don't ask me anything more."

"Okay… What is it?"

"Mother Devi is the name I gave to Aafira to hide the fact that she was muslim."

"…"

"Architha?"

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Send me a photo of this woman you are talking about."

"Okay. But I doubt there is any issue. You probably just forgot about leaving her here; But why does she go by this name?"

"That's what I'm unsure about… I have to go now, I am a little busy. Take care and be cautious."

"Bye."

It was as if every minute of her life piled her over with questions over questions; it killed her… but none of them could be answered. At least not yet.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, still deep in thought about what really was happening around her, she saw the door to her room open, and in came Augustin. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, styling his hair to a spike.

"And where are you off to?" Archie asked, her eyebrows raising.

"I should be asking why you're not ready…"

"What? To go where?"

"I thought we had an interview at Victorie Lawyers'"

…

"Oh… Today itself?"

"Yep. The sooner the better. Afsah already arranged an appointment."

"Oh... Afsah...? Now get out; I'm going to get changed."

~

Archie had a hard time deciding what to wear since she didn't know what would be appropriate. She wanted to leave a good impression although finally, she decided on just a simple churidhar top with white leggings. She braided her long hair and ornamented herself with golden earrings and a necklace to match. If there was one thing she was proud of, it was her culture and she never felt the need to hide it in front of anyone, not missing the large black bindi for her forehead.

After checking herself in front of the large golden framed mirror near her bed, she wore her favourite sandalwood scent and quickly made her way downstairs, thinking that Augustin would have been impatient.

As she was hurrying down, she noticed Augustin and Afsah standing on either sides of the rails to greet her, along with mother Devi who put her hands together, welcoming her.

At seeing her so genuinely happy and smiling, she couldn't help but ignore what her father had said on the phone before. She fastened up a little before hugging her ever so tightly, inhaling the smell of rose scent. Archie reached to mother Devi's feet and took her blessings before following Afsah and Augustin back to the jeep which was parked outside.

As she sat behind them two, fiddling nervously with her hands, she started to wonder why Afsah hadn't left yet. Didn't he have work? Why was he- Then she remembered the portrait. He belonged to this mansion nearly as much as she did. He knew her and it wasn't completely fruitless of him to stay here with them both.

They travelled for so long just to exit the snowy sand although it was much more pleasant than the night before, as the sun shone brightly at the glimmering ice, reflecting on their path like a bed of diamonds. During the ride, although Archie remained silent, Afsah and Augustin discussed her interest in legal studies and how important this was for her. At every point Augustin mentioned Archie, Afsah would glance at her from the rare view mirror, so much to a point where both of them were almost uncomfortable.

"Although we are basically strangers, Afsah, I feel as though you're my brother. I really wonder why you are still here with us, helping without complaint." Augustin chuckled as he threw his bait to see if he could get anything out of him in regards to his relation to the Krishna's.

"I mean, how could I abandon the daughter of the US's most well- known business man and his assistant in the middle of Denver? Raj would have been disappointed to know that I hadn't helped." Afsah smirked, looking back up at the mirror to meet Archie's startled expression.

"Haha, yeah…" Augustin quickly responds to avoid an awkwardness.

"Did you contact your father after reaching the mansion?" Afsah questioned, a look of concern taking over his smirk.

"Oh, yeah I did."

"Hmm.. I mean; you haven't told him about me have you?"

"No, not yet. He'd kill me for living with a stranger." She giggled nervously.

"Stranger.." He murmured to himself

~

Finally reaching the city, the three were relieved to be around live, breathing, people, as back at Hadraniel's land, the area was isolated and almost in the middle of nowhere.

Afsah parked the jeep in the parking lot of a large, glass, high class building which stood unique amongst the others. If she was accepted at this law firm, it sure would be prestigious. The three made their way into the building, looking around in awe at the fancy, black and white, modern themed setting of the interior. As they finally got a glimpse of very corner enough to satisfy their eye's need, Afsah took initiative and walked up to the counter, followed by Augustin and Archie.

Even at first glance, it was quite obvious that the lady behind the counter was quite irritated by their arrival. She let out a quiet groan, subtle but evident enough for the three to notice.

"And… what may I do for you today?" She muttered, almost as though she didn't want them to notice her words.

Before answering, Afsah remained a painful silence before slowly look down at her name tag which said , 'Jenna.'

"Listen Jenna, we have an appointment for an interview here at victorie lawyers, and it would be great if you could just simply show us to a staff member here, willing to do your job for you."

Archie gulped.

Dumbfounded and stuttering, Jenna fiddles around with the piece of paper in front of her, as if she was looking for something, only to be saved by a staff who had overheard the conversation.

"Hi, excuse me." Said a voice from behind, allowing the three to turn around and face her.

It was an average looking girl, in her early twenties with dark complexion and long, stiff, braided hair which reached just below her elbow. She was wearing a classic pencil skirt with a frilled green shirt laced with black. Her eyes were glistening underneath her thick, black eyeliner and short eyelashes.

"My name is Za'Niyah, but you can call me Niyah." She said, honey trickling down from her words as she held out her hand to Afsah

They shook hands, for what felt like a second before Afsah moved away and brought Archie in front the two.

"This is Archith-"

"I am Architha and I had an interview today as a lawyer, here at Victorie"

"How interesting! I'm sorry about Jenna; she seems like she needs a break today." She said glancing and gritting her teeth at a very regretful Jenna. "Have a seat here and I'll let you know the next step in just a moment."

"Thank you."

The three took a seat at a circular table near a large window. The inside of the firm almost looked like an airport, shining at the very reflection of the swept floor. Plants hung down from the ceiling in small golden pots, attached by a black metallic chain, almost but not exactly reaching the sill of the windows.

"Thank you, Afsah and Augustin for coming with me here. I feel a lot more confident about this interview."

"Our pleasure", Augustin says grinning while Afsah remained quiet and deep in thought.

It was still unclear to Archie as to why Afsah was with her at that very moment but more than that, she starting to feel safer, and better. Almost as if she didn't even want a response for it.

A few minutes pass and Za'Niyah returns to the table.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for this long, but follow me inside, the manager is waiting" she said, smiling gleefully at all three of them.

"The manager?" Archie asked

"Oh yes, Christopher Torie. He was free today and thought he would interview you himself for a change." Za'Niyah replied, already walking away.

After speed walking for a minute or so, they walked up a flight of very tiring, large stairs. And another. Archie was about to give up when Za'Niyah shot a glance backwards, where Archie couldn't do anything but to smile through the pain. But after just another 2 minutes of walking (again) they reached a large black door with a sliver knob and on it hung a sign which read, 'Chirstopher Torie.'

Archie's heart beat faster as Za'Niyah knocked on the door. She had never had an interview before in her life, and she was more pessimistic today than usual, thinking of how she would mess this up. But before she could overthink enough to run outside the building, the door opened, and Za'Niyah left, showing a thumbs up and whispering "Good luck" as she walked backwards.

In front of them was a large man, nearly taller than Asfash. He had wet, dark, messy hair which dripped water to his forhead. He was wearing a white shirt with a maroon tie, matched with black, shiny, polished office shoes. The first three buttons of his shirt were opened, revealing the top of what seemed like a large, extremely detailed tattoo of an animal and a golden chain which shone against his neck. His shirt held tightly onto his skin, showing his very *drool* figure. Finally reaching his face, he had green, glassy eyes and dimples just like Afsah's. My point is that he was handsome. Very. Handsome. Nearly as much as Afsah. But not quite there.