Page 75 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Don’t speak like that about her! What do you even mean by trouble? You know her better than anyone else does. You know how pure her intentions have always been!’
‘Ally, you know I only speak out of concern. What did she tell you about this boss of hers?’
‘Nothing much, to be honest. She was hyperventilating and ranting about Rodrigo when only in passing she mentioned how she didn’t want her boss to find out about her history with Rod. She wouldn’t have said so if she didn’t care for this guy, don’t you think?’
Alice contemplates if she should share with Bhaskar that he is engaged and that Timira seems to be upset about it, but decides against it. For the time being, at least.
‘Maybe it’s just a work thing. She doesn’t want to drag her personal life into her workplace. Argh, what a clusterfuck. If only I hadn’t pushed her to move …’
‘She specifically mentioned her boss …’
‘Don’t, Alice. For heaven’s sake, don’t read into it. And, don’t overthink it!’
‘Babe, your friend Ryan. Can you find out from him what this boss is like? He knows him, right? He’s his client, right?’
‘Reham kar, meri ma!Do NOT get into this. At least wait until Timira has told you more or sought your help!’
‘Just ask Ryan, will you? He knows her boss, right?’
‘Of course he does! He even said the other day that Timira’s boss was in Bali at the same time as we were. Who knows, maybe we were at the same hotel, too!’
‘Wait, what? When did this happen? When did Ryan tell you this? Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because it wasn’t important. He mentioned it only in passing when we spoke of Timira and—’
‘Ryan called you in Bali. Why didn’t he tell you then thatthis guywas in Bali, too?’
‘Er, maybe because he didn’t know? Maybe he found out only later? Maybe because one doesn’t randomly talk about strangers … what are you trying to get at, Ally?’
Bhaskar is by now starting to sound frustrated with Alice’s seemingly endless questioning.
‘Tell me in detail what Ryan and you discussed about Tim!’
‘Alice, will you, please, tell me what this is about?’
‘I will. But first answer my question!’
Bhaskar relents.
‘I thanked him for hooking Tim up with the project. He said he spoke to one of the guys at her office who mentioned that she was the company CEO’s first and only choice for the job. And that he almost immediately gave his nod when her résumé reached him. That’s all. See, just boring details. There was no reason for me to share just pedantic details with you.’
Alice looks like she’s zoned out and Bhaskar hopes this is the end of Alice’s interrogation. But she isn’t done yet.
‘Did he mention anything about this guy … this CEO … already knowing Timira? Or about Timira? Before she joined, I mean. Obviously.’
‘Is Tim a celebrity that people should know her? Ally, what is going on?’
Memories flash across Alice’s mind. She recalls the murmurs she had heard among the nurses at the hospital in Bali—aboutthe man who had brought Timira to the hospital—the same man who had asked the hospital authorities to not reveal his identity. The same guy who had signed all hospital documents as ‘Sky’. Memories of the time at the hospital when a car whizzed past them and a guy looking out of the window longingly at Timira come flooding back.
She shares her suspicions with Bhaskar.
‘Alice in dramaland, this isn’t a K-drama. This isn’t one of your million mystery novels either. Stop reading into it! I mean, this makes no sense at all!’
‘But don’t you get it? Whoever took her to the hospital, Timira must’ve spent that evening earlier with him. Maybe it’s the same guy who turned out to be her boss, the CEO. That’s why he must’ve hired her so easily …’
‘Ally, no. I’m sure he hired her because of that ridiculously solid résumé of hers.’
‘Of course. Argh. You know I don’t mean it like that. I mean, he must’ve known it’s her. And he must also like her. Tim mentioned she’s worried how her boss would react if he found out about Rod, remember?’
