Chapter 217 - You are just being paranoid, Srinivas.

Srinivas was driving while Shreya sat on the passenger seat munching on her breakfast that he had very diligently brought. He knew she wouldn't bother with things like food when she was alone.

"Who made this? This is delicious!" Shreya commented. The last time she had homemade food was when Charan had cooked for her… which felt like longer than a long time before.

She or her family… they did not have any talent for cooking whatsoever. And in the islands, even though they were prepared at home… since the people there were actually professional chefs… it still tasted like take-outs.

Before knowing Charan, she was so very used to take-outs and eating out that it did not bother her much… but after being with Charan and after having at least one delicious and warm meal a day, she couldn't stand the take-outs as much. He had absolutely spoilt her tongue. Now, take-outs tastes like trash no matter where she orders them from.

There was just something about a homemade meal that carries a warmth that makes even tasteless food taste good… and Charan's cooking is mindblowing in itself. So, it was no wonder Shreya got addicted to it.

"I made it… I can make it every day if you want…" Srinivas said with a smile. He gave her a side look and handed her a napkin.

She really had no elegance when it came to eating.

Shreya did not really bother about it. Anyways, when one has food in front of them, who cares about looking good.

"Zeenath is lucky…" She mumbled between bites.

"You are no less lucky, madam. I heard Charan's skill in the kitchen is outstanding…" Srinivas said smirking.

After his own sister had walked out on him completely fed up, he was forced to learn. If he can learn so much in just a few months, he could already guess how proficient Charan should be by now.

Shreya nodded her head with her mouth fully stuffed. Once she had swallowed, she agreed very obediently, "Yup… Charan's cooking is top-notch. No competition. Sorry…"

"I doubt anybody's cooking is ever going to be as good as Charan's for you…" Srinivas said smirking. After all, nobody can match Charan's position in Shreya's heart… ever.

"You are right once again…" Shreya said and gave her attention back to the food while Srinivas went back to giving his attention to driving them both to the office.

After a while, just as he was about to reach the office, his eyebrows frowned. He kept checking the rear mirror but he could not find anything odd.

"What happened?" Shreya asked checking outside the windows.

"Nothing… It's just I keep feeling as if someone is watching us… but when I check, I cannot find anybody. And this is not the first time either. I had the same feeling yesterday in the café too. I even made a round around the neighborhood but never found anything or anybody." Srinivas said frowning at his rear mirrors.

When he parked his car in the café yesterday, he had the same feeling… as if he was being watched. But after dropping off Shreya, he checked… but he couldn't find anyone. And now suddenly, he had the same feeling all over again.

Shreya rarely had someone follow her all this time. She hated bodyguards… it made her feel claustrophobic somehow. She felt creeped out to be watched over every part of your like. And when on rare occasions, when she did use them… those people she took with her, they did not have Srinivas's skillset nor alertness. Shreya was good… but she was not that good either.

So, it can be said that even if the person had been following Shreya for a long time now, he wouldn't have been discovered. Not with the level of skill he has.

Srinivas was one of the best people ever trained by the army. So, if he cannot spot the person… it meant either he was better than Srinivas or at least in par with him when it came to skills. Srinivas did not like either of the options.

Shreya checked again to see whether she could find a familiar car or a person. Somethings that she might have seen regularly around her. But she couldn't find anything like it. She had a good memory and observation skill… even if she cannot be stealthy like Srinivas, she had good eyes and a great memory. If there was the same car or person she kept seeing around her… no matter how remotely, she was sure she would have noticed. Unless of course, the person never showed up in front of her at all.

"You are just being paranoid, Srinivas." Shreya shrugged off nonchalantly and sat back on her seat.

"Either that or the person is very good. And for god's sakes, Shreya… don't go out anywhere without me… no matter how urgent a matter, call me. If I am not reachable, call one of the guys at least. You understand?" Srinivas warned before entering the office. He would love to check his suspicion now by driving around but he did not like his odds. Not with Shreya being right beside him.

But Shreya did not take his words to heart. Not because she was naïve but because she absolutely trusted and believed in Srinivas. And anyway she was not planning on going anywhere alone… not until she wraps everything up at least. So, instead of answering his question, she leaned over and pecked him on his cheek and said with a goofy smile, "Thanks for the breakfast. It was truly delicious. I might not transfer you after all." She smirked as she said the last part and winked.

"It was my pleasure, Shreya. Now go on… And don't forget to call me or Zack if you want to go out." Srinivas said pointedly smiling back at her as the car came to a standstill in front of the office building.

Shreya pouted at his nagging but she did not complain since she knew he was doing it for her own well being. She just alights the car and waved him goodbye before entering the building.

After dropping her off, Srinivas did not go to the parking but instead took a stroll around the company building but in his gut, he knew he was not being watched… at least not anymore.

Which meant that the person being followed was Shreya… And that in spite of the tinted windows and keen eyes, they knew Shreya was not in this car anymore. More than that, the person was able to avoid detection even when Srinivas was particularly in the lookout for them… which was not good. That would mean, the person is a master in evasion.

He took out his phones and called Zack.

"Hello…" Zack greeted from the other end.

"Hey, this is Srinivas. I need you to send two more guys with me to Naren's banquet this weekend…" Srinivas got straight to point. He thought he would be enough as long as Shreya was by his side without making mischief. After all, Shreya did seem to understand the importance… even if it was not for own self, she seems to take it seriously enough. He knew she wouldn't try to escape or be careless and wander off without him.

But this situation had made him hesitate. He had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to handle this guy if he were to confront him alone. Even if he could, he did not want to take that chance with Shreya. She had trusted him to protect her and he would do it…

It was better to be cautious now than to be sorry in the future.

Zack was surprised at first. But then he inquired, "What happened?"

"Nothing happened for now… At least nothing definite had happened yet, but I am not sure. I just have a gut feeling that Shreya is being followed. Just sent Vicky and Andrew with me that day… It's better to be safe than sorry… The banquet is in a big place and too many people. I wouldn't be able to cover the whole ground on my own. I would be less tense with those two around… I could use their help." Srinivas answered driving himself back to the office.

"Okay… They will be there… You be careful. If anything even remotely similar to this happens again, I need you to tell me first." Zack said.

"Sure thing. And if I can't be reached for some reason, make sure you are the one accompanying Shreya. I just don't like this feeling… This guy.. if he is real. That would mean he is really good at what he does… And I do not like our odds in that case…" Srinivas answered back.

"Okay. I will see to it…" Zack answered without hesitation.

"I am out…" Srinivas said and cut the call without waiting for a reply. He would feel more secure if it were him or Zack who was beside Shreya.