[Author note - And the new month of privilege begins. The prices of privilege chapters have been SLICED. Yes, you read it right. 22 advanced chapters are ready for you to binge read. So what are you waiting for? Go privilege!!!]

It was 4:30 pm in the evening. Raymond had changed into his suit and he looked absolutely dapper in it. He adjusted his tie and then checked his watch again.

'When is David gonna get it?', he mumbled and once again checked his hair.

Getting restless, he called up David.

"Hello, Raymond!"

"Hello, David. Where are you? When will you get me the ring?"

"Erm... Raymond, I was just about to call you. There is a slight glitch in the plan."

"What glitch?", asked Raymond. He didn't like the sound of it.

"The thing is, there is some issue with the jewelry. The ring can be ready by tomorrow. So shall we shift the plan to tomorrow?"

"What are you talking about David? It was all planned for today. Oh crap! I feel like my destiny doesn't have anything written with convenience," said Raymond with a dampened tone.

"Don't say like that Raymond. I will fix everything for tomorrow. It would be exactly the same. Just wait for one day more, That's all," said David apologetically, not because he didn't have the ring, but because he was lying about it.

"What should I do then? What about the plan for today's evening? My sister is already sitting at home with wine and whatnot. What about the piano artist? Will he reschedule?" asked a worried Raymond.

"Leave all that on me Raymond. Do one thing, go out with Akira, and enjoy the day," said David, taking a deep breath.

"If only !" said Raymond and then disconnected the call.

With a heavy heart, he called up Akira.

"Hey there!"

"Hi there. Are you done with the meetings?"

"Yup and I am ready with the dress that you had sent for me. By the way, is that dinner going to be this fancy? Are a lot of people coming?" asked Akira knowingly acting all ignorant.

"Well, I guess a few important people an maybe her colleagues," said Raymond and went down to start the car and then said, -"Will pick you up in ten minutes ok?"

"Ok!" said Akira and giggled in her head. She had a pretty sky blue lace dress planned for today evening which she had chosen for herself and very cleverly she made Raymond think that it was he who had chosen it.

Then looking at herself in the mirror, she winged her eyeliner a bit and then smiled,

"You are so trapped Raymond!"

Holding onto her purse, she came down and stood in front of the office, and within a minute Raymond arrived.

His car slowed down as he saw the ravishing version of her from distance.

"Christ she looks beautiful today!" mumbled Raymond.

As he stopped the car next to her, he pulled the window shields down. crossing his arms on the open window on his side, he rested his chin on it and said,

"Are you planning to kill me today or what?"

Akira bent down to his level and with her faces inches away from his, she said,

"Well, that's the plan for today. Are you interested?"

"I am interested if you let me touch you!" said Raymond unabashedly as his eyes lingered on her and a smile etched on his lips, knowing that she will blush the moment she hears it.

And true to his assumptions, she did blush. Turning all hot and scarlet she ruffled his hair and said,

"Forst let's focus on buying the gift," said Akira and then got in the car. But before she got in, she opened her purse to check it one more time if the contents were in place.

Raymond took a deep breath and said,

"Well, no need to buy anything for Kate now. I have ordered a keyboard for her online. Should be delivered in a day or two."

"I see, so we are going directly to Katherine's place now?" asked Akira and when Raymond nodded, she quickly texted.

"Will be there in 20-25 mins" - Akira

And immediately, as if Katherine was waiting for a signal, she sent a reply back.

"It's all ready." - Katherine

"Who are texting?", asked Raymond before starting the car.

"Texted Katherine to check if she needed anything for the party," said Akira and then put her phone back into her purse.

Throughout the drive, Akira just couldn't keep calm. She was nervous about the arrangements. She wanted everything to be perfect to the T and tried hard to take deep breaths to put a leash on her excitement level.

"All ok with you?" asked Raymond as he saw her taking deep breaths. "Should I warm the car a bit? You look awfully pale and cold suddenly."

"No no... there is no need. Just a tad bit tired. The meeting stretched for more than three hours today," said Akira and touched her cheeks.

"Allow me," said Raymond and softly brushed her cheeks with the back of his palm.

"Mmmm.... focus on the road please," said Akira and held his hand and interlocked her fingers around his.

"Well my stick needs my hand a bit!", said Raymond with a mischievous smile. Akira wanted to retort back, but by then they had already reached Katherine's place.

"Looks like we have arrived early. There are no guests yet," said Raymond and parked the car outside and quickly went towards the other side to open the door for Akira.

With a bright smile on her face, Akira held his arm and then started walking towards the main entrance. As they reached there, Raymond rang the doorbell but even after a couple of minutes there was no response.

"Where have they gone?" muttered Raymond.

"Hey looks like there is a note here," said Akira and picked up a sticky note attached to the doormat which read - 'Hey guys, we have gone out to buy some groceries. You can unlock the door and get inside.'

"How are we supposed to get in without knowing the key combination? Let me call...", but before he could complete his sentence, he saw Akira punching the door passcode.

Then turning back, she looked at Raymond and asked,

"Would you like to come in with me?"