As they walked down the hotel corridor, Deval turned to Advik, his brow furrowed with concern. "What's your plan, Advik? Leo won't back down easily."
Advik paused, taking a deep breath before speaking. "We need to call her."
Deval's eyes widened in shock, understanding immediately who Advik meant. "Her? Are you serious, Advik? Her identity has vanished from this world. You were the one who helped her disappear. Why would you bring her back into this mess?"
Advik's expression hardened, a faint, calculating smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Every person has their weakness, Deval. And in Leo's life, it's her. She's the only one who can help us defeat him. We have to protect my family and everyone around us, no matter the cost."
Deval shook his head, still reeling from the revelation. "But you know what bringing her back could mean. The risks involved..."
"I know," Advik interrupted, his voice steady and determined. "But Leo's crossed a line. He needs to be stopped, and she's our best chance. I'll do whatever it takes to keep my family safe. Even if it means reaching out to her."
Deval sighed, his mind racing with the implications of Advik's plan. He knew Advik was right; Leo's obsession with her was a vulnerability they could exploit. But it also meant digging up a past that had been carefully buried.
"Alright," Deval conceded, his tone heavy with resignation. "But this has to be handled delicately. We can't afford any mistakes."
Advik nodded, his eyes reflecting the weight of the decision they were about to make. "I understand. We'll proceed carefully. But we need to act quickly before Leo makes his next move."
As they continued down the corridor, the gravity of the situation settled over them like a dark cloud. They were about to awaken a force from the past, a force that could either save them or bring everything crashing down. But for Advik, the choice was clear. To protect his loved ones, he would risk it all, even if it meant facing the ghosts of yesterday.
Together, they exited the hotel, the path ahead uncertain and fraught with danger. Yet, in the face of adversity, Advik's resolve remained unshaken. He would confront Leo head-on, with the hope that their secret weapon would tip the scales in their favor. The game had truly begun, and Advik was prepared to see it through to the end.
Settling into the plush leather seats of the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, Advik felt the weight of his decision pressing down on him. The car's opulent interior was a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside him. Deval, sensing his friend's unease, handed over the phone with a concerned look.
"Do you still have her number?" Deval asked, his voice low, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile moment.
Advik nodded, taking the phone. "It's her old number. I just need to check my luck."
He hesitated, the phone feeling heavy in his hand. The thought of involving her again brought a pang of guilt and uncertainty. Yet, the faces of his loved ones, the danger they were in, flashed before his eyes. He had to do this. He had promised himself that he would save her, no matter the cost, even if it meant dragging her back into a world she had escaped.
Taking a deep breath, Advik dialed the number. The ringing seemed to stretch on forever, each second a test of his resolve. His mind raced with memories and possibilities, wondering if she would even answer, if the number was still active.
Finally, the ringing stopped, replaced by a familiar voice, slightly surprised but unmistakably hers. "Hello?"
Advik's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't prepared for what to say, how to explain after all this time. Gathering his courage, he spoke, his voice steady but filled with an underlying emotion.
"It's me, Advik. I know it's been a long time, but I need your help. It's urgent."
There was a pause, a moment of silence that felt like an eternity. He could almost hear her thoughts, weighing the sudden intrusion against the life she had built in his absence.
"Advik, what's going on?" she finally responded, her tone a mix of curiosity and caution.
Advik glanced at Deval, who watched him intently, sharing in the gravity of the moment. "I'll explain everything, but it has to be in person. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Please, meet me."
Another pause, then a reluctant sigh. "Alright. Tell me when and where."
As Advik gave her the details, relief and trepidation washed over him. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger, but he had taken the first step. He ended the call, turning to Deval, who was watching him with a mix of worry and support.
"She's agreed to meet," Advik said, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Now we just have to make sure this plan works."
Deval nodded, the tension easing slightly. "We will. Together, we'll see this through."
As the car glided smoothly through the city streets, Advik's thoughts turned to the confrontation ahead. He had set things in motion, and there was no turning back. For the sake of his family and friends, he would face whatever came next with determination and courage, even if it meant delving into the shadows of the past.