Chapter 6 Not That Ayra Malik

• AYRA'S POV
• "Ayra Malik," My name echoed as the door swung open.
• I rose from the small bed, stepping out of the room where I had been confined.
• "Oh Ayra, I'm deeply sorry," Melissa exclaimed upon seeing me.
• "Melissa," I uttered her name, tears welling up in my eyes.
• "Please, come and sit," she gestured, motioning towards a chair as she took a seat herself, her gaze fixed on me.
• "Ayra, I apologize for not being able to visit. You know how strict work can be. I couldn't find a moment to slip away. I truly regret it," she expressed, squeezing my hand.
• "Don't worry. I understand it was work that kept you occupied. It's alright," I reassured her.
• "As soon as I finished my night shift, I immediately started cooking. I knew you'd be famished," she explained, attempting to justify her absence.
• "It's fine, Melissa. I comprehend," I replied.
• "I've been wrongly accused. I never even encountered the person upon entering the room, he was gone," I said to her as I held her hands.
• "Don't fret, Ayra. I believe in you. I know you're not a thief. There must be a misunderstanding," she asserted, opening the container of food she had brought.
• "I'm not hungry, Melissa," I confessed, leaning against the table.
• "Please, Ayra," she insisted, locking eyes with me.
• "Alright," I relented, and she swiftly began serving the food.
• "So, what are they saying?" she asked.
• "They said I should provide the bracelet that I stole, how can I provide something I haven't seen nor stolen" I replied.
• "Don't worry, all will be fine in the end" she assured me, as she urged me to eat.
• I managed to eat only a portion of the meal when we heard the police officer announced, "Ayra Malik, your time is up."
• "But she barely touched her food," Melissa protested.
• "It's alright. I'll just return," I comforted her, placing a hand on her shoulder as I left.
• "You should go back and rest. Remember, you've just finished your night shift," I reminded her, hinting that it was okay for her to leave.
• "I'll stay here," she insisted, her resolve unwavering as I was escorted back to the detention room.
• CASPIAN'S POV
• I emerged from the car and made my way towards the main entrance. Never in my life had I set foot in a police station. I couldn't believe I was here, I mused to myself as I entered the building.
• "Good morning, Sir," the police officers greeted in unison.
• "Hello," I replied simply.
• "My name is Caspian Hawthorne, and I'm here to identify a suspect by the name of Ayra Malik," I announced, adjusting my glasses.
• "Of course, Sir. Right away," one of them acknowledged before hurrying off.
• Turning around, I casually surveyed the surroundings and caught sight of a woman staring intently at me.
• I may be quite handsome, but she didn't have to make it so obvious.
• She's not my type, appearing disheveled and lacking in elegance.
• "Sir, you're already here," The portly man from the casino exclaimed, rushing in.
• "I thought you were supposed to arrive before me, Mr........"
• "Mr. Larsson, Sir," he supplied, flashing a sly grin.
• "I apologize, Sir. I was unavoidably delayed in traffic, and besides, traveling from downtown of the State is quite challenging, as I didn't come from the Casino" he explained, his smile apologetic.
• "Sir, she's in the interrogation room, waiting," the police officer informed.
• "Very well," I acknowledged as we followed him inside.
• Let's get this over with, I thought to myself as I stepped into the room.
• "Ayra Malik," I addressed her as I approached, but the woman who turned around was entirely different from the one who claimed to be 'Ayra Malik.'
• She faced me without uttering a word, her expression visibly angry even in its blankness.
• "She's not the Ayra Malik I encountered," I stated, turning to Mr. Larsson.
• "What do you mean, Sir? This is Ayra Malik," he countered, adopting a subservient tone.
• "Well, I'm saying this woman is not the individual who identified herself as Ayra Malik," I clarified.
• "Please, release this woman at once," I instructed.
• "Listen, I..." I began to apologize, but the real Ayra strode past me as if I were an inanimate object.
• What? No one gets to treat me with such disdain.
• "I want you to arrange a meeting with all your personnel in the cleaning department tomorrow morning but...." I paused.
• "Do not disclose the purpose of the meeting or its organizer. Understood?" I commanded, placing a hand on his shoulder.
• "Cause clearly, someone at the casino impersonated her identity by claiming her name," I said.
• "Yes, Sir," he replied.
• "And ensure you adhere to my instructions, or you will lose your job along with the actual culprit," I warned as I exited the interrogation room.
• Upon leaving the station, I spotted the real Ayra Malik walking out with the lady that was staring at me from earlier.
• "She doesn't want to hear me , that's her business" I mummured as I kicked my car and drove off, passing them by the road curb.
• AYRA'S POV
• "Ayra, you haven't said a word since you returned," Melissa remarked, looking concerned, as I lay down on the bed after a rejuvenating bath.
• I can't believe the audacity of wealthy people. They think they can trample over others and then just walk back to casually say sorry.
• "And he didn't even express remorse about it, he started with ' Listen ' I mean, who will apologized starting like that?" I added.
• "Don't let it bother you," she advised, standing over me.
• "Melissa, I've never felt so humiliated in my life. You should have seen how I was handcuffed yesterday, under the scrutiny of so many people. It's humiliating," I confessed, a tear rolling down my cheek.
• "I understand, but despite all that, we should be grateful the situation has been resolved. You've been vindicated, and your name has been cleared, Isn't that a relief?" she asked, taking a seat beside me as she placed my head on her lap.
• "Ayra, stop crying now, okay?" she urged, offering me comfort.