She strode in his office, her heels clinked sharply on the marble. Taking a seat on the plush leather on the other side of the desk.
‘’You are here..already’’ Kabir says, turning his attention to her. He smirks when she places a file on the desk.
‘’Straight to business.’’he murmurs under his breath
‘’Let’s skip the pleasantries we know are fake mhm.’’Anaya states firmly. Before he can take the file, she places her hand over it.
‘’Let me talk first.’’She says with a smirk. ‘’You see Kabir..You have Mr.Kumawat in your ties, he is the investor I need, you have his ear..get me a meeting with him before our fake relationship ends.’’
‘’Every other desperate designer in this country needs his name..what makes you think I will give something so precious to you so easily?’’ Kabir says, leaning in his seat.
‘’I am not desperate’’She states, her jaw clenched. ‘’Perhaps I have some Information that will change your mind.’’ She smirks, crossing her legs, owning the space.
‘’You see I might or might not know the strings your father played to win you the position of the CEO and also how he took over the ‘Kwins Project’ by hiring undercover hackers to crash their systems.’’ She blurts out with no care sliding a pen drive towards him.
Kabir’s eyes widen, his jaw tightens as if he can’t believe it..can’t trust it.
‘’What the fuck are you talking about Anaya.’’He slammed his fist on the desk.
‘’Calm down Kabir..calm down’’ The smirk still hasn’t wiped off her face. ‘’I have proof, so you see, the deal is about you getting me a meeting with Rajat Kumawat and I will stay silent.’’
Kabir stands up slowly, circling the desk and walking towards her. ‘’I might just fall in love with you if you keep threatening me like this sweetheart’’ He adds with a smirk, keeping his hands on the backrest of her chair, trapping her.
She rolls her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks said otherwise. Kabir smirks, ‘’Scared much?’’ He whispers.
‘’I’d rather fucking die’’ She spits the words out like poison.
“People will grieve losing an angel with such peaceful language” He whispers.
Kabir’s smirk falters a bit before he steps back and leans against the desk, ‘Fine you get Kumawat, I get your silence..deal.’’
‘’Oh that’s just the start Kabir, along with that I need complete control over the way PR handles our relationship for the month, any scandal, any news, any article, any photo or interview, my team handles it.’’
Kabir scoffs, running a hand through his hair he nods slowly. ‘’Okay, you get that too, anything else? should I also name ten percent of my company’s equity on your name?’’ He says sarcastically.
Anaya mirrors his scoff and stands up, ‘’Understand the terms?’’ Kabir nods swiftly, putting his hand forward, ‘’Deal.’’
‘’Deal.’’ She smirks, shaking his hand.
Kair goes over the contract, reading every little detail, ‘’I would prefer to warn you Anaya, Kumawat isn’t any common investor, his interest in your work will change your fucking destiny, but he isn’t easy, not on me if you don’t get the meeting or his word.’’
He signs the paper swiftly, Anaya takes the pen and signs her name, ‘’You just focus on getting me on his list, I know how to deal with my things.’’
Their eyes met, their jaws were clenched, eyes blazing with hatred and rage.
You are going to pay for what you did years ago. Anaya thinks.
‘’We are supposed to make our first actual public appearance as a couple at the Shinde’s Gala on saturday.’’ Kabir says breaking eye contact and taking his seat, she hums, sitting down on the chair opposite him.
He stares at her, taken aback for a jist, he expected her to leave the minute the deal was signed but no..she was still here.
‘’Do you want anything? coffee or snacks?’’ Kabir offers his hand placed over the intercom to call his PA.
‘’No actually, I am going to have lunch later.’’
‘’Lunch, at three pm?’’ He snaps dramatically.
‘’Yeah I was busy’’ Rolling her eyes, she picks her purse up, ‘’My driver is here–’’
‘’What do you want to eat?’’ Kabir asks, picking the intercom, his voice was genuine, soft.
‘’I will be fine-’’ He cut her off again, ‘’Just say what do you want to have Anaya, I can’t send my girlfriend back without feeding her.’’ He says softly, waiting patiently for her.
She sighs and takes the seat, ‘’Anything works.’’
‘’I heard you like pasta..carbonara?’’ She nods in response.
Kabir calls his assistant and orders her food. As he gets back to work, he steals glances at her.
Her eyes were stuck to her screen, she scrolled through some articles silently.
…
I rub my sweaty hands over my trousers, not wanting to show how much his words were affecting me. My father sat across from me in my office, running his hand over his face for the nth time since he stepped inside this office.
“Anaya not everything is about you and you know that” He said, his eyes boring into my eyes.
“Papa-”
“Listen to me!” He snapped softly, demurely.
“You listen to me for once because that’s the least you owe me after what I have done for you!” He said pointing a finger at me. “I have given you everything, every single thing, you get it?”
I nod slowly, sinking in my seat, crossing my arms waiting for his words. Acting as if his words aren’t stinging my heart.
“You wanted to become a fashion designer I gave you that, you wanted anything I brought it to your feet no matter what” he spat the words as if I was his responsibility.
His words made me feel like a responsibility, like I was a fucking burden.
“And what I want now is you do what I say, you understand?”
“And what exactly do you want me to do?” I ask, my voice cold and hurt.
“Look, Anaya, you agree to the deal you understand, no matter what!”
“And risk my future deals..no thank you” I say standing up.
“Anaya, you are my daughter, you listen to me, you understand?” He snaps, standing up. “You have to take the deal, for me”
“Papa this is my dream project, my work, my employees hard work!” I say, running a hand through my hair.
“And me? I am your father Anaya!”
“This isn’t about me being your daughter.” I snapped, he thought he did me a favor by letting me chase my dreams.
He always does, he always will. The day he agreed to let me do it but with a price is engraved on every cell and nerve of my body to remember me about the fact that I might be a disappointment to him.
I had to pay a price to be his daughter, to chase my dreams. He made me feel like my dream came with a cost, as if it was a favor, to let me do something I loved.
“Enough Papa, I can’t agree to give credits to ‘Ofilia Group’ for the designs me and my team worked weeks for!” I snap.
“You will do it An-”
“I won’t, and for a matter of fact papa..I don’t owe you anything for pursuing my dreams” I voice out the bitter truth,knowing it will wrap him around in the rage and hurt..but it will be the same I have been trapped in since years.
He clenches his jaw before taking his blazer from the chair and storming off. I fall onto my seat.
Yukti enters the office slowly, “Anything?” she whispers slowly. I shake my head running a hand through my hair. I put my elbows on the desk, hiding my face in my palm. “Give me time” I say as Yukti nods and leaves. Respecting My decision.
I glare at the file papa brought in, my teeth grazing against each other as I groan and throw it down. My phone starts ringing just that moment, I roll my eyes, almost memorizing the number by now.
This man is a -naam ka CEO, always calling me faltu ka.
I sigh, answering. “Hey Darling” His happy voice runged in my ears, making me roll my eyes. I didn’t want to admit how that freaking voice lifted my mood up.
“Yeah, what is it?”
“So you agree you are my darling?” He chuckles.
“Kabir-”
“Acha acha sorry angry bird” I roll my eyes, a hint of smile painting my face.
“Why did you call?” I ask.
“I wanted to remind you that we are expected to give an interview at the gala this saturday, as a couple”
“What?”
“Yeah, I just heard the word, I thought we could meet and decide over the lies..don’t want to get caught you know” His voice seemed more firm now, the way it sounds when he smirks.
“Oh then, tomorrow at my office?”
“I actually have a few important meetings lined up for the next few days,how about you come over for dinner at my penthouse? I am staying there for a few days, plus it’s closer to your house” He says, my eyes widen.
He is inviting me to his house for dinner.
“And what makes you think I will agree to that?”
“Come on don’t break my heart like that, I promise I am a good cook” He says, I laugh.
Like, actually laugh, “Yeah sure, let’s believe that” I say,catching my breath. For a moment, his line is silent.
“hello? Hello kabir?”
No response..
“Hel-”
“uh- yeah sorry..I was saying, If you are okay with it, or else we could meet out?”
“No, your place is fine” I responded almost immediately.
“See you then?”
“hm..”
“Acha suno?” his voice almost a whisper.
“Bolo”
“Have lunch first okay? it’s one pm already” he says, my cheeks momentarily turn pink. He is reminding me to have lunch and if he is sure I didn’t have it.
“How are you so sure I haven’t eaten?”
“Because I pay attention, Anaya, more than you think. Now go and eat something, please? hmm?”
My breath hitches, thank god there is no one here, or else I would have looked like a fool,a blushing messed up fool.
But I never blush, never ever crappy never.
“Bye” I whisper, ready to hang up.
“Text me after you finish lunch, okay?”
“yeah..” My voice barely audible, as if it was caught in my throat.
My voice was acting like a newly wed wife-fuck
I hang up, slamming the phone down on the desk. I stare at the wall, my cheeks heating up intensely. This shouldn't be happening, not like this..
Just then, to witness the chaotic mess I was in, Yukti barges in grinning,holding something behind her back. Her eyes widened as she noticed my expression.
“Well, there..is lunch order for you” She says placing the bag on my desk. My eyes widen, she nods as if she read my mind. “It’s from Kabir,” She squeals. If it wasn’t enough, my cheeks reddened more, making Yukti smirk.
“Dil pighal gaya?” she whispers leaning closer, resting her elbows on the desk, her chin on her palm and tilting her head studying my face.
(heart melted?)
“Shut up” I retorted.
“Ban ke titli dil uda, uda…” she sings and jumps out.
(Heart flew away like a butterfly)
I roll my eyes, biting my lip, I open the bag to find ‘zucchini noodles’ from my favourite restaurant inside.
I remember mentioning in an interview that it was my go to lunch option.
I eat the food silently, my mind racing, that man knew how to get under my nerves and tame me, and also act as if he cares in a matter of a few minutes.
I roll my eyes, getting him off my mind, focusing on work. ‘’Focus Anaya..focus’’ I whisper.
I stand up and walk out to the meeting room, Yukti following suit, I enter and pass a small nod as I take my seat at the head of the meeting table, Kalina starts presenting her ideas about our next designs,
‘’The way you have presented your idea Kalina is great, but this is something that’s way to common, our collection is called, ‘Timeless Renaissance’ for a reason.’’ I say going through the file,’’Maybe if we could work on the patterning more, We need to create something that never goes out of style, we aren’t talking out the outfit pattern but the clothing item.’’
‘’I will be sending my final patterns before six in the evening, we will be discussing on friday again about how we can elevate them, any questions?’’ I glance over all the employees, they shake their head.
‘’All the best,’’ I say with a nod and leave the room.
Walking back inside my office I take a seat as Yukti sits opposite me, staring at me with squinted eyes. ‘’What?’’ I ask turning on the computer.
‘’Vidharth called me.’’ She says leaning back in her seat.
‘’You?’’ I ask raising a brow, she nods.
‘’He wanted to call you but thought you might be busy.’’
‘’Why did he call?’’ I retort, boderlining to being right about why he called.
‘’He said that uncle looked quite mad when he went back to office after meeting you, everything okay?’’
Here it was.
I sigh, ‘’Nothing the same agree to that deal bullshit, I will call Vid later.’’ I say getting back to work. She nods and gets up. ‘’Listen?’’
She hums softly, ‘’Check in with the markting department about the progress on the banner for the website and I will email you the file of final design send it to the design team” ’ I say.
The day passes in a jist burying my head in work, At eight, I drive to Kabir’s place, It was indeed not too far, his house had a more clear and closer view to the ocean.
I ring the doorbekl, standing out, tapping the sole of my footwear against the floor. After a few good minutes he opens the door, a basic white t-shirt clinged to his frame, black sweatpants hanging perfectly and a pink apron with a little flour on it..I guess.
‘’Hi, welcome.’’ He smiles, giving me space to enter. ‘’Hi’’ I respond a little colder than necessary.’
‘’This is for you.’’ I hand him the box of dry fruits, ‘’Why?’’ His bows furrow, ‘’I don’t like arriving empty handed.’’ He place the box on the table.
‘’Take a seat.’’ He smiles walking me to the couch, He brings me a glass of water.
‘’So um..dinner first? lies later?’’ He asks softly setting his apron side, giving me a clearer view of the shirt clinging to his chest and abs.
Shit.
°•☆•°
I will try updating the seventh chapter by tomorrow if you all are lucky♡
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signing out,
Saumya
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