When the Sky Falls

Chapter 8 | Kiara

Kiara

"Welcome home, Miss." Sangeeta, the housekeeper greets Kiara. In turn she receives a simple nod of acknowledgement. Kiara had known the woman for almost all her life, she had started working for her parents when Kiara turned two. The woman has been with Kiara through everything - her famous chicken soup curing Kiara's cold and lovely gulab jamun reminding her of India.

But when she grew up, she became more distant to her. Mainly because she told herself to stop caring for others. Moreover, as she grew busier with her business she was barely home. Her office was more of her home than that mansion. Sometimes, the sofa in the office served the purpose of bed. Also, there was a personal washroom attached to the office which strictly was for Kiara's use and she would shower in there when she stayed the night at the office. Sangeeta had also sent some of her clothes to the office for her to change into if she stays.

That's how Kiara handled her work life. Work was the only thing that kept her sane and helped her forget about her parents, temporarily. The pain will always there - no one can ever replace their place in her heart and that vacancy will haunt her throughout her life. She had somewhat accepted the fact that her father would no longer be able to protect her and that she isn't safe anymore. And now, with her father's death avenged and all the seven killers dead or say, gone for good she could rest.

Right?

She did feel satisfied but then, why did she still have that hollow feeling inside of her heart that nothing will ever be same again? She thought that she would finally be the girl she always dreamt to be with her father and mother avenged but was it too late for her to change?

She couldn't bring herself to answer to that. She was too scared to change. This world is cruel and you have to equally cruel to fight in it. She can't be naive like all the silly girls around her. She isn't normal and she doesn't think she will ever be.

Kiara thought that spreading her parent's ashes, finally, in the pond near their father's favorite place would provide her some kind of closure. That she will have some kind of idea what she needs to do next. But she returned with a blank mind.

So, she decided to do what she felt like. Go back to New York and manage her business. Become filthy rich and show all those men to never underestimate a woman.

That she was equally vicious.

She heads up to her room, after telling Sangeeta to serve her food in thirty minutes time. The mansion is quite - just like it always is. Kiara didn't even know why she spent so much on this mansion but her sister loved the place so she bought it for her. Sejal stays in the mansion with Kiara, since they promised each other to stay together no matter what. Moreover, the place protects them from the unwanted attention of the paparazzi.

Kiara got rid of her clothes as she stepped into her bathe - already drawn by Sangeeta as she was informed of Kiara's arrival. The sweet smell of lavender greeted Kiara as she relaxed under the warm water and stared at the ceiling. Her hands played with the water, slowly drawing circles on the surface but they disappeared way to soon. She dipped her entire body inside the water surface, holding on her breathe.

She closed her eyes, ignoring the lack of oxygen to her lungs. She wanted to feel nothing. Numb her feelings like she always has. Soon enough, the lack of oxygen become unbearable and she surfaces out.

She runs her hand through her wet hair and gets up. Her muscles felt relaxed due to the warmness of the water and she moved her neck to exercise it a bit. She wrapped her towel around her body and her gaze drifted to the girl that stared at her from the mirror.

It didn't look like her. But then, she no longer recognized herself anymore. She had tried to become everything her father was and in the process she had lost herself. Will she ever find herself again, though?

She stepped out of the washroom, drying herself and changing into her navy blue pencil dress with a v-neck. She straightened her hair and applied some makeup to look more professional. After wearing her pearl earrings, black heels and watch she headed out of the room. Her phone buzzed with another email from her secretary. It was about three in the evening and she had to head for work. Break was never an option.

She takes her seat at the dining table as Sangeeta serves her some rice and sambar. She quietly enjoyed her food, she rarely had enough time to do so anymore.

But then, her peace time was interrupted by giggles and laughter. She internally groaned - can't she just have some time to herself in her own mansion?

She didn't need to know who it was, she could recognize those voices anywhere.

"Seriously? She did that? Gosh, my sister is an idiot." she heard the voice of her dear sister, Sejal behind her, who if didn't shut up will face dire consequences.

"Yeah. It's weird, though. I never thought she would do that." she heard another male voice and she remembered suddenly what she had done.

Dealing with her emotions was going to be harder than she thought.

Her phone buzzes again, she had a meeting at 4. Kiara gets up, taking the phone in her hand.

"Sangeeta di, send my dinner to the office. Pack some for my secretary too and chachu." she orders Sangeeta.

She turns to find her sister and her new friend, Zain.

When Kiara laid her eyes on Zain, she felt like her eyes have been blessed by the mere sight of him. His white shirt hugged his body perfectly, drawing in a slight shape of his delicious abs she couldn't wait to see. His hair were a mess, like always, and those pink lips of his looked kissable. Kiara could feel the heat rising up to her cheeks so she looked away.

She can't love.

She reminded herself, over and over again. But her father wanted this. He had wanted her to settle down and have kids. She wasn't the same girl though and couldn't bring herself to it.

She refused to.

"Look who's home! I missed you, didi!" Sejal exclaims as she grabs Kiara in a hug.

Kiara wasn't great in expressing her emotions so she simply patted on her sister's back. There was no doubt that Sejal was beautiful, both the sister's have been blessed with good genes from their parents. Sejal had grey eyes - just like her. They just amplified their beauty. With black hair having slight shades of dark brown and olive skin, Sejal was one of the most pretty singers in America and perhaps, the world. Kiara still remembers how she had to attend extra guards for her so as to protect her from the male population.

Sejal simply had too many admirers - both male and female.

"I need to go now, Sejal. I will see you later." she replies as she pulls away from the hug.

"But you are never home. And with what Zain tells me, you should start coming home more often." Sejal says and Kiara wanted nothing more to shut her sister's damn mouth at that time.

"I am a multi billionaire with eleven companies to deal with. I don't have the time." Kiara replies.

"You bought another one? When?!" Sejal chuckles.

"Last friday. That reminds me, you have to submit me your reports. You might be my sister, but that company is under my name. Also, Zain will be joining you tomorrow. I will have chachu draft a contract for you both, if you have any doubts contact him. Also, he starts in Columbia in a month's time so plan accordingly. Which brings me to, how is your high school going?" Kiara asks Sejal.

Sejal frowns. Her sister could be irritating when she wants to.

"Great, my GPA was 3.8 last year and it's senior year this year so I am all excited! Although, with my tours and all I am barely going to be able to attend but Mrs. Hamel says that she could help me with that. " Sejal replies.

"Good. Best of luck with the tours, though. I will try to attend some. Send me the dates." Kiara says.

"Great!" Sejal exclaims as she kisses her sister on the cheek, thanking her for the support.

Kiara simply nods and then turns away, heading out for her office. But then, Zain appears in her path. Well, he was just there, watching the sister's conversation.

Kiara knew she had to deal with him sooner or later. So, she said the first thing that came in her mind.

"Be ready at 12 tomorrow, my driver is going to pick you up." Kiara tells him.

Zain's eyes simply widens when she says so, and she could see the confusion that morphs on his face. She missed him, a lot. She knew that he was scared of her and she hated it. But then, maybe it was for good.

"O-Okay..." he shutters and Kiara simply nods at him.

She walks past him, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

What has she gotten herself into?