Murderer & Princess

2. It's not how it is seen.

Happy reading!

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It had been 3 days since she had been working in Riya enterprises and things have been going smooth for her. 

Kaira reached home, freshened up, and went down to sit with her mother. She was telling about her first day at work and even told how the work environment at the office seems to be nice. She asked her mother what had she planned for dinner to which she replied she hadn't thought yet. Kaira decided to cook by herself today since she was in the mood. She went to the kitchen and decided to make noodles with gravy. She started chopping the vegetables with one of the cooks helping her side by side. She was done cooking in another 45 minutes. She went to the hall and sat down. She got a call from her brother and picked it up being super excited. 

She greeted him and was telling her all nonsensical stories and did not mention her work at all. Her brother, Ayush seemed surprised that she didn't tell him about her job as yet. He knew she would not get the topic by herself so he asked her, 'Kaira, what's up with your work? Why didn't you bother telling me?' She at first was very guilty of not telling him yet, but she calmed herself because she knew she had a reason he would understand. She told him, 'You were firstly supposed to come way earlier. Why aren't you here yet? Plus, this is not something I wanna discuss with you over the call. I want to talk to you about it face to face.' 

He panicked a little when she said she wants to talk face to face about her work so he asked, 'Kaira, nothing happened at your workplace right?' She sighed and said, 'No. Don't worry. All is fine. Just come back soon please.' He smiled and said, 'I promise I'll be home in less than a week.' with which she was very elated. They spoke to each other for some more time and just then her father came home. She kept the call and hugged him. Raj went to freshen up and meanwhile, Kaira went to heat the food. They all had dinner and were watching TV after that. Kaira being tired went to her room. She started reading a new novel.

On the other hand, Rohan went home quicker than he usually does. He doesn't know what is happening to him. He seemed to be doing things that he has never done. Like leaving early from office. He knew there is something and he had to get it out of his system. He knew Kaira knew about his background that was to the world out there. He was surprised that she is not at all showing even a tad bit of curiosity towards that and is behaving as though she doesn't know anything. He didn't care enough about it anyway. He had to keep calm since she is only his employee and they had no other relation to share. Not today, not tomorrow.

He went back home and for the first time actually went into the room he never knew would find the need to go, Riya's room. He made that room, though she wasn't there. Thinking about her was one thing he always avoided, but invariably his mind would go to her. No one knew Riya. A lot of people tried to ask him, he would shut them up with a glare. A lot of them suspect her to be his sister, while others suspect her to be his girlfriend or ex-girlfriend. Only 2 people know who Riya actually is. He didn't really want anyone to know anything about his life. It took a lot for him to even speak up to the 2 people. He didn't want to go through the same feeling again, the feeling of hurt, the feeling of a broken heart, the feeling of putting himself through more pain than that of which already exists.

He entered the room and looked around, seeing Riya's pictures. No one was allowed inside this room, and that is why it was really dusty. He walked up to a big portrait of his and Riya's picture. He rubbed the dust off Riya's face and that filled his eyes with tears. Rohan always avoided walking into Riya's room, because with her, he lost a part of himself. He knew, there was no scope of her returning. A part of him would always crave for her, while a part of him wishes she would never come again and open the wounds he has efficiently hidden from the world. He made a lot of efforts to really get over his past, or he assumes he has gotten over it. He does not want anyone to open the wound and make him relive that pain. 

He looked at Riya's picture and said, 'Didn't you promise to always be by my side? Riya, you are yet the only one to know the truth about my past. Life has been hard without you, very hard. I haven't spoken to you in a long time. Let's talk today. You know I hired a new PA. She seems to be good with her work, but what surprises me is the fact that she is the daughter of Raj Vedant, and yet working in our company. I was shocked, yet, hired her because her interview was so curt and crisp. You know right, that I don't like any kind of nonsense. Riya, it's been 3 years, and yet I don't seem to come to terms with the fact that you're not here anymore. Do you remember the last lunch we ever had with each other? That will always remain in my memories, always.' As soon as he was done, he would not control himself and ended up crying. He lied down on the bed and cried for hours together. Finally, after a couple of hours, he got control of himself and walked out of the room. He gave a final glance at Riya's picture and closed the room. He immediately went to his room and ordered the cook to send his dinner to his room. 

He went to his room and freshened up. He was going through his mail when his dinner came. He remembered the last ever meal he had with Riya. It was all smooth until one thing hit the other and the domino didn't stop. It stopped at the same point where his life actually got ruined. With Riya around him, he was much happier and at peace. He lost his happiness and peace along with her. He always assumed Riya would be the only person who can take the pain away from him, and who understood him. He was shattered when he found out she had left him, forever. He kept all those thoughts aside and had his dinner. He wanted to get his mind off Riya so he decided to send a mail to Kaira. He did not know why her and not his best friends. At that point, he was so frustrated and lost that he did not what to think about what is right and what is wrong.

He didn't have Kaira's number so sent her a mail saying: Hello Ms. Vedant. Need to contact you for some work. Would be very great if you would send me a message on my number. 956****284 is my contact number. Thank you.

He didn't know how would she react and if he should even expect a text from her in the first place, but a part of him was confident she would text. He was thinking about her dedication to her work. She seemed fun with Aryan and he enjoyed her company as well, a part of him hoped to smile as carefree as she would. He doesn't know why but just wants her to be as fun as carefree with him as she is with Aryan. He does expect her to be professional in the workspace, but beyond that, he wouldn't mind having a friend in her. Maybe because he wanted to feel as free as she felt, unlike himself, who always felt caged, either by work, his past, or his emotions. More than feeling envious of seeing her carefree and happy, he craved that carefree emotion. 

She isn't the first one who has been so carefree, in front of his eyes, but she is surely the first one who is carefree while working closely with him. All his previous employees have been scared and horrified by him, which never missed his eyes. A part of him did want to cry, but the bigger part just learned to ignore it. What actually surprised him the most was, the fact that her father actually let her interview in his company because he surely knew what was in news about him. He didn't know, obviously, if her father believed what the news told him, but all he knew was he always kept his daughter on a throne, and letting her do what she wanted, was huge for a father who loves his daughter more than he loves himself. 

He has been following Raj Vedant since he has gotten into the business. He did speak about his son, daughter, and wife, a lot. He also made sure that his kids were never clicked by any media, or were never even talked about. He knew the right balance between professional and personal life, and he respected him a lot. Raj was kind of a bar, he set for himself to reach at. While he was thinking about Raj, he heard his phone give a notification sound. He immediately left all his work and saw his phone. He received a text from an unknown number which read: "Hello sir. Kaira here. I read your mail, how may I help you?" He was really happy that she texted him. He immediately saved her number as Kaira with a star emoji. He replied to her text as :

Rohan: Kaira, I would like it if you would not address me as sir whenever we are outside our office premises. Yes, if you are free I needed to just talk to you.

Kaira: Alright, sir. What else am I expected to call you, if not Sir? Yes, sir. Do you want me to call? Anything urgent sir?

Rohan : Please just call me Rohan. We do not have a massive age gap between us. Kaira, I have never learned or been taught how to have a conversation with someone, so I guess I'll be open and up-front. I would like to be friends with you. Yes, I know that friendship doesn't happen with just wants. I know a lot has to be done to be someone's friend. I don't have a lot of people in my life and I have learned how to respect who I have, and what relation I share with that person. I'll tell you why I am telling you this. I have had a lot of PA's before you, but never like you. It's not like I am unaware of the fact that you have read what has been written about me, but what I really appreciate about you is that you didn't try to judge me or try to get that in between our professional relationship. In my career, I have never seen anyone working with me do that and that made you different. You can totally ignore what I just said if you think it's not a good idea, I shall respect it. 

Kaira: If you're okay with it, can we talk about it when we meet? Texting wouldn't be the best way to talk about it.

Rohan: Alright, I am okay with it. Aryan's party is tomorrow and we can talk about it tomorrow. Is that okay?

Kaira: Absolutely, I am okay with it. Also, what time are we supposed to leave tomorrow?

Rohan: The party starts at 9 pm and his house is around 45 minutes away from your house so I guess I'll come to pick you up at say, 8 pm? Is that fine?

Kaira: Yes, that's fine. By the way, thank you so much for picking me up :).

Rohan: No problem, my pleasure. 

Kaira: Anyway, I guess I'll call it a night, good night :)

Rohan : Good night, Kaira.

*Text conversation end*

Rohan kept his phone aside and had a smile on his face. He was happy to finally have a normal conversation with someone who is neither of his best friends. 

Kaira on the other side, while reading the novel got an email notification on her phone. She unlocked her phone to see the email to be from her boss, Rohan. She opened it immediately thinking it might be important. She was quite amused reading the mail, but she immediately saved his number as 'Rohan Sir' and sent him a text. She would be lying if she said she was absolutely normal throughout the text conversation between them. She was absolutely nervous and did not know what was she going to talk to him about tomorrow. She face-palmed after typing "Can we talk about it when we meet?" She was wondering why did she say that. She didn't know what to tell him and the thought was constantly killing her concentration on the novel. She didn't want to talk to Jia as of yet. She knew Jia would overreact and in this situation, she was freaking out herself so she just kept the book aside and put on some music. One thing she kind of figured out about him, while at work and even the text conversation was that, it's now how it is seen. He is not as dark as his news shows him to be. Her judgment may be wrong, but her gut feeling says there is a lot more actuality to the articles written about him. She decided to call it a day and went to sleep.

The next morning, Kaira woke up at 9 AM, freshened up, and went down for a cup of tea. She saw her dad was all ready to leave for work. They greeted each other good morning and Kaira said, 'Dad, actually our company's important client who is also my boss's friend is throwing a party tonight since it is his birthday. He requested I'd come since we spoke a lot at work, is that fine? Shall I go?' Raj smiled at her and said, 'You're a big girl now, Kaira. I am sure you think and take decisions. Of course, you can go. You can come anytime, but just take the driver along, don't want you to come alone in the night.' She smiled and said, 'No matter how old I grow, I am still going to be a child for you, and I don't wish to take that away from you, dad. No, that won't be needed, my boss said he'll pick me up and drop me back as well since our house is on the way for him.' He nodded smiling and bid her goodbye. 

She walked into the kitchen and told her about her evening plans. Her mom smiled and made her a cup of tea. She was scrolling through her i********: when someone from the back covered her eyes. An instant smile flashed on her face and she shouted "Bhai" (brother). She immediately jumped off the sofa and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back and smiled seeing her excitement. Every time he came back home from a work vacation, she would be this excited, even if it was a 2-day trip. 

Introducing Ayush: Kaira's brother who is 2 years older than her. He is the CEO of Vedant Industries. He has always pampered Kaira with a lot of affection and care. Materialistic things were never Kaira's line of interest. He shares the closest bond with only her.

He kissed her head and said, 'How are you, darling?' She was so over-excited that she made him sit and said, 'I am all fine, you tell me? How was work? What took you so long? I have so much to tell you.' Just then their mom walked out of the kitchen with 2 glasses of water. She kept the tray and hugged Ayush and kissed his forehead telling him that she missed him and turned to Kaira saying, 'Kaira, he has just come, at least let him breathe. So many questions, my goodness. When are you going to grow up?' Ayush came to her defense and said, 'Mom, she does not have to grow. She is going to be our baby forever.' He smiled at Kaira who showed her tongue to her mom while her mom was just face-palmed at the overlove between these two.

Ayush went to freshen up after 10 minutes and asked her to come to his room after 15-20 minutes since he wanted to talk to her. She nodded and decided to go take a shower since she had to take a head bath, and her hair would take time to dry. She took a shower and wore a pair of shorts with a T-shirt. She checked her phone for any messages. Not finding any, she kept the phone back and went to Ayush's room. It was already past 11 by the time she got ready and went to his room. She entered his room and saw him unpacking. She took all the clothes scattered on the floor and put them in the laundry basket kept in his room. He could never be tidy while packing or unpacking. He left all of that and sat on the bed opposite her. 

She smiled at him and asked him with a teasing smile, 'So did you meet my future sister-in-law and come?' He face-palmed and said, 'For god's sake, she is just a friend ya Kaira.' She giggled and said, 'A friend who you are deeply in love with? A friend you kissed?' He gave her a poker face look so she continued, 'Oh c'mon bhai, I know you better than this. Why don't you just ask her out? I know her enough to know she is not one of those girls. I see a lot of affection in her eyes for you. Don't delay it. Ask her out, before it is too late.' He nodded and said, 'I shall, but I just need some courage. You know, I have a guarantee she will say yes, but a part of me is so scared that if she says a no, I lose a friend that I have in her, and I am so not prepared for that.' Kaira nodded in understanding and said, 'Don't worry bhai, take your time. I am sure things will fall into place.' He smiled and said, 'Well, talking about things falling into place, I heard about your job. Kindly give me details, Ms. Vedant?' 

She was fiddling with her fingers since she knew how protective Ayush is about her. She wasn't sure how would he take the news, but all she knew is she is not going to leave this job, no matter what. She looked up to him and said, 'Um, actually I have started working in Riya enterprises. I went for an internship interview but the CEO of the company was looking for a PA so a couple of us were sent for a PA interview, which was taken by the CEO himself, and I got selected. He knows who the Vedant's are and yet he selected me. So yeah, I am working as a PA for the CEO of Riya enterprises, Mr. Rohan Ahuja.' Ayush looked at her entirely shocked and said, 'Kaira, you have to resign.' She looked at him shocked while he continued saying, 'Kaira, you have no idea what is his past and I don't want you to be working with such a person. And what is wrong with dad? How could he simply allow you to take this job?' 

Kaira was quite hurt and furious and said, 'What are you even saying? What do we have to do about his past? That is his personal life. And what do you mean how did dad allow me? Weren't you the one to tell me that I have the freedom to work anywhere? And for your information, I have been working with him for nearly 4 days now and I have not faced a single problem. In fact, I am happy that I am learning so much. Bhai, you just cannot ask me to leave my work only because of what history my boss has. If he had a recent history, I would understand. It has been more than 5 years, and we are no one to get involved in his personal life.' 

Ayush was shocked at how she spoke. This was the first-ever time Kaira has spoken so harshly with him and it was hard for him to digest it. He said, 'Kaira I cannot believe you right now. Think with a calm mind and then take a decision.' She looked up to him with tears in her eyes and said, 'I cannot believe you, bhai. I never expected you to react like this. And even if I think, I am going to stick by my decision of not leaving my work. You can get used to this and calm yourself and maybe trust me.' saying this she walked out of his room. 

Ayush was quite shocked but decided to calm down and talk to her about it in the evening. In all of this Kaira forgot to tell him about the night plan. She went to her room and messaged Rohan. She didn't know why, but she was mindfucked and wanted someone to talk to. Jia wasn't the best option because there wouldn't be a lot of difference in the reaction of Jia and Ayush. She sent him a good afternoon and was waiting for his text. After about 10 minutes her sent her a "Good afternoon :)"

Kaira: Rohan, is there any theme for the party or anything?

Rohan: Nope, I mean yeah. He did say gowns for the ladies and suit for the men, but who anyway will follow? But if you would want to follow, go ahead :')

Kaira: Okay, perfect. At least I wouldn't waste a lot of time thinking about what to wear. Anyway, have a nice day and if there is any work you can give me a call.

Rohan: Okay, you too have a great day :)

*Chat conversation ends*

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Hey guys!

Been long, I know!

But I hope you all enjoyed reading it!

Love,

Janvi Jain