Page 7 of Love Locked
Sadly, she always overlooked the fact that Kabir was not only off-limits, but he was also taken. He was in a relationship with Raina Dutta, a gorgeous and sophisticated woman. She was a greedy person who reminded herof a corporate Barbie.
Kyra hated her. Not because she seemed like a permanent fixture in Kabir’s life but because she thought he deserved someone better than Raina. Seeing them together felt like swallowing a bitter pill, and Kyra always felt stupid for being obsessed with someone who did not see her in the same light.
The first time she saw them was over two years ago during lunch at the Oberoi Mansion, and every time she saw them, her heart cracked as if an elephant had sat on it. At that moment, she realised her innocent infatuation was not a passing fad. It was an obsession with the potential to grow into more.
She knew with stark clarity that her one-sided crush would end up in her becoming an old woman with twenty cats. It was futile for her to think about him and feed her obsession. So, she avoided events where he might be there whenever possible.
Suddenly, Kyra’s phone alert went off, jolting her out of her trance. When she swiped her phone, she found many texts from her girls’ group chat wishing her luck.
Her girl’s group chat included Mira, Ruhi and Nitya. They were her lifelines. They understood each other and always supported and encouraged the other. Basically, they fed her soul.
Shaking off the thoughts of her stupid infatuation that she had decided to stop thinking about, she sent a selfie in the group chat, fully aware of the flood of comments it would generate.
Ruhi: Someone’s looking smoking hot.
Mira: Ky, that colour looks ah-mazing on you. You’re killing it.
Nitya: You look like a pataka, Ky. And are those my diamond studs? Did you steal them?
Kyra: Thanks, girls. And no, I didn’t, Tiya. They’re mine.
Nitya: Liar liar pants on fire.
Kyra: I’ve reached office. I have to go. Speak later.
The car abruptly came to a stop at her destination. She exited the car, greeting the security staff at the foyer of the Oberoi Infra. Even when she went to the Kapoor Empire, she often treated the ground staff with a box of sandwiches and samosas that she would get for them. She extended the same gesture to the staff at Oberoi Infra. The security personnel smiled at her, causing her to pause momentarily.
“Good morning, Ma’am.”
“Good morning. I have something for everyone in here.” She smiled as she handed him a bag from the nearby breakfast joint. “I got breakfast for the staff. Please make sure everyone gets it.”
“Ma’am, thank you, but you don’t have to do that.”
“Well, it’s not a big deal. Just take it.” She adjusted her handbag on her wrist with a smile.
“Thank you. We really appreciate it.”
Kyra nodded goodbye and walked to the elevator. She knew these people would take time to get used to her behaviour, but this was how she was. She was a nurturer; she respected everyone and took care of them. And she had this thing about feeding everyone.
She believed that happiness was fueled by food and a happy person would excel in every aspect of life. So, she brought breakfast for staff and security even in the Kapoor Empire. Her nature was such that she was well-liked by everyone.
As she pressed the elevator’s floor button for the CEO’s office, she pondered about the interviews she had given before accepting the position here. She’d pleaded with Adil to interview her since she did not want to be given preferential treatment.
Thankfully, after much debate, he finally concurred. Everyone now knew that she was given this position based on her qualifications, and nepotism was not at play here. She was nervous and too excited to work with the Oberoi brothers.
Kabir’s position as CFO was the main reason for her nervousness. Now, she would be under his scrutiny all the time. She had successfully avoided being in the same room as him the previous year. Even though she knew he used to ignore her, she didn’t want to be near him at all. It was all part of her strategy. The strategy for overcoming her silly crush on him.
Kyra took a deep breath as she walked out of the elevator. Behind the desk, a smartly dressed young lady smiled pleasantly.
“Good morning. What can I do for you today?”
“Good Morning…” Kyra examined the name tag affixed to her coat. “…Ramona. Kyra Kapoor here. I’m here to meet Mr. Adil Oberoi. He is expecting me.”
“Just a moment.” She clicked some buttons on her PC. “Great. Just walk straight and then to the left. Have a wonderful day.” Ramona replied.
“Thanks,” Kyra responded as she nodded her head.
She directly reached the lobby and found the gleaming sign saying CEO.
