Page 6 of Okay Boss
“After-party at Zephyr?” a producer asked, clapping his shoulder. “The industry’s waiting.”
“Of course,” Vikram replied easily.
As they moved toward the exit, people made space for him without thinking. Attention followed him naturally. This waswhere he was most comfortable. Admired. Celebrated. In control.
“You didn’t watch your own film,” Riya said quietly as they approached the doors.
“I lived it,” he replied.
“Most actors can’t stop watching themselves.”
“Most actors aren’t me.”
It wasn’t arrogance. It was certainty.
He stepped out into flashing lights and shouting reporters. The applause followed him. The admiration wrapped around him, as always.
Chapter 2
Divya Mathur glanced at her phone. 5:45 AM.
Fifteen minutes early.
Good.
She adjusted her simple wire-rimmed glasses and drew in a slow breath that did very little to calm her nerves. In front of her, stood the towering gates of Khanna Sadan. Tall. Ornate. Polished to a shine that reflected the pale morning light. The kind of gates that announced power without saying a word.
For a second, she felt very small.
She tightened her grip on her leather bag. The brown had faded at the corners. The strap had been stitched once where it had torn. Her father had polished it carefully the previous night, rubbing conditioner into the cracks as though he could smooth out more than just the leather.
“First impressions matter,” he had said softly.
The security guard inside the booth was already watching her. Not openly rude. Just measuring. Assessing.
Divya straightened her back instinctively, recalling Mrs. Menon’s Interview Posture Workshop from college. Shoulders relaxed. Chin level. Speak clearly.
“I’m Divya Mathur,” she said, relieved that her voice stayed steady. “I have an interview with Mr. Vikram Khanna. For the assistant position.”
The guard’s eyebrow moved slightly. “ID?”
She opened her bag, annoyed at herself when her fingers trembled against the zipper. She handed over her ID card.
The guard examined it, then picked up the intercom.
“There’s a Miss Mathur here for Vikram Saab.”
A pause.
“Yes, for the position.”
Another pause.
“ID verified.”
Silence again.
“Yes, ma’am.”
