Page 31 of Okay Boss
“She’s very efficient, your assistant.”
Vikram turned to find his mother beside him, her smile knowing.
“She’s just doing her job,” he said, deliberately casual.
“Is she? I don’t recall anyone asking her to work today. This is a family celebration.” Kavita adjusted her necklace. “Yet she’s been managing press and solving problems since she arrived.”
Vikram frowned. “She’s fine. She likes working.”
“Mmm.” His mother’s hum carried meaning he chose to ignore. “The reception starts in twenty minutes. Your father wants photos with the business associates first.”
She moved away, leaving Vikram with uncomfortable awareness. He glanced toward the reception hall where Divya had disappeared.
She’d looked smaller somehow. Like she was trying to take up as little space as possible in a world that wasn’t hers.
The thought followed him as he moved toward the reception.
???
The reception hall glittered like excess given physical form.
Crystal chandeliers scattered light over sequins, diamonds, silk. Laughter rose in polished waves. Champagne flutes clinked. Every smile felt calibrated.
Divya stayed near a pillar, back to the wall. From there she could see everything without being part of anything.
Her feet throbbed. The silk at her waist felt too tight. The air carried layers of perfume that blended into something heavy.
She checked her watch. 8:30 PM.
A director nearby laughed too loudly. Actresses air-kissed, praising gowns that would be dissected later in private chats. Producers congratulated each other with business cards slipped into palms.
This wasn’t a celebration. It was a marketplace dressed in flowers.
Her gaze drifted to where Raghav and Ishani sat, hands intertwined. Pista curled contentedly in Ishani’s lap.
They looked genuinely happy. Like they’d found something real in this world of careful performances.
She wondered what felt like to be so sure of belonging beside someone that thousands of watching eyes couldn’t shake it.
Across the hall, Vikram stood surrounded by industry power players. Film producers, directors, an international distributor she recognized from trade magazines.
He smiled, gestured, told some story that had them all leaning in. Completely in his element. The center of gravity in any room.
Divya straightened her spine and walked toward the group. She stopped at a respectful distance, waiting to be noticed without interrupting.
Vikram’s gaze shifted mid-sentence, landing on her with unexpected intensity. Without finishing his thought, he excused himself from the group. Just like that, important people left waiting.
“Everything okay?” he asked, concern etching lines between his brows.
She nodded. “I just wanted to let you know that I’ve coordinated everything needed for tonight. The media has been handled, the schedule is running smoothly.” She took a breath. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to leave now. I have a thesis deadline tomorrow morning.”
His expression shifted. “You’ve been working this entire time.” Not a question. An observation tinged with… annoyance?
“That’s why I’m here,” she said carefully.
“No, it’s not.” His voice dropped lower. “You’re here as a guest, Divya. Not staff. I invited you to celebrate my brother’s wedding.”
Heat rushed to her face. “I didn’t. I thought...”
