Ishaani's POV:

He rejected my designs???

He didn't even see them properly...

How can he reject it at the blink of an eye like this...

I saw him leave his cabin... I stopped him...

'Mr Kapoor... '

I saw him stop... He didn't even turn around...

He is angry about what????..

Ummm last night 🤔🤨

But that's unprofessional! That's personal and this is our profession!!!

I hope he's not mixing both!!!

'Mr Kapoor....you should really take a good look at those designs...those have a bunch global designs... We can adapt them for our next collection' I tried convincing him.

He cut the conversation without looking back at me saying...
'I'm the boss Miss Sharma...I know what's Gaya's requirements!'

I was pissed... I mean come on I showed him these designs for adaptation and not for final submission to him. It's literally my first day at work. Obviously I will go ahead post discussions.

'Mr Kapoor..these are not my final design...these are'

'Im not interested Ms. Sharma. There is a reason Gaya's has been the best for year's in India. We don't pick random designs... Just because you get some random colors shoved in there with some dumb themes... I run business here not talent hunts! You are still taking baby steps in fashion industry! First set your foot right and then argue!' he said and left the room post thundering!

I was fuming now!!!🔥😠🔥

I walked out behind him and he was now walking on the floor...

I called him loudly...

'Mr Kapoor wait!!!

You think my work isn't good enough then you are free to fire me!

But understand 2 things crystal clear.

One... Im not getting you any random designs! These are running globally and trendsetters!

Two... You said you are India's best! If so why haven't you guys won the best collection at Paris Fashion week in last 8 years!!!

I'll tell you...it's coz your designs don't cater worldwide because for years together you guys only go for red black and more dark and deep shades... And every year shove a wedding collection that too such usual one!!!

Predictable!!! Absolutely no fresh experiments! Only freshness Gaya's gives in is its new patterns which gets trendy every year but what about colors, shades, themes and various others aspects????

I mean seriously I don't understand why hasn't Gaya's ever catered a lighter collection, something very generic and not always the heavyweight royal stuff!

Comeon times are different! No one wants to deck up like a king or queen all the time!

And ya please understand just because something has a jardosi work it's not beautiful and if something has hand knitted or hand printed kalamkari it becomes low end boring!

I feel rather than making our dresses heavy we must make our dresses classy yet affordable and also fun and young!

Why hadn't Gaya tried pastels! I mean although marriage is important to people but so is living.

Think about this Mr Kapoor!

For the rest I'll either prefer working independently here or I'll quit!!!'

I finished my rant only to realize the entire staff stared at us!!!

That's when I realised the entire office crowd was staring at me!

While Mr Devil's back still faced me!

There was complete silence!!!

'Your designs at my table tomorrow sharp 9 am ist! If I like them the latest collection will also be named as per your wish!

But!!!

If I don't!

You just shut your mouth and design as per my wish and will!

And huhhh!'

He turned around! Removed his glasses and stared deep into my eyes and said!

'Dont ever threaten me to quit your job! You are MY designer!

That 'My' sent shivers down my spinal cord!

'And my designer should know DK doesn't believe in rework!

It's either accepted or rejected!

Yes I won't review your today's design's because I honestly felt your today's design's weren't upto the mark!

Put more effort!

Just like how you lectured some seconds back! Get that on papers for me rather than on your tongue trying to preach me how to run my fashion house!!!

Let's see tomorrow morning What you've got! Ms Sharma!!!'

Thats exactly when I realised he stood just few cms away from my lips!

I could see his eyes still capturing my lips while challenging me all this!

His intense gaze!

My breath hitched!

Soon I saw somewhere else only to notice entire office was looking at us in awe!!!

😳😱😲😯

Ok

And this Devil!!! Was still staring into my eyes!!!

Eyeing my lips!
God.... why's he like this!!!

EMBARRASING!

I cleared my throat.....

Probably that helped him come back to his senses!

He turned around and left from there!

I breathed at once!

***

'This is the designer's work area Ms Sharma'

Pragati showed me a good living area kind of space on 10th floor ...which probably was almost 3/4th of the floor and the rest 1/4th floor had stitching staff for getting my designs stitched for tests and trials before hitting production.

'Your cabin is also next to this room. So it's easier for you to work!

I had a happy smile that I'm on a different floor and that makes it better for me as I didn't have to face Mr Devil Kapoor all the time....Phewwwww!!!

'Anything else Ms Sharma?' she asked...

'Yes... Ishaani' I said...

'Sorry?' She asked confusingly

'Call me Ishaani, Pragati... Ms Sharma makes me feel like I'm some aunty!' I chuckled.

She also laughed...

'OK Ishaani Mam'

'Whats that Mam?' I asked...

'Well soon you are going to marry our'

I cut her right there saying...

'Pragati that's my personal space...don't mix it anywhere here! Here I'm just a colleague! So please it's Ishaani... Only!' I stressed

She smiled...

' OK Ishaani... Come then...it's coffee time let me introduce you to my colleagues and friends'

We were in office cafeteria which was on the same 10th floor. Soon Pragati introduced me to a bunch of people....

They were 5 people...

'Guys meet Ishaani... This is Kavita, Sanjay, Akhil, Lankesh and Akshaya. This is our gang!

Kavitaji is the Senior Finance Department Head here, one of most respected person and a sweetheart... She's the main person to finalize on the budget and finances too! She handles our sponsors and budgets too!

Basically without her nod we can't buy stuff 😂

Sanjay joined us a year ago and Akhil joined us 3 years ago... These will work as part of your designers team itself... Sanjay organizes schedule with models and Akhil is the production control manager.

Lankesh and Akshaya are husband and wife. They organise events and are the heads for Gaya's Fashion week this year. It's the first time for Akshaya but Lanki has been doing this for 5 years and he's a pro.'

Saying she introduced me to all of them.
Kavita ji seems to be the most experienced out of them all probably in her late 30's now. Lankesh and Akshaya seemed to be a warm cute couple 💕,Lankesh Akshaya also from Mysore. I was extremely happy knowing that. I felt home suddenly.

Akhil was a funny guy who was also a Punjabi and we seemed to share interest when it came to food where as Sanjay was a straight out flirt 🤣 he already started hitting on me although he was younger than me but he was funny and goofy. '

I was finally happy...

In no time we gelled together. Specially Akhil and Sanjay they were funniest.

Sanjay tried to make stupid jokes and in no time I was laughing holding my stomach....

Just then I felt like a strong gaze on me...

I looked across to see who it was!

It came from a far away table from another corner of cafeteria!

It was 'THE DEVIL'👿

He was staring at me intensely!

He was shooting fire from his eyes!

I swallowed my saliva!

Although I ignored him and turned my head to face Sanjay who was still cracking stupid jokes even after rest of the folks left and it was only me, him and Pragati.

Next minute I heard a hoarse voice clearing it's throat!

Behind my back!!!

I turned to see who it was...

Devil was standing exactly behind me!

My breathing hitched again!!!