Sia's pov
(At Sia's house )

"Oh, that sounds like a great plan! Let's head to Dad's office. See you later, Mom." I exclaimed.

"Goodbye, Sia." Mom replied.

"Come on, Ashi, let's go." I urged as I gently tugged Ashi along by her wrist.

"Hey, slow down and let go. I can walk on my own." Ashi protested.

"Oops, my bad." I apologized as I released her wrist. Together, we made our way to my car.

"Uncle, could you take us to Dad's office, please?" I requested the driver.

"Of course, as you wish." he acknowledged before starting the car.

( Sia's dad's office)

"We've arrived, Ms. Sia." the driver informed me.

"Thank you, Uncle." I replied with a smile.

"Come on, Ashi." I called as I stepped out of the car.

As we entered the office building, most of the staff members greeted us with "Good morning, Ms. Sia."

"Good morning, everyone... Please stop bowing, I'm not your boss." I chuckled.

"Ma'am, but you're the boss's daughter, so you're our boss too." one of the staff members insisted.

"Ah, okay, forget it." I waved it off. "Where's Dad?" I inquired.

"He's in his cabin, ma'am." a staff member replied.

"Alright, thank you! Have a great day, everyone." I bid them farewell as I headed towards Dad's office.

"Daddy~ ... May I come in?" I called out, holding the door wide open.

"Yes, Sanskriti, come in." he said, and I entered his office.

"Only Sia? What about me, Mr. Roy?" Ashi said with the cutest tiny pout.

"Oh, Ashi, you're here too. Come in, dear." Dad sweetly replied to Ashi.

"DEAR!! I am your daughter, not her. So why are you calling her dear." I said, glaring at them as I settled into the chair near the table.

"Because she is my daughter too." Dad said, putting his hand around Ashi's shoulder.

"I guess someone is jealous. Uncle, you smell of something burning." Ashi teased.

"Yes, I can smell it." Dad said to Ashi.

"Enough, Daddy... Will you both stop teasing me?" I exclaimed.

"Okay, ok... Btw, what's so special that you yourself came to my office? You're not normally seen here." Dad asked me.

"Actually, dad, I-I am ready to take over the business." I said.

"WHAT!!! DID I HEAR IT RIGHT?" Dad almost shouted in complete shock.

"Yes, dad, you heard it right. I am ready for it. But I have one condition." I said.

"All the conditions are accepted." Dad said, smiling happily.

"At least let me complete, dad." I whined.

"Ok, say it." Dad said as he sat on the table in front of me.

"I want to go to South Korea." I said.

"Okay, you can go on a holiday there." he replied, moving his head in acceptance.

"Not for a vacation... I'll be staying there for the next 6 months." I muttered, looking down.

"6 months... Are you serious? What's the plan for your stay? Where will you be staying?" Dad's voice almost rose.

"Ashi and I got selected for this competition. We have to be there for the upcoming rounds. They'll arrange a place for me to stay," I explained.

"Alright. What about the business though?" He inquired.

"I'll handle it once I return from there," I assured.

"Okay," he responded.

"So, can we go, Daddy, pretty please?" I pleaded.

"Alright, you can go." he agreed.

"Yay! Love you so much, Dad. Your strategy really paid off." I exclaimed, jumping from my chair to hug Ashi.

"What strategy are you talking about?" Dad questioned.

"Oh, nothing, Dad-" I started but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

*Knock knock*

"Who's there?" Dad asked.

"It's me, Mr. Roy. May I come in?" the voice replied.

"Yes, come in, Kiara," Dad granted entry.

"Kiara?" Ashi and I exchanged puzzled glances, feeling like we've heard that name before.

Shortly after, a girl, around my age, entered the room. She was dressed in a cream-colored full-sleeve shirt and blue jeans, handing some files to Dad.

"Dad, who is she?" I inquired.

"She's my assistant, Kiara." Dad informed.

"Oh, nice to meet you, Kiara. I'm Sia, and this is my friend Ashi." I introduced us.

"I know. Nice to meet you, ma'am. Alright, sir, I'll take my leave now." Kiara said with a bow, and Dad nodded.

"So, is your packing and shopping all set?" Dad inquired after she exited the room.

"Not yet, we're about to start." I responded.

"Alright. Are you heading out for shopping now?" He asked us.

"Probably yes. Can I have your card?" I asked, reaching out for his card.

"Sure." He handed me his card. "Enjoy yourselves, girls." Dad said with a warm smile.

"Okay, Dad. See you soon... bye." I said, taking the card and leaving the office.

"So, what's the plan now, Sia?" Ashi asked as we left the office.

"Hmm, let's go home first and make a shopping list." I suggested after a moment of thought.

"Okay! But I think we should stop by the college first." she proposed.

"Alright! Let's head there first... But why are you going to college?" I asked as we got into the car.

"Senior!! Did you forget... I'm still a college student." she reminded me, taking a seat beside me.

"Where to next, ma'am?" the driver inquired.

"To my college," I instructed the driver. "Oh yes, you're still in college... You're in your final year, right?" I continued the conversation.

"Yes... Today is my result day." she mentioned.

"Oh, okay... That's great. Best of luck. I hope you pass." I wished her.

"Ah, you're so mean." she teased.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" I apologized.

"You better be." she replied.

"So rude!" I playfully pouted.

"Aww, you look like a baby with that pout." she remarked, cupping my cheeks.

After a short drive, we arrived near my college.

"Ms. Sia, we have arrived." the driver informed.

"Thank you, uncle." I acknowledged.

"Get your result quickly... I'll wait in the car." I mentioned, and Ashi nodded before heading inside.

After a few minutes, she came back with her result in hand.

"So, how did it go?" I inquired eagerly.

"A+" she responded, beaming with joy.

"Wow, that's amazing!" I exclaimed, genuinely happy for her achievement.

"I know, right? Now, let's head home and kickstart our packing." she suggested, ready to get organized for the trip.