Rudy POV:

As I stepped into the sleek, modern office of Rai, the air buzzed with a mix of anticipation and the faint scent of luxury. I made my way to the private lift, my mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming engagement. Just as the doors slid shut, I overheard two employees engaged in a hushed conversation that piqued my curiosity.

"I think she is really so close to Raiya mam; otherwise, mam never shows any random person the special collections, no matter how rich they are!" one of them remarked, her tone laced with intrigue.

The other chimed in, "Exactly! But don't you think that girl was being so choosy? It's like there's no outfit in this world that fits her! I was shocked by mam's reaction; she's usually so strict, but today, she was so patient with that girl. That younger one, whom mam was calling 'princess,' is so sweet. She chose her outfit with just one glance."

A smile crept onto my face as I realized they were talking about my sister, Devika, and Nisha, the ever-picky girl who seemed to thrive on drama. With a sense of purpose, I entered Rai's cabin, ready to navigate the whirlwind of fashion and emotions that awaited me.

Inside, Rai was seated at her desk, her fingers dancing over the keyboard of her laptop, exuding an air of professionalism. Nisha, on the other hand, was preoccupied with her phone, snapping selfies as if the world revolved around her. And there was my sister, surrounded by an array of colorful cupcakes, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Bhai!!! Thank God, finally you came!" Devika exclaimed, her voice a melody of relief and excitement. "I was so bored while Rai di is working, so I started eating cupcakes. I lost track of how many I've ate." 

Rai glanced up, but before she could speak, Nisha swooped in, grasping my hand with an enthusiasm that felt more like a vice. "Oh Rudra, I was waiting for you since I heard you were coming! Rai said you asked about me!" Her tone dripped with a mix of sweetness and desperation, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of irritation wash over me."

Uh... Yeah! And I also need an outfit to wear for the engagement," I replied, my voice awkward as I tried to shake off Nisha's grip. I turned to Rai, who was now intently observing the scene, her gaze lingering on where Nisha held my hand. This was turning out to be more interesting than I had anticipated.

"Show me the collection of your best pieces, Rai! I don't want any random design for my engagement," I stated, emphasizing the word 'engagement' as if to remind everyone of the significance of the occasion.

Rai's said understanding "Sure. Wait a minute." She called for someone to bring the finest engagement collection from the men's section, and soon, four employees entered, each carrying a selection of exquisite outfits. Among them were the two employees I had overheard earlier, their expressions a mix of professionalism and curiosity.

One by one, they unveiled the best pieces I had ever seen in the industry. Each suit was a masterpiece, crafted with meticulous attention to detail. I found myself drawn to an off-white suit adorned with subtle golden accents, a perfect blend of elegance and understated luxury. Just as I was about to express my choice, Nisha interjected.

"Oh Rudy, I forgot to tell you! I got a blue gown, so can you also take the blue one? I mean, it's our engagement, so it'd be great if we wore the same color, you know?" Her suggestion hung in the air, and I felt a flicker of irritation flare up within me.

Despite my initial preference, I decided to select a light blue suit instead, knowing it would complement her gown. It was a beautiful choice, but a part of me still longed for the off-white suit that had captured my heart.

"Okay, you all will get yours this evening," Rai announced, her voice cutting through the tension. She instructed the employees to pack the outfits and send them to the address she had emailed.

As the employees left, I couldn't shake the feeling that this engagement was going to be more complicated than I had anticipated.

The atmosphere in the reception area was charged with a mix of excitement and tension as Devika, Nisha, and I prepared to leave Rai's office. The day had been a whirlwind of fashion and emotions, and I was eager to escape the drama that seemed to follow Nisha like a shadow. As we made our way through the sleek, modern space, Nisha was still engrossed in her phone, snapping selfies with an intensity that bordered on obsession.

Suddenly, with a loud gasp, she collided with someone, her phone slipping from her grasp and crashing to the floor. The sound echoed through the reception, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Nisha's face twisted in shock, quickly morphing into fury as she turned to the boy she had bumped into.

"What the hell did you do? That was my new phone! Can't you walk properly, you dumbass!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with disdain.

The boy, taken aback but composed, replied, "Sorry, ma'am, but it was your fault for walking while taking selfies!" His tone was calm, but the tension in the air was palpable.

Before I could intervene, Nisha's voice rose again, filled with indignation. "The audacity of yours! You're blaming me for your mistake! Do you know that if I wanted to, I could have you fired? I know the CEO personally!"

At that moment, Rai appeared beside Devika, her presence commanding and authoritative. "Who are you to decide if he'll be fired or not?" she interjected, her voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of danger.

Nisha's bravado faltered as she turned to Rai, desperation creeping into her tone. "Rai, see, he's blaming me for his fault! He just broke my phone!"

"You didn't answer my question, Nisha," Rai said, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the storm brewing in Nisha's eyes. "From what position are you claiming he should be fired?"

"R... Rai, I... I was just showing him his place!" Nisha stammered, her confidence wavering under Rai's unwavering gaze.

"And what about you? What's your place, Nisha?" Rai pressed, her voice low and firm.

"Why are you talking to me like that, Rai? Why aren't you telling him something? He just broke my new phone! What about that?" Nisha's desperation was palpable, her eyes darting between Rai and the boy.

"Mam, I didn't break her phone, really!" the boy interjected, his voice steady despite the chaos.

"See? He's denying it again!" Nisha shot back, her frustration boiling over.

"Apologize now!" Rai commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. The room fell silent, all eyes on the unfolding drama.

"You, Nisha! I'm telling you! Apologize to him," Rai reiterated, her voice a blend of authority.

Nisha's expression shifted from anger to shock. "Why should I apologize to him? It should be him!" she protested, her voice rising in pitch.

"I already checked the CCTV before coming here, Nisha. You better accept your fault. You were clicking selfies and collided with him. It's clearly your fault. You also insulted him by slapping him in front of everyone when he wasn't at fault at all. So, you should apologize to my employee," Rai stated, her words cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Why care so much about just a mere employee? He's not that important..." Nisha began, but Rai interrupted her, her voice firm and unwavering.

"Every employee of my company is IMPORTANT to me. I promised them that I would never compromise their self-respect. So, YOU. WILL. APOLOGIZE. End of the discussion!"

Nisha stared at Rai, astonished, unable to comprehend that Rai would stand up for someone she deemed beneath her. But as the reality of the situation sank in, Nisha's anger simmered beneath the surface, and she begrudgingly turned to the boy, her teeth clenched. "I'm sorry for insulting you. Forgive me."

Rai nodded; she addressed everyone. "Now, go back to your places," she instructed, before stepping closer to Nisha.

"This is the first and last time I'm saying this," Rai said, her voice low and serious. "We are not friends. Grandmother told me to help you; I'm just doing that. And after all, you are the bride of my best friend. But no matter how close we are, I will always stand by the right one. And this time, you were wrong. Learn to respect people for the fact that they are human, not by their profession. You may leave now. Your engagement is in two days; you need rest."

As Nisha stood there, her face a mask of disbelief and suppressed rage, I couldn't help but smile to myself. Rai was as fierce and principled as ever, refusing to tolerate disrespect towards anyone, regardless of their status.

We left the office, the weight of the encounter lingering in the air. Nisha was fuming, her anger barely contained, but she knew better than to lash out now. The day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and as we stepped into the cool evening air, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The drama was behind us, at least for now, and I was ready to embrace the calm before the storm of the engagement.

                                                                                                                                                                    (to be continued)

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