"Make sure all the arrangements are proper, I don't want any kind of last minute flaws or mistakes. None", Shivaay instructed his organizing team who nodded and went from there.

"Shivaay, a personal invitation for all the ace designers and celebrities are sent", Arnav said walking along with him who was going towards Malika's desk.

"Great. Just everything go perfect, I want this event to be bestest one of Allure", he said.

"Don't worry Shivaay. It will be the best", Arnav said and they reached near her desk to see Malika hyper, instructing her assistants.

"Mal, has all the models arrived?", he asked worried.

"Yes, they've arrived and their rampwalk practice is going on", she said.

"The outfits?", Arnav asked.

"Everything is perfectly kept in the dressing room. Models, artists, dresses everything is ready", she said smiling.

"Thank god. And Annika..where is Annika?", Arnav asked.

"Oh she's on her way, she had an interview with a magazine so she's little late by time but will reach by 30 minutes", Malika told.

"Still I'll call her. She's the showstopper", Shivaay muttered dialling Annika. He frowned as she cut the call.

"Why this girl is cutting my call now", he frowned dialling again.

"I am here Shivaay", Annika walked towards them with her phone and handbag in hands. He cut the call looking at her.

"How much you're calling me", she said in disbelief.

"I am really worried right now Annika, I want everything to go perfect", he said sighing.

"Babe, everything will be fine!", she said cupping his face.

"Yeah but..", he looked at her, holding her hands.

"Shh, nothing. Tell me, you had your coffee?", she asked caressing his cheeks. He shook his head.

"Shivaay!", she sighed looking at him in disbelief, "guys, I am taking him to his cabin. Mali, I will meet you in 20 minutes", she said and turned other side to widen her eyes. Shivaay also looked towards the direction and his eyebrows raised.

Malika and Arnav were looking at each other. His right hand was draped around her shoulder and both are grinning towards each other.

Annika looked towards Shivaay who shrugged and chuckles.

"God knows when these two are going to accept they like each other", he muttered softly.

"Some people need time", she said holding his hand, "but they're so cute together."

"That they surely are", he chuckled. She looked at him to see him grinning looking at his best friends. His creased skin near eyes, slightly closed eyes and his contagious smile. She found herself smiling.

"Checking me out, are we?", he asked smirking. She smiled widely and shook her head.

"Adoring you", she mumbled caressing his stubble. He held her wrist pecking it.

"Ahem! Annika, shall we go? Some people are busy", he said teasingly making Arnav and Malika snap out of their thoughts.

They looked at each other. He removed his arm around her shoulder and both parted. They looked away blushing. Shivika chuckled and smiled at each other.

"I will catch up with you in 30 minutes Mal", she said dragging Shivaay along with her. He winked at the duo before grinning and left with Annika.

"I-I go and look at the arrangements", Arnav said looking here and there.

"I will, um, see the models", she said and ran towards the room where models were present. He slapped back of his head lightly before leaving from there.

|••|

As soon as the doors of his personal elevator closed, he pinned her against the wall. He held her right hand above her head.

"Hey", he grinned.

"Hi", she said shyly. He leaned forward looking at her lips when she stopped him.

"CCTV", she said. He chuckles seeing her adorable face with widen eyes.

"It's connected to my computer, pumpkin", he winked and leaned to kiss her again. She giggled making him confused.

"What you called me?", she asked. He grinned.

"Pumpkin. My cute little pumpkin", he said kissing her nose. She smiled widely on his nickname for her.

"Yours", she wrapped her arm around his neck. He grinned and kissed her making her close her eyes and kiss him back.

As he was going to deepen the kiss, doors opened making her push him slightly, away from her. He fixed his coat while she straighten her dress.

They walked out holding their hands. Top floor only have his, Arnav and their assistant Sia's cabin because of which they're able to live on their way they want to. They're definitely not the sickly PDA friendly couple but little affection towards their partner, they love to show it.

"Babe, I am so excited for tonight's event", she exclaimed as they walk inside their cabin. She immediately kept her bag on the couch and walked to his coffee machine.

In this one month, he has got quite fond of her handmade espresso. All she do is basic what everyone does, boiling the water and adding the powder but still, when she makes it, it tastes even better.

"Mhm. Me too. I just hope it go all well. It's really special for me", he said sitting on his chair. She walked to him and handled him the cup.

"Why?", she asked taking place on his table. She felt his hand on her thigh.

"Well because of this collection and event, Malika wanted you as her face, because of that we selected you because of which we met and now I have you as my girlfriend. It has to be special. Our first work together", he said caressing her skin softly making her smile.

"It's indeed special", she said cupping his cheeks and kissing his forehead. He smiled holding her palms.

"Btw, the event probably should get finished by 11. How about late night ice cream?", he asked her.

"You're indirectly asking me for a date, babe?", she asked amused.

"Let me ask directly then, come with me on an ice cream date?", he asked holding her hands.

"I can never say no to ice creams", she giggled.

"For ice cream, you'll go with me huh?", she smiled sheepishly on his question and laughed as he pulled her in his lap nuzzling in her neck making her giggle more.

|••|

The ground for event was ready lavishly to witness a beautiful and successful fashion show. Ace designers and celebrities were seen coming on the red carpet continuously.

Media got wild as soon as Shivaay arrived. He came out of his car decked up in a hand stitched black tuxedo fitting perfectly to his physique.

"How do you feel sir?", one of the reporter asked.

"I feel thrilled, excited and little nervous you can say. I am hoping for a successful event", he smiled at them.

"Sir, it's your first time working with superstar Annika D'souza. How's working with her?", the other one asked.

"It was great. She's a fun to work with. I love working with people who are passionate towards what they're doing. She's one of them. She's committed completely towards her work, a down to earth lady", he smiled talking about her.

After giving some clicks for the media, he was going inside. The security was helping to keep media away when the hustle started again. As if cherry on top, the media saw Annika getting down from her car.

She was wearing a nude gown having white net design over it. It was a floor length gown perfectly fitting around all her curves leaving the dress backless. She waved as media approaches her.

"Annika ma'am, Shivaay sir, a picture together please", they started asking for it. She looked towards him and both walked towards each other coming in middle.

He draped his arm around her waist while she had one of her hands on her waist. They posed for camera and then parted with smiles.

"How's it working together ma'am?", one of them asked.

"It was really amazing and a good experience working with him and Allure. I got some really good friends as well", she smiled towards them and then at him who smiled back.

Someone called Shivaay so he excused giving a quick hug and kiss behind her ear. She turned back at media.

"What do you think about Shivaay?", the other one asked.

"He's a sweetheart! He's really helping and caring, just a phenomenal person in his field and you can say, a very special person to me", she said and smiled at them. Media wanted to ask more but the security helped her to go inside.

She was walked towards the back stag at the make-up area. Malika, Gauri and Bhavya were working there making models get ready.

"Hey", she gave a hug to Malika and then other two. They hugged her back.

"Annika change up in your outfit, I will do your make-up then. Shyla, help her up please", Gauri said when one of her assistant came there to help Annika in get ready.

"Annika, you look so gorgeous", Malika squealed as Annika came out wearing the outfit. Malika gushed over it seeing Annika looking exactly the way she wanted her to look, maybe even way better than that.

"Really! God! You look like a princess", Gauri squealed while Bhavya turned and twirled her.

She was wearing a peach lehenga. The blouse was having shimmery silver lining over it. It was off shoulder, sweetheart neck with dupatta on both the sides making it look like a cape. The skirt was floor length with asymmetrical designs made at the end while the upper area of skirt was covered with silver shimmery leaf patterns.

Annika hugged the three girls, herself being impressed by her outfit. It was fitting her body perfectly like the second skin.

"Girls? Are everyone-", Shivaay paused as he saw girls surrounding Annika and as they turned he looked at Annika. She was standing there with a beautiful smile, holding her palms and raised eyebrows.

"W..wow! You- you look gorgeous", he said with a wide smile. Annika smiled happily.

"That's why I wasn't telling you or showing you the design. To see this expression", Malika said bumping her shoulder with his. He chuckled wrapping arm around her shoulder.

He moved closer to Annika widening her eyes. She looked around to see models busy in their touch ups and final look.

"If we're not surrounded by so many people, I would have kissed you deeply", he whispered in her ear wrapping arms around her hugging her. She blushed hugging him back.

"Shivaay everyone is looking at us", she said against his ear. He was just tightening the grip around her bare waist. His warm finger touched her cold skin making shiver run inside her.

"I don't care honestly. You know me", he said kissing her jawline. She smiled, actually knowing him quite well. They parted and he removed her hair strand from his beard.

"Fine, love kids. We need to do your make-up and hair Annika, and you Mister, go outside. The show has to start", Malika said.

"Yup. Bye", he mouthed towards her. She blinked.

The fashion show started at it's scheduled time. One by one, each and every model walked on the ramp showcasing the beautiful designs of Allure. They're unique combination of traditional ethnic wear with modern touch.

"Annika you're ready right?", Malika asked nervously. She had also changed in her indian style gown. It was red in colour with a cape design at behind. It was having thread work over it.

"Yes. And calm down. It will be awesome. People are already loving them", she said holding her hands. Malika nodded little nervously.

"Malika ma'am, next is you with Arnav Sir then Shivaay sir with Ms. D'souza. Then you all together", one from organizing team told. She nodded.

"I'll go, wish me luck", she hugged Annika.

"All the best Mal. You'll rock it", she said hugging her back and rubbed it gently. Malika nodded and went from there. She walked on the ramp along with Arnav and after giving some poses waited for Shivaay and Annika.

"Hey", he whispered from behind as she was fixing her skirt. She turned and smiled.

"Hi. I am nervous", she chuckled.

"You'll rock it. Trust me", he said kissing her cheek as they're alone at the place.

"I trust you. Accha, you reach back stage, I will join you in a while", she said. He nodded and went from there.

Annika was fixing her skirt when she felt someone looking at her. She turned around to see no one. She sighed and walked ahead towards backstage. As she went from there, Tia came there with a cunning smile.

"Trying to over smart me Annika? Now I will show you who's Tia Kapoor", she smirked and went from there chuckling.

"Next we have the co-founder and Ace designer, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi with a very beautiful, talented and showstopper of the collection, Ms. Annika D'souza", the anchor said.

Annika came to Shivaay who had his charming smile on his face. He wrapped his arm around her waist while she had one of her hand on her waist and another around him.

They started walking when suddenly Annika felt like her cloth is loosening. She got confused but smiled and walked with him but suddenly stopped realising that the zip of her blouse is opening.

"Shivaay", she hitched, clutching him. He looked at her to see her pale face.

"My..my zip", she stopped taking steps and tried to hold her blouse from behind. He looked behind to see her blouse almost open. He immediately kept his hand there, holding her cloth.

He signalled someone and light went of the hall. He immediately removed his coat and wrapped it around her shoulder. She clutched it and he walked her to the make-up room.

"Annika you're fine. You're good", he said hugging her while she clutched him tightly from his shirt.

"If..if I won't have noticed or you won't have been with me, my blouse-"

"Shh..I am there, calm down", he rubbed her back over his coat when he saw a transparent thread coming from inside the coat. He looked at it confused.

"What's this?", he pulled it a bit making her gasp. His eyes widen in realisation that someone fixed her blouse with the thread. He kneeled down and picked up her skirt a bit to see her the end of her heel tied with the thread.

"Someone did it on purpose", he gritted his teeth. He got up on his feet and looked at her. She was still in the moment. He caressed her cheeks kissing her head.

"You're fine baby, come sit", he made her sit on the chair. Taking the water bottle from the make-up section, he gave it to her and kneeled down removing her heels.

By then, Malika, Gauri, Bhavya and boys reached there.

"Guys? What happened? Suddenly light went and you guys are here. Annika is sitting like this", Om asked.

"Some moron did malfunctioning with Annika's dress. There was a thread tied from her heels to her blouse such that whenever Annika would take a step, the zip of her blouse will open. I asked my man to cut power so that no one gets to know what happened", he said with anger.

"What the fuck! Who is it? I mean how? We all were here with Annika", Malika asked confused and walked to Annika. She was sitting there clutching his coat.

"Security! Security!!", Shivaay roared making the head of security with some other came there.

"I want to see the CCTV of this area and inside of make-up room. Soon!", he said.

"Sure Sir", the head said and went from there.

Shivaay kneeled down in front of Annika and cupped her cheeks.

"You're fine, pumpkin", he pulled her to his chest and kissed her head.

"Go change your clothes, we're leaving. You need rest from all the ruckus today", he said making her look at him.

"No Shivaay. Showstopper is left. I can't back out. Your company will get affected after people will know that the showstopper didn't walked on. Apart from it, my image will also affect. I'm good", she said with a small smile.

"Baby you know you're more important. If you're not feeling good, we can skip it", he said seriously.

"I am perfectly fine. Just got little shock for a while thinking what would have happened if you were not there or I won't have noticed it", she mumbled. He was caressing her cheeks, "I am good", she smiled.

"Fine", he sighed seeing her adamant, "take your time. Malika, girls help her and be careful this time", he said going from there. Boys went along with him giving strength to Annika.

"Come Annika", Gauri said side hugging her. She nodded and went along with other two.

"One of us should have been here. God knows which bitch did this", Malika said zipping her blouse properly.

"Exactly! I mean why would someone do it with Annika. She's so good with every damn person", Bhavya said fixing her dupatta.

"Anu? You doubt someone?", Gauri asked as she did last brush on her nose.

"I really don't know. And I am not even in right state of it. I just wanna complete this fashion show. Let's see what it is", Annika said. They nodded.

"All the best", trio said hugging Annika. She smiled hugging them back. Exhaling, she took Shivaay's coat and walked to the backstage.

He was standing there, having hands on his waist. His muscles looked tensed. She went and wrapped an arm around his torso from behind.

"Babe", she muttered against his chest. He turned and smiled softly caressing her cheek. She smiled back.

She turned him again and made him wear the coat. Turning back to herself, she fixed his coat and button up it.

"Smile Mr. Oberoi. It suits you more", she said softly caressing on his lapel. He smiled softly and nodded.

"You're good?", he asked. She nodded softly and smiled.

"Come then", he held her hand and she entwined their hands. As they reached near ramp, he wrapped his arm on her lower back while she kept her hand on her waist and brought a confident and radiant smile.

They walked ahead and everyone clapped seeing them. They walked till the end and posed for the media there. Malika and Arnav joined them in a while and all four posed together. Om smiled taking a perfect snap of them.

|••|

Annika was packing her handbag and other things changing in her casual tees and jeans. Girls looked at her confused coming in the make-up room.

"Where are you going?", Malika asked.

"Home, obviously", Annika said shrugging.

"What? Aren't you waiting for after party. Please na", Gauri pleaded.

"I am sorry guys. I am really feeling exhausted. I want some rest. You guys enjoy", she said patting Gauri's shoulder.

"Bhavu and Ri, if you won't be coming at night stay with Malika or either keep boys along", she said taking her handbag and hugged them. They nodded.

She went outside in the parking area to see Shivaay waiting there against her car. She walked there confused.

"What are you doing here?", she asked.

"Waiting for you, obviously", he went to her side and opened door of passenger seat. She walked to that side sighing and got inside keeping her bag at back. She removed her sandals and pressed her feet making her hair in a bun. He got inside the car and started the car.

"Sleep baby, I will wake up you when we'll reach your home", he said. She nodded and leaned to his face pecking his cheek. He smiled holding her hand and kissed her knuckles. She cuddled to her sit and closed her eyes. She was done with the exhausting day.

|••|

Hey guys! Thanks for your votes and comments on the previous chapter. Keep reading, voting and commenting your views. They mean a lot to me♥️

Many of you already guessed that Tia may do something. Let's see how Shivaay and other finds out about it and what happens next😉

Hope you liked the update. Do tell me how it was😁

Precap: Shivika, night and her room

Love,
K♥️