Chapter 4

"I think it's better." He said the words that everyone wanted to say but was too afraid to do so. His voice had caused all the workers in the shop to come and form a line. Gauri couldn't really see the owner of that magnetic voice but what was surprising was that all the workers were standing straight with their heads lowered and suddenly in unison they yelled out "Greetings Boss." When the crowd finally knew who was behind them they quickly moved out of the way. Gauri could hear the slow footsteps striding towards them. With everyone being silent you could hear the echoes of each step that he took making Gauri even more curious. The moment she finally saw him she knew....he had to be Omkara Oberoi...owner of Oberoi Fashions. His black suit was clearly tailor made just for him. The simple design was definitely eye catching especially with the black cufflinks that was on the cuffs of his crisp white button shirt. But what Gauri liked most was his navy silk tie that had a black jeweled clip to keep it in place at all times. His jet black hair was slicked back in a half-pony where the rest of his hair brushed right on top of his shoulder showing off his black diamond stud earrings that gave Gauri the illusion that the man was very powerful and somewhat dangerous. "Very fitting for Omkara Oberoi owner of Oberoi Fashions." Gauri thought. His entire outfit was just perfect. And when he walked he had both hands in his pocket as he slowly approached them.

"Mr. Oberoi I'm surprised to see you here today."

Omkara never took a liking to Priya but because she was a valuable customer ever since she became the wife of Kaali Thakur that he let his workers cater to her every whim but lately there were complaints about the staff at this particular store of his forcing him to make a surprise visit today.

Seeing him politely smile Priya thought that the words he had said earlier must have been a mistake until he spoke.

"Surprise? Why is it surprising? Is this not one of my stores Mrs. Thakur?"

"Of course..I was just..."

Gauri could tell by the woman's posture that she felt humiliated and was struggling to uphold her image in front of everyone like before when she was trying to intimidate them with her status.

Gauri's heart skipped a beat when his gaze fell on her and as he slowly approached them she was happy that he was more interested in the outfit she had created for the young girl standing beside her.

"Indeed the scarf has enhanced her look by transforming into a belt."

The young girl was evidently blushing as he circled around her to look at the entire outfit. But who could blame her when every woman in the store was wishing to trade places with her.

"I hear you needed an outfit for an interview."

The young girl could not find the courage to look him in the eyes so she could only look to Gauri as she shyly answered "Yes."

"I can assure you that this outfit would be perfect for it. So where are you interviewing at."

With her bright eyes she looked up at the man who was clearly towering over her "Oberoi Fashions."

His brows were raised as he looks at the young girl up and down "You are a bit young did you graduate already?"

Slightly looking down towards her feet "I get that a lot but I am 26 years old."

"You are 26?"

Even Gauri was surprise that this young girl was 26 years old. But then again Gauri herself could pass as only an 18 year old due to her petite stature.

"Yes Sir."

"And what are you interviewing for?"

Thinking that she couldn't throw away this rare opportunity the young girl quickly replied enthusiastically "The design department. I have studied and researched your new line of "Old and Classy" and was very interested in being apart of it."

"Who is suppose to interview you?"

"Ms. Svetlana Kapoor."

"I see. Good luck."

When the girl suddenly took a step towards Omkara as he tried to turn away

"Ah.."

Hearing her call out to him Omkara slowly turned his head back "Did you want to say something?"

"Ah..yes...I just wanted to tell you my name..but if it's inappropriate then..."

His bright smile was enough to melt the entire room "Oh what is your name miss."

"My name is Ishana Patel."

"Nice to meet you and good luck on your interview tomorrow."

Smiling brightly as she turns towards Gauri to grab her hand "Thank you so much! Without you I would have left and never have gotten the chance to meet with Omkara Oberoi."

"You are welcome."

Just when Gauri was about to walk towards the shoe aisle to look for her pair of shoes for tomorrow she heard him call out to her suddenly.

"Did you forget about the wager Miss?"

Turning to face him only to see his gentleman like smile "Yes. It seems I did forget."

"Well come lets end this so that I can continue what I came here to do today."

Omkara gestured Ishana to come stand beside Priya who was burning with anger.

"Come stand next to each other so I can see once more who looks better."

As the two ladies stood next to each other Omkara stood closer to Gauri who was just standing there waiting for things to play out so she could go on with her day when she felt his hot breath against her ear "Could you tell me the problem with Mrs. Thakur's outfit ?"

Priya bit her lower lip when she heard what Omkara was saying. "What do you mean Mr. Oberoi? There is a problem with my outfit? I bought my entire out fit in your store!"

With his hands still in his pockets he once again gave a gentleman like smile "I did say that Ms. Patel's outfit was better so of course there is a problem with yours Mrs. Thakur."

Gauri did not want to waste anymore time so she quickly gave the man her opinion.

"Although the dress is very beautiful and finely made with the best material but it is too tight on Mrs. Thakur. If she had chosen a larger size then it would be more flattering but because the size is too small it takes away from the garment an only focuses on her assets instead. And her jewelry is very flashy and a bit too much that it weighs down on her entire look. And with an outfit like this you can not appreciate it as a whole but rather separately only."

"Separate only? Could you elaborate?"

"You can't deny that everything she has on is beautiful. When looking you can only say "the dress looks nice." "The shoes are beautiful." "The necklace is out of this world." But what you probably won't hear is "you look beautiful." "You look stunning."

Seeing his lips curve up slightly Gauri knew that this man knew the answer all along.

"Mrs. Thakur is what this Miss say true? Have anyone told you when wearing that outfit today that you looked beautiful or stunning?"

Even though no one has all day one would have to put a gun to Priya's head for her to admit it "Of course! ask your worker here! or even the manager!"

For months now these workers has been on her beck and call so Priya knew they wouldn't throw her under the bus now but who would have thought what would have come next.

"The workers? The manager?"

"Yes! When I bought this entire outfit here and wore it today they gave me many praises!"

"I see."

Walking towards the entire staff of the store "As of right now you are no longer part of Oberoi Fashions. You will receive your pay for the entire day today as well as the company pension."

When the staff heard that they were just fired they tried to beg for another chance but was quickly lead out by Omkara's men. And when the staff was longer in sight he nudge his close assistant to bring in the newly trained staff he has brought specifically for today.

Walking back to Priya who was so shocked that her entire body was slightly trembling.

"Thank you Mrs. Thakur bringing it to my attention that the staff here was clearing not up to Oberoi Fashion's standards."

Even though Priya was not only humiliated but very angry she knew when to retreat. Flicking her hair to one side as she walks up to Gauri and Ishana "Sorry!"

As they saw her quickly pushed her way through the crowd Gauri looked to Ishana "Well I wish you luck tomorrow."

When Gauri once again tried to walk towards the shoe aisle his voice again stopped her. "Miss. If you don't mind what are you looking for today?"

"I am just looking for a pair of shoes."

"For your troubles today please pick out any pair that you like and it will be on us...as a form of an apology."

Ishana did not hesitate to ask "Does that mean I can pick one out too?"

For a moment Gauri was a bit taken back at how quickly Ishana took up the offer "Was this girl not the weak and shy type?" But Gauri just dismissed it.

"Of course Ms. Patel. Pick out whichever pair you desire."

And because of how quickly Ishana darted towards the newly released high pumps Gauri couldn't reject the man's offer. She just slightly bowed her head "Thank you."

When she saw him look towards his assistant to enquire what else they needed to do today Gauri headed towards the shoes that was marked down instead of where Ishana was.

Even though he needed to go to an important meeting he couldn't help but look at her from the corner of his eye while she picked up a pair of black pumps with black gemstones lining the back of the heel.

"Suits her perfectly."

**Hope you guys are enjoying this story...I have always wanted to see if how it would be to write about office romance and politics. Do vote if you are enjoying it.**