Arayna Oberoi

Unlike always, this time I decide to enter from the front entrance. Its essential to check up on the display around the store, from time to time. As I enter the front entrance I could see an expression of shock on the faces of the security stood near the gate, along with shock there was also a hint of fear. The mannequins lay thrashed on the ground and one of the dresses on the mannequin was stuck in the handle, it being torn at the ends. I clenched my hands tightly in a fist, thinking 'What the hell is going on here?'. I looked around the store to see everyone talking amongst each other, the customers as well as the staff and Evelyn stood still with bundles of cash in her hand, in the middle of the store, looking stunned and spaced out.

I hate it when things are not how they are supposed to be, it irritates me so much I can't think straight. The mannequins are not supposed to be lying down, the dress isn't supposed to be torn and the staff aren't supposed to be lingering around talking among themselves. I have mild OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), especially towards what is related to me. One of the staff sees me and quickly walks towards the mannequins fallen to pick them up. I walk towards Evelyn and clear my throat and she comes out from her reverie.

"My office, now" I tell her in an even tone and I look around once more, some of them now realizing I am in the same room.

She nods her head and speaks loudly "Everyone, back to work, the show is over." she says with authority, composing herself.

I and Evelyn together take the elevator to my office. We both stay quiet the entire ride up the elevator.Entering my office I sit on the chair taking a pencil in my hand. I have a habit of fidgeting with a pencil, it helps me calm down and focus. I start rolling the pencil in my hand around my fingers from first to second to the next till it reaches my thumb, I continue the movement around my fingers and wait for Evelyn to speak.

"Arayna I'm sorry things went out of hand. I was caught off guard, it all happened so fast. Oh my god, Arayna what if the media gets a whiff of all this. Steven Richards is a powerful man, we could be in a bad place. I should take care of the media. I'll get in touch with some contacts and..." she keeps blabbering absent mindedly.

The only thing that keeps ringing in my head is the name 'Steven Richards'.
"Evelyn calm down, just breathe."

I know it is something huge, the last time I saw Evelyn lose her calm like that, was when she lost her job at Nadia's. I log into my computer to check the CCTV footage of about half hour ago, it must not have been long since the people still looked dispersed and Evelyn stood still. Fortunately the CCTV installed comes with audio, so I can hear everything clearly.

The footage shows the clipping with Evelyn and Steven having a discussion more like an argument. I see the entire clip very carefully, I hear him calling me names, talking shit about Evelyn and with every word he speaks my grip on the pencil tightens. The last straw is when he hands the money and throws a cheque at Evelyn and that is when the pencil in my hand breaks not being able to handle the grip I had on it.

More than anger, more than rage I feel disappointed, I feel a stab of reality; the reality that we all know but do not accept. Steven Richards, I couldn't believe he is the same person I met a few months ago in Paris. His sweet, loving and caring demeanor whom I saw as a genuine, kind-hearted man is the same person standing in the middle of my store humiliating my employee, throwing his power and dominance in her face. I had so much respect for him that night, for his wise words, he had made me survive the most difficult day, that every year for 8 years now I've spent alone locked up in my room, was all of that a facade, what for?

I should really not feel surprised or even disappointed, I've had a fair share of experience with people being two-faced in my life, eventually they show their true colours. I don't know what I was hoping for from him, why did I even think he was any different.

I take a deep breath closing my eyes.
"Evelyn, call Miss Richards, put it on speaker."

Evelyn calls Stellary Richards and she picks up on the fourth ring "Hello,Stellary speaking, I don't have this number saved, may I know who's this?"

"Miss Richards, Arayna here from Zainav Fashions, I have something important to discuss." I said.

"Miss Oberoi, hello, is everything alright?" she said a bit surprised.

"I don't know if you're aware about what happened, if you are then I am thoroughly confused as to what have we done that has offended you so much and if you aren't aware you should check your email, I have sent you a clipping."

"Miss Oberoi, I don't understand what is this about." she replies unsure.

Bryan, can I use your laptop. I hear her call in the background, so assuming she doesn't know what I am talking about I say "I'll hold the line, Miss Richards, let me know when you're done."

I hear her gasp as she watches the entire video. "What the hell is he doing! Oh my, I'm so sorry Miss Oberoi, I have no idea what is all this about. I sincerely apologize for my brother's behaviour. I'm sure there is some misunderstanding, he would never do something like that. I really don't know what to say, God, this is so embarrassing."

"It shouldn't be you apologizing, I'll make it clear Miss Richards, either Steven Richards comes here and apologizes to Evelyn personally in front of the entire staff or I report him for disrespecting a woman, damage of property and defamation and you know I have proof, which you surely wouldn't want reaching the hands of the media."

"I will make sure he apologizes to Evelyn and even you, I can't believe he called you all that, whom he knows nothing about."

"I do not need a personal apology Miss Richards, I would not want to see him, the person who wrecked my workplace which is no less than my place of worship and humiliated my employee who is no less than my family, I wouldn't want to waste my time for such a person. He has until the end of the day or you know I'll be left with no other option but to file a complaint." saying that I hang up.

I wish I had some other word to describe my relationship with Evelyn. The meaning of the word family for me is not the same anymore. The saying 'Human is a social animal' is very true. After being hurt and left alone by the people whom you considered your family you decide to never let anyone get close to you ever again, never get attached to anyone ever again, because you've felt the pain and you know if it happens again its going to be even more painful.

Whatever you decide, human cannot stay away from another human, they some how make their place and you need them as much as they need you, then the only question is until when will they need you or you will need them, then only a matter of time until someone is left alone while the other moves on.

I came to Newyork, a new place to start fresh, a new life with the only motto stay away from people they're toxic, but what happens, here I am breaking down in front of Valerina, cooking her meals, making her notes when she falls sick; talking and sharing bits of my past with Evelyn, being vulnerable at times, offering her to come work with me because if I don't she'll have no money to pay rent and buy food. So, its simple you cannot stay away from people, you cannot stop yourself from caring for them and you cannot stop needing them to run your life.

"Arayna, I should have handled it better, I'm sorry, I..." Evelyn says sadly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, you did the best you could, but there is someone who didn't do their best and anything other than the best, have no place at Zainav Fashions." I say replaying the video drilling holes with my eyes at the screen.

Evelyn looks confused and asks "Who are you talking about?"

I call the security extension and say "Both of you, in my office, now."

"Arayna, they were held by his bodyguards, what could they have done?" Evelyn says defending them.

"They could've done a lot, they were not held by a mob, it were just two people and even they were two. They held them and they just stood there, standing with their hands held back, no resistance, forget fighting, they are not even struggling.." I say pointing at the video "they didn't even try to get out of thier grips, they didn't do their job as security but acted like freaking hostages." I say anger evident in my tone. There should be no place for people just standing there and watching someone get humiliated, when its their job to protect the place and the people inside it.

There is a knock on the door and I ask them to come in. They enter my office and stand in front of the table and I ask "Why do you think you're here?" looking straight at them.

They just shake their heads looking down which angers me more. "I'll tell you, you're here to collect your resignations" I say removing two letter-heads from the desk drawer putting them in the printer and typing their resignations, signing I put them in separate envelopes and hand it to them. "Out of here, I'll talk to your agency."

One of them starts to protest and say something, I lift my hand before that "Speak only if you're sure you've done nothing wrong and you're at no fault for what happened today." I say giving him a hard stare, which shuts him up and they leave.

Evelyn turns to look at me resting her hand on her chin a smile on her face, she says "I don't even know why I question your decisions, you always prove your point."

"You question, because I let you." I say with a smirk.

"I'll get back to work then." she says laughing lightly and walking towards the door.

"Evelyn, do you also feel that I make you handle my mess?" I ask her trying and failing to hide the uncertainty in my voice.

"Wow, Arayna Oberoi is uncertain about something, thats new!" she says raising her eyebrows smiling at me. She comes back and sits on the chair opposite me and continues "Hey, who are you listening to, that egoist, who only knows the power of money and, about handling your mess, I am doing my job, if working here, managing everything for you, ordering people around is handling your mess, I don't mind because you are paying me to do just that, it is the job description of your Personal Manager/Assistant. Also, before you start thinking about other things he said like you being a coward, total bullocks, okay!" she said sternly.

"Well, you cannot disagree with that, I am hiding afterall, my identity to the world." I say shrugging.

"Are you kidding me, where is the Arayna I know, since when do you care about what others say. You are the strongest woman I know, okay. You have the power to make people shit their pants by just glaring at them. Didn't you just see what happened with the security?" she says looking me directly in the eyes.

She is right, I don't give a damn about people, I have never doubted myself on the basis of their opinion, then why now and he doesn't even know me.

I try to keep my expressions blank, taking a long breath she continues "You hide your identity, keep it anonymous or use a body-double, its your choice, you decide and nobody has a right to question it" she says seriously and then adds laughing lightly "not to forget your hidden identity is a huge plus for me, I get all the attention, glam and fame, I love it."

Not knowing how to respond to that, I take another pencil from the holder, needing something to grip on, to focus on the present, I swallow hard. Evelyn puts her hand on mine "I know you try very hard, but sometimes your eyes betray you, they are very rare times and I should tell you they are not a sign of weakness beacause they show the fight you're winning everyday" she says squeezing my hand. She has a weird way with words, she won't push you to share or tell her anything but she will let you know that you can confide in her, she'll be all ears.

I take a deep breath taking my hand out from her grip and tucking my hair behind my ear, I clear my throat "We need to address our employess, not one of them stood up for you today or took your stand. This behavior shouldn't be encouraged." I say changing the subject.

She nods sighing and stands up walking towards the door, then turns mid-way, a smirk on her face "Good job changing the subject, but I am not leaving this here. My job description didn't include giving pep talks to your boss when she is feeling low, now that it is a part of my job I expect a 50% raise." she says winking at me. I glare at her and she rushes out the door closing it behind her, I can hear her faint laugh from here.

I shake my head and a small smile makes way to my lips.

Human is a social animal because human needs friends, family, colleagues and even enemies, because human cannot survive without them.

Hola!

Its been so long since I updated, was anyone eagerly waiting for the update?
Sorry for delays.
Its almost 4:00 am, but I had made up my mind, no sleeping before publishing!

Tell me how was this one.
Do you think Steven will apologize?

Who is your favourite character so far?

I promise to write faster.

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