FOOLS AND GENIUSES | ✓

CHAPTER 19

Chris looking like a snack above.

morosis

(n.) the stupidest of stupidities

The door opened to reveal Ranbir grinning from ear to ear as he welcomed Kiara and Vijay into his house. Her eyes were still adjusting to her environment, vision hazy after being bombarded by cameras flashing in her face. As soon as they entered the house, he gave Vijay a bro-hug before letting the notorious Casanova mingle with the crowd.

Focusing his attention on her, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand, "Long time no see, Kiara."

Her eyes crinkled as she chirped, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"Well, I'd prefer not to test the theory again."

Locking arms with Ranbir, Kiara walked further into the house as familiar faces around them smiled and waved. She perked up as soon as she spotted Sonam and excused herself from him to catch up with one of her closest friends in the film industry.

Sonam embraced her in a warm hug, "I know we literally just saw each other but God, have I missed you."

Leaning back, she held onto Sonam and gasped mockingly, "My, my, I didn't know you felt so strongly."

Throwing her hand up to her forehead, Sonam turned away jokingly, "I just couldn't hide my feelings anymore."

"Well, honey, I love you too."

They squealed and hugged each other, jumping up and down as Anand watched them incredulously, "By all means, act like I'm not here."

Kiara laughed and leaned in to hug him, "It's great to see you too."

He snorted, "I don't think she's even shown me that much love."

They spoke for a bit before Anand got caught up with another friend and Sonam quickly dragged Kiara away to interrogate her.

Sonam gave her a knowing look, "Now, spill."

She innocently shrugged, "I don't know what you want me to say."

"How about your date with Chris Evans?"

"Who?"

Huffing with annoyance, Sonam quirked a brow, "I can smell your bullshit from a mile away. Spill."

"He's sweet, intelligent and he makes me laugh."

"I'm sure his good looks don't hurt either."

She flushed, "Yeah..."

Clasping her hand, Kiara smiled, "I'm happy for you. If he's the one responsible for that look on your face, he's a keeper."

"What look?"

"Love."

Kiara froze, hearing what Sonam said but not truly registering the significance. They snickered, teasing each other as they walked around and engaged with the other partygoers. As they were speaking to Arjun Kapoor, another fellow actor, Kiara spotted Anand creeping up behind Sonam. She nodded as he held his finger to his mouth, telling her to keep his wife distracted, then snuck up behind Sonam. He pecked her cheek and hugged her from behind, pleasantly surprising her as she closed her eyes and curled into his body. They were the picture of blissful adoration.