My Beloved

Chapter Four

~KAIRA~
I tried calling her “ma’am, ma’am,” but to no avail as I didn't know her name. It was actually almost impossible for me to go and tackle her out of the way of that upcoming car, but I managed to do that, spraining my ankle in the process and falling on the ground. The lady also hit her head on the light pole just beside where I fell. One hand pressed to her forehead, she offered me her other hand to help. I got up, taking her hand, while trying to put less pressure on the injured leg. By then, passersby also started approaching for help. They took us to the same cafe we came out of. My shift had already ended, so the manager didn’t make a fuss about me just sitting there and resting, also due to the fact that I was injured. I told everyone to carry on with their day, as I noticed that tears were still dripping from her face silently.

I gave her time to calm down and collect herself. After some time, she opened up to me about her father dying and leaving her all alone in this world. It wasn’t strange for me to hear a complete stranger open up to me about her life tragedy, as it has happened to me more than once. I consoled her, knowing too well how it felt to be all alone out there. We parted ways eventually around late evening, as I was getting late for my part-time job at the nightclub.

The lady was Mia, but even after spending so much time consoling her and extending my deepest sympathies for the loss of her father, as well as tackling death together, we didn’t introduce one another completely in that first meeting.

The thought of a meeting got me out of my train of thought, and I looked at the clock again. It was already past five, and I have not even started getting ready yet. If I get late for this meeting, Mia’s going to kill me. I hurriedly took a shower and took out the nice dress I had bought while working my ass off many months ago. Kalu, like the sensible dog that he was, left the room to let me change. Seriously, my dog had more gentlemanly charms than some of the men I have come across in the nightclub. I changed and did my makeup to the minimum as I was not a makeup person and was already too late according to Mia’s clock. The dress I wore was a simple black dress with a square neck and flared, regular-sized sleeves. It came just over my knees, which gave off the perfect vibe for today’s important yet informal meeting. Doing a quick updo of my hair, I took a quick glance in the mirror. I was ready, but something felt missing.

(Your necklace, you dumbass!)

I swear my subconscious sometimes scared me because of how different her personality was from mine; the way she talked and interacted with me was as if I were having a conversation with another individual rather than my own subconscious. But she was right this time. Ever since I can remember, I have had a necklace with me. It was nothing special, just a silver-coloured chain attached to a green, emerald-coloured crescent moon-shaped stone. At least it was what I thought a few weeks ago. One day, while I was with Mia and her colleagues, they pointed out that the necklace looked really good on me. They also asked for the price after discussing how rare and hard it was to have a gemstone carved in this particular shape. I had told them that, as far as I can remember, this necklace has been with me all along. Also, it was probably fake, as I can’t believe I had a real gemstone around my neck while battling hunger.

After wearing the necklace, I rushed to the venue of our meeting. It was a small cafe restaurant named Milan. I worked here once, and suddenly one day, while I was getting an earful for showing a rude customer his rightful place, Mia came to my rescue. She offered me an opportunity, which I couldn’t deny. Only on the condition that I’ll exclusively work for her, and here I am, going to a meeting that will decide both of our futures.

When I entered the place, Mia was already there, giving instructions to our team, sitting on the corner table reserved for us. She was wearing an off-shoulder short white dress, which had puffed full sleeves with chikankari and mirror work on them and a plain petal flare from the waist down. She marched towards me as soon as she saw me.

“Where did you get that dress from? she asked, admiring my plain black dress once she was near enough for me to hear.

“Oh, just in some sale a few months ago, why?” I replied.

“It looks so good on you. It's just a simple black dress, but your curvy figure makes it much more... hotter, babe!” Mia exclaimed.

That's just typical Mia, you guys. She’ll make the simplest of things so hyped up and sometimes exaggerated too. We move towards our team after I dodge her compliment. Okay, fine, I don't know how to take on compliments.

(Borrow some of my confidence if you will.)

Ignoring that bitch, I looked at everyone present. Our team consists of one of my male best friends, Yaksh, his boyfriend, Malik, Remo, Mia, and me. When Mia offered me the position of PR manager for her newest club, Starry Night, that is opening soon, I was excited and at the same time shocked.

She was also in search of a good bartender who could also be a pub manager, and that’s when I suggested Yaksh’s name, as he is the best bartender in the city and the best human being I have known. Yaksh is someone who knows how to take care of his people and is really attentive to his surroundings. Malik, now his boyfriend and our head of security, was brought into the team a few weeks ago by Mia. He is this Asian-looking guy who is faster than a cheetah when it comes to emergency situations and protecting his loved ones. When these two heartthrobs met each other, it was love at first sight and a great disappointment to many girls out there who were crushing on them.

And then there is Remo, the sweetest and wisest but, at the same time, the wildest of the group. He is in his fifties, but he has the heart of a teenager and often behaves like one too. Although I met these people a few weeks ago, it feels like I have known them forever.

Remo pulls my chair for me to sit in after kissing me on both cheeks and complimenting my attire.

“See who came all showered and dolled up today!” Yaksh exclaimed as soon as I took my seat.

"Oh, shut up, dumbo, I shower every day!" I replied.

“Keep that lie for someone else, darling; I know the truth,he says, laughing at the end.

Mia interrupts us before we both get into our full-fledged, childish bickering again.

“Can you guys not do that today? They are here. Remember, we have to make our best impressions, she whispers to us sternly.

As my back was towards the entrance, I got up and turned to face our potential investors, whom we needed to impress today.

As soon as I did that, I was met with a pair of light grey eyes.