Beautiful disaster (completed)

Chapter 30 - Accepting the Inevitable

Kiara's pov

I walked into the office, my heart heavy from the events of the previous day. Dev's confession lingered in my mind, weighing me down with guilt and confusion.

As I made my way to my desk, I noticed the hushed whispers and curious glances from my colleagues. Something was amiss.

Taniya approached me, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and curiosity. "Did something happen? Why does it seem like everyone's staring at me today?" I asked her, my voice laced with confusion.

"They came to know about you and Dev," she replied, leaning in conspiratorially.

"What are you talking about?" I questioned, my brows furrowed in bewilderment.

"Someone from the accounting department saw you and Dev hugging yesterday. Now the whole office is talking about you two dating!" Taniya exclaimed, her voice laced with a hint of envy.

My eyes widened in shock. "What? That's not true! We're just-," I defended, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

Taniya raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "We're just friends. Really? You can drop the act. There is no point in denying it. Everyone knows it now."

I shook my head, trying to clear the air. "No, Taniya. Dev and I are close, but there's nothing romantic between us."

As if on cue, Dev approached my desk, his face etched with concern. "Kiara, I'm so sorry about the rumors. I had no idea someone saw us yesterday," he apologized, his voice filled with sincerity.

I offered him a reassuring smile. "It's not your fault, Dev."

"I promise to keep our interactions strictly professional from now on."

"Don't be silly," I said, waving away his concerns. "We can still be friends. People will always talk. Let's just focus on our work and ignore the gossip."

Dev nodded, relief washing over his features. "You're right. Thanks for understanding, Kiara. I'll see you later," he said before heading back to his desk.

Trying to ignore the prying eyes of my colleagues, I buried myself in my work. Yet, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my stomach.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kabir at his desk, staring intently at his computer screen. His avoidance was palpable, and it only added to the tension simmering beneath the surface.

Later that day, as I was grabbing a cup of coffee in the break room, Kabir walked in. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of emotion in his gaze.

"Kiara, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice tight.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest.

Kabir hesitated for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. "Are you and Dev dating?" he blurted out, his eyes intense.

I froze, caught off guard by his direct question. My mind raced, debating whether to confess my true feelings for him or protect myself from potential heartbreak.

"Yes, we are," I lied, my voice barely audible.

Kabir's face closed off, his eyes hardening. "I see," he said coldly. "Just make sure it doesn't impact your work."

He turned to leave, then paused, glancing back at me. "And Kiara, try to keep your personal life separate from the office."

I stood there, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I knew I had made a mistake, but I couldn't bear the thought of Kabir finding out about my true feelings for him. Not now, not after everything that had happened.

I wanted to take back my words, but it was too late.

As I returned to my desk, I sank into the nearest chair, my mind a turbulent sea.

Dev deserved better than to be a shield against my heartbreak. Somehow, I needed to untangle this web without hurting him or letting my unrequited feelings for Kabir shadow my life anymore.

I caught sight of Dev across the room. He smiled at me, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. I knew he would be there for me, no matter what.

And in that moment, I made a decision.

I would give Dev a chance, to see where this could lead. I would try to forget about Kabir and the pain he had caused me. It was time to start a new chapter in my life, one that didn't revolve around my unrequited love for my team lead.

"Dev, can we talk?" I asked, my voice soft but steady.

"Of course, Kiara. Is everything okay?" Dev's eyes held genuine concern.

I took a deep breath. "I think I'm ready to give us a chance. I want to try dating and see where this goes."

Dev's expression softened, a mix of surprise and understanding in his eyes. "Kiara, I don't want you to take any decision under pressure or guilt. I really like you, but I don't want to force you into anything you don't want. I will always respect your choice."

I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "No, I am not making this decision under any pressure or guilt. I'm tired of holding back and missing out on experiences. I want someone to lean on. I think you as better option."

Dev's face lit up, a wide grin spreading across his features. "In that case, I would be honored to take you out on a proper date, Kiara. How about this weekend?"

"But Before that I want to tell you something about my past?"