“I want you to clear the set except you, the cameraman and people who are required. The person I have invited is special, and he does not want to reveal his face to others. So could you please do that? Also he will need five more minutes to arrive. Is that okay?” Kizy asked.

“Yes young madam. No problem at all.” The director said before letting all the staff know that they were done for today and only he, the cameraman and a few more people were to stay back.

The staff greeted Kizy before leaving while gossiping about the person who was about to arrive.

“Who is this mystery man?” Someone said.

“I guess he must be someone important for our young madam to take so many efforts for him.” Another woman chriped in.

“But why is young madam the only one attending the shoot? Why is Boss not accompanying her? Plus both of them are not uploading anything on their social media accounts as well. Something seems fishy.” A young girl said.

“Is everything alright between them? They both haven’t appeared or even seen anywhere together recently.” A guy asked.

“I guess they have stopped visiting other places except their company. Didn’t you see, their shares are rising for the past week. They are coming up with something bigger. So they must be busy.” A middle aged man said.

“I just hope they are doing well together. I don’t want them to separate.” A girl said.

“Don’t say something like that.” Another male worker warned.

This way the crowd left while gossiping, unable to come to any solid conclusion.

Nina thanked all before she turned to go for changing room when Joel stopped her.

“What is it?” Nina asked, knowing that Joel won’t be doing anything reckless especially when they were in public.

“Keep wearing the necklace. I so wanted you to keep the ring as well. But since I haven’t officially asked your parents, you will have to remove and keep it safe for the time being.” Joel said, making Nina’s eyes go wide.

She opened her mouth, once, twice, but no words came out.

“I bought them for you. I personally selected this design for advertisement so that I could give it to you. Do you like it?” Joel asked, his voice slightly nervous.

“Of course I do!!” Nina answered instantly after watching Joel nervous.

And how could she not like the first ever gift that Joel had given her. They had started dating officially just a few days ago, which was followed by one date.

Plus they were not like those college going teen couples who would message and ask about every single ** happening in their life like having food and getting some scolding.

They would occasionally text each other, telling about some important thing like Nina saying how she successfully operated a major surgery or Joel telling how they grabbed a project.

They would rarely call, but their calls had increased during the past week, where Nina would enquire about Kizy to Joel.

“Are you free tonight?” Nina asked, knowing how busy Joel had become after Markus went, especially when he had to stay by Kizy’s side all the time.

“I will ask Young Madam first-” Joel was still speaking when a voice cut him off.

“You are off work today. You can enjoy your time.” Kizy said, while walking towards the couple who was unaware of her presence.

“Young Madam- Kizy.” Both of them called out at the same time.

“And this truly suits her. Joel, you do have a good sense.” Kizy said complimenting the jewellery chosen by Joel.

“Thank you young madam.” Joel said, a little flustered.

“Joel, I have a condition to let you go on a date with Nina though.” Kizy said.

“What is it?” Again both of them asked at the same time.

“Stop calling me young madam now. You are my bestie’s boyfriend. Technically we are friends.” Kizy said.

“No young madam, I can not do that.” Joel replied almost immediately.

“Then date cancel?” Kizy asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Kizy, don’t make things difficult for him.” Nina said, hooking her arm within Kizy’s.

“Not gonna talk with you. If not for me asking, I would have never known that you two were dating. And that too Joel told me about it. What kind of person keeps her relationship a secret from her best friend? So you better not meddle.” Kizy said in her usual monotonous voice, no anger or complaint visible in her tone.

“Oh my sweet Kizy!! Please forgive this poor friend of yours one more time. Please, please!” Nina pleaded while joining both hands in front of her chest.

Kizy simply ignored Nina while looking at Joel, as if Nina didn’t exist there.

“I will bring cookies made by mom this weekend.” Nina said, trying to bribe Kizy.

Kizy still kept ignoring her, waiting for Joel to accept her condition.

“Are you accepting the condition or not?” Kizy asked, this time in a stern tone.

“I accept, Ki.. Kizy.” Joel said, feeling strange while saying it this way.

He had always addressed Kizy as Miss Kizy. But when Markus had revealed their marriage, he started calling her young madam.

“That’s better. And you.” Kizy said while finally turning towards Nina.

“I am not forgiving you.” Kizy said before turning to leave.

“Cookies. I will bring them tomorrow.” Nina said, and Kizy stopped in her tracks.

“This time the cookies were so perfect! Mom added more chocolate flavour to it and is so damn good!!” Nina exaggerated, knowing Kizy would give up soon.

“If I don’t get the cookies tomorrow, then we won’t be friends anymore!” Kizy said, turning towards Nina who laughed which was flowed by Kizy laughing as well.

Both Joel and Nina were relieved to see Kizy this way, laughing heartily without any burden.

Kizy nodded at both of them before leaving, making both Nina and Joel smile.

“Thank god! She finally smiled.” Nina said.

“She smiled for the second time today in the past one week.” Joel added.

“I just pray for Markus’s earlier return.” Nina said before she went and changed.

Both of them bade their farewell before leaving together, hand in hand.

“Who have you invited Kizy? Is he truly that special?” Nicole came ahead after going through her script for the hundredth time, as she didn’t want to mess up the script written by Kizy.

——————–

I hope you all are enjoying the current plot. Also thank you so much for the gifts @Ranjita_Gireesh and @Taina_Rios. Drink water and stay hydrated!!

– Kizy