The Two of us

The conference room is filled with anticipation as Kavya walks in, greeting her team with a warm smile. She takes her seat at the head of the table, and the room falls silent.

Scrolls through her iPad " We have three main topics to discuss, our winter product line launch, marketing strategies, and sales projections."

She glances around the room, making eye contact with her team members. "Before we dive in, I'd like to ask each of you to share any key updates or concerns you have. Let's start with marketing. What's the latest on our campaign preparations?"

The marketing lead speaks up, providing an update on the campaign's progress, and the meeting is under way.

An hour later, the door to the conference room swings open. Everyone turned their attention towards the door.

Kavya turns to Claire,"what is going on? "

Staring in confusion " I don't know, but I'll see what's going on" Claire walks towards the door, but she stops half way.

Reporters and camera men swarm into room.

Behind them were some men carrying balloons and lots of seemingly expensive present boxes.

"OMG" Claire exclaimed in total astonishment.

Gerald and Febian walked into the room.

" What..." Gets up slowly from her executive chair as she gestures towards the gifts and balloon " is this?"

Gerald walked towards Kavya, got on one knee and brought out a ring case " Kavya, Will you marry me my love ?"

Kavya looked around the room completely stunned. The room was filled with reporters who were already taking pictures and videos.

Amidst her shock, she manged to smile

"Uhm... Gerald I -

Gerald takes her hand in his and squeezed fondly

" I know this is quite sudden, and we initially agreed on a low key relationship"

Kavya stared in utter disbelief, wondering to herself, is this my life right now?

" But I'm done suppressing what I feel for you Kavya, please marry me. Let me feel your life with happiness" He kissed her hands

Damn, he's good. Kavya thought

" Okay, I will marry you " Kavya said

Cheers and applauds filled the room as Gerald slips the ring into her finger.

She embraces him tightly and muttered so only him heard " you are so dead"

Patting her back " smile for the camera my love" .

The applauds finally died down and the reporters have left.

Kavya turns towards her staff who came into the room during the commotion " You all can get back to work now"

" Darling come with me to my office " She pulls him out of the conference room

"Uh oh" Claire sighs

"Uh oh is right" Febian said

" Alright, the meeting is over now. The boss will reschedule" Claire dismisses everyone from the strategy meeting.

Now the room is empty, turning towards Febian " What the hell was that "

Takes a seat " it's been quite an eventful couple of minutes, you might want to be specific"

" Don't play coy with me " she slaps back " was the drama necessary?"

" I believe it's called an elaborate proposal"

Fabian said.

" He put her on the spot, she will be livid."

" I don't see what the problem is " Fabian argues " They're bound to be engaged sooner or later. Gerald simply took initiative to make it sooner"

Stares speculatively " Kavya won't take this well at all. She's probably giving your boss an ear full right now"

Kavya's office

" Gerald Van Dyke how dare you ! " She barks, pushing him into a sofa.

He steadied himself with a smirk. "Easy, tiger. That's no way to treat your future husband."

"Husband?!" She loomed over him, eyes blazing. "You put me on the spot, hijacked my meeting, and-"

"Give it a rest, Kavya." His tone cut like steel. "You were hoping for an apology, weren't you? Not happening."

Her laugh was sharp and bitter. "Oh, I see what this is really about. Payback. This is revenge for me bringing up your mother, isn't it?"

Gerald shot to his feet, finger stabbing the air. "Enough! Don't ever speak of that woman again."

Kavya stepped closer, unflinching. "So I was right. This whole charade-just to settle a score."

He smirked, unapologetic. "And I enjoyed every damn second."

Staring daggers at him, " You walked in like you owned the place, invaded my work space and embarrassed me. I can't even stand you"

Lifting her jaw with his hands " The feeling is mutual"

Smiling " Well that's too bad, because thanks to your petty stunt, we're neck deep into this sham of a union" She slumped into a sofa.

" It was bound to happen sooner or later, why not get some payback while at it" She said

" I'd love to sit here and bicker with you all day but my time is precious. I've got an empire to run "

" I hate you "

" oh I love it baby " with that he left the office.

THE VAN DYKE'S MANSION

"Hello?" Charles answered his phone.

"I just saw the news," a woman's voice purred on the other end.

Charles smiled. "Quite the performance, wasn't it?"

"Gerald went all out," she marveled.

"At least our purpose was achieved, Anita. I believe congratulations are in order."

Her laugh was low and satisfied. "Then we have a wedding to plan."