RAAVI'S POV
I'd waited for this day for so long.
Today, I finally had a glimpse into how Kiefer might feel about me. But was now the right time to confess what I'd carried in my heart for years?
I sighed, watching her from the driver's seat as we pulled into the shopping center.
"We're here, Kit," I said, parking the car.
"Just a sec," she murmured, her focus still glued to her phone. "I'm finalizing a few lines for tomorrow's proposal."
I smiled, watching her as she worked. Her long hair, loose and curled slightly at the ends, framed her face so effortlessly. The curve of her lashes made her blue eyes look like painted glass—alive with intensity and purpose.
She snapped her fingers in front of me. "Raavi! Are you even listening?"
I blinked, startled back to the present. "Yeah, yeah… I was just thinking about how much you're looking forward to this meeting."
"Obviously! It's going to be a fun ride. Once I crack this, everything changes."
"I believe in you, Kit. Anyway, you go ahead and start looking around—I'll park properly and meet you inside."
KEIFER'S POV
The mall was buzzing, mannequins flaunting bold colors and glittering sequins behind every window display. It felt like everything was screaming for attention, for celebration—for someone other than me. These dresses were meant for parties, not business meetings.
I didn't want flashy. I needed focused. Simple. Something that wouldn't distract from my idea.
I wandered past two stores before I felt someone tap my shoulder.
To my surprise, it was Raavi. "Find anything?"
"Nope," I said, exasperated. "Everything's either too dramatic or too… not me. I'm looking for something clean but attractive."
He nodded, scanning the windows beside me.
Then I saw it.
A sky-blue dress nestled quietly among a row of louder designs. It fell just below the knees, modest but graceful, with a navy-blue scarf draped around the neckline. A Chinese-style collar gave it elegance, while the subtle side slits hinted at boldness.
Raavi followed my gaze and whistled low. "Wow… it's perfect. Glamorous in a subtle way—like you."
I glanced at him in surprise.
He laughed. "You really are Ms. Lazybones. What are you waiting for? Go try it on!"
Without waiting, he marched to the nearest salesperson. "Excuse me, we'd like to try this one. Could you help us out?"
The woman nodded and gestured for me to follow. Before I could say anything, Raavi gently pushed me forward. "Go on."
RAAVI'S POV
As Kit disappeared into the trial room, I wandered over to a shelf of business magazines. Just something to keep my hands busy while I waited.
I barely flipped a page before I heard her voice.
"Raavi?"
I turned, and everything else just… stopped.
There she was. The dress fit her perfectly—like it had been made for her. The shade of blue matched her eyes exactly. Her open hair added softness, while the structure of the dress made her look like she could walk into a boardroom and own it.
She looked… ethereal.
I think I forgot to breathe.
She fidgeted under my gaze. "Is it too much? Should I change?"
I rushed forward, gently catching her hand. "Kiefer… you look beautiful."
She blinked, unsure whether to believe me.
"I mean it. You should wear your hair open more often. It suits you."
Before she could respond, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned, startled.
It was Ms. Kia.
"Mr. Dutch," she said with a bright smile, "what a pleasant surprise."
"Ms. Kia," I replied, masking my confusion. "Nice to see you here. How have you been?"
"Very well, thank you."
She was just about to ask something else when Kiefer stepped closer, her voice calm but direct. "Let's go, Raavi."
KEIFER'S POV
When I returned, I saw a woman standing beside Raavi—tall, stylish, and clearly comfortable in his space. They were talking with an ease that made me uncomfortable.
I didn't know why, but something about her… rubbed me the wrong way.
"Let's go, Raavi," I said, standing beside him.
The woman's eyes shifted to me like lasers, scanning me up and down with a fake smile that didn't reach her eyes. There was something cold in her expression, something calculating. I didn't like it.
Raavi cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ms. Kia, this is Kiefer—my childhood friend."
"Kit, this is Ms. Kia, CEO of our company."
I offered a polite nod. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Kia."
"Hello," she said, coolly.
Every second of that silence between us felt like a silent battle of wills.
"Raavi, we should go," I said again, voice firmer.
"Right." He nodded. "Ms. Kia, we'll take our leave now."
She nodded but didn't move.
We picked up the dress, paid, and left the store.
Once outside, I tried to shake off the chill that encounter left me with.
"She likes you," I said, trying to sound casual.
Raavi scoffed. "Seriously, Kit? You need a vacation."
He burst into laughter, but I caught the faint flush on his cheeks.
RAAVI'S POV
She's so good at reading other people's feelings.
Except mine.
Idiot.
How can she notice Ms. Kia's affection in one glance and still be so blind to what's right in front of her?
I glanced at her again as we walked to the car. She was holding the bag with her dress carefully, smiling to herself. There was something hopeful in her expression. Something that made me want to wrap her in a hug and never let go.
I'll wait.
Once the meeting's over, I'll tell her everything. No more hints. No more waiting.
Whatever her answer, I'll always be by her side. I won't stop unless she gives me a reason to.
But until then… I'll cherish every second I get.
Later that evening, we grabbed dinner at a nearby restaurant. She was quieter than usual—nervous about tomorrow, maybe. Or maybe she was thinking about what that dress now symbolized: a step closer to her dreams.
I dropped her off at the dorm gate just after sunset.
She waved, the streetlights catching the gold in her hair. "Goodnight, Raavi."
"Goodnight, Kit. You're gonna do great tomorrow."
And I meant every word.