Chapter 13: Cake

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🎶. Looking At Me

Siya Raichand hates being subjected to mockery. So when the news of a famous model ditching a brand like Meraki came to light and spread like wildfire, the market was in an uproar. For an established brand to be casted away by the models that the owner herself had to take position behind the camera was prone to get some rash comments from the people. Of course, she was praised for the exotic photoshoot, but the reason why she had to do that wasn't something to be complimented.

But people sympathized with the model more than the brand. Because it is foretold, the moment you cross paths with Siya Raichand for the wrong reasons, your fate faces its doom in the worst possible way.

And that's, inevitable.

Whenever people said Siya was just like her father, she would always scoff arrogantly. She was not like her father, she was his upgraded version. And upgraded version definitely comes with more features.

So when Cindy Agnor strode into the Meraki office building two days later, fuming as if someone had set her house on fire, nobody was surprised.

The employees watched her walk, her every stride purposeful, the heels of her pumps clicking against the marble floor, the sound echoing around the quiet lobby. She punched for the elevator, stepping inside when it opened and pushing for the top floor.

The metal box ascended, halting on the top floor, sliding open with a pleasant ping sound. Cindy stormed out, her gorgeous body showcased perfectly in a red mini dress, her beautiful long legs catching many admiring eyes.

"I want to meet your boss." She demanded, stopping at Ian's desk.

He blinked, nodding forcefully and picking up the receiver.

Siya was busy preparing for her meeting with the board of directors that's been scheduled in the afternoon when the intercom in her office rang. She leaned over and pressed on the accept. "Yeah, Ian?"

"Cindy is here." He replied meekly.

"Call the guards and escort her out." She ordered, disconnecting the call and getting back to her work.

A few minutes later, Siya sighed, putting the papers down when she heard the commotion outside. The door of her office opened, slamming against the wall, as the model stormed in.

"I told her you're busy. She didn't listen." Ian panted softly at the threshold.

Siya waved her hand dismissively, crossing her hands against the chest and leaning back on the chair. Ian nodded and left.

She lifted her gaze, meeting the blazing hazel ones and cocking a brow.

"Do you want me to throw her out?" Ethan asked as he leaned in slightly.

"No, it's fine." She mumbled. "Let her say what she is here for, and then she'll leave on her own."

Cindy clenched her jaw. "How dare you!?"

"How dare I what?" Siya rested her arms on the desk, crossing them, feigning an innocent tone.

Cindy slammed her purse down on the desk and leaned in, glaring down at the nonchalant brown eyes. "How dare you do that!?"

"I did what?"

"You-" Cindy gritted her teeth. "Where did you get the pictures!?"

"Pictures?" Siya frowned. "What pictures are you talking about? Ethan, do you know what pictures she is talking about?" She looked up at her bodyguard who shook his head.

"Don't act coy, bitch! I know it's you who revealed those pictures!"

Siya sighed. "I honestly don't know- oh," she whispered in realisation. "You mean, the intimate pictures of you and Roslyn's CEO, sorry my mistake, let me correct myself," she chuckled sheepishly. "You mean, the intimate pictures of you and the sixty-year-old married CEO that are trending on the internet since last night?"

Cindy's face reddened, in both anger and embarrassment. "I'm going to sue you for defamation."

Siya let out a deep breath. Concerned for the lady's mental health.

"What happened?" Cindy mocked, tilting her head to the side. "Scared?" She chuckled humorlessly.

"No honey, the level of your stupidity just rendered me speechless." Siya blinked innocently. "You want to sue me? Go ahead, do that. Ah, but before that, be ready to get sued first."

Cindy frowned. "Sued for what!?" She spat out.

"As per the contract we signed, you can't postpone the date of the shoot, or even cancel the contract without a strong reason, for example, health, or death, etcetera. And you did just that."

Cindy rolled her eyes. "I had fractured my leg! I even sent the copy of the x-ray!"

Siya sighed. "I swear, some people just don't deserve a brain." She rubbed her temples frustratedly. "Well, darling, where is the fracture?" She looked up at Cindy, her lips lifting at the corners in a sarcastic smile. 

Cindy bent to point at her right leg. "Here-" she straightened up with a gasp, regret slapping her face.

"Fifty million dollars. My legal team will get in touch with you by the end of today." Siya said, waving her hand in dismissal.

Ethan moved forward, grabbing the woman by her arms and dragging her out.

"How dare you disrespect me like that! You're a woman yet you treat me like this, you bitch! Did your parents not teach you how to be polite! You ruined my entire career-"

"Shut up!" Siya snapped, looking up at the woman who struggled in Ethan's arms. "If I ever see you in my office again, I'll do worst to you than just throwing you out." She warned, nodding at Ethan to get her out as soon as possible.

"I'm going to ruin you!"

Siya chuckled.

She has heard that so many times, it's like an inside joke for her now. She would have taken them seriously if they hadn't been so loud. Because only worthless pennies make noise to catch attention, and she is a goddamn black card.

Heaving a sigh, she picked up the file she was reading, taking a sip of her coffee as she focused back on the work.

It was one in the afternoon and she was at the board meeting, seated comfortably as the directors discussed the company's wide policies and current issues.

"The last month's performance wasn't satisfactory, Miss. Raichand."

Siya nodded.

"Yeah, maybe because of the rumors of your medical conditions." Another man added. "We all know these news channels just want to increase their trp, and all that reporter said wasn't true. But the company still suffered. And after whatever happened two days ago, it seems like Miss. Raichand has a hard time trying to control things."

"I'm sure she'll make up for it next month," Reyansh spoke up. "After all it's a business, some days are bad, some days are good."

"Of course, that's what business is all about. A game of risky decisions and determination to rise to the top. But Miss. Raichand doesn't need to do everything on her own. What are we for?"

Reyansh gritted his teeth.

Siya slipped her wand on her father's lap and he gripped it tightly, his fingers clenching around the metal bar to release his anger.

"So, what do you suggest?"

"Let's appoint a new CEO." Mr. Bierman said, and the three others on his side nodded in approval.

Siya smirked, shaking her head in amusement as she looked down at the file in front of her, the company's aim and vision printed on its first page.

"Alright, those who agree, raise your hands." She stated.

Reyansh tugged at the other end of the wand, trying to catch her attention. She looked at him and blinked slowly.

Mr. Bierman, along with the three others raised their hands.

Siya looked up at them. "Only you four?"

Mr. Bierman's smile fell when no one else raised their hands. He looked at Mr. Henry, widening his eyes, as if he was reminding the man about something. Mr. Henry simply looked away. His lips parted in shock and he turned his head at Mrs. Hubert, gesturing her to raise her hand. "We talked," he hissed, closing his eyes shut when the woman sighed and looked down at her lap.

Siya chuckled, catching everyone's attention. "Are you sure about your decision, Mr. Guamond?" She asked, her eyes narrowing in a glare as she looked at the old man seated beside Mr. Bierman. The bald man slowly lowered his hand, ignoring his friend's eyes who looked at him in shock. "You, Mr. Aldine?" She asked the one from the remaining two, nodding satisfactorily when he lowered his hand as well. Following him, the last lowered his hand too, looking down at their laps shamefully. "Tch, Mr. Bierman," Siya's eyes went to the man dressed in a blue suit. "It's just you who want someone to replace me as a CEO." She said and got up, pushing her chair back as she placed her hands on the table and leaned in, her eyes zeroed on the man. "You know what they say, Mr. Bierman? No one tests the depth of the water with both feet. Look, who drowned." She smiled sadly.

"You can't speak to me like that." Mr. Bierman glared at her.

Siya scoffed. "And you can't question my abilities to handle a business. I've built this empire from a scratch and I know damn well how to run it."

"Last month says something very different."

"Your involvement in every board meeting speaks a lot about how capable you're to be a director too." She straightened up, crossing her arms against her chest.

"How dare you speak to me like that!" Mr. Bierman snarled, getting up from his chair. "Did no one teach you how to speak to elders!?"

Siya snorted. "Well, Mr. Bierman," she sighed. "If you bark, I'll bite." She gritted out.

"Your arrogance is going to be your downfall soon, young lady." Mr. Bierman stated.

"We'll see that," Reyansh stood up, buttoning his suit jacket as he looked at the man. "As of now, let's arrange a meeting with the shareholders. I think it's time to fix a few things." He smirked at the man.

Mr. Bierman glared at the two before grabbing his files and phone and storming out of the conference room.

Siya sighed in relief. "The meeting is over. You all can leave." She said, watching as the remaining eleven stood up and gathered their belongings. "Mr. Aldine, Mr. Guamond, and Mr. Sheikh, stay." She added, sitting down on her chair as she waited for everyone else to leave.

The three men casted a wary glance at each other, one of them wiped away the sweat coating his forehead with his handkerchief.

Siya walked to the end of the mahogany table and the three shifted back, making space for her as she stopped in front of them and leaned against the desk, placing her palm on her sides, gripping the edge of the table, and crossing her feet. "You know what will happen to Mr. Bierman now?"

Mr. Aldine gulped. "We apologise for what happened today."

"Whose plan was it?" Siya inquired, glancing beside her as her father came and stood beside her.

"Mr. Bie-Bierman's," Mr. Sheikh answered.

"You know why he is the only one who'll drown?"

The three shook their head.

"Because he was the only one who dared to speak against me," she smirked, empty and void of any emotion. "Glad you knew what was best for you." She nodded at them. "You're older than me, more experienced, just not wiser." She shook her head.  "Next time think a hundred times before doing something like this."

The three nodded.

"Leave, except you Mr. Sheikh." She stated.

The rest of the two glanced at him worriedly while he had his head ducked lower. When they left, Siya gestured with her wand for Ian to lock the doors.

Ian obeyed immediately.

Mr. Sheikh looked up, a smile forming on his lips.

"Thank you." Siya smiled back.

The old man nodded. "By the way, I saw Mr. Bierman meeting Roslyn's CEO yesterday. Maybe he was the root of all this."

Siya nodded thoughtfully. "I'll look into it."

"Alright, I'll take your leave now." He smiled, glancing at her father who stood flabbergasted. "Have a great day." He added and left.

"He is on your side!?" Reyansh asked in surprise.

Siya nodded. "He always was, he just pretends he isn't."

"I love you, Jasmine!" Reyansh exclaimed with a proud smile, leaning in to hug her and halting abruptly when she flinched away. "Right, sorry. Sometimes I forget." He sighed.

Siya felt bad for ruining the moment. "Soon, Aladdin. Soon." She smiled melancholically at him, even though her words were hopeful.

"How is the progress?" Reyansh asked, following his daughter as she sat back on the headchair. He pulled himself a chair on her left and settled down.

Siya scoffed. "He is ignoring me for the last two days."

"How dare he!? Why!?" Reyansh snapped.

Ian gulped, inching closer to the door in case the father and daughter decided to bring mayhem in the conference room.

"I don't know!" She grunted frustratedly. "He is so damn confusing! Maybe I did something wrong?" She spoke softly at the end.

"You would never!" Her father denied it.

"I know right!" She agreed.

Ian blinked in disbelief, looking at Gehna who mouthed, you'll get used to it.

"Do you want me to straighten him up?" Reyansh asked.

She shook her head. "He's fragile. You'll break him."

Reyansh chuckled. "Fine. Don't handle his tantrums, you know you don't have to. Just make him touch you- that thought makes me want to kill him. Anyway, make him help you."

Siya nodded. "How's Mom?"

"She has temper problems." He grunted.

Siya snickered. "I'm sure you did something to anger her."

Reyansh rolled his eyes. "I didn't!"

"Of course, you didn't." She pretended to believe. "Getting angry at you is her favorite thing to do." She added sarcastically.

"Whose side are you on?" He asked in disbelief.

"Always yours, Aladdin." She winked.

"Good girl," he chuckled. "Anyway, I've a few meetings lined up. I shall leave." He said and stood up. "Miss. Rastogi, get the car ready."

"Right away, Mr. Raichand," she said and left the conference room, typing away on the phone on her way out.

"When will you start calling her Mrs. Aydin, Dad?" Siya shook her head in amusement.

"The day I feel Deniz rightfully deserves her." He answered.

Siya chuckled. "Which would be never."

"He just brings out the worst in me." Reyansh shuddered for extra effects.

Siya laughed. "Let me escort you until your car," she offered politely.

"Oh no, baccha. Get to your work. I'll be fine."

"At least, let Ian come."

Reyansh glanced at Ian who stood straight in alarm. "Okay." He nodded, moving towards the door. "C'mon, cartoon."

Ian pouted at his boss, who pointed her thumb to the door. Sighing in defeat, he followed the man.

Siya went back to her office and buried herself in the work.

Five hours later, Siya called it a day and shut down the computer, grabbing pending files and walking out of her office. She stopped at Ian's cabin and peeked in. "Let's go."

"I'm coming along?" He pointed at his chest. "I still have to do a few calls."

"Do them in the car." She ordered.

He sighed defeatedly. "Let me note down the numbers please," he requested and typed down the numbers from the screen on his phone. She waited impatiently at his door, turning around and walking off when he was done. Ian closed the door of his office and locked it, hurriedly following his boss to the elevator. "Why am I coming along?"

"You live alone." She answered. "That means you know how to cook."

He blinked in surprise. "Yes, I do. What about it?"

"What can you cook?"

Ian shrugged slightly. "Spanish, Italian, a little bit of Indian too, and-"

"Bakery products?"

"Of course. Cookies, muffins, donuts, cake-"

"Cake." She cut him off.

"Cake what?" He asked as they left the elevator and walked towards her car.

"Help me prepare a cake." She said.

"You want to make a cake?" He asked, opening the door for her and closing the door before getting in the passenger seat.

"Hmm." She responded.

"Why?"

"You ask too many questions, Ian!" She glared at him. "To the supermarket, Teddy."

Ian turned back in his seat and smiled. Ethan glanced at him suspiciously. "You okay?"

"No one remembered it is my birthday today. Not even my mom. But Miss. Raichand-"

"What flavor do you think Rehan would like?" Siya asked, cutting off his soft voice.

Ian froze.

Ethan felt bad for snickering.

"Right," Ian deadpanned. "I don't know." He said loudly to answer her and scoffed, looking out of the window.

The car stopped at the supermarket and she stepped out, along with her bodyguards and assistant. She sauntered inside the supermarket, catching attention from the people inside as they watched her trail around with her buff bodyguards and a slim man.

"What do we need to make a cake?"

Ian shrugged.

"Ian!"

Ian instantly began to ramble like a well-trained parrot. After getting the things, she handed him her card and told him to do the payment.

Ian grumbled under his breath as he stood in the queue.

Reaching the mansion, she instructed the cooks to empty the kitchen, glaring when the head chef requested she order him to make anything she wants, she doesn't need to lift her finger when he is at her service. "Leave! Ian will help me." She commanded.

"I'm just an assistant for God's sake!" Ian grunted under his breath.

The chef defeatedly walked out.

Siya grabbed an apron from the drawer and wore it. "Let's start!" She clapped her hands, a confident smile playing on her lips.

Ian grabbed an apron for himself.

"So, what do I've to do first?"

"I'll do it."

"No! I want to do it. Just tell me!" She insisted.

He sighed. "Get a bowl."

She nodded and opened the cabinet, grabbing a glass bowl from inside and setting it on the kitchen island. "Sift three cups of all-purpose flour in it." He instructed further.

She nodded, turning around and opening the upper cabinet. "Wait. What is all-purpose flour?"

"It's white in color," Ian said, scrolling through the emails on his phone.

Siya frowned. "Every flour is white." She mumbled, her gaze drifting towards Ian and turning into a glare. She grabbed a spoon from the spoon holders and threw it at him.

He yelped.

"I don't know what's a damn all-purpose flour!" She growled.

He walked towards her and she stepped aside, watching as he looked through the packets before picking one.

"How did you know?" She asked in awe.

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