Chapter 5 Reopened Wounds

Kavya stomps out of the dining hall angrily, while her mother calls out to her

" Kavya, Kavya come back here" she didn't even turn back, instead she hastens her step

Gerald all but broke the front door as he left " I am terribly sorry for my son Anita's behavior, I promise I'll make this right". His words held a lot of guilt

" This isn't on you Charles, I too should apologize for my daughter's outburst."

"We need to fix this this"

"Kavay can be stubborn at times, but I'll convince her" she sighed "This was not how I imagined the night to go".

Charles pecks Anita goodbye and goes after his son.

Madam Anita paced the length oKavya's room, arms folded, expression tight. She paused, turned sharply to face Kavya, who had dropped into an armchair, her lips pressed into a firm line.

"What were you thinking?" Anita asked, voice low but laced with frustration. "Why would you bring up his mother? Of all things, Kavya."

Kavya blinked up at her mother. "He started it."

"That's not the point.His mother ran off with another man, abandoning him and his dad when he was Ten. He barely even talks about the woman. You saw his face."

Kavya looked away, folding her arms. "Well, maybe next time, he should think twice before dragging my father into the conversation."

Anita let out a tired sigh. "Your father abandoned us when you were just a child. I've spent my whole life trying to protect you from that wound, why let him reopen it?

Kavya didn't answer. The room was too still, the air too thick. She wasn't proud of what she'd said, but she wasn't ready to apologize for it either.

Meanwhile, across town, in the dimly lit study of the Van Dyke mansion, Charles stood facing the fireplace while Gerald slouched into a leather chair, his jaw tight.

"You crossed a line, Gerald," his father said quietly.

Gerald exhaled. "She pushed me."

"You don't mention a girl's father when you know he walked out on his family. Especially not at a dinner meant to bring you closer."

"I didn't know about her father," Gerald muttered. "She's got an attitude problem."

Charles turned, his voice now stern. "And you've got a temper. You were insensitive. This entire arrangement is delicate. And now you've gone and made it personal."

Gerald looked away, biting the inside of his cheek. "Maybe I shouldn't have said what I said... but she's difficult."

"You're not exactly a walk in the park, son." Charles paused. "This union isn't just about business anymore-it's about healing old wounds. And like it or not, you helped tear one open tonight."

Gerald shifted uncomfortably. "So what now?"

Charles smirked faintly. "You fix it. You were the one who stirred the hornet's nest. It's your job to calm it."

"I'm not apologizing."

Charles gave him a long look. "You don't have to apologize with words. Sometimes action speaks louder. Maybe... a proposal."

Gerald blinked. "You can't be serious."

" Oh you bet I'm damn serious, you better hold yourself accountable for this and take responsibility for your actions"

---

Back at her office the next day, Kavya leaned against her desk, venting to Claire and Patricia.

"I mean, who even says that?'You must have gotten your attitude from your father' Like that's a casual dinner conversation?"

Claire raised an eyebrow. "Gerald said that?"

Kavya nodded, arms folded tightly across her chest.

Patricia, sipping her iced latte, let out a long whistle. "That's cold, even for a Van Dyke."

"And then I said he must've gotten his personality from his mother."

"Oh no," Claire murmured, wincing.

"Oh yes," Kavya muttered.

I'm on your side, but... maybe he didn't know. I mean, your mom being a single parent? That's not a secret, but it's not exactly in Forbes either."

Kavya's expression softened, just slightly. "Maybe."

Claire glanced at her tablet. "As much as I love the tea, you've got the Winter Line strategy meeting in fifteen minutes."

"Perfect," Kavya said, grabbing her iPad. "Time to focus on something that actually matters."

---

Meanwhile, Gerald was in his penthouse office, glaring out at the skyline.

"She thinks she's better than everyone," he muttered.

Fabian, his assistant, typed quietly at his laptop. "She's confident. Not always a bad thing."

"Confident?" Gerald scoffed. "She's arrogant. annoying and Impossible."

"She also owns one of the most successful beauty brands in California," Fabian pointed out, not looking up.

"And she's got an attitude that could cut glass."

Fabian finally looked up. "Maybe. But you're not exactly sunshine and roses either, boss. Still-"

"Still what?"

"You're supposed to propose."

Gerald stared at him.

"Your dad said you need to make it up to her. So. Flowers and an apology... or go big."

Gerald frowned, but something flickered in his eyes.

"Oh no, I know that look" Febian points out

" She'll witness first hand how utterly intense I can be" He smirks

Febian flinches "Boss whatever you're thinking, please refrain from--

Holding up a hand " She wants a proposal right? I will give her one "