the takeover.

amara gujral. 35. leo. vp of merger & acquisitions for imperial corporation bank.

[amaraxgujral]

━ INTRODUCING AMARA GUJRAL.

name: Amara Gujral

nickname: Mara

birthday: July 27th 1989

age: 35

gender: cis female

pronouns: She/Her

face claim: Kriti Sanon 

occupation: VP of Mergers & Acquisitions at Imperial Corporation Bank

neighborhood: Skyline Heights

hometown: Toronto, Canada,

tldr; Amara Gujral, 35, is the sharp and strategic Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at Imperial Corporation Bank. Originally from Toronto, she moved to Skyline Heights six years ago to pursue bigger career opportunities. Known for her calm under pressure, meticulous planning, and mentorship of young women, she works closely with all members of the bank. While fiercely career-driven, Amara maintains close family ties and a small, trusted circle of friends. She balances a demanding job with yoga, hiking, and volunteering to empower female entrepreneurs.

b i o g r a p h y ;

Amara Gujral is a formidable and highly respected Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at Imperial Corporation Bank. At 35, she has built a reputation for strategic brilliance, meticulous analytical skills, and an unshakable ability to close complex, high-stakes deals under pressure. Her rise to this influential role is a story of ambition, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Born and raised near Toronto in a close-knit family that owned a successful manufacturing business, Amara’s early exposure to the world of entrepreneurship sparked a deep interest in how companies grow and transform. She excelled academically, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from a top Canadian university, followed by an MBA focused on Corporate Strategy and Finance.

Amara began her career at a prestigious boutique investment firm in Toronto, quickly gaining recognition for her precision in valuation and her strategic approach to deal structuring. After several years, she sought broader challenges and relocated to Skyline Heights six years ago—drawn by the city’s vibrant financial scene and the opportunity to join Imperial Corporation Bank’s M&A division. Starting as an Associate, Amara swiftly distinguished herself by leading several landmark transactions, including complex cross-border acquisitions and high-pressure hostile takeovers. One of her signature deals involved orchestrating the acquisition and successful integration of a struggling tech startup, which resulted in a significant market expansion for the client and bolstered Imperial Corporation Bank’s portfolio.

Professionally, Amara shares a strong, synergistic partnership with Lorenzo, the bank’s head of trading. Their complementary expertise—his market insight and hers strategic acumen—has fueled some of Imperial Corporation Bank’s most impactful mergers and acquisitions. Although their relationship is strictly professional, their mutual respect and quiet camaraderie speak to years of collaboration under intense pressure. Amara is also deeply committed to mentoring young talent within the bank, especially women navigating the traditionally male-dominated finance sector. Known for her calm, meticulous leadership style, she inspires loyalty and confidence in her team, fostering a culture of empowerment and growth.

Her move from Toronto was as much personal as professional. Leaving behind family and a long-term relationship, which gradually faded as her career demands increased, was difficult. Though that chapter closed, Amara maintains strong ties to her family through weekly calls and regular visits, especially with her younger sister, whom she supports as both adviser and confidante. While she occasionally feels the pressure of family expectations to one day return and help run the family business, her ambition lies firmly within corporate finance.

In Skyline Heights, Amara has cultivated a close-knit social circle of friends—mostly fellow professionals and university friends who relocated alongside her. She is selective about her personal life, guarded yet deeply loyal to those she trusts. Her romantic life remains low-key, favouring meaningful connections over casual relationships, balancing the demands of her high-powered career with the desire for companionship.

Outside work, Amara decompresses through yoga and weekend hikes, appreciating the balance between the intensity of her job and moments of calm. She also volunteers her financial expertise to nonprofits supporting female entrepreneurs, reflecting her belief in lifting others as she climbs. Looking forward, Amara aspires to rise to a Chief Strategy Officer role or even secure a seat on Imperial Corporation Bank’s executive board, where she can influence not only individual deals but the bank’s long-term vision and impact on the global financial landscape.

h e a d c a n o n s ;

Amara has a highly analytical mind, but she makes decisions with her gut just as often as her spreadsheets—especially when she senses something off in a deal or a person.

Keeps a “closed folder” on her personal laptop: inside are poems she writes when she can’t sleep. No one knows.

She doesn’t believe in fate, but she keeps seeing the number 11:11 and silently makes the same wish each time.

She sets three alarms in the morning—but always wakes up on the first. She just likes knowing she has a backup plan.

Can’t function without her black leather-bound planner. It’s colour-coded with tabs, sticky notes, and scribbles in the margins only she can decipher.

Owns at least six pairs of identical black heels—rotation matters, she insists.

Checks Bloomberg before she checks her personal messages.

Keeps a photograph of her parents on her desk at home; they remind her what kind of strength she comes from.

Keeps a reputation for being unshakeable in the boardroom, but plays with her rings when she’s under pressure.

Has a soft spot for people with ambition, especially when they remind her of a younger version of herself.

Her love language is acts of service. If she likes you, she’ll show up when it matters—no fanfare.

Her condo has floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and a strict no-shoes-inside policy.

Occasionally texts her ex when she visits Toronto, though she deletes the message drafts more than she sends them.

She sometimes dreams of an alternate life—one where she stayed in Toronto, married young, helped run her family’s business, and had Sunday dinners with her parents. She loves her life, but… she wonders.

She’s a perfectionist, but that perfectionism was born out of constantly feeling like she had to earn her seat at every table.

c o n n e c t i o n s ;

An ex-flame from Toronto (rekindled or unresolved)

A friend who knew her before she was this successful

Her sister (!!)

Someone outside her world (chef, artist, barista) who makes her feel grounded

A therapist, yoga instructor, or spiritual confidant she sees quietly

A neighbour in Skyline Heights she slowly bonds with

A socialite or public figure who wants to befriend her for clout

A distant relative who reminds her of her cultural roots

A nonprofit leader or activist who questions her corporate work

A former protégé who now resents her

[amaraxgujral]

closed for @labyrinthinesyndicatex ( for krish ) location: amara's place

Amara was standing in front of her bedroom mirror, debating whether the heels she picked made her legs look “date-worthy” or just “accident-prone,” when she felt a presence in the doorway. She didn’t need to turn to know it was probably her brother—he was one of the only people who had a key and of course a knack for showing up at the most inconvenient moments. “Oh, fantastic,” she muttered under her breath, running her brush through her hair. “Just when I’m trying to not look like a walking fashion disaster.”

She paused, hands on her hips, and smirked despite herself. “You know, I could start charging for moral support. Or sabotage protection. Maybe both.” Glancing back at the doorway, she raised an eyebrow. “I hope you brought earplugs, because I might start narrating my whole thought process out loud. You’re welcome, by the way—consider it a free masterclass in how to survive a date without tripping over your own confidence.”

[poisonvdhonvy]

He’s probably milking it for attention more than anything, but yeah, Sadik’s been giving you that side-eye since Mango showed up. Not mean, just like he’s reminding you who was here first. “If you turn up in Velcro, I’m buying the ugliest pair on the market and insisting you wear them every time you visit. That’s non-negotiable.” She can already see it, Amara stomping around in neon straps like it’s high fashion. “And fine, we’ll be critics, but I’m picking our aliases. I want something ridiculous that sounds like we own a castle and have opinions about scones. Oh, and we’re ordering the most overpriced thing on the menu just to watch them sweat.” It’s been a long week, but the thought of pulling off a pastry sting with Amara makes it feel lighter. No overthinking, just moving. She pushes away from the counter, already scanning the display like it’s a map to buried treasure. “Alright, here’s the play. I’ll distract the barista with an in-depth debate about clotted cream, you make the grab. We meet outside in two minutes, croissants secured. Let’s actually pull it off this time.”

[amaraxgujral]

Amara grinned, already crouching slightly like a cartoon heist character. “Deal. I call dibs on the dramatic cape entrance—Velcro or not, it adds flair. As for our aliases…how about Lady Butterworth and Sir Crumpet? I feel like it screams sophistication and terror at the same time.” She peeked over her shoulder at the pastry case, tapping her chin. “Overpriced menu item? Obviously the triple-layered éclair. They’ll think it’s for tasting notes, but really, it’s just psychological warfare.” With a mischievous wink, she darted forward. “Ready or not—this reign of dessert dominance ends now. Let’s make history, one flaky croissant at a time.” One of the main reasons she was so glad Alev lived here--it allowed Amara to very happily be a bit more carefree, more reminiscent of the girl she was back in Toronto.

[lorcnzo]

he hummed in agreement, acutely aware of the fact that expensive alcohol smoothed over many betrayals, but not in his team. most people who worked with him learned quickly not to probe— but amara had never been most people. she operated in the spaces between what was said and what was understood, and he respected that currency. the question was... out of the blue, to say the least. but he's willing to humour her, wanting to know where this was leading. "henry brought me in because he knew what i could contribute and i wanted ICB because nothing else was on par." lorenzo was already well-recognised in the financial circles on the other side of the atlantic when he was poached. "he's never been under an illusion that i only live to trade and the pathway's mapped out. loyalty... goes both ways." he studied her carefully, noting the way she lingered by the door— poised between staying and leaving, much like her question suggested she was poised between something else entirely. "what's the real question, amara? are you asking if i'd do it differently, or are you asking for permission to do it your way?"

[amaraxgujral]

Nothing else was on par. Wasn't that how Amara should be feeling as well? This was the company she'd truly given so much of herself to and now she was left wondering just how she wanted to move forward. Voicing that to Lorenzo though wouldn't end well and yet she knew it was time to bring up the outside offer she'd gotten. Because Cynthia Zhang was also a true force to be reckoned with. Amara hesitated for a moment, weighing her words before speaking, her voice quiet but deliberate. “I think… I’m asking if I can do it my way,” she said, eyes drifting to the floor briefly before meeting his again. “I respect the path you’ve carved, the loyalty, all of it. But there are angles I see, approaches that don’t fit neatly into someone else’s blueprint. I’m not asking to rewrite the rules—I just want the space to navigate them in my own way. I want to know if I can shoulder the responsibility, and if I can make it work without compromising what matters. It’s not about proving anything to anyone—it’s about knowing that when I make a choice, I can live with it, and that it’s right, for everyone.” She wasn't unhappy persay, but she knew there had to be more out there. And it was actually being offered to her.

[labyrinthinesyndicatex]

Krish let out a short laugh, flicking another fry toward her plate. “Your entourage can keep their applause; I’ll be too busy making sure Mango doesn’t start charging appearance fees. And yeah, show me the pictures ... might as well meet my nephew before he becomes too famous to acknowledge me.” He could feel the back-and-forth settling into that easy rhythm they hadn’t had in years, the kind that didn’t need explaining. “Enjoy the karaoke crown while you can, because my backing choir’s going to mutiny halfway through your encore and join me instead.” He pointed a fry at her like it was evidence. “And I’d sing along to your acoustic set for one reason only ... quality control. Someone’s got to make sure the emotional bridge doesn’t turn into a full collapse.” The road trip memory hit him in a way he didn’t bother naming, so he just smirked. “Locked in. But when you lose, I want that dedication so over the top it makes strangers uncomfortable.” For once, it felt like they were just two siblings talking trash over fries, nothing heavy or complicated - just normal, which was more than enough.

[amaraxgujral]

She laughed, shaking her head as she flicked a fry back at him. “Fine, fine, quality control it is. But don’t think I won’t notice if your choir tries to stage a coup midway through my encore. And as for Mango’s appearance fees… he loves those treats that keep being advertised with the cat going through the wall? Just get him that." She leaned back, grinning at the easy rhythm between them. “Just remember, when I inevitably take the crown, your over-the-top dedication had better be Oscar-worthy—strangers included, uncomfortable faces mandatory.” She took a bite of her fry and shook her head with a fond smile. “Honestly, this—us—just talking like normal siblings? Yeah, I could get used to this.” And for the rest of the afternoon, that was exactly how they spent it. Just being normal siblings and Amara couldn't ask for more.

FIN.

[ofgrenvde]

"You always know exactly what to say, don't you? I honestly thought I'd be miserable forever when dad first dropped this arrangement on me, but Kyro's been surprising me in good ways." She glanced down at their joined hands briefly before meeting Amara's eyes again. "Tank practically follows him around now, and you know how picky that dog is about people he actually likes." A small smile tugged at her lips as she continued, "I keep waiting for him to show his true colors or whatever, but so far he's just been decent and patient with all my walls and trust issues." The relief in her voice was unmistakable as she added, "Having you ready to burn everything down for me though. That means everything, seriously." She shook her head slightly, still processing how different this whole situation had turned out from her worst fears. "I might actually take you up on that escape offer soon, just to clear my head and remember who I am outside of all this family drama."

[amaraxgujral]

Amara’s smile softened, but there was a thoughtful weight behind it as she squeezed Izel’s hand. “You know, it’s not about him being perfect—or even about him fitting into some idea of what you expected. It’s about you realizing that, even in all this chaos, you can still breathe, still exist on your own terms. That you can take up space and trust your instincts, even when everything around you tries to box you in.” She glanced at Izel’s hand in hers, letting a quiet moment stretch between them. “Tank’s approval isn’t trivial—it’s proof of the patience and care you’ve shown, of how you set boundaries and still let people in. And whenever you need that escape, Izel… I’ll be ready. Not just for the theatrics, but for the quiet parts too.” Her teasing grin returned faintly, but her eyes lingered on her friend with the kind of seriousness that only comes from knowing someone’s worth fighting for.

[labyrinthinesyndicatex]

Elisa laughed under her breath. “Alright, I’ll give you that one. Standards are important.” She leaned in a little, voice easy. “Coffee as armor makes sense. Mine’s probably a mix of caffeine and pretending I’m not irritated until I can actually do something about it.” It was true - patience wasn’t her strong suit, but it kept the doors open. “And yeah, business math. You deal with the headaches so the right people get through. I’ve got my own list too … it’s not short.” She liked that Amara said it out loud instead of pretending everyone was a joy to work with. Glancing at her watch, she added, “I’ve gotta run, twins are out in half an hour.” She turned and walked toward the door.

[amaraxgujral]

Amara chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Caffeine as armour is underrated, honestly. And pretending you’re fine until you can actually do something about it? That’s a survival skill in its own right.” She gave Elisa a small smile. “Sounds like you’ve got your list well under control. We’ll see if our paths cross again before the next round of chaos hits.” With a quick wave, she watched her friend head out, letting the hum of the coffee shop settle back around her. Sometimes showing up and just being real—was enough. And for today, that was more than enough.

FIN.

[ofgrenvde]

"Secret sap, really?" Cedric said, taking her phone and scrolling through the photos. "I guess I'll take that as a compliment coming from you." The images were incredible—cliffs dropping into endless ocean, ceremony spaces that looked like they belonged in a movie, reception areas that managed to feel both elegant and wild. He could already picture Tati's face when she saw these, how her eyes would light up at those sunset views. "Your friend collection strategy is pretty smart though," he continued, handing the phone back with a grin. "You get all the benefits of watching us fall apart without any of the actual drama." The teasing felt natural between them, easy in that way that only happened with people who'd known each other long enough to call out each other's bullshit. "And yeah, you're definitely getting that invite if we go with this place, but only because I want to see if you'll actually cry during those supposedly sappy vows you keep predicting."

[amaraxgujral]

"It's a compliment for sure." Amara told him with a smile. She could see Cedric's earnest feelings towards Tatiana and it was honestly heart-warming. She may be a very cold and calculative woman on the outside but deep inside Amara was a softie, though she rarely let anyone see that side of her. "All my strategies are brilliant, thank very much. How do you think I became the VP of the acquisition wing?" She grinned at him with a smile before taking the phone back. "But I mean come on--you don't exactly seem like the type to fall apart so I'm not counting on that happening at all." She smiled at his confirmation of getting an invitation though and chuckled before nodding, "you say that now Cedric, but when I'm ugly sobbing, you'll wish you never invited me in the first place."

[labyrinthinesyndicatex]

Krish laughed under his breath, flicking a fry back in her direction. “Contingency plans for my contingency plans? Now you’re just showing off. Fine, bring the entourage ... I’ll make them my backing choir when you start choking on those Mango shoutouts.” He could feel himself getting pulled into the back-and-forth the same way he used to, before everything got complicated. It was dangerous how easy it was to slip into that rhythm. “Cry when you take the crown? Please. I’ll be too busy savoring my victory fries to notice your speech.” He jabbed a finger toward her like he was calling a foul. “And as for this acoustic fantasy … you belting without a mic is basically a public safety issue. I’ll hand out earplugs at the door.” The truth was, part of him wanted this stupid karaoke war to actually happen. “Guess we’re locked in then."

[amaraxgujral]

She gasped in mock outrage, catching the fry midair before it could hit her. “Backing choir? Please. You’d be lucky if my entourage even acknowledges your existence once they hear my opening note.” She leaned back, arms crossed with an exaggerated air of confidence. “And those Mango shoutouts? They’re going to bring the house down. People will weep, Krish. WE-ep.” Her grin was obvious as she continued, "I also can't believe you haven't even met your nephew yet...he's very visibly upset Krish. But do you want to see pictures?" She was talking about her kitten of course but even before she pulled out her phone, she shot him a look at the “victory fries” claim. “Fine, savour your fries all you want, because I’ll be polishing my karaoke crown and making your so-called backing choir sing my encore.” She jabbed a fry right back at him. “And don’t pretend you wouldn’t sing along to my acoustic set if I ditched the mic. Public safety hazard or not, you’ve always been a sucker for my emotional bridges—don’t think I forgot about the road trip when you joined in.” Her grin softened just a fraction, the fondness in her eyes slipping through. “Locked in, big brother. And when you lose, you’re dedicating your next song to me—tragic sincerity, finger pointing, the whole package.”

[labyrinthinesyndicatex]

Bastian let out a quiet scoff that curved into a grin, stepping out behind her as the doors slid open. “Alright, I’ll take the trophy, but I expect it to come with free checking,” he said, glancing at her as they stepped out. “And for the record, the big boys upstairs don’t scare me either ... I just save my energy for battles worth fighting.” She’d pegged him with the Mr. Fuentes, and part of him liked the formality, even if it made him sound like someone who wore cufflinks. “Low maintenance makes life boring anyway… if I was, you’d have sent me back downstairs.” It was easier to play into her rhythm than overthink it - keep the tone quick, keep it moving. “You know, I can adjust material for the crowd ... could’ve gone clean for the tellers, but maybe they’ve banned fun entirely up here.” Her mid-life crisis jab pulled at a corner of his mouth. He wasn’t about to unpack how close that phrase hit, so he just rolled with it. “Well, if you do start a hand-holding service, sign me up ... but until then, I’ll settle for your finance-fixer package. That still come with the guided tour?”

[amaraxgujral]

Amara smiled at his quick comeback, shaking her head as she led the way toward her office. “Free checking? You really do know how to drive a hard bargain, Mr. Fuentes, and in a matter of minutes too.” she teased, glancing at him over her shoulder. “But fine, I’ll consider it—assuming you don’t cause too much trouble in the first month.” His bit about saving energy for worthy battles drew a knowing look from her. “Smart. Pick your hills to die on… even if one of mine happens to be making sure my clients aren’t eaten alive by paperwork.” She pushed open the glass door to her floor, the faint hum of conversation spilling out. “Boring isn’t my type either, and you’re right—if you’d been low maintenance, I probably would’ve pawned you off on someone else,” she said, a grin tugging at her lips. “but no, fun isn’t banned up here. It’s just... rationed carefully.”

Her eyes softened at his last line, though she masked it with a smirk. “Hand-holding service is still in the early stages, but the finance-fixer package? That comes with the full tour, bad jokes included.” She gestured down the hall, walking at his pace. Somewhere between the elevator and this moment, she realized she was… actually enjoying this. The banter, the way he kept up without missing a beat—it was easy. Easier than she’d let herself expect. Normally whenever she'd help out in an area that wasn't in her job description, she normally regret it within minutes--this was thankfully different. “Come on, Mr. Fuentes,” she said, pushing the thought aside before it could settle. “Let’s see if I can make you regret signing up for this.”

[ofgrenvde]

"Emerald works perfectly," Izel said, clicking to finalize her choice. "And I love that you've got a whole arsenal of chaos ready to deploy—table linen critiques sound absolutely lethal." She returned the gentle nudge under the table, grinning. "Honestly, the engagement is weird but not awful? I went in expecting some pompous ass who'd treat me like a trophy, but Kyro's actually been pretty decent. He's sweet with Tank and Dash, which automatically puts him in my good graces." She closed the laptop and leaned back in her chair. "Don't get me wrong, I still want to strangle my father for arranging this whole mess, but at least I'm not stuck with someone horrible. We're both just trying to make the best of a situation neither of us asked for." The whole thing still felt surreal most days, like she was playing dress-up in someone else's life, but having Amara understand made everything easier to handle. "He hasn't tried to change me or anything, which is more than I can say for most men I've dealt with, so there's that."

[amaraxgujral]

Her expression softened instantly, her teasing melting into something far warmer. “Emerald’s going to look stunning on you—like it was made for you,” she said, her voice carrying that rare mix of conviction and affection she reserved for the people she truly cared about. “And chaos arsenal or not, I’d burn through every single weapon in it if it meant protecting you from even a shred of the crap you’ve had to deal with.” She reached over, resting her hand lightly over Izel’s for a moment. “I hate that this was forced on you, but I’m glad—so, so glad—you got someone who sees you for exactly who you are and doesn’t try to change it. That’s worth more than anyone gives it credit for.” She gave a little grin. “And hey, if he’s good to Tank and Dash, I’ll keep my pitchfork in the closet… for now. But you know if you ever need to breathe, rant, or just escape for a while, I’m there. No questions, no judgments—just us.”

[labyrinthinesyndicatex]

"Yeah, exactly," Elisa said, her mouth quirking. "I’ve met plenty who wear the armor but prove decent once you get past the surface. And then there are the others you’d never grab coffee with if money or connections weren’t on the table." Amara laughed, and Elisa added, "Sometimes it's just business math ... you deal with a few you can't stand so the right people get helped." She didn’t love playing nice with smug faces, but some doors only opened if you smiled at the gatekeeper. Watching Amara flash that tote made her grin. "Alright, yours gets a pass. But if I ever see you with matching logo sneakers, we’re gonna have a talk."

[amaraxgujral]

Amara smirked, tilting her head at Elisa. “Please, you think I’d waste good shoe money on branded sneakers? I have standards,” she said, mock-offended, before softening it with a grin. “Besides, I like my armour where it counts—coffee in hand, receipts in my inbox, and the ability to smile sweetly while quietly plotting my escape route.” She gave a small shrug. “You’re right though, sometimes it’s just business math. You put up with the human roadblocks so the right people get through. Doesn’t mean I don’t keep a running mental list of the ones I’d happily never see again.” Her gaze flicked to Elisa, playful but genuine. “Good thing you’re firmly on the coffee-worthy side, or this conversation would be way less fun.”

[c0exiist]

The plaque idea didn’t sound too bad as Desmond was already intrigued by it. “You got that right? I appreciate it.” he teased as if she was going to provide and present the plaque. When Amara called him out on how he felt, the bodyguard remained silent and allowed for her to say what’s on her mind, not denying that she was wrong. It was pretty spot on and to hear it being told to him out loud made him realize the feelings for Nazli were far more than serious. “Thanks, I needed to hear that. I do care and I’ll make sure to not second guess myself…I used to think I didn’t deserve this kind of love, but I want it for once and I’m going to do what I can to make it work.”

He then did a quick side eye after hearing her comment about the rage room. Good thing he didn’t propose that option or he would have certainly faced her wrath. “True, you do have a reputation to uphold and so does this handsome face.” He then grinned and laughed as if he told a good joke before regaining her composure to discuss the topic at hand. “Perfect, retail therapy with a purpose it is and if we get hungry after, nothing like a good meal to end off a self care day.” Desmond’s lips widened into a knowing smile as he understood where Amara was coming from, “I look forward to when that moment will come…Oh now you’re sounding like a sore loser. In all seriousness, thanks for still keeping me around. I know, but in all honesty you earned my trust and while I didn’t expect to form a friendship out of these circumstances, I’m glad it did.” Suddenly, he heard his name being called for their order and walked up to the food truck to pick up the bag. “Alright, time to eat. Let’s head over to those benches there. Who knows if we'll get a good view of people watching, but it's worth the entertainment while we devour this."

[ END. ]

[amaraxgujral]

FIN.

[c0exiist]

Cynthia smiled as she was ecstatic to hear that she was part of Amara’s short list of trustful individuals. “What an honour.” she mused at first. “Let’s hope it stays this way moving forward.” It wasn’t a warning, but more so an afterthought as she understood that the junction tends to be filled with surprises when it came to alliances and foes. “I value your worth Amara, if it were any other person then they would have gotten the standard bullshit pitch that all corporate honchos give.” Her smile widened at the brunette’s comment about bringing on a storm, such a shame as she would have been perfect for the OC, but beggars can’t be choosers and she was grateful that she was even considered for this partnership. “Lovely, I trust that you will. Anyways, I’ll let you continue on with the rest of your day. Appreciate your time and take care.” With that being said, the CEO waved goodbye and headed in the direction of her next destination.

[ END. ]

[amaraxgujral]

FIN.

[ofgrenvde]

"Big Sur for a wedding venue?" Cedric laughed and shook his head. "You've been busy with those investment proposals, haven't you? And here I thought you were just looking at numbers all night." He couldn't help but grin at her bluntness about his so-called brooding romance brand—leave it to Amara to call him out like that. She wasn't wrong about Tati loving those cliffs and redwoods though, his fiancée had always been drawn to places that felt wild and untamed. "Sappy vows, really? That's what you think I'm planning?" The teasing felt natural between them, easy in a way that reminded him why their friendship worked so well. Amara always cut straight through any pretense he might try to put up. "But seriously, what's this consulting fee you mentioned? Because if you're expecting payment for unsolicited wedding advice, you might be waiting a while." He took another drink of his coffee, curious now despite himself. "Tell me more about this retreat property, what makes it so special that you'd waive your fee just to get an invitation?"

[amaraxgujral]

"Come on Cedric, I'm always busy," she said with an air of pretence before laughing at his words. "I do look at numbers all night long. My life is so exciting, try not to be too jealous." She chuckled before nodding very confidently at his words. "You seem like a secret sap. Those are normally the types of guys I end up bring friends with--it's not a bad thing, it just means they date or in your case--marry some really great girls and I get new friends. It's selfish really on my part." She told him before chuckling at him holding onto the consulting fee mention. "Hey--I was kidding. As in if you and I weren't friends, I'd charge you for finding you the venue of your dreams but all I want--is an invite." She told him before taking a sip from her coffee and grinning at him before pulling out her phone. "Just swipe through the pictures...you'll see why it's absolutely perfect and why I love it." Amara truly would've loved to get married on a cliff like that, overlooking the ocean but for that--she'd need to actually have a prospect and that was seemingly getting further and further from her now.

[poisonvdhonvy]

“Big words from someone who once tried to bribe Sadik with half a granola bar. You’re lucky he even lets you in after that. And if you’re blaming society for pastry theft, I’m using that excuse next time I accidentally pocket a biscotti.” She snorts, nudging Amara back, the whole croissant heist thing actually starting to sound like a real plan. “Look, if you end up in Velcro, I’m buying you the brightest ones I can find. We’ll call it performance art. Sadik can’t handle that much chaos.” There’s this easy comfort being the decoy. She hates being the centre of attention most places, but here, it’s almost fun. Something about the way Amara says she doesn’t take her for granted sticks, though. She shrugs, not sure what to do with that, but she’s glad for it, even if she’ll never say it out loud. “If we get banned again, I’ll just fake a British accent and promise we’re food critics. No one argues with that.” She grins. “Ready to cause trouble?”

[amaraxgujral]

Amara grinned, bumping Alev’s shoulder with a gentle nudge. “Oh, trust me, I’ve already crafted a whole backstory in case Velcro actually happens—‘performance art’ sounds like the perfect excuse, doesn’t it?” She paused for a moment, her smile softening just a bit. “Sadik’s chaos meter can only handle so much, but somehow I think he’s already got my shoelaces marked for revenge. Honestly, it’s kind of comforting—like no matter how much life throws at me, there’s always this little battle of harmless mischief waiting around the corner. Tell me, do you think he's gotten more aggressive with me because of me adopting Mango? And not a dog like him?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief again as she leaned in a little. “And food critics? That’s honestly brilliant. No one’s going to argue with a couple of mysterious British critics on a pastry mission.” She laughed softly. “I’m stealing that line, by the way. You know, sometimes the smallest moments like this—the ridiculous, the silly—it’s what keeps everything else from feeling so heavy. So yeah, let’s go make some delicious trouble and maybe remind ourselves that chaos doesn’t always have to be complicated.”

[labyrinthinesyndicatex]

Krish grinned, flicking another fry back at her. “Alright, Grey’s Anatomy veteran, I’ll give you that—anyone who survived all those plot twists can handle a little plaid and pop-punk humiliation. But don’t pretend you’re the only one who can pull off hair gel and questionable choreography. I’ve got moves that belong in a time capsule and zero shame left to lose.” He pointed at her with the fry, mock serious. “If you’re bringing ‘It’s Gonna Be Me,’ you better bring backup dancers, because I’m coming in hot with ‘I Want It That Way’—tragic sincerity, finger pointing, the whole package. And don’t think I’ll go easy just because you’re threatening Oscar-level drama. I want fake tears, a speech so long the fries get cold, and at least two shoutouts to pets we never had.” Honestly, this was the most relaxed he’d felt in months. It was nice not having to pretend everything was fine or keep up some front. He could almost forget how much he missed this. “Be ready to lose. Because I’m not above sabotage. I’ll unplug the mic if you try to steal my Backstreet Boys thunder.”

[amaraxgujral]

She laughed, catching the fry with a quick swipe before popping it in her mouth. “Oh please, you think a little sabotage will save you? I’ve got contingency plans for your sabotage plans. This is war, brother.” She nudged him with her elbow, grinning. “Backup dancers? Honey, I’m calling in the whole entourage. And if we’re doing shoutouts, you better believe I’m dedicating at least three to Mango, just to keep you on your toes.” Amara shook her head, smiling warmly despite the playful challenge. “Just don’t cry too hard when I take the crown. But hey, if you unplug the mic, I’ll just go full rockstar and belt it out acoustic. Prepare yourself.” Being this way with her brother was truly what she'd missed the most when he'd left Toronto. The sense of belonging she had with him was the most important thing to her.