A flush rose beneath her skin. She cleared her throat and spoke casually. ‘You don’t look too shabby yourself.’
‘Ma’am, have mercy on me and give me a chance to emotionally prepare myself before you shower me with such lavish praises.’
She shook her head, laughing under her breath and his smile deepened as he took it in.
‘Shall we go impress the elites of this country?’ Abhay asked, offering his arm and a charming smile.
Siya slid her hand into the crook of his arm, her palm resting against the firm line of his bicep, and nodded.
The elevator ride down felt longer than it was because he kept his eyes trained on her.
‘You’re staring.’
‘Yes, and I can never get enough of it.’
‘Are you planning to flirt all the way down to the ballroom?’
‘Absolutely. I have a very limited window to use my best material before you’re surrounded by celebrities and admirers.’
Her laugh echoed as they stepped out and began descending the sweeping marble staircase. The air was rich with the scent of fresh lilacs and pale roses. As they turned around the corner and came into the view, the photographers began shouting to get their attention.
‘Siya, Abhay, look this way!’ one of the men yelled as he held up his camera.
Their cameras clicked in fervent hunger as Abhay lifted her hand and guided her onto the red carpet set outside the ornate, massive doors of the Reminiscence Ballroom.
After their pictures, Abhay opened the door for her and they walked into the room. When the velvet drapes parted, Siya gasped. The room gleamed in a warm golden light from the enormous chandeliers glittering above like constellations.
The tables, covered in cream-coloured silk and adorned with vibrant flowers, were arranged in perfect circles across the wide room. A live jazz band played an old classic song in the corner. They got swept up in the greeting crowd on their way to the joint Kashyap-Agrawal table at the front.
Her gaze caught on her father as he walked into the room, flanked by Dhruv. Kartik wore a midnight black suit and every inch of it was impeccable, down to the visible Kashyap monogram on his diamond cufflinks.
His expression was polished into the perfect media-friendly smile, his eyes scanning the room with the casual authority of a man who thought the spotlight was on him. By contrast, Dhruv’s expression was unreadable.
Kartik’s gaze swept past her without hesitation. He didn’t acknowledge her, simply walked to the Kashyap side of the table and took a seat, followed by Dhruv.
When they took their seats, Siya offered a hesitant, ‘Hi, Dad.’
Kartik leaned away toward the nearby high-profile buyer who made a quip, but never once did he look at her. Dhruv looked away when she caught his gaze, and Siya tilted her head, curious about the faint bruise on his cheek.
She’d heard rumours of bar brawls and fights he’d gotten into over the years, but she could never believe it. Dhruv didn’t strike her as impulsive. There was a calm precision to his madness that had always made her question those stories.
Across the table, two chairs were pulled as Neena and Mihit joined them. Neena wore a sleek champagne-gold saree that shimmered subtly under the warm lights, floral designs embroidered in gold thread across its borders.
A necklace of emerald vines adorned her neck, and her makeup was just enough to highlight her cheekbones and lips. Beside her, Mihit looked polished in a soft blue suit with a dark blue waistcoat and understated accessories.
‘Both of you together make quite a lovely sight,’ Neena offered with a smile.
Mihit nodded. ‘The press is going to have a field day with their pictures.’
Abhay slid his hand beneath the table, and found hers with practiced ease. ‘It’s all her,’ he said as a matter of fact and the compliment settled in her heart with a thud.
A hush settled over the crowd as the announcer stepped onto the podium. The stage light shone a soft spotlight upon him.
‘Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the exclusive soft launch auction of Vintage Reviere. Thank you for gathering under this roof for witnessing a dream that two families have nurtured,’ he began, his baritone rolling smoothly across the room.
The room rang with applause and flashes of the cameras.
‘Tonight marks a celebration of legacy, luxury, and craftsmanship. This auction, a joint feat between two behemoth empires whose names define the standards of timeless beauty, Kashyap Luxe and Agrawal Jewels, pays a homage to history while standing proud in modernity.’
