The billionaire deal

Part 15

Chapter 21: Friends and enemies

In the room where the event was being held, there were several large circular tables in the huge function room, draped in pristine white table clothes, and shining cutlery and crystal cut glasses, that glittered under the bright lights overhead, and it was now steadily filling with people.

The food was going to be served, then the family and patrons of The Gilpins Charity trust would get on with the dedication to Jay and his family, before the actual jollities of the Ball, with the band and dancing, which would commence late into the night.

Kabir led Pooja over to one of the tables across the room, and she was glad to see the familiar friendly face of Kabir's father P k Mittal, who greeted her with a warm smile.

"Ah Pooja, I have to say you are liking particularly lovely tonight, It's good to see you here, we have to see more of you dear, this is the first time from you and Kabir married, that I have set eyes on you"

"True, I am sorry about that," Pooja apologised, "I have been very busy adjusting to my new married life" she replied which was pretty close to the truth

P k smiled, "Say no more, I guess you and Kabir still being relatively newly weds, you both have no time for anyone else but each other still," he winked

Pooja just gave a little laugh, not sure how to reply to the obvious implication, unable to meet the amused look in Kabir's brown eyes, as he glanced to see her reaction before adding.

"Yes, I will admit I am finding it difficult to want to share my lovely wife with others yet, I just can't seem to get enough of her" Pooja knew it was his way of teasing her, but it still made her face heat up

"Why Kabir, I do believe you are making the poor girl blush," Suman drawled as she came up from behind them, overhearing Kabir's comment, she smiled her tight smile, as she now eyed Kabir and Pooja, "Such open declarations of feelings, so unlike you Kabir, I believe Pooja surely has bewitched you.. But then I guess love does that to you?"

Pooja's grip on Kabir's arm had tightened as she felt herself tense, suddenly wondering if Suman was going to say or do anything to upset Kabir.

"Well you should know," Kabir replied smoothly as his eyes remained steadily on his step mothers face, his smile as false as hers, "You seem to have had the same affect on my father

"Touché" Suman replied lightly, "Its nice to know we are all in the same boat...being in love that is," she then finished meaningfully, but then turned her attention to her husband putting her hand on his arm, "Sorry to pull you away, but Vyom needs to speak with you urgently, "You will excuse us won't you?" Suman turned her attention back to Kabir and Pooja, "Only Vyom does want tonight to go well, and make sure it meets with your father's approval, he knows how important it is"

"Don't let us hold you back, I know how much Vyom needs my father's approval" Kabir replied easily, but the jibe wasn't lost on Suman, whose expression hardened momentarily before she led Kabir's father away.

Pooja turned anxiously to Kabir once they were gone, "Do you think you should goad her like that? I mean she could easily retaliate with what she knows about me," she pointed out worriedly.

"She won't say anything tonight, she won't want to make any trouble. This is a chance for Vyom to shine, and let my father see what a good responsible guy he is, she won't want anything to spoil it." Kabir replied confidently

"All the same, my heart was in my mouth," Pooja replied, "I am so nervous," she admitted, glancing around the room and starting to recognise some well known faces from television, as well as politicians, that made her eyes widen.