Author_IYA
The next day, the Desousa home looked like a celebration - fresh flowers, new cushions, too many snacks. Mahi stood in the mirror, half ready, half annoyed, muttering, "If this turns out to be another forty-year-old 'family friend,' I'm moving out."
A car horn echoed outside. Multiple cars.
Her mother's eyes widened. "They're here!"
Mahi exhaled slowly, straightening her dupatta. Her heart drummed as she stepped into the living room.
The door opened.
A shadow fell across the threshold - tall, poised, familiar.
Her pulse froze.
The man standing in her doorway was wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, eyes as unreadable as ever.
Aiden Verdan.
Behind him, stood his entire family - including Dadi Devika, smiling like she'd known this all along.
Mahi's hand tightened around her dupatta. Her mind raced, her stomach dropped, and every word she'd ever learned evaporated.
Her CEO.
The man she'd humiliated.
Standing in her living room.
Her mother's cheerful voice broke the silence.
"Mahi beta, this is the family I told you about! And this is their grandson-"
Aiden's gaze met hers.
Unblinking. Calm. Dangerous.
Her mother finished, beaming,
"-Mr. Aiden Verdan."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room felt smaller. The air heavier.
Then, with a faint, almost imperceptible smirk, Aiden said,
"So, Miss Desousa... we meet again."