"So, how was the meeting? " Mahesh asked happily. "It went well I must say. The offer is even better than we expected but they've got conditions I think you wouldn't agree with", Rishabh told him. Everything is in there, he gave his dad the paper's to look into. "Rishabh, am not gonna be able to read all this, you see am getting old; tell me what's inside them as well as the conditions that they've set. And you understand that this is the only hope we have, if we can't find an agreement with them then the bank will take what your grandfather, myself and even you boys have worked so hard for and built over these years and be taken just like that. The bank could even sell them at a cheaper price because the bank Won't mind the value of the properties as long as they get what was got from them, you got me?, so we have to find ground with these people; now tell me what was discussed in the meeting and who are these people anywhere?" Mahesh questioned. "You see dad, they offered four hundred and fifty thousand dollars which is good because with that money, we can pay what the bank's owes and still have a big sum as balance but they want seventy-five percent of shares from our company as compensation. It wouldn't be bad but dad, this is our company we are talking about and its worth. We can't just give all those shares especially to people we hardly know"Sammy said. "I don't think, they are criminals or fraudsters" Rishabh defended.

"Okay, okay, don't argue we want to find a solution for our problem, first of all, who are these people?, who's the boss? And what business are they doing?" Mahesh asked. From ten little we found out, they got businesses both here in India and United states. They have Annabel Holdings Limited and under it there is a chain of hotels, bars and restaurants as well as real estates business.  I heard they are constructing a few hotels here but their restaurants and bars are already booming. I think you've heard of the Arora Restaurants?" Sammy told him. "Actually, I have heard of the Anabel Holdings, it's a big company in the States and if they've extended their businesses in India, I think it's a good deed" Mahesh said. "So add, your accepting their condition?" Sammy asked. "Yes", "can you explain please?", Rishabh asked confused. " Because it's the 'only option' now, aha! where are we going to get an offer like that right now  especially if we have less than a week before its taken?, also we can always get back our shares in the future when we can buy them back. Let's appreciate that they are letting us have the twenty-five percent as well as controlling the company. Isn't that so?" He asked. "That's what is even surprising me, they want us to remain in charge and control the company, I mean who does that?, " Its because they trust us son we should do the same" Mahesh told his son's. And at the end of the day, they agreed to the conditions set by Preeta Arora even though, they don't know that yet.

"So, what's their decision ?", Preeta asked Sophia who was just from speaking with Rishabh Luthra. "We have a date", hahaha...., and her friends made a funny face. "Am joking girls, the truth is that the Luthras wanna meet their new business partners and so we've been invited for lunch" she told them feeling happy. "And when is that?" Dianne asked. " Next Sunday " she said. "In that case, I wish you all the best", Preeta told her. "Wait, your not coming?", "Sophia, you know I can't meet up with Luthras right now; besides am going to Delhi this Saturday, I have a meeting with other doctors" she answered. "Preeta, your dodging these people but let me tell you something; you can hide but you can't hide forever", Sophia advised her and she said "I know and your right, and you know what, it's time I faced my past so tomorrow am going to see my family. Finally I will meet them" she told her friends worriedly. "Should we come with you" Dianne asked. "No, I want to do this alone; I have to face my past no matter what happens. I didn't wanna take my son with me to meet them right  now but I think taking him with me tomorrow ain't bad after all they are his family too, so tell his nanny that she has a few day tomorrow", Preeta informed them
"Why does she look nervous though, isn't she going to meet her family?" Dianne asked confused Sophia. "I told you all about Karan and his family but  didn't tell you about her family. She's nervous because the circumstances in which she left three years ago weren't good; she's not sure if she will be welcomed or not. Preeta has been through a lot and we should always give her our support and friendship because in reality we are all she has now" Sophia answered.

The next day, an esclade packed at Arora house and people around looked on to see who gets out. Unfortunately for them, they couldn't recognize Preeta because she was wearing a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, with a jumper on, shades and a cap. She wore that because she didn't want people to recognize her. Then, they saw her turning to the other side to open for someone else and it was a cute boy. "She had someone ask, who are those people packed at Arora's residence?, another one complimented them, Preeta smiled and waved at them. But they kept wondering who they are and also because such a car has never been spotted in their neighbourhood. When she reached at the door, she was feeling so nervous and scared. "Mummy are you okay" her little boy asked, and Preeta told him she's fine. Sometimes she wonders how smart and cute is sometimes yet he's so young. So she collected herself and knocked twice; she heard her mother's voice asking Jhanki to check who was  at the door this early and at that time she felt scared, she thought of returning to back but couldn't, it was now can what may. When Jhanki opened the door she saw a woman with a kid but couldn't recognize her, she asked her who she was and that's when Preeta removed both her shades and cap. And Jhanki couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Pre...e...ta, is that really you!, she was so happy to see her that she felt her tears falling on her chics; they starred at each other until they hugged, both crying. Jhanki has always loved Preeta more than the other Sarla children and when she left, she was so sad; sometimes she wished that she had left with her. But now she couldn't believe that her favourite girl is here standing in front of her. "This is your son?" She asked emotionally and Preeta nooded her head. "He's beautiful and he has his father's looks and your eyes";. "Thank you aunt Jhanki, will mum be happy to see me?", Preeta asked and before Jhanki could answer; they heard Sarla asking why Jhanki wasn't coming back band who was the door. So Jhanki asked Preeta to enter inside.

When Preeta entered, Sarla was still in the kitchen so Jhanki told her to feel comfortable and have a seat; she left her to go call Sarla. She didn't sit but  looked at the place and became emotionally, her memories came back of this place and she couldn't hold her tears. Thank God her son wasn't paying attention to her but busy playing with some stuff. She was facing the wall looking at photos when Sarla came in; but before Sarla noticed her, her eyes fell on the little boy who was playing and she asked Jhanki who the boy was. That's when Preeta turned and saw her mom for the first time in three years and Sarla looked at her too. She looked at her from the shoe she was wearing bringing her eyes at the top; she called "Preeta?", "yes mum" she answered. Sarla rashed to where Preeta was standing and engulfed her into a very big and emotional hug. "You are back; please forgive me, what I did was wrong, I missed you so much, and she was pecking her anywhere on the head, chics, kissing her hands speaking while she also had t3ears in her eyes; Sarla was so happy, she didn't think Preeta will ever return." Mum, your embrassing me"; her son was laughing at how Sarla was pecking Preeta and he thought they were funny since they are elders. Sarla held herb hands together and kissed them, she kept apologising and telling her how worried she was about her and how she missed her all this time. Preeta suggested that they sit and they did. Preeta called her son and introduced him to his grandma and Jhanki, they were happy to finally meet him. Sarla too told Preeta how her son looks like Karan but Preeta didn't say anything.

She and her mum had a lot to talk about, so they requested Jhanki to take the boy with her so they talk. Preeta told her mum everything about her life in the United States and to say that she was shocked would be an underestimate. She couldn't believe that her daughter was a billionaire and that she's a master's degree holder. She was happy for her and was proud of her. They talked much but then Sarla  realised that Preeta didn't ask about Luthras, and wondered if she could tell her or not but then decided to do so; at first Preeta had declined but her mum told her that a lot has happened to that family and she needs to know about it. She told her about what went on at Karan'wedding; Sheilyn and Prithvi's involvement and that was a surprise to Preeta and even knowing that Sheilyn stole from them surprised her too. At first she thought the Luthras were responsible for that loan but after hearing about the hardships they've been through she felt kinda sorry for them and she explained to her mum what she knew and that she's going to help them. Sarla felt proud, her girl is still the most kind and generous however Preeta requested that she keeps it a secret. "There is something you need to know" Sarla  told her looking serious. "What is it mum" she asked. "Its Karan, he knows that you left pregnant and that its his child", Sarla  told Preeta.

Note
Guys, I can't believe we've reached this far and thanks for reading and commenting, i appreciate the time you spare to come read my story. Thank you and so I promise you that after the next two or three chapters Preeta and  Karan are finally gonna meet.❤