"Do you know a Dr. Preeta Arora?", the inspector asked. Even those that were seated stood up. They were all wearing shocked faces. But Dianne and Sophia were surprised;  Dianne didn't believe what was happening as for Sophia despite being surprised her focus was solemnly on Karan. She wanted to see his reaction and to see as well as to confirm something. "Dr. Preeta Arora?", Mahesh asked shocked. "Yes, she came at my office on Tuesday and she told me about Sheilyn and what she did to her, she mentioned you knew her and that her statement would be confirmed by you", the inspector told them. And when he showed them the file, and what was inside; Mahesh agreed with what was in the file. The inspector advised them to get in touch with Preeta and find away to move the case up speed as they also continue to look for the criminals. They asked for Preeta's contact but the inspector declined it saying its unprofessional to give out people's numbers. Karan was looking hopeful and many thoughts were running inside his head asking himself why she didn't come to them and the same was happening to almost everyone because Bani Luthra asked why Preeta didn't come to them and Sammy said; "why would she?, when this family caused so much pain to her, but what I don't understand, is why Shrishti didn't tell me that she's back. "Well maybe she and Sarla don't know yet because yesterday but one I was at Arora's house but Sarla never mentioned it and three was no sign of her either", Rahki said.

"The inspector said we should get in touch with her but we don't know how to get hold of her neither do we know anyone who has seen or knows her" Mahesh said. Karan who had been quite said in a low voice that , " someone does know her and I think she knows where to find her", he said looking at Sophia and baiting her to lie. During the time Karan tried looking for Preeta he got information that she was last seen with a friend whose name was Sophia, he knew her  because Preeta had introduced her to him so seeing her again at his house surprised her. She acted like she didn't know him but he also understood her, maybe Preeta told her everything hence the harsh treatment from her however he wanted to know where she was and this woman in his house might know Preeta's location.He wasn't going to let this chance pass by. "Who does?", Mahesh asked and Karan pointed at Sophia. Everyone turned to look at Sophia surprised. Sammy thought, she has always known our family but never said anything; Rishahb who has an interest in her also thought the same thing, it felt like a betrayal to the Luthra family however they never gave their opinion but decided to keep quiet with so many questions. Mahesh approached Sophia, looked her in the eyes and asked if what Karan claims is true. She debated whelther to lie or not but she was tied of the lies. Preeta had put her and Dianne into a very difficult situation. Even though she still holds a grudge against this family for what they did to her friend , she didn't want to go into a confrontation with them. So she decided to tell them them half truths after all, she hasn't done anything wrong.
"Yes, it's true, I know Preeta Arora", she answered back. So say that the Luthras weren't shocked would be un underestimate.

"Really, would you please tell me, where to find her and my child", Karan asked excitedly. He didn't care what others thought he was desperate, he wants his family back. He held Sophia's hands and pleaded with her. When she looked into his eye, there were tears and she did feel sorry for him because he was desperate. Sophia looked at Dianne but her face was emotionless Sophia didn't know what she was thinking yet but needed support. She again heard Karan asking her about Preeta and his child. She looked at the little boy but was relieved to see that he was busy playing and was not caring about what's going on around him. Sophia looked at Karan and then at the boy again, Rishabh saw how her eyes were moving from Karan and onto the little boy. Kritika too did but felt confused. Sophia was feeling bad for Karan and felt really angry at Preeta for putting her in this situation however this is what she signed up for. Preeta is her friend and that's what matters. She thought, she won't regret this. Seeing Karan this desperate really made her reconsider and decided to tell him the half truths. "Preeta and your child are doing fine", she said but Karan asked where they are and she told him straightforward that she can't give him Preeta's address right now because she's not in position to do so however she told him that she's sure he is gonna see her very soon. Karan smiled at that. He again asked about his child. "He's the most handsome and precious boy I have ever seen", she said looking at little Karan. A smart person would pick on her emotions and actions but Luthras are just dumb, at least that's what Dianne thought.

"He?" Karan asked emotionally and by now he had tears in his eyes. "Yes, you have a son who is very beautiful", Sophia answered and she kinda felt like a heavy burden was lifted off her. She's aware of the way Karan treated Preeta and doesn't agree with it but Karan also needs to know the truth; she hopes that  when she informs Preeta about this, she will understand her. By now all Luthras were happy to hear about news concerning Preeta and her son and were happy for Karan especially. "Mum, dad , grandma did you hear that? , I have a son" he said sounding so happy and  with his emotions, he moved both Sophia and Dianne to tears. Little Karan saw his aunt Sophia having tears; he approached her and asked her why she's crying and then looked at others and asked Sophia why they are sad but Sophia instead hugged him so tightly. She couldn't tell him that this is his family or say it out loud for others  because that was Preeta secret to tell but she hoped for Preeta to give her son a chance to get to know his family because no matter what happened the boy is still a Luthra and that won't change. She wiped her tears off and told the little boy to go bide his good bye because they were leaving. As this was going on the Luthra family was only staring; they had a lot of questions but they chose to reserve them. Sophia excused herself and apologized for any inconvenience that she may have caused. She never thought that their dinner would end up this way, she doesn't even know what's going in their minds (Luthras). While the little boy was biding his goodbye Dianne and Sophia were feeling guilty, this boy had a special connection almost with even one in this family and it could be seen with their emotions but this wasn't her and Dianne's place to say anything. While Karan was bidding goodbye to the little boy, he held him in the face and looked deep into his eyes like he was  searching for something. Karan didn't know why he loved this boy but he did, he also wished that he was  his son. He hugged him and said, " I hope to see you little man". Dianne looked away because what she was seeing was making her feel more guilty however Sophia starred at them and very one present. Before they left, Dianne handed them an invitation to the inauguration of their new hotel. She asked the whole family to attend.

When they left the Luthra house, they felt relieved. "That was close, what are we going to tell Preeta?, The Luthras are not stupid, like it or not someone is gonna figure this out. This boy resembles his father. Did you see how they look alike when they are together?", Sophia asked. "I felt like I was suffocating in there and the guilty of knowing was eating me. I think I was about to tell Karan that he's his son" Sophia continued to say. "That was indeed a narrow escape but we have to tell Preeta so she prepares herself, and I hope she won't be angry but understand the situation she put us through. This is her fault." Dianne said. "Hey Sophia, you think they will grace our invitation?", Dianne asked again. "Of course, they are now our business partners so they will surely attend however they are gonna get the biggest surprise of their lives because on that day they will find out that Preeta Arora is the President of both Annabel Holdings and Arora hotels, bars and restaurants and am scared" Sophia said. "They will also know the our little prince is Karan's son if they haven't figured it out yet", she continued to say.
At the Luthras, as soon as the guests left; there was silence in the house no one was saying anything until Sammy broke his silence and said "what a day?", I never thought  that, this is Sophia, Preeta's best friend. Shrishti told me about her but I never thought that this is how we will meet her and then find Preeta. God has his ways for sure but again why didn't Shrishti tell me that Preeta was back in Mumbai and where has she been all this time?, we searched for her everywhere and couldn't find her".

Mahesh was deep in thoughts, he heard someone tap on him and looked at Sammy who was asking him what he thought about everything.  "Something is going on, even though I trust those girls; they are however hiding something and I don't know what it is exactly but I think it has something to do with Preeta and that boy;  Mahesh said and Rishabh  agreesd with him that something was definitely going on. Karan asked them what it was but Mahesh told him, he can't say it now because he could be wrong however he told his family that they all must attend and grace the invitation that way, they will find out more about their business partners since they knew very little about them. Sammy excused himself because he had to make a call to Shrishti, he knew she was out of town but he still wanted to know why she didn't tell him that Preeta was back.
"Hi sweetie, what's up?", how are doing? Everything good?", Shrishti asked and Sammy told him everything is fine but he didn't sound his usual self. "Sammy are you okay", Shrishti asked worriedly. "Why didn't you tell me that Preeta was back?", he asked angrily. "What did you just say?", my sister is back!, when was this?, why didn't mum tell me anything when talked to her yesterday?", she asked surprised.  " you didn't know?" Sammy asked to which Shristi told him that she wouldn't have asked him if she did. So Sammy had to tell her about Sophia, about the business and everything. "By the way Shrishti, we have a nephew, did you hear me?, Shrishti was happy with the news but sad and angry at her sister for not looking for her. Shrishti last talked to Preeta three years ago and promised to call again but she never kept her promise so Shrishti got angry with her.

Preeta was in Delhi, but was feeling anxious and happy at the same time. Happy because her other close pal Miles was coming to India and was going to attend their Hotel inauguration. Anxious because she knew her friends were gonna meet the whole Luthra family and feeling scared because Karan might recognize Sophia and doesn't know what could happen. So she decided to give them a call to make sure everything is fine. And Sophia picked on the third ring, "hi girl, how are you doing?,how is Delhi? , I tried to call you but your phone was going straight to voicemail", Sophia told her. "Am sorry, I had switched it off and forgot to switch it back on but anyway how is my little pie doing? And how did it go with the Luthras?", Preeta asked. Sophia had already decided not to tell Preeta anything that went down at Luthra house because she had an important meeting and she thought if she tells her, she will get worried, so decided to tell her the truth when she returned to Mumbai. "Everything went well, the deal is signed and sealed; as for your little pie, he's doing fine, doesn't even miss you because his favourite aunties are here",.Sophia told her.".
"That's great to hear", Preeta answered. "Sophia, guess who is coming to India?", Preeta asked excitedly.  "Who?",Sophia asked and Preeta answered Miles. "No way, don't tell me, he's following you", Sophia told her. "He's not following me, Miles is a good friend ", Preeta mattered. "A good friend who likes to flirt with you and may I inform you that Miles Morales like you or your stupid for not having seen it? ", Sophia asked her but she dismissed it and told her, he is only a friend and that's how it's gonna be.

Note:
This is my longest update with over 2000 words and my favourite chapter to date.
Next chapter is surely gonna be a blast and who is Miles?.
Happy reading and comments are welcome.
See you soon😘