The second I entered the Richards mansion I was skeptical, suspicious that Mr Steven Richards is upto something and as the evening passed my suspicion turned to surety; Mr Richards was on a mission, he was slowly and steadily unfolding that evening, trying to break my pretense, right from the way he dressed to the way he spoke it was all a clear reminder of that evening. He knows the girl he met that evening but he doesn't know the woman that I am today. He won't be able to see through Arayna Oberoi the way he was able to see through Ari that evening.

My patience and pretense were hanging on a thin thread when he played "Nachdi Phiran". This song held so many emotions and memories he has no idea, he has no clue what this song does to me, I am about to lose here when Dexter becomes my saviour and I am so glad, he has the perfect timing. I feel a mixture of anger and annoyance when Steven probes me about the song. I don't understand why is he so hell bent in reminding me about that evening, is it his unsatisfied ego that I forgot him or the evening meant more to him than just a weekend out with someone.

It definitely must be his ego; I know all about his most eligible bachelor personality and this surely must be like a punch that he spent an evening with a girl and she doesn't remember him. Whatever it is I am not letting him lower my guard, he wants to be  sure if I remember the night, I am going to make sure that he is 100 percent sure that I don't remember anything.

Just as we enter the dining there comes a voice from the doorway, "Any room for me?"

Stellary rushes to the doorway excitedly and hugs the man tight. "Bryan, you made it. I thought you had a flight to catch." She exclaims with happiness.

"I did, but I rescheduled. I know how much you wanted me to come." Bryan replies with a bright smile. Anyone could see, how truly they were into each other. Just this small exchange of words and you could feel it.

Few people like them are the only reminder that true feelings of compassion and affection still exist.

They come towards me and Stellary introduces us, "Bri meet Miss Arayna Oberoi, Arayna he is my fiancé Bryan Johnson," she says with a wide smile.

I extend my hand for a shake and state, "I know he has walked the ramp for me in Paris."

"Yes, but I did not get to meet you." Bryan says returning the handshake.

"But, you met me and its lovely to meet you again." Evelyn says trying to save me from answering and I am glad for her intervention. I give a brief look towards Steven and he surely was hoping to get to know more about that show, since its was the same night we had met.

Bryan greets everyone. He seems like a generous person and I hope he really is as Stellary has a heart of gold and it would be sad to see another person disappointing her.

We are all seated at the dinner table with Stellary seated at the head of the table, me and Steven opposite each other, Bryan is next to Stellary opposite Dexter who is besides me. Evelyn and Mitch opposite each other. I appreciate the fact that Its Stellary seated at the head of the table, it shows that Steven respect his sister. 'Maybe he is not so egoist.' Thats my sub conscious.

Dinner is served and everyone starts eating slowly, Stellary has been a very kind host, she arranged special food for Dexter and also made everything vegetarian after enquiring from Evelyn that I am a Vegetarian.

"Ohh wait, so you chose to go to Paris because Bryan was there," Steven asks Stellary.

"Happy realisation brother!" Stellary exclaims with a smile.

"Hey, thats not done the New Year trip is supposed to be only our trip, you can't choose to go there because your boyfriend is working there." Steven replies.

"Really, are you complaining I chose Paris. You left me at the event and went to some place on an adventure with a woman and later came and thanked me for choosing this place." Stellary replies with sarcastic tone.

"Yes yes the adventure that you still remember and reminisce and want to relive, isn't it?" Mitch retorts in a teasing tone.

I knew what adventure Stellary and Mitch were talking about, I felt my cheeks turn hot, it was just hard to believe that Steven had shared all about that evening with them.

Steven looks a little embarrassed but soon covers it up passing a quick glance at me his eyes analysing me, I manage to keep my expression neutral and before there is more discussion on this topic I intervene. "I believe we should get at the matter at hand, a lot of damage has been done to my reputation and company. Evelyn had to take all the blow."

"Susan is a troublemaker, I have always warned you against her Stell. She has always taken advantage of your innocence. But now she has crossed all limits." Steven responds.

"I am really sorry, all of this trouble caused is my fault," Stellary exclaims feeling guilty.

"Its not you who should feel sorry Miss Richards." I assure Stellary, then look at Steven who has very conveniently forgotten how all of this started. He has to acknowledge that it was him who started all this drama.

"If you've been so sure of Susan's intentions you would not fall for her ploy, its not only Miss Richards innocence that she's taken advantage of, she has also used your love for your sister as a weapon, she has used you too, Mr Richards," I reply.

"Exactly Steven," Mitch says with a nod of his head agreeing with me. Steve throws a look at Mitch before clearing his throat.

Steven looks a little ashamed and swallows hard before looking at his sister and says, "I am sorry Stell, I didn't mean to blame you."

Stellary passes him a short smile and brushes it off, "What's now important is we find out why she did all of this, I don't know how though, we can't reach her, her cell phone's off, no one is at her house. Wait did she do this because I didn't choose to go to the designer she wanted me to?"

I had this strong feeling that Susan's motive was not just to hurt Stellary. It felt like her blow was directed towards me and my company. 'Zainav Fashions' name was clearly highlighted in the news. Stevens reputation was used to blacklist my company and colleague.

"Can she really be that petty? Don't worry, I have already started the search, my men are on it. We will find her soon and also know why she did all of this." Steven says with surety.

"Wait, are you talking about Kyle?" Mitch exclaims.
"I don't think he is of any use, he is still not able to get any information on her and you've been so desperate to find her not to forget its been months." Mitch continues.

Before he can say anything more, Steven cuts him off in a rather high pitch voice that makes me suspicious, "Mitch, you don't forget he has been very successful in other cases, I have trust in him."

"I cannot waste a lot of time on this, I would've myself appointed someone and by now I would've had Susan in my custody. I respect my clients and in this case its Miss Richards and only because Susan is your sisters friend I have stayed put. We don't know she might be onto some other conspiracy, its best if we don't waste time and hire someone more competent if Mitch is doubtful of this Kyle person."
I instantly regret calling Mitch by his first name but it just slipped and its done now.

From the corner of my eyes I see a small smirk on Mitch's face and him and Steven pass a look.

"Don't worry, by end of tomorrow I assure you we will find Susan." Steve reassures with tight expression looking a bit tense.

We all continue to eat after that with small chartering here and there. After eating Stellary insists we have some wine on their patio and that we stay a bit longer. Honestly saying no to her is very difficult, she is persistent but in a very delightful way.

Bryan helps Stellary serve wine to everyone. They have this mutual unspoken connection that has a smooth co-ordination. Bryan offers a glass to me and I politely deny, "I don't drink, thank you."

Steven gives me a curious and a suspicious look at the same time. This time I know what that look is for, he has seen me drink that evening, infact seen me drown in alcohol that evening. But I wasn't fully lying, it is only that one day in the year that I drink otherwise I do not.

Fortunately, Steven has not played any more tricks and unfortunately many instances and discussions have happened on that night at this one dinner. I cannot risk mixing up more with these people, that night was a mistake, I had let Steven lower my guard, it can't happen again.

I excuse myself to go to the washroom, Stellary sends a help with me to show me to the washroom. Dexter who is sitting besides me gets up as soon as he sees me walking away and starts to follow me. He doesn't let me get away from his eye sight especially when we are at some new place. I pat his head when we are outside the washroom door and he quietly waits there while I go inside.

I lean my head against the door and take deep breaths. This dinner had proven to be very exhausting and I wasn't prepared for it. Steven had provoked my pretense at every chance he got. It is now becoming difficult to maintain my stance, it feels any minute now I am going to lose it.

I hope this matter with Susan is over soon, I should not drag this matter much. I look myself in the mirror, stoic brown orbs gawk at me, no other colour in them just raw brown. Everyone back then praised me for my eyes, saying how expressive they were, before my face lit up my eyes would shine. I loved to hear that, my eyes were just like my mothers and now I think they are still like hers, dead.

My eyes well up but I manage to swallow them in, all the memories rush back the same way it did that night and I blame Steven for this. He was responsible that night and he is responsible today. 'Mr Steven Richards you can't win, I won't let you' I say looking at mirror, then take one last deep breath and walk out of the washroom.

There he is again, I wonder what he is upto now. I stare straight at Steven challenging him to play any trick but I definitely was not ready for what came next. Mr Steven Richards had taken me off guard and it took everything in me to keep my calm.

I draw my hands into tight fists and fold them beneath my chest so that no one can see my agony. I stare right at him as he rolls a scarf around his palm to be more precise my scarf. He slowly walks towards me watching my every move, I try very hard to hide my annoyance and anger.

I notice Dexter is not around and thats absurd. He wouldn't leave like this and let Steve come near me this easily.

He doesn't have any idea what that scarf means to me. I am trying so hard right now to not snatch it from him. It is not just a scarf it is a token of memories, so many memories. It was my mother's favourite scarf, she always wore it saying it went well with every outfit. I had knitted a small 'Z' on one corner when I first learnt knitting as a surprise for her. It was not the best, a little crooked but I was proud of it. Mumma loved it, I still remember the bright smile and her words, " Oh my god, you are going to be a fashion designer like me and not a businessman like your father. I am so flaunting this in his face." They always had this argument, they were always teasing each other when it came to me who loved me more, who I was more like, who I loved more, every little thing. Their teasing only brought more love to me. I have to get the scarf back, how though!?

I eye the scarf briefly and take a step towards him, I divert the subject before I do something I regret, "Mr Richards its your last chance, I need that woman by tomorrow."

He purposely moves his hand with the scarf closer to me and says, "Rest assured Miss Oberoi, I do not make false promises nor do I forget anything. I am a man of my words."

I don't miss the stress that he put on the word 'forget'. I look at the scarf one more time before saying, "The scarf doesn't go with your outfit." I didn't want to give him any chance to think that I recognised my scarf.

"Thank you for the dinner Mr Richards" I add before leaving to the patio where everyone is. I see the disappointment clearly visible on Steven's face. It gives me a mixed feeling, a feeling of achievement that I was able to pull off all the pretense given the number of times he pinched at my soft spots and also a feeling of discomfort that I had taken away his happiness. I quickly brush that thought off, what am I even thinking.

As I reach there, I see Dexter hogging on some treat. I am very sure Steven is behind it. He must have distracted Dexter with treats so that he could get me alone. I eye Dexter and he immediately senses me and like a guilty toddler comes towards me wagging his tail. I bend down scratching his ear I whisper slowly, "Oh boy, you've been played."

"We should leave" I say and Evelyn joins me.
I walk towards Stellary and give a small smile, "Thank you for the dinner Miss Richards, thank you for being so thoughtful about Dexter."

Stellary gives me a bright smile and leans forward in a hug, I am taken aback and my posture becomes stiff. Leaning back she says, " Thank you so much for accepting my invite, The pleasure was really mine. I must thank you for still making my dress even after all this."

"I had promised to give you your dream dress Miss Richards. I don't break promises nor do I make false claims." I say eyeing Steven briefly repeating some of his lines and he gives me a small smirk.

We all walk towards the living room. I see my scarf peeking out of Steven's pocket. I pull out Dexters toy from my purse. I have to keep it incase he gets hyper. He is not very comfortable with strangers, today though he has been quite friendly. I throw the toy in Steven's direction. Dexter immediately rushes to him tackling him on the ground and he starts barking. Dexter has both his legs on Steven's chest.

Steven is shocked and stunned not knowing what happened. I quickly rush towards them kneeling besides Steven's waist where the scarf is. I keep talking to Dexter, telling him to calm down and tell Steven to not move. Everyone gathers around us. Steven looks scared and a smirk adorns my face. 'You should not have provoked me Steven' I say to myself.

"Don't worry, he won't do anything. Just look at Dexter, don't avoid his eyes." I tell Steven. Making sure Steven's attention is not on me I pull out the scarf from his pocket and shove it into my purse. I pretend to remove Dexter's toy from my purse and give it to him. He takes the toy in his mouth and climbs down Steven.

I give my hand to Steven to help him get up. He takes it slowly and I pull him up. He is once again stunned by my strength. "I am sorry about this Mr Richards but all of this is actually your fault, you should not have given him the treats. The sweet makes him hyper and gives him this rush. I say trying to be sincere but I am sure Steven did not miss my smirk. He was waiting for a reaction the whole evening and I gave him one.

Steven glares at me trying to say something but the decides against it. He brushes and adjusts his hoodie.

We then move towards our car, Mitch mocks and teases Steven for being scared. We say our goodbyes and leave. The dinner was quite eventful the one thing positive about it was I got my scarf.

I reach home and ask driver to drop Evelyn home. I take a warm shower and change into cream shorts and off-white sweatshirt. Coming out of the bathroom I see Dexter has already dozed off.

I see the time and its 11:30 and I am not at all sleepy. Events of the evening play in my head and I move towards the painting room. I look for the painting I had painted about that evening I met Steven but I cannot find it. How is that possible, how can a painting just vanish. I am very sure it was right here. I had finished it only a few weeks ago.

Maybe with the other canvases the driver loaded it in the car and its at the office. I will have to find it.

I sit on a chair and my mind drifts to that night...

Hola!

I am back. Hope you liked this one.

Question of the day: Are you excited to know what happened that evening in Paris?

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