There was a huge red carpet spread in front of the grand banquet hall, which also covered the stairs. In front of the main entrance, there were two men dressed in suits. They were checking the invitation cards. They were strictly instructed not to let any reporter or paparazzi enter. People only with the invitation cards were welcomed, so they had to check properly.
As an invitation card had allowed two people to enter, so they were way more cautious to the partners of the guests.
"Check properly before letting them enter. Even if someone has an invitation card, still nobody with a camera can enter today. Remember, you must not offend them." The event planner reminded the two guards at the gateway. They also nodded in agreement.
As the clock ticked, guests were starting to appear. In front of the main gate, there a crowd of paparazzi were already formed. All these years, Mr. Adi Roy had stayed extremely low key and did not hold any private banquets. There were rumours that recently he had been going to a particular Cafè often, and that also was for a particular woman. But nobody could catch a glimpse of him entangled with someone. Everybody was extremely curious. He had not had any scandals, nor even dating rumours through all these years. If this news was right, then it would have a huge impact. Even if the woman was a gold digger, but if she managed to melt Mr. Roy's heart, that would be a huge piece of news.
That was why when the news of him holding such a upper class banquet broke out, everybody suspected that the news was true. So they tried their best to enter, but to their disappointment, they were not allowed to.
In the crowd, someone's eyes were glittering.
'Nobody is allowed to enter huhh? They really do not want to leak even a single photo.' Curling her lips she smiled evilly.
"So, even if a single photo or information comes out about today's event, it would sell at a high price, right?" She blurted out loud.
"Without any doubt." Drake scratched his head. "But the matter is, how? And even if a photo is leaked, not only the spreading medium, but also the person who spread that would be doomed. In short, it would be the last piece of news they serve."
"So if I would be able to manage to get out any scoop related to today, I just have to make sure that nobody finds me."
"What are you saying Evie? I do not quite understand." Drake was confused. How the heck she would manage to get something, about what was happening there, behind the doors today. Besides, their news portal was not that popular. They would not take the risk to get sued. If they manage to take one or two exclusive photos of some famous people or celebrities, it would be more than enough for them.
Evelyn looked at him, "Drake, inform the company that I have got stomachache. I am returning home, if they have anything to discuss, they can call me later tomorrow. For today, I would not be available."
"But..."
"You love your job right, Drake?" Tapping her hands on his shoulders, Evelyn whispered, "To make a fortune, I am probably going to loose mine. So, You must not follow me."
Leaving a stunned Drake in a daze, Evelyn disappeared into the crowd.
The Host announced the arrival of the guests one by one. With the grand opening of the doors, one after another big shots started to arrive.
Everybody there were as curious as the media about today's agenda of the banquet. Not only people from the business families, but also some top tier celebrities, models, chefs, scholars and a few artists were also invited.
His love for art was known by all. Adi was a well known figure in hotel and food industry. In the business field and in culinary arts he was a virtuoso, but his other identity was not known by everybody. He was a savant when it comes to art. But he did not publish any of his works anywhere. As most of his works' inspiration were the muse he had not seen for many years, he could only imagine her appearance. But now that she was with him, he was eccentric. He thought that he'd present her every pieces he made on their first anniversary.
When almost everybody were be manifested, busy in talking and making connections, the Host announced about the arrival of the person everybody was waiting for.
The lights had gone off, the chandeliers were dimmed and the focus of the limelight moved throughout the hall.
As the light stopped on the stairs, a man in a dark grey suit had appeared. He was in his early fifties, but his well built body and his face made him look way more younger than his actual age. His calm eyes contrasted with the sharp features to make him look more outstanding. His demeanor was like a lion king, walking out from his den in a majestic way.
But what stole the spotlight was a hand that he ld his arm tightly. A figure cought everybody's attention soon. In a Champagne coloured, ethnic styled beige net gown, with hand made embroidered all over, a lady stood beside him elegantly. Her smile was so warm that could melt glaciers. She did not even tried to hide the slight wrinkles and fine lines with heavy make up, yet she seemed so pleasing that nobody could move their eyes off from her for a while.
They started walking through the steps together, linking their hands, smiling slightly, they seemed to be a match made in heaven. Everybody gasped in surprise by the impact they had caused.
"It is a woman. It really is a woman." Han Ji Soo exclaimed in surprise.
"So it really was all for a woman." Tang Ziqi snorted disdainfully.
A model crooked her eyebrows as she whispered to her friend, "I thought she would be a young, beautiful, and happening gold digger. Looks like she is just an average looking middle aged woman."
Her friend giggled, "I wonder how good she would be in bed to melt our stone faced master's heart."
Another lady joined them as she laughed, "Good in bed? At this age? Give me a break! I would be surprised if she is still having her menstrual cycles. She looks like an old hedgehog. But the fact is, how did she managed to get into his heart!" All of them laughed silently.
Not so far away, a lady, dressed in a scarlet red backless fishtail gown curled her lips in disgust. These ladies from high society annoyed her so much that she only wanted to run away. But today was not a day to run. It could bring her a great scoop, which she already got. But leaving at this moment would arise suspicions, and her 'partner' would not allow her either. Thinking about her 'partner', Evelyn already had a headache.
"So, after all these years, he got together with the lady he wanted so badly." Xu Chen said with a warm smile.
Han Ji Soo approached them first from all the people present there. He shook Adi's hands as enthusiastically as someone could be, "I guess she is the one for whom we are seeing each other after almost two years."
Adi smiled and nodded his head in response. Han Ji Soo got more excited as he asked, "And she is..."
He looked at her with a doting smile. "Sylvia, your sister in law."
Then he walked to the Host and grabbed the microphone from him. Stretching his hand he invited Sylvia to his side. When she walked to him, he embraced her in a way that only lovers did, as he announced,
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? As you know, I was single for a long time. But I had not found the one I wanted. Finally, heavens listened to my prayers and she, the first and only love of my life, agreed to my request to marry me."
With a few words, he wiped her past entanglements, stated that he had a long time crush on her and it was him who asked to marry her. His firm words, made clear about her place to him in front of everyone.
"Meet my wife, my lifetime companion, the love of my life, Sylvia. Sylvia Roy."**
Everybody appalled as his words fell. They started going to them and congratulating them one by one.
Far away, someone in the crowd narrowed his eyes as a trace of mysterious smile appeared in his face. It was hard to understand his reaction. 'Now, you also have someone precious beside you. I wonder, while facing me, who would you protect? Your empire, your life, or her?'
Sylvia stared at the crowd in front of them as she analysed every expressions she saw. Then slowly looked to the man beside her. Seeing that he was also staring at her with concern, a gentle smile appeared on her face. She shook her head slightly to assure him, to tell him not to worry. As long as he was with her, she did not care about anything, it was all worth it.
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**Changing surnames after marriage is a well known tradition in India. But nowadays many ladies refuse to do so. I also support this action, but, here in the story I portrayed Adi's character as a protective man. Sylvia changed her surname after her first marriage, and in that way she lived twenty four years, all of her legal papers were changed to her ex husband's family surname.
After her divorce, if she wished to change back to her original one, she had to change her every id cards and legal papers, which were a little troublesome. Mantisha was in a hurry to take her mother abroad with her, so for the time being they didn't do so. She planned to change it after they came back to India for a while again.
Meanwhile her second marriage happened. To live a peaceful life as they wanted, they needed to hide her past entanglements from the outside world and media. So three of them agreed on the term to change her surname as Adi registered her into his family register.
She was still living there with a tourist visa, so she decided to apply for a resident certificate after three years of their marriage.
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Another long chapter.
To be honest, I'm more careful to make the relationship between Adi and Sylvia strong. I think everybody longs and deserves a love that waits, that remains the same even after ages. I really wonder how far their spiritual, platonic love can lead them. Do the leads get them out of danger with themselves too?
I fear the people who target everything or everybody around you to take you down. In my life, I have encountered a few. I guess everybody does. Let's be strong and don't let these villains get passed, okay?
Share your ideas and give your supports through votes and comments. I would love to hear about your opinions.
With love <3