While Talilia and Othorion were busy talking to each other, Drelduin was eagerly waiting for Talindra to come. He knew she was busy settling into her new home, but he was about to see his sister after years, specifically after two years. He met her two years ago when he went to Boucherlow Island for work. They used to spend their childhood together. He really wanted her to attend the party. After all, this party was for her, and she said she would come. He even tried his reverse psychology on her.
Edhelriel was standing next to him in a beautiful red gown. Her off-shoulder gown was complimenting her beautiful neck and shoulder. She too was waiting for Talindra to come. She too would meet her after two years. She used to talk to her on the phone, tell her everything about Drelduin but now she would complain about him, face to face with her.
Suddenly, the whole party became chaotic. Everyone started running in every direction, Drelduin looked at Edhelriel and she looked back at him. Drelduin gave a huge smile, he understood that Talindra had arrived and everyone who was scared of her was getting out of her way. No one saw her for five years, but her reputation reached the Dainava office. She was known as 'Stone-hearted', a 'perfectionist'.
She wanted everything to be perfect. If someone used to make a single mistake, she used to rip them apart. She hated failures. All her time in Boucherlow Island, she always won. Yesterday she played a dangerous game, gambled her 100 million and won. In Boucherlow Island, she was known as the Duchess of Business. She used to get rid of enemies like they were minute lint on her clothes. She used to go through personal assistants like tissues. When she used to fire someone, they would run out of the office crying. She was mean and arrogant.
It was a long time since she loved anyone.
She arrived in style, and everyone could just stare at her. Her expensive car, her expensive clothes were attracting all the attention. Now she had more power, more stakes in the company that was running the world.
When she entered with Edhelriel, Drelduin ran to her and pulled her into a hug. The brother and sister were meeting after years.
"Hi T2! Oh, it's so good to see you in the flesh. I am so, so happy to see you," Drelduin hugged Talindra tightly. He swayed her left and right with adoration.
She pushed him with all her might. "Okay, if you say so," she said indifferently.
"You don't have to be so cold with me," complained Drelduin.
"I am impartial," teased Talindra.
"Yeah, right, talk to Hel and let me observe," Drelduin raised his eyebrows.
"Okay, fine, I am warm with Hel." Talindra rolled her eyes. "Fine, I will be warm with you too, happy now?"
"Very." Drelduin was smiling from ear to ear. He placed his arms around her shoulder and stood there happily.
"You know I have to maintain my avatar. I am angry bitch. I have to show everyone I am cold," said Talindra.
"You and your dramas," Drelduin shook his head in disbelief.
Talindra turned to look all around the party searching for Talilia but could not spot her. "Where is she?"
"Somewhere in the party," said Drelduin causally.
"Did you talk to her?" Talindra looked at Drelduin.
"No, I didn't have the time." He gestured at the party. "Is she angry?"
"I don't think she has an angry bone in her body, maybe she is just upset," replied Talindra.
"It's your fault. Why didn't you tell her before that you were not going to stay with her?" scolded Edhelriel.
"No matter when I would have told her, this would have been her reaction," explained Talindra.
"Then invite her to live with you," suggested Edhelriel.
"I did. And he will not leave Mr Taurak, my dad," said Talindra.
"Well, think about her later. We have to make the announcements first," interrupted Drelduin.
"Of course, that's why I am here," chirped Talindra Happily. She won. He broke her heart and she won at last.
"I know," said Drelduin and hugged her again.
"Are you going to rub it in his face?" asked Edhelriel, mischievously.
"Who are we talking about?" said Talindra, mockingly.
"Ha-ha," all three laughed aloud.
Baraion was furious looking at her. She was smiling and laughing and not even glancing at him once. He had three girls in his arms, but it was not affecting her in the least. How would it affect her if she would not look at him? For his plan to work, she had to look at him.
Before Drelduin could leave for the announcement, Galhad came to them to meet his daughter.
"Talindra!" he said and stood near her.
"Mr Taurak! Oh sorry, we are in public, Dad!" she mocked. She then bowed down to show respect and greeted him.
"You don't have to be so arrogant," said Galhad.
"You don't have to play a victim," taunted Talindra.
"I am not saying you are treating me badly," counterpointed Galhad.
"What are you saying?" reprimanded Talindra.
"Guys, we are in the public," said Drelduin and calmed them down.
"Tell her that," whispered Galhad. "Anyway, I came here to just say thank you. I have been fighting this war for ages, but you gave me a win," appreciated Galhad.
"This win is for me, dear Dad," taunted Talindra, again.
"Will you never talk nicely to me? You have already upset your sister," said Galhad.
"I can handle her, you need not worry about her," said Talindra and started walking away from there.
Galhad grabbed her arm and pleaded, "I am sorry for what happened to you."
She jerked his arm away and scoffed loudly. Drelduin looked visibly disturbed. He gulped in discomfort. "Sorry? Sorry?? You are sorry??? That man, no, no he was not a man, he destroyed my life, and you are sorry, now? Why were you never there? I needed you and you were busy in your war. And now you want to say thank you because you won it. Have you no shame? This war is important to you, still? I don't think you would have ever said sorry to me if I would not have provided you with this win. You are a black spot on fatherhood. You don't deserve to be anyone's father," said Talindra through gritted teeth. She spewed poison and went away from him.
She picked up a glass of champagne from a nearby tray and gulped it in a single gulp. She picked up two more glasses and finished the drink immediately. The moment she was about to grab the fourth one, Drelduin stopped her hands. He grabbed her and looked into her eyes. They were wet with tears, but none flowed out of them. She somehow controlled her tears. His warm hands consoled her.