"What….. what are you doing here?"
Maya asked in panic as she just found out that the incident she planned yesterday had failed and then looking the girl she hated the most in her palace made her panicked.
'Why is she here?And Did I heard wrongly or she really just called Mr Prince cousin?' Lalith who was equally shocked turned to look at Zydus a questionably.
"She is my cousin, Maya. Igonre her and remember I told you not to think otherwise here. Just accompany me inside." Zydus as calm as sea replied only to Lalith and without giving any other stare at Maya took her inside.
Maya who was ignored just like that stood rooted to the ground.
'It was fine as Zydus had always been like this but this bitch she actually dared to come at my place ignored me. And what about the clasped hands of them. Are they together? No, no how's that possible? Just yesterday she found out the Joseph and I are together because he broken up with her. ' Thinking that Lalith was doing this for taking revenge on her, she ran inside.
Lalith who unaware maya's silly thoughts was looking in daze at interior of the palace. As an artist she was attracted to paintings of famous artist's hanging on both side of the walls. She was awwed at the scenery.
"Close your mouth! You're literally drooling." Zydus reminded her as they were almost reaching at the hall. Where everyone was waiting for him.
"I'm sorry." Lalith was embarrassed hearing that as she wiped the side of her lips but not noticing any wetness, she glared at Zydus who was smirked at her action.
"You" Lalith was going to reprimand him when Zydus stopped at his tracks and made her stopped too.
"What ?" She asked at the sudden halt when Zydus gestured her to look at front.
All the way Lalith was either looking at the paintings or at him , thus she didn't know that from the ending of the corridor all the eyes present in the hall were on her.
"He-hello, everyone." Nervously she greeted the people with a bow. As She was an asian and was taught to greet with a bow.
"Ha ha ha… Hello, hello!" An old man approx at the age of seventy five greeted her joyfully while approaching them.
"Grandpa." She heard the man beside her greeted the old man. At which the old man nodded without saying anything While looking at their intervened hands.
" Come girl ! Finally my grandson came with a girl." The old man happily patted at her shoulder gesturing her to walk with him to couch.
"Let's go." Zydus who was silently observing other five people withdrew his gaze, walked to the couch to sat down and made her sat down beside him. Zydus's grandpa also sat on the single couch at his left. And gestured everyone to sit down too.
"What's your name?" Grandpa asked that made Lalith came to her sense as she was looking at two women and three middle aged men present at the hall, who were also observing her from the start without saying anything.
"Lalith. Lalith Right."
" Lalith, very good name."
"Lalith Right? Are the you the daughter of Right family at the west." Suddenly the one of the women who was looking as she is in her twenties asked.
"That shouldn't be, I haven't heard them having any daughter." She murmured to herself but loud enough to be heard by everyone.
"Yes, from that family but not related anymore after my mother's death." Lalith who was not feeling any hostility from the women replied in a low voice, but looked up when she felt a slight vibration on her hands that Zydus was holding from the start.
"Lalith girl, welcome to our palace. Let me introduce you to Zydus's aunties and uncles." Grandpa interrupted the conversation sensing the little tension.
"This is aunt Liya, my daughter ." He gestured at the women who just talked. "Uncle Liam, uncle Lucas, uncle Leon, my sons and this is my sister your grand aunt Suya."
Grandpa introduced everyone present and Lalith nodded at everyone , when Maya who was ignored by Zydus before entered the hall.
"And you have met her outside. This is Maya, aunt Liya's daughter and Zydus' cousin."
"No, we haven't." Lalith smirked looking at Maya who was furious at the thought of Zydus and Lalith being together.
"Come and sit beside me." Liya gestured Maya to come at her side. Maya looked at her mother then walked to sit with Liya.
"Zydus, I'm happy that you came at this meeting." Grandpa started the conversation.
"So, everyone although it's my eighty birthday next week. But I don't want it to be grand.Just some of my old friends and all of the members of my family will do." Grandpa proposed.
"No, grandpa. It would be a joyful occasion for us too. And I want it to be grand as I already invited my friends and their families for your birthday." Maya suddenly chimed in.
"Yes father!" Liya also backed Maya. "What do you all think brothers, my husband also invited many top socialites and celebrities."
"If that is the case then you are right, we should make it grand. Right Brother Lambert?" Suya who was silent expressed her thoughts and agreed with Liya.
"I do think so too"
"Yeah!"
"I think we should ask Zydus, before making any decision. As his thoughts matters the most." Leon said seeing that his both brother agreed on Liya's suggestion.
Lalith who was watching quitely also looked at Zydus.
"Ok, the celebration would be grand as there will be an important announcement I would be making." Zydus who was looking like he didn't care suddenly said.
"But, the guest list will be approved by my girlfriend."