A new Paradise!!!

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"I apologize for the delay at the gates, Mr. Raizada, but we weren't expecting you till Sunday. I wish you had communicated your arrival to us. However, I'll have the housekeeper see to your bags, and if there's anything you require, please just ask." The words flowed out of the young man's mouth, quick, clear and crisp. "I'm Dean Hansen, Ms. Kuma's personal assistant." He stuck out his hand, and Arnav took it, and was given a swift, but firm and business-like handshake. "Is Khushi here?" He asked, his eyes taking in the casual Polo shirt, the perfectly faded jeans, and comfortable loafers, the partially open leather case in the man's left hand, which boasted two slim, hi-tech screens, and the two cell phones sticking out of his shirt pocket. "Khushi… Ms. Kumar is nearly done with her first breakfast meeting for today, and will soon be on her way to another one. Unfortunately she won't be available till later this afternoon, when she returns home for lunch. However, if you'd like I'll call her immediately and advise her of your arrival, while you refresh yourself." This was all spoken with rapid speed, while the young man managed to maintain enough polite eye contact, as his fingers flew over the screen of an iPad. "That won't be necessary, I don't mind waiting." Arnav bit back a smile, feeling a bit lightheaded at the speed at which the man spoke. "Is something wrong Mr. Raizada?" Cool, aqua eyes lifted to his, and a slight frown appeared on the man's forehead. "No, I was just thinking how well you and Khushi must be getting along." He replied, his amusement beginning to spike. "A five year working relationship, without a single argument." Came the terse reply, as his eyes drifted down briefly to one of two screens, then back up, and Arnav looked back at him with sham seriousness. "That's very impressive, what else?" He asked interestedly, forcing himself not to laugh, then saw a faint glint in the man's eyes. "We also share a birthday, and she was Best Man at my wedding." Dean looked him right in the eye, and Arnav couldn't help the look of disbelief that crossed his face. "Excuse me?" He asked slowly, certain he had misunderstood, but Dean simply nodded, a faint smile touching his mouth. "That's exactly what my wife said when she heard the news two years ago. Khushi wore a tuxedo of course, and the maid of honor has never recovered from that to-date. Should I ask the cook to prepare you some breakfast?" Dean inquired politely, but Arnav didn't get a chance to answer, while his imagination kicked off, and the sound of Katherine's voice behind him interrupted them.

"Well, we weren't expecting this, were we Dean? What brings you to Chicago earlier than your schedule suggested young man?" She marched over to Arnav, peering at him in a way which never failed to make him feel as if he were back in grade school. "Katherine, it's good to see you. Is Kiara at school?" He gave her a brief nod, ignoring her question, his voice curt and to the point, and then he stared in surprise when he heard a faint clucking sound. "Such a bad tempered lad." Katherine muttered under her breath, then took his arm. "The child is at school. Now, come along dear, you must be famished. I'll put on a pot of tea, and you can rest your legs, while I prepare you a better breakfast than the one you were probably forced to eat on the plane." She practically frogmarched him through two rooms, and into the kitchen, and a little bewildered by Khushi's rather kooky staff, who seemed not to care about anyone but her, Arnav walked along with the nanny, looking back over his shoulder at Dean who promptly turned on his heel and vanished through a door into another part of the house.

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"I'm sorry Khushi."

William gazed at her across the table, eyes like slate, softened by the soothing lights of the restaurant. "I had nothing to do with the policy change, and as you know, Father suffered that stroke soon after, which is why I was unavailable to see you in Boston. - Someone needed to be there with Mother, you know how it is at home. The only thing I can do right now, is bring this up at the Board of Directors meeting next month, but till then I can try and stall them and ask for a temporary extension for your loans." He smiled at her and she felt his hand close over hers on the table for a brief moment, his grip reassuring, and then he pulled away, and set down his napkin. "OK… I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions, it was wrong of me, and you're going through so much already, but thank you for flying in to see me as soon as you could. The extension seems reasonable enough, but it still worries me William, I can't afford to get tied up with all this bank business, I have… There are other things which need my attention right now." She said hesitantly, then picked up her coffee cup and sipped from it. "Does this have something to do with Kiara's father?" He leaned forward, his expression concerned, "You haven't mentioned how that went, or how it's working out… Was there a problem?" He asked, and she shook her head, a smile lighting up her face. "There wasn't a problem, and incidentally, he's arriving in Chicago on Sunday." She said briskly, pushing her coffee away. "That's great, but didn't you tell him about Kiara more than a month or so ago?" He frowned slightly, "Why is he only coming here now?" William stared at her across the table, and she gazed back at him, her eyes clear, and focused. "He's a businessman, William… He had things to take care of before he could join us here." They gazed at each other for a long, moment, then he nodded. "As long as you're OK with that." He raised an inquiring eyebrow, and Khushi smiled and nodded, "I am." She said mildly, then continued. "Which brings me to something else I needed to discuss with you." She swallowed hard, dropping her gaze for a moment. This would not be easy, and she hated to hurt him…

"He asked you to marry him." It was a statement, quiet and without malice, and Khushi's head snapped up, while her eyes widened in surprise. "How..." She started, but he simply chuckled, cutting her off. "Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror? A beautiful woman like you, who wouldn't?" He grinned, and she was struck again, as she had from when she'd first met him, at how easily he always smiled, but then that was William, she thought to herself, always smiling that devastating smile of his, always so full of life and contentment… It was part of his charm, he was the eternal golden boy. "Oh, so you're saying, he asked me to marry him because I'm beautiful? I don't know if I should be insulted or flattered." She rolled her eyes, and laughed, amused at his choice of words. William had a way of making the worst situation feel like light hearted fun. "No, I'm saying that whoever he is, probably took one look at you after all these years, and realized he was the world's biggest fool. You're more different now than when we met nearly three years ago, so I suppose you're the complete opposite of what you used to be, say six or seven years ago?" He teased. But, she just shook her head, smiling softly to herself, then the smile faded, and she looked at him with a mixture of sadness, and honesty. "It's a lot more than that William, and I'm just hoping to God you understand where I'm going with all of this." She gazed at him, then blinking back her tears, she looked away. They had, had a good relationship, solid and dependable, and William had treated her with nothing but the utmost respect, and dedication. It was him, she knew, who had much to do with her journey to becoming the woman she was today, not long after she had stepped out into her life in America. He had started out as an encouraging friend, and remained her mentor through much of her business life, and eventually they had become lovers, their mutual interests, and zest for life sparking a passionate and meaningful relationship. He was caring, and thoughtful, and he had never hurt her, accepting her for who she was, and often ensuring society's acceptance of her, the kind which could never be purchased no matter how much wealth one had, simply because the color of their skin did not allow some people to deem them fit. William was the only person in her life she had ever spoken openly to about the rape, just once, at a particularly sensitive time, and she would never forget the calm strength he had offered her then, soon after insisting she seek therapy, and then helping her cope in ways which were both selfless, and brimming with loyalty. It was one of the many bonds they shared, but a silent one, which she kept to herself, and would continue to for the rest of her life.

"You don't have to tell me where you're going with this, it was obvious right from the start. Although, I won't pretend I'm not concerned about this sudden situation Khushi." He held up his hand, gesturing she should wait, when looking confused, she started to interrupt him. "Hear me out first." Picking up his cup, he sipped his coffee then took her hand in his, and looked right at her. "Khushi, if you want to marry the father of your child, I'll be the last person to stand in your way, believe me. You know I love you, and we are… were great together. But there are some relationships one just doesn't ever come between… And, this one here is more important, because it has a child's best interests at stake." He paused for a moment. "However… As your friend, and I would like us to remain friends, I'm concerned because, you went off to Hong Kong last month with Kiara, to let some guy know that he's her father, and a few days later, he proposes marriage? It's not entirely uncommon, but it's odd, you have to admit that." He said, releasing her hand, and picking up his cup once again. "I told you, we have a history." She explained, but paused when he started to shake his head. "That's all very well love, but a six year break was it? What I'd like to know is where the hell was this guy for the last six years? If now, he couldn't let you go without a ring after just a few days, how the hell did he manage to leave you alone for all that time? What was his excuse?"

"William, please… He didn't know about Kiara then, and I left him, I told you that."

"Yes, and for the next six years you never heard from him again, till you went looking for him, I'm aware of that. But, what kept him away, Khushi? What the hell was his reason for not at that time, going after the woman he now wants to marry?"

They stared at each other, oblivious to the people around them, and when seconds passed, and she remained mute, his eyes suddenly hardened like steel.

"Son of a bitch!"

It was a low, seething hiss, and she stared at him in shock, William rarely lost his temper, but when he did, he was a force to be reckoned with. "He never gave you a reason, did he?" He leaned back in his chair, staring at her in disbelief. "I'm sure he had his reasons, I left him, why do I need to keep reminding you of that? He owed me nothing, and had a right to move on." She said, lowering her voice, suddenly upset. "I apologize." He said quietly, then signaled for the check. "Shall we discuss Saturday?" His voice turned brisk, and professional, and Khushi pushed away her disturbing thoughts, and forced herself to concentrate. She had received an apology, but not an explanation.

"Of course, everything's under control, is Elise coming?" She asked. "No, as is custom, my beloved cousin purchased her ticket with blatant promises to attend this time, and is now conveniently suffering from an ailment." He said, his voice dripping sarcasm. "What's the ailment this time?" She asked automatically, starting to grin at him and he grinned back. "She didn't say, but I'm guessing he's not more than twenty six, and with the stamina of a…" She burst into laughter, and a sense of great relief and gratitude washed over her. "Thank you, William." Her voice was soft, sincere. His acceptance of her decision meant more to her than she could ever begin to describe. "Just don't set yourself up for disappointment, love... You've had enough of those to last you a lifetime."