Almost every pair of eyes was on them. The air was straining with hushed silence. She could hear her heart beat, slamming hard against her chest. Her whole body had enraptured itself in a growing ball of heat. Warmth radiated in waves from him and surrounded her like a maze. His eyes were absolutely a different story. She could feel his burning, heated gaze on her. Every inch of her skin was able to feel his intense stare.

Everyone watched with bated breath.

He loosened his grip and held her hand gently in his, she immediately pulled her hand out.

"Kabir!", Kabir forced himself to look at his mother.

"Your dad is calling you!", His mother said with a panic in her voice.

But Kabir was more focused on something else, or more precise to say, on someone else to catch the rising panic in his mother's tone. He nodded and looked back at her.

She smiled confidently when their eyes met. His heart did a weird flip at her breathtaking smile. God did took his sweet time to make her.

"I hope you enjoy the evening.", He murmured, a lopsided smile playing on his lips.

"Now I can say I'll definitely do.", She replied and his eyes widened in surprise when she smirked. He was absolutely smitten by this strange yet stunning lady in front of him.

"I'll be back.", He whispered before grabbing a wine glass from waiter and offering it to her.

"I'll wait.", She whispered back as she gracefully took the glass. Their fingers touched and heat coiled in his stomach the moment her soft and slender fingers grazed his calloused ones.

"Excuse me.", He nodded with a smile before heading towards where his father stood.

"What the hell are you doing here!?", Anaya hissed as she tugged Rivaah closer with a painful grip on her elbow. The glass shook slightly and small droplets of wine spilled down on floor.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to come back in his life.", She chuckled humorlessly as she removed her arm from Anaya's clutch.

"Rivaah! I know whatever happened between you two was not good. But please don't try to bring his memories back-"

"I've no interest in doing that. I need something from your son and once I get that, I'll leave.", She said sternly before stopping the waiter by a pat on his shoulder and placing the wasted glass back on the tray.

"He's in a relationship with Tiara.", Anaya told her. She expected Rivaah to back out after learning the truth that Kabir has moved on now.

"Are you sure?", Rivaah smirked. Anaya frowned as she watched Rivaah's gaze slowly turning to other direction. Her jaw clenched when she saw the exchange of smiles between both of them.

Her son was hardly participating in the conversation that was happening around him. Kabir's eyes once in a while turned to his recent subject of interest and that didn't sat well with his current girlfriend who just entered the frame.

Tiara's blood boiled as she saw Rivaah standing beside her Aunt Anaya.

"Is that Rivaah?", She heard her father ask. His tone of disbelief. Angry tears were ready to spill out of her eyes and she turned around before storming out. Even though almost everyone saw her small act, Kabir didn't. Because his mind was merely on anything or anyone else except the white Dove that had managed to capture his attention tonight.

"You shouldn't have come back, Rivaah.", Anaya said as her face morphed into displeasure.

"Anaya, what is wrong with you? Why are you being so harsh with her?", Raghav gritted as he gently pulled Rivaah behind before protectively standing before her.

"Raghav-"

"It's fine, Uncle. I can understand her.", Rivaah brushed off the matter with a caress on Raghav's arm. The old man sighed before rolling his eyes.

"I need to talk to you.", Rivaah watched as Ridhima pulled Anaya to corner.

"You guys should enjoy. I'll be fine by my own.", Rivaah smiled softly before she walked up to the bar side and leaned against counter. Kabir's eyes followed her almost immediately. Her accentuated figure had his attention wrapped around her and he couldn't help but frequently run his over her body. She is gorgeous.

His father pulled him front, introducing him with some more guests. He was not at all interested to know their whereabouts. He just wanted an escape but his father was dragging him along almost everywhere to meet everyone. He was even introduced to toddlers that had arrived with their parents.

Kabir was growing impatient.

"Dad, enough now.", Kabir whispered as his father began pulling him along once again.

"Just few more.", His father whispered back. Vihaan knew he can't let his son alone. Anaya had strictly warned him to keep the man busy until Rivaah leaves. But it seems, he was going to fail soon.

"A glass of chilled water please.", Rivaah asked politely and the bar tender smiled. Her request was before her within a minute. She smiled and thanked him before grabbing the glass.

As she took a sip, she caught Kabir's eyes that were already on her. Lowering the glass, she straightened up before sending a polite smile in his direction. As he continued to head front to greet the guests, his eyes would catch her gaze often. Across the sea of guests, they continued playing their discreet staring game.

He frowned when she turned to the bar side. Now only her back was visible to him and he grew impatient. He restlessly tapped his feet against the marble floor, waiting for her to turn around.

She didn't.

Rivaah waited for him to come to her. She knew these silly staring games won't get her anywhere. She's not here to play any love games with him. All she needs is a child from him and that's it. Involving him emotionally with her is not a part of her plan. She just wants to lure him, take him to bed and continue it until she conceives again. That's it.

The woman in her was crushed. After all her dignity is being destroyed. But the mother in her was much more stronger and powerful. If this is the price she has to pay to save her son's life, then she'll do it without blinking. If her body needs to be used to keep Reyansh's body healthy, she'll do it every time she needs to.

"Hey.", She sighed in relief as soon as his deep voice fell on her ears.

She slightly turned and nodded. "Staring is wrong, Mr. Raichand.", She commented.

"What?", He frowned. His thick eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. He didn't stare at her. Or did he?

"Am I that beautiful that you couldn't take your eyes off me?", She smirked as she completely turned to face him. He wanted to step back, overwhelmed with sudden closeness but damn if his body didn't demand for more.

"You are.", He replied in a daze.

Her smirked melted into a smile that made his heart skip a beat.

"To what do I owe the honor of this special attention that I'm receiving by you?", She asked as she leaned against counter. She was just inches apart. If she could just move a little more closer, she'll snuggle perfectly in his arms. His insides turned frenzy at the sudden yet strangely comfortable thought.

"I don't know. May be your name?", He shrugged.

"My name? And why is that?", Her beautiful amber eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Do you know my brother?", He asked and she nodded immediately. She knows what she has to tell him after this. That she's his brother's girlfriend's sister.

"So you're a single mother?", He asked as he looked down at her. She definitely looked much younger to be qualify as a woman who went through pregnancy.

"Is that a turn off?", Her plump lips pushed out in a mocking pout.

"Not at all.", His gaze was drawn to her lips.

"Your son is adorable.", His tone of admiration shocked her. Even if she hates to admit, he was talking about their son. The precious life that they created together. The little boy who's a big fan of his daddy.

"Thanks.", Her voice dropped down to that of a whisper. But it was gentle, honest and sincere. Her heart swelled in pride as her son's images rushed back in her mind. He must be waiting for her. He can't sleep easily at new places.

"You taped a video for him?", She asked and watched as his face slightly reddened. She couldn't believe he's the same man that she used to live with five years ago. Is he again acting fake and gentleman-like in front of the world? Memory loss affected him at this extent that it completely changed him as a person?

"Yeah I did. I hope you didn't mind. Aarav said that Reyansh wanted to know me.", Kabir mumbled as he sheepishly scratched his nape.

"It's fine.", She waved her hand dismissively.

"I would love to meet your son someday.", He said with a beaming smile. Just the thought of meeting that little kid brought a wave of happiness in his heart.

"Sure.", She regarded his suggestion with a nod.

"But I heard you were in London. What brought you here?"

"You.", She answered and he froze before blinking and letting out a breathy chuckle.

"Nice one. But honestly?", He probed for the real reason. Unaware that the answer she gave was indeed an honest one.

"I wanted to come back to my home country.", She shrugged.

"Hmm hmm.", He hummed.

He cleared his throat and that caught her attention. Her eyebrows raised up in a quiet question but he just answered with a shake of his head. The atmosphere was suddenly turning into an awkward one and he didn't want that.

"How about a dinner with me?", He finally asked it. Since the time he had laid his eyes on her, the question was swirling in his mind like a loop, ready to spill out of his lips anytime. But the nervousness had held him back.

She chuckled.

"Can I get a tissue?", Kabir frowned on her weird demand instead of an answer. He nonetheless provided her with one.

She opened her small clutch and fished out a pen. Writing down her phone number on the white tissue, she tossed pen back inside her clutch before folding the tissue, forming a bundle of overlapping pleats.

She looked up and found his brows furrowed.

"Cheaters are not my type, Mr. Raichand. I don't do committed men.", She whispered before inching closer. Just one more inch and he would have grabbed her flushed against his hard body.

She hoisted her arm up before pushing the folded tissue in his blazer's chest pocket. He shivered when he felt the softness of her skin through the barriers of clothes.

"Call me when you're single.", She tapped his chest before stepping back and grabbing her clutch. "Goodbye, Mr. Raichand.", She smiled before strutting off.

He watched as she went to Raghav's side, said something to him and then headed to the main doors. Before stepping out, she turned one last time and sent him a smile. With a small and graceful wave in his direction, she disappeared.

Rivaah hired a taxi to home and reached within an hour.

"How did it went? I noticed Bhai was with you almost all the time.", Aarav said as soon as she answered her phone.

Rivaah stepped into elevator. "Everything went okay and I hope this continues. I'll call you later now.", She said before disconnecting the call and pushing the button of desired floor number.

"Mommy!", Reyansh jumped on her as soon as she entered.

"My smart boy! Did you missed me?", She asked nudging his cheek with her nose.

"I did. A lot!", He sighed lapping his arms around her neck.

"Let's get you to bed now.", She said as he let out a tired sigh.

"How was it?", Her mother asked as she came with a glass of water.

"It was fine. Don't worry about me. Did you give him the medicines?", She asked as she caressed his back. He was already asleep.

"I did. You should take some rest now.", Her mother said and she nodded.

Stepping inside her room, she carefully laid her boy on bed before pulling the duvet to cover his small frame.

Grabbing a pair of nightdress, she entered inside bathroom and changed. The moment she stepped out, her phone rang. She scurried to grab the device for it might disturb his sleep and immediately silent it.

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise at the unknown number flashing on her screen.

"Hello.", The same husky voice said and she chuckled.

"You're fast."

________