Christmas Magic

So it took a while but we're finally about to meet Angel's parents! Sorry, I'm quite excited about this…

Love M xxx

Chapter 4

Angel ran a critical eye over Soryu, who was standing with his back to her, dressed in an immaculate dark blue suit with his dark hair gelled stylishly back. As if sensing her behind him, Soryu turned round and his jaw dropped at the stunning sight that awaited him.

'So? What do you think?' She asked shyly, tucking a tendril of hair behind her ears, blushing slightly at the avaricious way in which Soryu was regarding her.

It was the first time he'd seen her dressed in a traditional Indian outfit and he swore to god she'd never looked more exotic or beautiful. She was wearing a beautiful hand embroidered, floor length, white skirt, which was tastefully brightened with splashes of colour here and there. The matching blouse she was wearing left her midriff tantalizingly bare and Soryu idly wondered if she'd let him run his hand across it. It took all his effort not to grab her and invest his effort in more interesting activities…

'You don't like it?' She asked anxiously, worried about the strange expression on his face. She'd really hoped that Soryu would like the lehenga she'd donned as it was the first time she'd revealed a more personal aspect about her lifestyle to him(the last time she'd worn something so traditional was during her pre-wedding ceremonies) and she wasn't too sure about the outfit.

'No… it's not that. You look… beautiful.' He said quietly, taking in the vision before him. He was rewarded by a hundred watt smile.

'It makes me so happy to know that you like it.'

'It's strange the things that make you happy.' He observed in wonder.

'If there's one thing that life has taught me, it's to celebrate the little things: a smile, a moment, a kiss. Would you mind coming with me for a second? The reason I'm dressed up like this is because there's quite a special occasion going on at home and I wasn't sure about what jewellery to wear.' She stepped off the last stair, walking down a long corridor to the opposite side of the huge house and Soryu followed in an enchanted daze.

'When you said special occasion, I presumed you meant a festival or something. Not a bloody wedding.' Soryu whispered in annoyance as he apprehensively watched the massive house teeming with loud, happy strangers. The snow covered ground glistened ethereally, giving the whole wedding a new, mesmerizing sort of beauty.

'Believe it or not, my little sister's grown up so much that she's getting married.' Angel looked just as apprehensive and wary as he did. She gulped, trying to steady her breathing. Despite the freezing temperature, she was beginning to feel hot and sweaty. Her parents had no idea where she'd was or what she'd been upto for the last 5 years. Suddenly turning up in the middle of her sister's wedding was bound to cause a scene, though Angel couldn't bear the prospect of missing the most important day of her sister's life. Soryu noticed Angel's hesitation and with a reluctant sigh he reached out and took her hand, giving it a small squeeze for comfort. She looked at him in shock.

'What? You looked like you were about to start hyperventilating. Now come on, let's get this thing over with.' He started striding towards the entrance of the countryside mansion that was festooned with flowers and decorations.

Soryu winced in annoyance at the loud music blaring out from the wedding band and the general excited hubbub around were both standing, unnoticed on the fringes of the hall. Angel looked intimidated by the swarm of distant friends and relatives, most of whom she barely recognized. 'Typical.' Soryu thought, with a roll of his eyes. 'You give her terrifying knife wielding thugs and goons threatening to shoot her and she laughs at it like it's a game. But put her in the midst of a crowd of her family and she looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights.'

The house was massive, with an Indian- style alter placed in the middle of the humongous hall/ lounge. It was decorated beautifully with garlands of marigolds and expensive-looking bouquets of roses and lilies. Soryu idly wondered just how rich her family were.

'You're parents seem quite well to do.' He commented dryly, as he observed the festivities before him.

'Hmmm? Yeah. I may not have talked to them in a while but I'm not a terrible daughter. I send them half my salary every year, so they can live in total comfort. We weren't exactly rich when I was growing up but my parents sacrificed everything for my sister and I, to put us through the best education and give us everything we wanted: private education all my life, Cambridge fees and luxury holidays, even if they couldn't quite afford it. It's only fair that I returned the favour.'

Soryu was surprised at that revelation. His girlfriend seemed to be more rich than even himself, he thought noting the expensive diamond jewellery adorning her.

'Angel… Just how much do you earn?'

'More than I know what to do with. Even though I give half of it to my parents and a substantial amount to charity, I'll still have enough left over to buy… a fleet of Rolls Royce.' She said matter-of-factly, not at all affected by the extent of her wealth. She had always been so humble and simple that none of them even had a clue that she might be rich, let alone richer than Eisuke.

Suddenly, a slight plump Indian woman in a glitzy sari stopped in front of them and greeted them.

'Hello, how are you? Have you eaten yet? Food has been served in the marquis in the garden.' She smiled at them, not recognizing Angel at all.

'Nahi, Masi. Hum abhi jarehe hain. We're going to go just once Preethi and her new husband go to get lunch.' Angel smiled charmingly at her aunt, who was staring at her with a slightly puzzled look. She knew that face was familiar, and the girl had just called her Masi-Aunt, but who was she? Shaking her head, she began to move on and tend to the other guests, when a loud shriek rang across the hall!

'Anjali!' A young girl, of maybe 16 years, hurtled towards Angel, nearly tripping over her own skirt in her haste to get there. Before Angel could react, the girl had thrown her arms around her, pulling her into a deathlike embrace.

'Samara. Can't. Breathe. Loosen your grip.' Angel mock- gasped, smiling slightly at her over excited cousin.

Angel looked up slowly, afraid of what might happen next and sure enough, her fears came true as the entire wedding hall had gone quiet and almost everybody was staring at her.

'Anjali?' Her aunt, whispered in awe. There was a moment of silence, before all hell broke loose.

AN: So, we finally discovered Angel's real name! Anjali means Angel or messenger, so that's how she derived her code name. Anyway, i hope you liked it. Please leave a review to tell me what you thought. They are so encouraging, it motivates me to write more/ better.