The upcoming days were the happiest days of Kathani's life. It's not that she was not happy with her life before; in fact, she truly feels blessed for her loving parents, her loyal friends, and her thriving career. But deep down, she always felt like she was missing something, but now her life feels complete ever since Anthony came into her life.
She truly feels like the world's luckiest girl, as Anthony treats her like a queen. She could not understand what she ever did to deserve so much happiness, but she is grateful for living the best life anyone could ever have. Kathani was already missing Anthony as she and Sophia walked into the mall searching for the perfect dress she could wear for the Saturday gala.
"So tell me? Are we searching for something classy or sexy for you to wear?" Kathani blushed as she recalled something. "Maybe something both, but make sure it could be easily taken off; otherwise, I will have another torn clothes crisis in my hands."
Sophia's mouth fell agape as she stared at her friend. "Wait a second? broken bed, torn clothes, and that soreness you were moaning about—is all still happening? God, how many times are you doing each other?"
"Honestly speaking, it's too many times to count." Kathani replied with a satisfied smirk, and Sophia pouted. "Great, you are enjoying Europe's sexy romance, and here I am third-wheeling my friend and her lover while enjoying Netflix in my hotel room. So are you now officially dating, or is this just a temporary sexual romp?"
Kathani bit her lip as she stopped looking for dresses. "If I tell you I am falling in love with Anthony and want to spend the rest of my life with him, then what will you say?" Sophia snorted as she pulled out the white dress from the rack, but suddenly stopped when she did not hear Kathani making a joke. "Are you serious?! Kathani, I understand your sexy Viscount is hot and too good to be true, but don't you think it's moving too fast? This is the 21st century, and you are a strong, beautiful, and independent girl. You can't seriously develop feelings for the guy you just met."
"Well, what if I already developed feelings for him?!" Kathani said defensively before sighing as Sophia looked shocked by her outburst. "I am sorry, Soph, but I cannot explain what I feel when I am with him; it's like he was missing a part of my life that now I have found, and I cannot imagine my life without him."
Sophia gave her a long, assessing look before finally smiling at her as she pulled her into her embrace. "In that case, I am happy for you, but Kathani, you need to talk about your feelings with Anthony."
"I will." She assured her friend. "I have planned a special evening for us once he returns home, and I will tell him about my feelings." "Great, in that case, let us buy sexy lingerie for you; nothing makes a man madly in love like seeing a girl in sexy lingerie." With that mission in mind, Sophia led Kathani to a shop and prayed that tonight her friend would find strength to declare her feelings to the man who won her heart.
Kathani was setting the table as she placed dishes of Italian food that Anthony loved next to Indian food. Newton was following her around, looking hungrily at the cheesy bites she was setting on the table. "Not now, buddy; I want everything perfect for when Anthony came home." "Woof! Woof!" Newton barks and stares at her with adorable eyes, and Kathani cannot resist him anymore. "Here you go, but only this one time; we have to wait for Anthony to come home."
Newton was already munching on his treat, and Kathani scratched his head before finishing her decorations with a vase of lilies placed in the middle of the table. "Perfect, now Newton, stay here like a good boy while I go and change my dress. Newton barks happily, and she rubs his head before walking towards their room. It's strange to call Anthony's room theirs, but it seems like that, especially considering how she never returned to her hotel since that night and how they shopped for a new bed after breaking his previous one.
Kathani blushed when she remembered how they tried each bed in the showroom until they liked one, and once they got home, Anthony did not waste time testing that bed's strength as they loved each other nonstop until the sun rose the next day.
With one more glance at their bed, Kathani quickly starts getting ready for her memorable night.
While Kathani was getting dressed for her special evening, Anthony was at Mayfair borders as he dropped the lifeless body of the second man he summoned from Mayfair. His eyes turned dark black as his fangs were dripping with the blood of his victim. He wiped his face and smirked at their lifeless bodies. He relished in their screams of agonies as they grew more and more whenever Kathani returned to his life.
He wiped his face and felt his features return to normal as he turned his back on his victims and ran towards his car using his super speed. In a few seconds, he was getting inside his car, and once he was sure that there was no trace of his hunt on his face, he began to drive towards his home.
By the time Anthony arrived at his house, he was bursting with excitement because his Kathani was there waiting for him, and he knew tonight was the night that when he confessed his true feelings, his Kathani would return them.
Picking up a bouquet of purple tulips, Anthony got out of his car and walked towards his home. Upon opening the door, he was first greeted by Newton, who, as usual, was happy to see him back, and Anthony, who, like always, handed his oldest companion his favourite treat for being the best friend he ever had. "Here you go, boy, how was your day? Did you both miss me?" Newton barks and licks his face before jumping off his arms as he runs straight towards the sound of approaching footsteps.
Anthony raised slowly to his feet as his eyes roamed over the love of his life, looking absolutely stunning in a short red dress. "Kathani, you—I mean, wow." Anthony tried to praise her, but it seems words escaped his mind as Kathani laughed and wrapped her lovely arms around him. "I take it you love my dress." "Of course I love it; do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" Kathani blushed as she played with his waistcoat button. "I do now; it was strange before you whenever someone complimented me; it felt flattering, but when you said something like this, I truly felt like the most beautiful girl in this world." "Because you are." Anthony says it earnestly as he gently cups her face. "You are so beautiful and precious in my eyes, darling, that I am afraid one day I will wake up and you will leave me because you realise there are better men for you out there in this world."
"Never! I will never dream of leaving you." Kathani says it passionately, but something made Anthony sad. He kissed her forehead with reverence before presenting her with a bouquet. "For you, my beautiful girl."
Kathani took the bouquet and felt fluttering in her heart because, ever since she started staying in this house, there was never a day when Anthony did not give her flowers. "These are beautiful." "Not more beautiful than you." She scrunched her nose and grabbed his hand before leading him towards the dining room. "What is all this?" Anthony inquired as he watched the table set with his favourite Italian dishes and decorated with flowers. "Sophia and I found this Italian place today during lunch, and I thought to treat you to delicious food and a special evening for being so good to me for these past few days."
Anthony kissed her sweetly before pulling her chair out like the gentleman he is. "Not that I do not appreciate it, but Kathani, you do know there is no need to thank me." "I do, but it was not the only reason for this special evening." She tells him, making Anthony's brow frown in question, but she shakes her head as she passes the dish to him. "Let us enjoy this dinner, and then I will tell you my other reason."
So together they began to enjoy their dinner, and once it was finished, Kathani quickly served tiramisu to buy herself more time. If only that was easy because Anthony was doing this thing with a spoon and Kathani had to excuse herself to gather her out-of-control feelings that were threatening to burst. She poured water on her face to calm her nerves and then fixed her makeup again to make herself more alluring for Anthony when she confessed her feelings.
"That's it, Kathani Iyer; stop being a coward! Go outside right now and tell that man how crazy in love you are with him; do not back out this time."
With that in mind, she squared her shoulders and went outside with great determination, only to find herself halted by beautiful old music filling the room as melodic violin sounds reached her ears. Anthony was standing there waiting for her under dim candle lights as he held out his hand. "Can I have this dance?"
Kathani felt rushed with memories, as if something like this had happened before, and before she knew it, she was reaching out to grab his offered hand. "You may, my Lord." Anthony's eyes snapped at her as he led her to the middle of the room and began dancing with her. Kathani never knew this kind of dance, but somehow she found herself matching each step perfectly like they danced like this before. They circled and pulled apart before circling back to each other, embracing like they had been doing this dance for centuries.
In the next step, Kathani and Anthony were dancing face-to-face and she could feel he was on the verge of saying something. "Kathani." "Anthony." They both said each other's names at the same time, and she felt his body trembling against her skin as he leaned closer until they were breath away from each other's lips. "After all this time, it's maddening how much I need for you to say it." "Say what?" She managed to gasp.
Anthony leans closer, so their lips are brushing against each other. "Tell me that you do not care for me. Tell me I am alone in this feeling. This all-consuming love that I feel for you with every breath I take. Tell me that you have not felt it at all." Kathani gasped with his intense declaration as tears spilled from their eyes, and what she thought was a sweet moment she was about to share turned into a soul-searching moment as she grabbed his shoulder and poured her heart out. "You are not." She managed to gasp as she traced her lips with his. "You are not in this feeling alone because I love you too."
"You love me? You truly love me, right? "Do you love me as a passing fancy or do you love me so deeply that you always stay with me?" She kissed him deeply, as she assured him. "I love you deeply, madly, irrevocably, my love, and I will always stay by your side." Anthony's joy was so breath-taking that she could not help but be happy as he all but lifted her into his arms and twirled her around. "Anthony! Put me down!" "Never!" He declared. "From now on, you will always stay in my arms, closer to my heart."
And as they swayed in each other's arms, Kathani felt at peace because she had finally found the love she had always been searching for.
Next step was simple yet extremely stressful as Kathani stared at her laptop feeling scared to click the button. On table other side stood her best friend, her boyfriend and one adorable corgi who all looked at her with great concern. "Alright, I am doing this." She braces herself once again as she reaches to click enter but once again found her finger frozen in fear.
Newton wines probably feeling disappointed at her being worlds biggest chicken but she pulls her hand away feeling panicky again as she stared at Sophia and Anthony. "I cannot do this guys." "You do not need to." Anthony as always quickly assured her being supportive boyfriend he is but Sophia was not being supportive at all. "No! No! Absolutely not! She has to do this because I cannot lie to her anymore, it was one thing when you both were just hooking up but since you now made it official with your sexy Viscount you have to tell them this news."
Anthony grimaced because even with all his powers this matter is out of his control. Kathani sigh and then stared at Anthony who gave her encouraging smile. With that she bravely pushed the enter button and few minutes later the screen was a lit as images of her Amma and Appa filled on screen. "Kathani! Meri beti!" how are you?" "How is your trip? Have you visited Buckingham palace?" "You look quite great, I am glad Sophia is there with you taking care of your diet. You are not looking peckish like last time. "
Her Amma and Appa were both so excited for this video chat that both of them were speaking together and not giving her moment to reply any of their questions. Kathani grimaced apologetically as Sophia was trying to contain her laughter and it seems Anthony was doing same especially when her Amma start commenting on her clothes. "Please tell me you are not wearing those mini dresses around in London? I swear beta if you only listen to my advice you would be there on your honeymoon with a husband protecting you from lecherous British men who lust after beautiful Indian girls like you. I hope you are being smart enough to stay away from those British play boys and come home soon because I have found four more south Indian guy for you and guess what one is also great south Indian model."
"Amma! I thought this discussion was over for time being." Kathani reminds her in frustration as her Appa grimaced at her through screen. "You know your Amma, beside be grateful Kavari is only telling you about four boys because truth is she short listed them from list of twenty boys she found in your absence." Sophia was drinking her coffee spit it out in shock as she mouthed twenty men to her friend.
Anthony on the other hand felt worried where this discussion was going as he stared pleadingly at Kathani. Kathani saw his expression could not stand it anymore as she slapped on table to quieten the room. "Amma! Appa! There is no need to search any more guys for me because truth is I have fallen in love."
She dared to look at screen and found her parents frozen faces, it's either they went into shock or the video got stuck. Kathani was praying for second bit when to her disappointment her Amma start talking, in fact it was like scolding as she switched into their language. "கதானி ஐயர் இதை எப்படி உங்களால் செய்ய முடிந்தது?"( Kathani Iyer how could you do this?") "அம்மா! உன்னையும் அப்பாவையும் போல எனக்கும் காதல் பொருத்தம் வேண்டும் என்று சொன்னேன் அது என் தவறல்ல அந்தோணியுடன் அதைக் கண்டேன். "ஐயோ! மிலன்! நீ மகள் என்றா அந்தோணி?! (Amma! i told you i wanted love match like you and Appa and its not my fault i found it here with Anthony." Her Amma gasp before shaking her Appa as she cried"Ayeo! Milan! did you're daughter say Anthony?!)
Kathani shake her head as her Amma began to wail cursing her Appa for letting her go. Kavari Iyer was hyperventilating when suddenly a man appeared by her daughter side and just as she feared he was British men. She was about to scream when the man joined his hand and bowed respectfully to greet them. "வணக்கம் திரு ஐயர், வணக்கம் திருமதி ஐயர். நான் விஸ்கவுன்ட் அந்தோனி பிரிட்ஜெர்டன், ஆம் பிறப்பால் நான் ஆங்கிலேய பிரபு, ஆனால் என்னை நம்புங்கள், இதை நான் கூறும்போது இந்தியா மற்றும் அதன் மக்கள் மீது எனக்கு மிகுந்த மரியாதை உண்டு. திருமதி ஐயர், கதானி ஒரு தென்னிந்திய மனிதனைக் கண்டுபிடிக்க வேண்டும் என்பது உங்கள் விருப்பம் எனக்குப் புரிகிறது, இதை நான் சொல்லும்போது என்னை நம்புங்கள், அங்கு பிறந்த அனைவரையும் விட என் இதயம் தென்னிந்தியராக இருக்கிறது, அதுவே உங்கள் மகளிடம் என் ஆத்ம தோழனைக் கண்டதற்கு ஒரு காரணமாக இருக்கலாம். உங்கள் மகளுக்குத் தகுதியானவர் என்பதை நிரூபிக்க இந்த எளிய இறைவனுக்கு ஒரு வாய்ப்பு தருவீர்கள் என்று நான் நம்புகிறேன்." (hello Mr Iyer , Hello Mrs Iyer. I am Viscount Anthony Bridgerton and yes by birth i am English lord but trust me when i say this i have utmost respect for India and its people in fact i have deep bond with Indian people and many of Indian immigrants and part of my county. Mrs Iyer I understand its your wish Kathani finds a south Indian man and trust me when I say this my heart is more south Indian than anyone who is born there and maybe thats a reason that i found my soulmate in your daughter. i hope for her sake you give this humble lord one chance to prove himself worthy for your daughter.")
As soon he was done speaking he realised everyone was staring at him in shock both in room and on screen and then they were jolted by Kavari squeal who was shaking her husband in excitement. "Did you hear him! I never heard anyone speaking our language so beautifully! Son where did you learn to speak our language?"
Kathani and Sophia mouthed son with shock expression as Anthony began to explain how he lived in India for a while. "I went there two times in my life and stayed there long enough to learn as many Indian languages I can."
"That's so great! I cannot wait to tell All my friends that my son in law knows so many languages! Kathani when are you bringing Anthony home?"
Kathani groan as Sophia finally joins in. "Amma! They are just dating. Look no ring on her finger." Sophia lift Kathani's hand and she batted it away as Anthony assured her Amma. "Do not worry Mrs Iyer, I will soon put ring on her finger and then we will come home and we will do everything you ever wished for."
Kavari was beaming in delight as she gave flying kiss to Anthony as her blessing. "You truly made me happiest today. I cannot wait to meet you in person." Milan raised his hand and thank God. "Thank you Bhagwan for sending us son in law who can handle these two woman."
"Milan! Appa!" Both mother and daughter scold as Anthony and Sophia laughed when Kathani huffed in annoyance. "Great, I was worrying for nothing, apparently they approved my boyfriend so much that they want him as their son in law. "
"What are you complaining about beta? We love the man you are in love with." And seeing their joyful faces especially Anthony's twinkling eyes she has to admit. "You are right Amma, I have no complains anymore because I found my one true love."
And as she watched Anthony winning her parents heart like he won his she truly believes that he was the one who she was born to love all her life.