First Meeting

Next day of Mahalaya

A brand new BMW car is moving towards its destination which is the JW Marriott Hotel that is one of the biggest five-star hotels in Kolkata. Two pairs of eyes are gawking at the sight of the city with amazement, but the third person is busy on his laptop doing his works as if he doesn't have any interest in seeing the city which is decorated so delightful way.

Alessandro along with Bianca, Samuel, Subhodeep, and Riya has landed in Kolkata around 9 PM in Alessandro's private jet. Throughout the way to Kolkata Riya never missed any chance to flirt with Alessandro. In the end, frustrated with Riya's constant flirting, Alessandro went out of his seat to the adjoint bedroom in the jet. Riya has tried to go after him but Subhodeep didn't let her go. After landing, they went their separate ways. Subhodeep and Riya took Subhodeep's car that was waiting for them and a new car is allocated for Alessandro and his employees.

"This city is so pretty. I can bet that people in here like to roam in the streets every day just to enjoy these beautiful views." Bianca comments while looking out of the car window.

"I agree sis. I have read about this city and found out that at this time of year, one of the biggest festivals of India is celebrated. That's why everywhere so many decorations have been done." Samuel informs his little sister. Yes, Bianca and Samuel are siblings. It is Bianca who has introduced Samuel to Alessandro because Samuel was in need of a job and Alessandro's last bodyguard was not doing a great job.

"Come on Alessandro. For the love of God at least for once stop working. You can work when we reach our hotel but try to relax for a little." Bianca tells Alessandro. Alessandro looks at her with a bored expression but still shuts down his laptop. Bianca smiles in victory and winks at her brother who is sitting in the front seat of the car.

"You are lucky that I love my nieces otherwise you would never be able to order me to do anything." Alessandro tells Bianca with a scowl. Bianca only smirks at him and sticks her tongue out like a child.

"Who will believe that you are a mother of two little girls? God knows how Liam handles you." Samuel chuckles. It's now Bianca's turn to scowl at her brother. She huffs and looks out of the window to enjoy the beautiful view.

************

Anupama is in her bedroom trying to put her baby girl Advira to sleep. But the little one is not having it. She only wants to look at her mum-mum and play with her. Far now, Anupama has sung three lullaby for Advira however her baby is only smiling the whole time.

"Why are you giving mum-mum so hard time baby? Don't you know mum-mum has so many works to do? Can you please close your eyes and sleep for mum-mum?" Anupama says gently to Advira and as if she understood what her mother has said, Advira closes her eyes instantly. After ten minutes the baby has fallen asleep while holding her mum-mum's thumb.

Anupama smiles watching her daughter sleeping face. Advira maybe not her daughter by birth but from the moment Anupama has taken the five-month-old child in her arms, she has vowed to take care of Advira like her own daughter. During her 25 years of life, she has never asked for anything from her father but for the first time, she has asked to be a mother to Advira. Although, her father Indrajit was not ready at first, but Jasmine convinced him to let the baby live here because she didn't want to put the child in an orphanage.

"Is Advira asleep Anu?" Mausumi asks Anupama.

"Yes, after so much trouble she has fallen asleep. This girl is becoming more and more mischievous day by day." Anupama replies while adjusting pillows on both sides of her baby girl. Mausumi smiles seeing Anupama happy. It is a rare sight to see because of all the backlash Anupama has to face throughout the day from Nayantara Devi and Kamini.

Mausumi informs Anupama that Subhodeep, Riya has already landed and they are on the way home. Around 11 PM, Subho & Riya reaches the Sengupta mansion. They both are tired as they have traveled a very long distance within a very short period. Everyone in the family is eagerly waiting for them to arrive, especially Indrajit as he wants to know how everything went there. Both siblings greet everyone and move towards their rooms to freshen up.

While Riya is in seventh heaven and dreaming about Alessandro and his money, Subho is simply laying in his bed feeling a headache is forming slowly. He hears a knock on the door and tells the person to come inside. He feels a gentle touch on his forehead and opens his eyes to see that Anupama is massaging his forehead to ease the pain.

"I think you should take a shower Dadabhai. You will feel better after that." Anupama suggests while looking at Subho.

"Yeah, I think that can help. But Anu, can you please give me a head massage after the shower?" Subho asks.

"I will but not before you eat something. I didn't cook much because I know you will not be able to eat much after traveling for so long. So come to the dining hall when you are done using the bathroom." Anupama tells her dadabhai and goes out of there.

When Anupama reaches the kitchen she sees that the cook is busy preparing Riya's french toast because she is very tired and wants to eat light food. Anupama starts to gather food for Subho which is consists of steamed basmati rice, masoor dal(red lentils stew), matar paneer, and for dessert she has prepared mishti doi(sweet yogurt).

When Subho comes downstairs he sees that Riya is already there eating a french toast while describing everything that happened in LA except the fact that Alessandro didn't even acknowledge her. At that time Anupama comes with the foods she has prepared. She tells him to sit down and have dinner. When he sees that what Anupama has prepared, a giddy smile makes its way to his face. Subho immediately digs in his food and a few minutes he is done with his dinner.

"You have magic in your hands Anu. Every meal you prepare is just awesome. They are more delicious than any restaurant food." Subho praises Anupama.

"There is nothing called magic in my hands dadabhai. Stop praising me for such small things." Anupama replies softly.

"It's not a simple thing Anu. It's not easy to prepare such mouth-watering dishes and I know, not everyone in this house appreciates your efforts but believe me, no can do the things you are capable of." Subho tells Anupama with a proud smile. Anupama knows it is not easy to win with her cousin so she only nods her head with a smile.

Meanwhile, the mother-daughter duo are rolling their eyes because they believe that cooking is only for "behenji". Kamini never let Riya go to the kitchen even for fetching water, she wants her daughter to be a businesswoman and no businesswoman should put their time in unnecessary things other than business.

***********

The next morning around 10 AM

Alessandro along with his PA and bodyguard reaches Sengupta Enterprises for the final meeting regarding the deal. Mr. Indrajit Sengupta is already in the conference room, discussing the project with Subhodeep. Riya is also there but her concentration is only on the door of the room. As soon as Alessandro and his team enter the building a young man comes towards them and guides them in the direction of the conference room.

When Riya sees Alessandro she couldn't control her happiness and instantly stands up from her chair to greet him. But like LA, he ignores her and moves past her to meet Indrajit. Alessandro shakes hands with Indrajit and Subhodeep and sits down for the meeting. Riya also takes a seat beside her brother who has a sly smile on his face. Subho and Alessandro both suggest some more things regarding the deal and everyone seems to like them. Indrajit also likes the way Alessandro is responding to their approach and he is sure that the deal will be final for sure.

Alessandro also likes the way Subhodeep has proposed some new ideas for their joint venture. So in the end both parties come to the conclusion that they will be signing the deal. However, Alessandro informs Indrajit that he can't sign the deal instantly as he wants to read the papers thoroughly.

"I don't see any problem with this. You can take your time young man." Indrajit tells Alessandro.

"Okay, then I will drop the paper on the way to the airport in your company. Till then I have plenty of time to go through all the papers of our deal." Alessandro replies. Riya is shocked to hear this because she thought she had more time to impress Alessandro.

"Are you going back today Mr. Bianchi?" Riya blurts out.

"Yes, we will be leaving at 7 PM," Alessandro replies curtly.

Riya starts to think about how can she stop Alessandro from leaving today. After some thinking, she gets a brilliant idea. She turns towards Indrajit and tells him that she has something in her mind.

"Yes, darling what do you want to say?" Indrajit asks Riya gently.

"Boro mama, I am thinking that how can we let Mr. Bianchi go without inviting him to our house? They have come from such a far place and it will be a disrespect to not invite them for at least dinner." Riya suggests catching everyone's attention. Indrajit thinks about the situation and nods his head.

"Hmmm, I think Riya is correct. It will be our pleasure if you could come to our house for dinner. If you don't have any problem then you can also hand over the papers to me directly in there." Indrajit tells Alessandro.

Alessandro is going to reject the offer but Bianca holds his hand and gives him puppy dog eyes. He gets annoyed but he can't resist his only sister like friend's request.

"Okay then we will have dinner at your place and also I will sign the papers there." Alessandro responds.

After some more talking, they bid goodbye to each other. Riya immediately calls her mother to inform her that the Italian client will be coming to their house for dinner.

************

By around 5 PM there is a hubbub situation in the entire Sengupta mansion as Riya has ordered everyone to decorate the house properly because the important Italian client is coming for dinner. But she is also excavating faults in every work. Along with that, she has ordered Italian foods from one of the well-known restaurants in Kolkata for dinner. Earlier when Nayantara Devi suggested that they should serve homemade Indian food, Riya immediately denied the offer as she believes that the clients will not like such calorie-full oily foods. Kamini also supported her daughter saying that Riya has more knowledge about healthy food.

At the same time, there are some movements in the kitchen as Mausumi and Anupama are busy making sweets regarding Durga puja as the festival is only a few days away. There is a tradition in the Sengupta family to distribute homemade sweets to their relatives on the occasion of Durga puja.

When the clock struck 7 PM, everyone in the Sengupta household gathers in the living room except Anupama as Riya has ordered her not to show her face in front of the clients. Within a few minutes, everyone hears the sound of the doorbell and one of the maids open the

Door. As expected Alessandro along with Bianca and Samuel enters the mansion. Bianca is excited to see the Indian culture very near to her eyes and even Samuel is equally delighted to be there. But for Alessandro, seems nothing interesting. The maid starts to take them towards the living room but Riya is already on her way to greet them.

"Welcome to our house, Mr. Bianchi". Riya comments while walking towards Alessandro. But for her disappointment, Alessandro only gives her a curt nod in reply. However, Bianca and Samuel greet her back. When they reach the living room, Alessandro sees that the room is packed with a lot of people. He looks at Bianca with a scowl but she mouths him to keep quiet. Indrajit requests them to have a seat and when they sit down Indrajit asks them if they have any problems coming here. But Bianca ensures that they don't have any problem. After that Indrajit starts to introduce them to his family members. However, Alessandro is a little interested in the introduction that is going on, it seems like he is not satisfied with what he is seeing.

Kamini orders the maids to bring starters for the guest. By hearing that Bianca gets excited but when the starters are served, her smile starts to fade as she has thought that she could get to eat Indian food. By looking at her face, Samuel can easily tell that something is not right. So he asks her about it and she whispers that she wanted to eat something Indian. Samuel tells her not to be disappointed and to eat whatever is being served.

After that, conversations start between everyone but like before, Alessandro is not paying any attention to any of those things. He only looks around the living room as if he is searching for something or someone. Mihir notices Alessandro's odd behavior so he decides to ask about it.

" Are you looking for something Mr. Bianchi?" Mihir asks Alessandro with a smile.

"I think I have heard that Mr. Indrajit has a daughter but I don't think she is here right now as we didn't get introduced to her." Alessandro replies nonchalantly.

Everyone freeze after listening to Alessandro. Riya fists her hands to control her anger before flashing a smile towards Alessandro. Although Mihir replies to Alessandro's query before she can open her mouth to tell any lie.

"Oh yes, I think you're talking about our Anu, but she is a little busy with something and that's why she is not present here." Mihir answers.

"Really? But can you please tell her to come here? I want to meet her." Bianca says looking enthusiastic.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. She doesn't like to meet new people." Riya explains with a fake worried tone.

"It's okay Riya. They are our guests and we should respect their wishes." Indrajit says with a finality in his voice. Mihir tells his wife to bring Anupama in the living room.

Meanwhile, Anupama is sitting near the window of her room with a pen and a diary in her lap. She is writing some new recipes which she gets to learn from youtube earlier. When she hears a knock on her door, she goes and opens the door to see that her Mamoni is standing there. Anupama looks surprised as why Mausumi is there, not tending to the guests.

"Do you need something Mamoni?" Anupama asks.

"Doll the guests are asking about you so Borda told me to come and take you there with me." Mausumi informs.

Anupama is shocked knowing her father has asked her to come downstairs. But how can she go? Riya has told her not to show her face in front of the guest. Mausumi sees the look on Anupama's face.

"What happened Shona? Why are you looking so tensed?" Mausumi asks with concern.

"Mamoni I want to go there but Riya will get mad at me." Anupama tries to reason with Mausumi.

"Anu, Riya is not your owner that you have to obey whatever she says to you. I have told you so many times to stop listening to her. Now be a good girl for your Mamoni and let's go downstairs to meet our guests." Mausumi orders sternly. Anupama knows she doesn't have any choice but to go downstairs.

When they reach the living room, Anupama feels a burning gaze on her face. She looks towards the source and feels her breath hitch when her eyes lock with the unknown man who is looking at her with such intensity that she drops her gaze on the floor.

Alessandro is mesmerized by Anupama's natural beauty that he gets awestruck when his eyes lock with her. For the first time, he wants to talk to a girl willingly. He can't take his eyes off her when she takes a seat beside Subhodeep. Indrajit introduces Anupama as his daughter. However, Alessandro can feel that something is not right with the way Anupama's hands has started to tremble when her father referred to her as his daughter. Bianca is quick to start a conversation with Anupama. Samuel too has a little chat with Anupama. But Alessandro doesn't say anything, he just sits there and observes the way, some of the family members' behavior has changed dramatically seeing Anupama there. Especially Riya and her mother who are busy glaring at Anupama that they don't see that Alessandro has already noticed the change in their attitude.