Page 30 of Twisted Bonds

London,

United Kingdom.

The soft murmur of voices filled the large ballroom of a luxury hotel. The light from the crystal chandeliers shone over the glittering jewels and champagne glasses worn by the elite guests assembled for an event.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have now come to the last and most awaited item for auction. Created by an award-winning designer, this piece comes from the beautiful land of Singoor…”

Claps erupted as Nandini went up to the stage while the auctioneer made the announcement. Although Nandini didn’t live in London, she was well-known for showcasing stunning art and jewelry collections sourced from the Singoor desert to the rest of the world.

Nandini stood behind the tall glass display, on top of which there was an item covered with a black velvet cloth.

“Ladies and gentlemen…” There was excitement in the auctioneer’s voice. “I present to you… the Kabali Hearts tiara.”

The black velvet cloth was pulled away, and there were audible gasps from the crowd when the large screen on the stage showed a platinum tiara made of large, radiant, heart-shaped black diamonds.

“The starting bid for this stunning masterpiece is five million pounds--” Before he could finish hitting the gavel, a middle-aged, elegant woman seated in the second row raised her auction paddle.

“Six million--,” the auctioneer said. Before he could hit the gavel, another hand was raised by a grey-haired man in a tuxedo.

“Eight million—”

“Ten million---”

“Fifteen million…” the auctioneer continued. “Do we have a higher bid? If not, fifteen million going once, twice--” He broke off when a young, unassuming man in spectacles seated at the back row raised his hand.

“Fifty million!” the auctioneer declared in excitement.

Murmurs from the crowd grew loud at the amount. Everyone was shocked by the amount.

“Fifty million going once, twice, and sold!”

Nandini had mixed feelings as the bids for the tiara ended. She was happy that her piece fetched a staggering amount that would go towards charity. But she also felt a tug in her heart for having to give away the tiara, which was made while drawing inspiration from the Kabali heart pendant she always wore around her neck.

She hoped whoever won the tiara would cherish it as she did with her pendant.

The audience erupted in applause, clapping and congratulating the winner. The man who won the bid got up, but strangely, instead of walking to the stage to receive his prize, he waited while looking towards the ballroom entrance.

Just as Nandini wondered, the doors to the ballroom were pushed open, and a tall, well-built man in a black tuxedo suit with an entourage of at least a dozen bodyguards stepped inside.

The murmurs grew louder as everyone speculated who the man was, but Nandini’s eyes were held by the tall man walking purposefully towards the auction stage, followed by the bespectacled man who won the bid.

“Oh my God, it’s the elusive heir of the Kapoor family!” someone whispered loudly.

“What! But he never attends such public events!”

“I can’t believe it’s him.”

“Me too. I expected a sickly man with scars in a wheelchair. But this man is… is… simply splendid!”

With six-and-a-half feet in height, broad shoulders, jet black gelled hair that fell to his shoulders, and a ruggedly handsome face with faded scars--the man was indeed splendid. As women in the auction fawned over his masculine beauty, Nandini’s heart raced as he came onto the stage and stood before her.

“The winning bid for the Kabali Hearts tiara was made on behalf of Mr. Rudransh Kapoor!” the auctioneer announced. “Congratulations, Mr. Kapoor.”

Rudransh Kapoor gave a regal nod of acknowledgment, but his grey eyes didn’t leave Nandini’s face.

Nandini picked up the black-diamond tiara and handed it to him.

“Thank you, Mrs. Kabali,” his deep voice spoke with a hint of amusement. His calloused thumb, which was rough from riding horses, brushed against her right wrist, where she had a tattoo of the Kabali clan insignia. Her skin broke into goosebumps at his touch.

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