The morning sun came through the big windows of the penthouse. It made long golden shapes on the shiny wooden dining table. The air smelled of fresh jasmine flowers that Priya had put in vases, mixed with the smell of hot tea and fried bread.

Priya walked through the dining room slowly. Her bare feet made no sound on the cold marble floor. She wore a saree today. It was deep red silk with heavy gold edges. The blouse matched the saree. It had no sleeves and was high in front but low in back, showing her smooth back. Her hair was tied up in a bun with jasmine flowers in it. Gold earrings swung from her ears and touched her neck when she bent down to put plates on the table.