Chapter 4

The Jaguar XJ swerved around the curve towards the hotel's entrance, stopping for inspection at the gate; the security recognizing the 'Taj lifetime membership' sticker on the back of the car, let them through without any further checks, their hands automatically saluting the powerful personality as the car stopped at the main entrance of the hotel.

'Taj Mahal Palace Hotel'...a place that has hosted some of the best and memorable events that Mumbai has ever seen in the last 100 years...a fitting hotel to hold the press conference joining two of the most powerful giants in the textile and fashion industry.

The guard hurriedly opened the car door as Arnav got down buttoning up his Dark Ash colored Hugo Boss suit (see below)

He did not waste a single minute as he walked briskly past the waiting staff of the hotel, eager to greet him and stepped into the lobby. He checked the time '9:10 am' on his designer watch before dialing Lavanya's number.

“Where the hell are you?” he barked at her as her stressed voice came from the other end “Sorry ASR...my younger one is running a bad fever...i'm just waiting for my mom to get here...will leave as soon as i can” she said worriedly

“Its ok Lavanya...take your time...if you need any help, let me know” he said as he heard a grateful sigh from the other end “Thanks ASR, your'e breakfast meeting is being held in the Sapphire room as usual and the staff has been strictly informed that this is a private meeting between you and Ms Gupta...the breakfast will be served to you both as you converse” she said as arnav rolled his eyes...as if they will converse...he wasn't expecting her to be there anyways.

“And then at around 11am, the conference will be held in the Crystal Ballroom...the PR staff should be there in some time to brief you and Ms Gupta once your meeting is done..I'll be there by then anyways” she said breathlessly as Arnav nodded and ended the call...he started walking towards the west wing of the hotel towards the meeting room.

As he reached the outer foyer area, one of his admin persons was already waiting there for him, he came forward and greeted him nervously “Good morning Sir” he said as arnav nodded at him “Is Ms Gupta here?” he asked him cooly to which the guy shook his head

“Not yet sir, Do you want me to check? I think her PA was here a minute ago” he said looking around to which Arnav held up his hand “No...let her take her time, I'll be finishing some work inside...send in some strong coffee for me” he said as the guy once again nodded his head and left to arrange for his boss's coffee.

Arnav walked inside and went straight to the huge windows overlooking the magnificent rose gardens of the hotel..he often had his breakfast meetings in this room; somehow the elegance and classical splendor of it calmed him while the morning rays made the breakfast enjoyable..he craned his neck up and down and twisted it to the sides to relax his strained muscles.

He was just about to repeat the same action when the hair at the nape of his neck stood up as a soft seductive voice spoke from the far end of the room “You are late Mr Raizada” he swiftly turned around, nearly crashing into one of the grand vases on his left as his eyes sought out the voice coming from the large chair by the far end of the room

'How the hell did he miss that?'! He thought as the woman in question got up and walked into the light, literally making Arnav's heart stop...exquisite...that was the first thought that crossed his mind as he saw her walking slowly towards him...he stood transfixed as his eyes traveled the length of her bare toned legs and over her modest but elegant creme silk dress with masses of gold hoop work at her wrist (see below)

“If you are done checking me out...let me introduce myself” she said as she came and stood right in front of him “Khushi Gupta...” she said with a ghost of a smile on her plump red lips, holding her hand out for Arnav to shake it. To say he was shocked beyond belief would be an understatement...this is Khushi Gupta? But the next thing that crossed his mind was, how the hell did she reach before him?!

He gave a tight smile as he absentmindedly shook her hand, his fingers brushing against her beautifully manicured ones...and introduced himself “Arnav Singh Raizada” he said as the previous haze started clearing off his mind

“And for your information...I do not check people out...you merely surprised me...I actually did not expect you to show up till the press conference” he said pompously as Khushi smirked at him. She gave him a small smile and indicated for them to sit down at the elegantly laid table of dainty crockery and expensive cutlery.

“That was utterly presumptuous of you Mr Raizada” she said as Arnav sat down on the chair across the table from her...he noticed her grey-green eyes flashing dangerously as if she remembered something, but then they cleared off quickly leaving a mask of indifference in its place

“Oh, I'm usually spot on...but i guess the Jet-Lag might have kept you up...” he said as khushi mentally rolled her eyes 'The nerve of this guy!' she thought as she sized him up

He still looked the same, but the age and experience had given him a more dangerous sophisticated aura...one that sucked you right into it...she had followed his work and success throughout the years...especially since she loved his label.

He was a vastly talented man with excellent business sense..and how much ever she may loath him for being a super jerk that he was all those years ago...she could not argue with this business acumen and sense of style...the man was a killer

“Hmm....maybe...or maybe its just that I don't like keeping people waiting...specially when its a meeting as crucial as this” she said nonchalantly and found a deep sense of satisfaction as she saw a nerve flicking in his jaw.

She had made sure that she reaches here extra early so that she could have an upper hand...and looks like her plan paid off..plus the fact that he was himself 15 minutes late was a cherry on the pie.

“Yes well....I assumed that you will be....” he started saying as she shook her head and smiled at him “Oh let it be Mr Raizada...lets leave your assumptions for now and concentrate on the work in hand...shall we?” she asked him sweetly which made arnav grind his teeth

“Off course...I'll brief you about the deal and agreements...since you probably don't know about it...I mean you were never present in the meetings, so...” he said as she pursed her lips..but this time in annoyance

“Mr Raizada...please, once again don't assume so many things!...do you really think I don't know anything about this deal? That I don't know anything about the agreement signed between your company and mine for such an important venture which will turn the course of both our companies to a huge extent?” she asked him as he looked on blankly...confirming her fact that he did.

“Mr Raizada....I know I was not physically present for any of the meetings we had...but if you would have probed a little bit further, you would have discovered that it was I who worked on the agreement terms for this JV with my company's lawyers...” she said haughtily making arnav take notice of her passion filled eyes.

“I have been 100% present in any and every tiny discussion that took place internally...the only time I was not present was during the joint meetings...in which, as i recall you were only present for two...the first one and the final one” she said as arnav felt his throat run dry and his blood simmer.

“Or did i assume too much Mr Raizada?” she asked him again with a sickly sweet smile which he wanted to wipe off that sneering mouth of hers...'Dammit! How the hell was he not aware that she had worked on the terms?

Wasn't it just a few days ago when he was praising her company lawyers for the excellent trade terms which were added to their agreement ? he took a deep breath to calm himself, when someone knocked on the heavy door of the room

“Sir, your coffee?” a timid looking girl came into the room, pushing the beverage trolley that slightly rattled on the carpeted floor. She looked at both the people sitting at the table and noticed the tensed atmosphere “May I?” she asked Arnav who nodded at her and waited till she poured his black coffee and placed the various types of sugar packets by it.

“What would you like Ms Gupta?” arnav asked trying to bring his breathing to normal...her earlier words had left a serious dent in his ego and he was finding it really difficult to carry on with the conversation “Oh...do you have some masala tea please?” khushi asked the girl with a genuine smile which calmed the girls nerves a bit.

They waited as the girl served khushi her tea and straightened up to take their breakfast order. She quickly scribbled arnav's order of muesli and yogurt followed by an egg white omelet and multigrain toast.

The girl then turned to khushi for her order “Oh, may i have full english breakfast please? With an extra helping of hash browns?” she asked the girl who simply smiled at khushi and rushed off to get their orders.

“I never thought you'll be the kind of girl to eat a greasy breakfast” he said casually sipping his coffee as khushi smiled “Well am i ever going to get used to your assumptions?” she asked him at which he gave her a tight smile “I guess not Mr raizada...but its fine, you'll know me better in a few more days...after all we will be working together” she said as she blew on her hot tea

Arnav observed her for a minute before keeping his cup down and resting his elbows on the table “Ms Gupta...I think we got off on the wrong foot...I think i might have presumed many things about you, but do tell me why we did not meet all this time?” he asked her trying to size her up.

“I mean, I was in LA a couple of times when this deal was in process..so we could have met and I'm sure you have heard of video conferencing? So why did you not make your presence all this time?” he asked her as khushi shifted a bit in her chair

“Well, if you must know...Mr Mehra was supposed to the person to head GR Inc along with you; I was simply not interested in coming back to India and work in this venture...I was very happy growing my international base and would have still been doing it if my grandmother had not insisted that I take over this job...” she said, keeping her tea down.

“So in a way...to discourage her from having me in this venture, I stayed away from meeting R&S...i felt that it would be better that way in case she rethinks her decision and appoints Mr Mehra again” she said nonchalantly as she stirred some more sugar into her tea

Arnav saw her hands tremble a bit on the spoon; he knew a little bit of her equation with her father,...and the fact that she calls him 'Mr Mehra' confirmed his doubts that all was not well between the two, but what intrigued him was the flash of annoyance she had shown while taking his name.

He had himself met Mehra a couple of times but had never really liked his company...and in fact one of the strong reasons he had against being a part of GR Inc was Arun Mehra..but all that changed half way through...

“Your coffee's getting cold Mr Raizada...” khushi said pointing towards his rapidly cooling coffee...he nodded at her as he sipped the soothing liquid...Khushi watched him from the corner of her eyes and observed his calculating look.

She knew he was wondering about her relationship with her father...everyone did...but she never cared much for other's opinion...and Mr Raizdaa had already made quite a few assumptions about her...guess it was time to prove him wrong on every single count...she grinned to herself as she smirked inwardly...oh this will be fun

Arnav & Khushi's Attire