Chapter 5

So, we assume that there have been many strategic meetings between the two companies on how this newly formed venture will benefit you both, care to shed some light on your future endeavors?

This was a bothering question for Arnav, it was a difficult questions to answer since they never really had any specific strategy meeting yet.

Till now only the usual small questions were asked,most of which were answered almost flawlessly by him, giving him a sense of triumph since Ms Gupta had hardly spoken anything yet, her polite solitude confirming her nervousness.

He pursed his lips as he racked his brains to formulate a good answer when he felt a soft feather touch on his arm that was resting on the table, he turned sideways to see Khushi's hand slightly caress his as her soft voice spoke confidently over the table mike

“Now what kind of a question is that? Off course we have had our strategic planning done, but like the word implies; strategy is something you don't give away...especially to the press” she said as the entire congregation smiled while a few laughed at her jibe

“So when the time is right, you will yourself see how this company is being poised to take over every current and future competitor, till then you are free to observe and critique.” she said with a sultry smile that had the entire media hanging on to her, female population included; Arnav could not help but admire her quick thinking; the answer was very well formulated indeed.

He leaned back in his seat as the next few questions were thrown at Khushi, who answered them like a pro, his earlier triumphant feeling taking a back seat, while annoyance and slight admiration, if he allowed...took the front.

Why was the company named GR and not RG?

Her tinkling laughter got everyone mesmerized as she answered them “I honestly don't know, but like Shakespeare said” she said as some smiled... “Yes i know...such a cliche...but 'What's in a name?'...the company can be called anything, but the two families behind it will drive it equally..I don't think having one name in front of the other will make any difference.”

Is it because many are saying that this is a better deal for the raizada's? how can Gupta's benefit for this equally?

Arnav looked up trying to find the annoying pest who asked this question, while khushi raised a perfectly arched eyebrow “My dear man, this is a Joint venture...both the company's will benefit equally from it” she said as arnav looked sideways at her.

“As you all know, that GR Inc will be an independent company on its own...so the new company as a whole will benefit from the both our expertise and infrastructure...our Individual company's will obviously remain the same, but we can only make profit from the added production requirements of Raizada & Sons's while they from the subsidized cost of outsourcing” she said with a quick smile

So what roles will Ms Gupta and You play in the new company?

Finally! Arnav thought as one journalist turned towards him after the barrage of questions thrown at Khushi, he leaned forward and cleared his throat before answering “Ms Gupta will be handling the Marketing & Operations of the company while I will look after the over all Sales and Expansion” he said as one of the few female journo's threw a quick one at Khushi, one she obviously wasn't prepared for.

Will Mr Mehra play a part in the sales operation of this company?

Arnav who was at first annoyed at the question asked, gave a concerned look to Khushi whose cool and calm mask had just gotten shaken for a second, but she quickly took a deep breath and answered before anyone could notice the change “No, not in GR Inc, However he will continue with his current role of Sales Director for Gupta Mills” she answered with an unwavering voice.

Arnav looked back at the same journo who was still observing khushi; he had a feeling her questions were not done yet...and he was right, as once again, she picked up the mike and asked another one “Ms Gupta, are you still in a relationship with Sujoy Banerjee?”

The entire room fell in a quite hush as the question was asked, many of the camera people started taking pictures of Khushi who confidently leaned forward towards the table “I don't see how that question is relevant here...this is a forum to discuss our new company. If you want Page 3 gossip, please find me and ask me this question at an appropriate place, you know what i mean..” khushi said scathingly as few of the other journo's sniggered, making the girl blush and sit back down on her chair.

Looking at the tense atmosphere which had built up, Lavanya quickly got up and addressed the crowd “I think we have had enough questions for the day; you can get all the other details form the press release and SEBI documents. Thank you so much for coming to this conference please join us for Lunch outside” she said quickly as Arnav and Khushi got up

A few other journo's tried to flock them as they were about to exit and ask more questions only to be stopped by Aman “Please, we'll have a personal interview session in a few days, please keep your questions for that” he said as he stood in front of Khushi and Arnav along with some security to let both of them pass and walk outside to another smaller room led by Lavanya.

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“Shit!” he said as he pushed her away and stood up from his chair. He glanced at his watch while tucking in his shirt and zipping up his pants, hardly giving any notice to the woman kneeling in front of him “what's wrong Mr Mehra?” she asked him as she got up and buttoned up her shirt.

“I'm late...i was supposed to be at the Taj...dammit! How the hell did i forget!” he cursed as he pointed at her “You are my f*****g secretary...why didn't you remind me?” he shouted at her while she straightened her hair and picked up her notepad.

“S..sorry..I had actually come it to remind you of it, when...” she said as he came forward and held her by her chin “She'll get a chance to taunt me now...all because if you! Hell, i was supposed to be present at the conference” he said in an exasperated voice before banging his cabin door open, leaving the woman cursing behind him.

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“Ms Gupta, this is Lavanya, my PA...Lavanya, Ms Khushi Gupta” Arnav said introducing both the ladies as soon as they stepped into the room. He watched as Khushi genuinely smiled at Lavanya and extended her hand

“Pleasure to meet you Lavanya...and I have to thank you for ending the Q&A session...i just knew the questions would have gotten more personal after that” khushi said as Lavanya giggled “I know...sometimes they just don't know when to stop...but you gave them good maam” she said as khushi laughed

Arnav liked her laugh...it wasn't pretentious and fake like many of the other women he knew of her status...it was real...he cleared his throat trying to get the women in the room to come out of their conversation.

“Oh...Mr Raziada...I hope the answers were up to your satisfaction?” Khushi asked him politely, to which he simple nodded and gestured towards the comfortable looking chair. Khushi sat down on it and crossed her legs as arnav sat opposite her..his eyes involuntarily traveling towards her exposed legs before going back to her amused face.

“They were spot on...i'm impressed that you had the presence of mind to formulate that strategy question...speaking of which we should have a meeting soon...” he said as khushi nodded in agreement, when the meeting room door was suddenly opened

“Maam...your uh..fa...i mean,...” Aman started saying when a tall, well built man walked into the room behind him “Khushi!” Arun Mehra said with a big smile as he came rushing into the room, towards her

“How are you beta? Sorry i was late...got held up in a meeting” he said as khushi got up. She quickly held out her hand when she saw him coming to hug her

“Mr Mehra...lovely to see you...off course you got held up in a meeting...” she said as she gave him a smile. Arnav noticed the difference between the smile she bestowed on Lavanya and the current one...he knew this was a forced one

“C'mon princess...why so formal huh?” he said as she shrugged her shoulders “Well, you know me...always the formal one...” she said as Aman quickly spoke “Uh Maam...should i arrange for some lunch?” he asked her as khushi looked towards arnav

“Oh, that won't be necessary...I'm not that hungry...had a big breakfast earlier in my meeting with Arnav” she said as Arun Mehra turned around and looked at arnav...as if, he had just now acknowledged his presence

“Arnav! Good to see you son...I can't tell you how relived I am to see you holding my little girl's hand and guiding her in this new venture..” he said as arnav grimaced...that must have really hit her hard...he quickly glanced at khushi, who seemed to have sparks flying out of her eyes

He smirked as he looked over at her “Oh...i don't think she needs hand holding Arun...she's an equal partner here...and she definitely isn't a little girl...” he said as khushi's demeanor softened a little bit

“Off course...i mean...” he started saying when Lavanya interrupted “I think we should all leave now...the lunch is coming to an end...and the media may again try and rope you both in...best to make an exit now...” she said as khushi and arnav both nodded

“Oh hello there....I don't think we've been introduced” Arun Mehra said as Khushi held his outstretched hand “She's Lavanya, Mr Mehra....and i really don't think you need an introduction...besides, she's really young...don't you think?...” she said as Arun Mehra stiffened at the blatant insult and pulled her away from the other three in the room

“Listen Khushi...i know things are sour between us...but, lets not make it so public ok...I mean, your mother gets very upset over..” he whispered when khushi's cold tone stopped him “Please refrain from bringing my mother into this equation...” she said in a low tone

“You have no rights to tell me how to behave...you lost that right, 10 years ago when you left my mother..” she said as he sighed “I really don't know why you don't see my point khushi...but its no use getting into this right now...all i came to say was that i'm very proud of you...and if you need any help, please let me know” he said as khushi looked away, trying to reign in her tears

She pursed her lips to control her emotions as he squeezed her shoulder and left, she saw him say goodbye to the rest of the people before leaving the room. Khushi ran a finger under neath her eyes and took a deep breath before turing towards the rest

“Ok..lets leave..” she said as Lavanya came towards her “Are you ok maam?” she asked in a concerned tone as khushi nodded “yes...yes i'm fine...also, i'm sorry for saying that Lavanya...I...” she started saying when Lavanya held her hand “Its fine....please don't think about it” she said as khushi nodded at her.

They both turned towards aman and arnav who were watching the two with interest “Uh...i'm sorry for that Mr Raizada...you see, I'm allergic to Mr Arun Mehra” she said with a small smile at which arnav nodded “Its fine...don't worry about it”

“Oh..before we leave,..let me formally introduce, my right hand man..Aman Mathur...Aman, i'm sure you've already met Mr Raizada and Lavanya” she said as Aman shook hands with both of them

“Great...so we'll meet both of you tomorrow morning...the office as you know Ms Gupta had been put up in R&S building for now...Lavanya will share the details with Aman...lets get our teams together tomorrow?” he asked as khushi nodded

“Perfect...that will be great....we'll see you tomorrow...goodbye” she said as she and aman both left from the room. As soon as they left, arnav thought of two things that got to him...first, she called him Arnav when she was talking to her father...which was kind of nice...

But the second thing which got him bothered was the last question which she was asked. He turned towards Lavanya who was busy gathering their things and asked her "Lavanya...who is this Sujoy Banerjee?”

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“You should have been there you fool! I planted that journalist to specifically ask that question...I wanted to fluster her...but i guess she's made of tougher stuff” he said angrily as the stress ball in his hand was punctured sharply by his large hand

“I don't give a f**k! Right now...you be a good puppet and only follow my orders...you know I can destroy you with a snap of a finger...” he said at the fearful voice of the man on the other end “Now listen carefully...” he said as he went about explaining the next leg of action.

PS: Please check out, how Arun Mehra looks in the cast update...just in case you'll have forgotten! :)