Chapter 6

“Hold it young man!” Yudhisthir Raizada said as he came face to face with an ever running Aakash “Good morning yudi!” akash raizada greeted his grandfather as he gave him a quick hug before gulping down his protein shake

“I really don't understand why you have to drink all this!....during our times, real physical exercise gave us muscles...not these fake artificial things!” the older man huffed as his grandson slung his bag over one shoulder and picked up an apple from the fruit basket on the breakfast table

“Yudi...its no use arguing with you on these things...you just don't see my point...” he said as he shook his head “Generation gap you know” aakash said spreading his hands to indicate the vast gap between their thoughts, only to yell back as his grandfather pinched his left ear

“Ooh...uff...yudi!!...its hurting!” he cried as his grandfather left his ear after giving it a right twist “Generation gap huh? Well, how come your brother and I don't differ then? Except for certain things....we think on exactly the same lines...” he said as aakash laughed out loud, startling the maids hovering near the table

“Are you kidding me? Bhai and you don't differ??...seriously what did you smoke today at your satsang??!” he guffawed only to get a scowl from his grandfather “Ok...ok...sorry baba...i'm just joking..but seriously...i didn't know that you were into floozy blondes yudi!” he said with a straight face before he ran away from there, leaving his fuming grandfather behind.

“Idiot...i meant in work and ethics and all....kids these day's!” he was muttering as arnav walked towards him fixing his cufflinks. He smiled at his grandfather and tapped him on his shoulders “Had another run-in with you younger grandchild?” he asked him with an amused face as his grandfather face reddened up

“I'm telling you arnav...i have had it with that boy...when will he grow up?!” he said as arnav sat down at the table. He buttered his toast while sipping on his orange juice “Leave him dadu...let him grow in his own time...i don't want him to loose out on his fun days” he said as his grandfather gave him a sad smile

“You mean, like you did?” he asked him in a concerned voice. Arnav stopped eating mid-way and looked at his grandfather “Its not like that dadu...I chose to grow up sooner than i wanted to...but i'll never force such a thing on akash...he's a good kid...and he'll be a better man because of it” he said as his grandfather nodded

“Ok, I need to get going now...have a meeting in an hour...and I do not want to get late!” he said as he got up to leave, only to be stopped by his grandfather “Wait...you still did not tell me what you thought of Khushi....we hardly spoke yesterday...” he said as arnav pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow.

“What's there to talk about? I don't know her that well...and we haven't even started working yet, so i can't really give you my judgement on her so soon” he said as he picked up his briefcase “Hmm..yes i suppose so....but what about first impression?” he asked arnav who stooped and turned towards him

“Lets just say....her grandmother was right in appointing her for this job....now I need to see, if she herself is worthy of it...or not” he said before saying a quick goodbye and walking out of the door...leaving his grandfather muttering again for the second time since morning....'Silly boy...i told him she was a good choice...'

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“Babu...at least eat a little bit of upma that lakshamma made” Garima urged her daughter who seemed to have wings attached on her feet “Uhh...mamma! You had to play that card on me right??!!” she said as she sulked and quickly sat down at the breakfast table making her mother and grandmother chuckle

“Khushi...you seem to be really excited for your first day in GR...I have hardly seen you this madly excited!” Shalini said as khushi smiled at her between quick bites of the scrumptious upma...one of her weaknesses...besides her mom's jalebis off course!

She stuffed down the rest before taking a swig of her soya milk “Nothing like that nani...its just that i wanted to get settled into the new office before the morning meeting...Mr Raizada and I are getting our teams together today...so it's going to be pretty hectic!” she said as her grandmother raised her eyebrow

“Yes, I suppose so...you kids do have a lot to work on...but i'm sure you and Arnav will make a good team” she beamed as Garima piped in “Oh yes...he is such a wonderful boy na ma? I really like him...he ahs achieved so much in such a young age...we should invite them all over for dinner one of these days soon” Garima said as khushi rolled her eyes

“Mamma, if it was possible, you would have a guest everyday at our dinner table, sampling your amazing food!...but i'm not complaining...i'm so looking forward to all my fav dishes being cooked!” she smiled as her mother gave her an indulgent smile

“Oh...speaking of food..when is fatty coming down? I need to meet his Mrs fatty...can't believe I have not met her yet....I mean, i do have have some say in the selection of my future bhabhi!” she said playfully at which her mother hit her on her arm

“Chup kar!...and stop calling Akhil fatty...he's a grown up man, taking the most crucial step in his life..you should learn from him!” she said with an admonishing stare at khushi who leaned forward and kissed her mom on her cheek “I did ma...i learnt how to stuff my face from him!” she said with a cheeky grin before hugging her grandmother and sprinting from the house.

................................

“Good morning everyone...as you know that this meeting has been called in to introduce and work out your new job responsibilities in this organization” Arnav said with a deep no nonsense voice as he looked around the room. He had Khushi sitting next to him on his right while the rest of their collective teams were sitting around the huge conference table

“You all have been working at various levels and posts in Raizada & Sons and Gupta Mills...but here at GR Inc, there might be slight shift in your work profiles...but you are all young and some of the best amongst our employees, so we have made sure that whatever is assigned to you, will only help you grow and achieve more in this organization” he said with a stern face as everyone nodded.

He gestured for khushi to take over from him. He had met up with her before the meeting and both had discussed the possible profiles the mixed core team should have; and luckily enough for them their choices had been bang on for each of their trusted team members

He saw her nod at him before sitting down himself. She gave everyone a brief smile before proceeding towards the projector screen. He watched as Aman switched off the lights while Lavanya started the presentation on the laptop...he did wonder how they had already started working so in sync within just the first 3 hours of meeting since morning.

“So everyone..let me ask you one question. And I want an honest answer from you lot” she said as all the assembled people looked at her keenly. Arnav leaned back in his chair and looked at her as she clicked the presentation pointer to the first slide. He took in the dress (see below) she wore that gave her that 'I mean business' look, while her silky tresses were today tied in a neat chignon;

“What do you think drives success?” she asked in a soft but sturdy voice as she eyed every person around the table, before landing her gaze on arnav before going to one of the people who had raised their hand “Yes..” she said to a young man in his mid 30's from Arnav's team “I think it has to be hardwork” he said to which she nodded and then lazily shook her head from side to side

“hmm...yes, but hard work is a given...what i want to know is what drives you to work harder to achieve you goals?” she said as a couple more people tried for answers, but all of them failed to give the right one. Arnav looked on amused as all started discussing amongst themselves...and though he did not like wasting time on one silly question...he knew that she must have asked it for a reason...and he will be damed if he assumes something about her again!

“Ok..ok...everyone...since none of you'll got it...let me tell you” she said as a sudden hush fell in the room. She then clicked on the pointer again and a single word appeared in a small font in the centre of the screen “What we need to drive success...is Passion” she said her eyes meeting arnav's surprised ones for a split second before lowering down.

“We need passion to succeed, we need passion to tackle each and every obstacle in our path and we need passion to become number one. I will not settle for those who think of this as a 9 to 6 job...i will not tolerate anyone questioning their roles in this company. I need...” she said as she quickly reminded herself that there are two of them.

She looked at arnav before continuing “WE, need a team that will give their heart and soul to this company...now i know I can't force loyalty on anyone...but if you have even a smidgen of doubt in your mind after seeing the new organizational chart, please feel free to let us know...you will be free to go back to your earlier job in either of the parent company's” she said as everyone stared at her

“Am i clear?” she asked them as everyone started nodding and murmuring at once while she clicked on the next slide and the organization structure came up. 

She looked at arnav who gave her a 'go ahead' before she started explaining the new teams, their superiors and juniors. He had felt a kind of jolt when she changed her 'I' to 'We'...guess they really were in this together....and there was no going back.

................................

Khushi sat in her office, sipping her strong masala tea, as aman reviewed the minutes-of-meeting; she nodded as he recounted one of the points she had made earlier during the meeting and closed her eyes and relaxed back in her chair.

She liked the chair...it was comfortable and gave her spine the perfect posture for sitting, in fact she liked everything about her cabin; it was minimalistically designed with carefully selected but practical furniture in rich dark walnut wood. She took a deep breath to smell the freshly painted walls and smiled.

She knew she was perfectly poised and in control of her presentation earlier, but somehow her mind reacted violently whenever she had looked into those all seeing eyes...she did not understand this need to be perfect in front of him...was it because that small past incident still hurt her? Or was it something else.

All through out their private meeting in the morning, she was trying too hard...she was going too far in this desire to impress him if not better him...and that disturbed her...she was never like this; all throughout her life, the only two people whose opinion mattered were her mother and nani...she had never found a need to get any sort of approval from anyone else...so why now?

She opened her eyes as she heard aman's voice piercing her thoughts “Maam?” he asked her as she quickly leaned towards him and rubbed her temples “Yes aman?” she said as he looked at her skeptically “Uh..i was just asking if you would like to attend the 'Aastha foundation Mela day'?" He asked her as she gave him a confused look

“Oh ...uh, sorry I don't suppose I briefed you about it...well, its an annual event that Raizada & Son's carry out for the various orphanages under Aastha foundation, it's held at Azad maidan, where all the children from the orphanages across mumbai present various dancing and singing talents..other events like art competition and sports are also carried out for them...many donations are made out on this day..” he said as khushi nodded

“So Lavanya told me to inform you about this; ASR wanted you to join in as well, that is if you want to go” he said as khushi smiled at him “Sure Aman, off course i'll go...why do you even need to ask...mark it in my calendar...”she said as he quickly nodded and left her in her cabin

Khushi was just about to call her grandmother when she got a call from her front desk “Yes?” she picked up the call as a nervous voice came from the other end “Maam..ASR is here to see you...” she said with a panicked voice while khushi felt like giggling...what happens to all of them when he was near

“Please let him come in” she said as she stood up and straighted her dress, the door opened after a few seconds “Hey!” arnav greeted her as she gave him a small smile and gestured him to sit down, he looked around her cabin and took a deep breath “I love this smell!” he said as he sat on the couch in her office.

Khushi gave him a small smile as she came and sat on the sofa chair on his left “So Mr Raizada...were you ok with the meeting today?” she asked him curiously as he pursed his lips and nodded “You did a good job Ms Gupta...i must say, I'm really impressed!” he said as khushi felt elated at the compliment, but she donned a mask of indifference and gave him a slight smile which wavered listening to his next words.

“But my marketing manager did have a complaint for her role” he said as she looked at him with a quizzical look “Oh? She did? But I thought you said, she will be very happy handling the key areas given to her” she said in a slightly offended voice which arnav did not fail to notice

“Yes..i did, and i've handled her..don't worry...she did not have any problem with the job assigned to her...she was just not comfortable working under you” he said as she looked at him questioningly. Arnav leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees before answering her

“See Ms Gupta...Sahiba has been with us since nearly 5 years now...plus she has a total work-ex of around 8 years....so for her to work under someone who has half her years of work-ex is difficult...” he said as khushi nodded stiffly

“Now, i'm not saying that she is right in her worry, but i suppose my people don't know you very well and most of the work you have done is in international market...” he said as khushi continued listening to him “Over here in India, things are a bit different...” he said as khushi got up and picked up a fashion magazine from a nearby table.

Arnav looked on as she opened a page that featured an ad by a leading fashion brand and held it out to Arnav “What do you see in this ad Mr Raizada?” she asked him as arnav mulled over what she was on about...did she even listen to a word he had just said to her. He looked at the ad and told her what he thought about it

“Beautifully pictured, perfect location...the fabrics are in line with the season depicted and the designs are in tune with the natural flow of water shown in the background...overall a very good ad to showcase the brand's autumn collection” he said as khushi nodded

“Great...so you understood what the brand was trying to say right?” she asked him as he nodded...where was she going with this?...she plopped back onto her seat and looked at him with her flaming hazel-green eyes

“Mr Raizada....marketing is nothing but promoting your brand or company in a positive light...sometimes it might be disruptive and sometime it may be as simple as writing the message you want to get across on a plain background and making a huge flashy hoarding out of it.” she said as arnav looked on intently.

“All I'm saying is that, yes...I have worked more in the international market...but that does not mean i don't understand the indian consumer...this ad which i showed you is made for the indian consumer by an international brand...and they have done a tremendous job of getting their point across” she said as arnav nodded

“I can't help the fact that I was chosen for this role with having a mere 5 year work-ex, but let me tell you one thing Mr Raizada....i may be active in Gupta Mills for a short time, but the company runs in my veins..its in my blood. I'm sure my grandmother chose me for a reason” she said passionately

“I'm not doubting your team and their talent and i think we have both worked out good if not perfect roles for them in this organization...I will not try and prove myself to anyone for any damn reason...my work will speak for me...and if they still think that they can't work for me, they are free to go back to their old job...but i will not tolerate people who don't even want to give this a chance” she said as she crossed her legs and leaned back, tired after the long speech.

Arnav gave her a slight nod before getting up and folding his arms across his chest “Fair enough...i'll let sahiba know...she can decide for herself...” he said as khushi nodded stiffly. She got up too as arnav turned towards the door but stopped before steeping out

“By the way...I did have my doubts about you at first...but i must admit that i'm seeing you in a different light now” he said as khushi nearly gasped at the first positive word from him “I know, you'll do good Khushi...and i'm glad you are part of GR Inc” he said before swiftly turning around and leaving.

The fact that he had called her 'Khushi' did not even register in her mind...instead the only thing that she felt at that moment was the thundering beat of her heart as his last words reverberated in her mind 

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.

.......................................

“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.

.......................................

“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?”

.......................................

“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! :)

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