Research

      

We enter the board room she clinging to me and Neel walking to my left. There are three people two men and a woman. I am worried that Miss Deshpande might fall, I tighten my grip and she does the same and I can’t resist a smile. We near the table. The first men approaches me and says “bonjour, I am Francois Bennoit” and extends his hand towards me. I let go of her and shake his hand firmly. He turns towards her and holds both her hands and blows kisses on both her cheeks and she flinches but smiles at him. I shrug.

He tells her “vous etes tres belle mademoiselle.” She smiles and thanks him for calling her beautiful, “meci beaucoup monsieur, vous etes gentil.”  She knows French? I look at her. We are interrupted by the woman, she says “hello everyone I am Elena and I think we should start on the purpose we are here for.” The man shrugs and laughs a bit and tells her “Elena tu n’es pas jamais tranquille.” And the woman just stares at him as we take our places. Elena was indeed rest less like Francois called her moments ago. The other man, David was quite. Elena seemed more business oriented than the other two and a bit shrewd. She starts talking again “I am indeed quite surprised to see three young and inexperienced people attend this meeting.”   

Amulya responds “inexperienced? Well ma’am can you please define your requirements for the project.”

Elena replies assertively “well, first the MD has no clue of administration, the CEO is new to the company and has no idea about our tie ups and the creative head is again new to the company and doesn’t know the working style we require.”

Before Amulya responds I chip in “well, looks like you have done your research Elena but you are not right about everything, even though all three of us are new to the company none of us are incapable to handle the project.”

She responds shrewdly “is that so Mr CEO? But if this is going to be one more of those useless we deserve a chance talks, I am not interested.”

I laugh and she cocks her head and Amulya and Neel glare at me. I ignore their glares and talk calmly “there you are again Elena, WRONG! There will be no talk about requesting for a chance. And about us three as a team, then let me enlighten the important points you have neglected in your research. Amulya may not know about administration but she is a Mass Com and a photography student and has experience. Neel has many published works to his credits which are quite good I am sure you might have found them, unless your research is not up to the mark and about me, I am here for the administration and I am not sure about how much you could find out about me but I don’t care.”

There is a knock on the door and Mr kukarni enters, Elena says sarcastically “well Mr Kulkarni you have chosen a boy for the company’s distraction huh? He has no manners of how to behave in a meeting.” And looks at me Mr Kulkarni’s eyes follow hers and rest on me.

I respond “well, Elena don’t you lack patience, do you always make deals hastily, is your talks with the Italian company one of the hasty decisions?” her face pales and she sips water. “Do you really think that deal will work out? Or are you really that foolish?” I add sarcastically.

Mr Kulkarni is quite surprised and asks “what are you talking about Raghav?”

“Sir, after Mrs Deshpande’s death, the beautiful and intelligent Elena here cracked a deal with the Italian Media house.”

Francois, David and Mr Kulkarni look at her and Amulya and Neel look at each other.

I continue, “So as I said Elena we are not talking about any chances for ourselves, and frankly you were the one who was going to waste our time. And now, that is how a research is done and so are we. Thank you every one I think our company will take your leave now.” And i signal Amulya and Neel to leave and they obey. As I am near the door I turn back and snap at her “well, Elena before you waste some more time let me tell you, your deal with the Italian company. Forget your 20 million as we have already made a deal with them for our next project. And as your company can’t bear the loss now they will be more than happy to mortgage it in pieces goodbye.” I smile and walk out.