Chapter 4: Shekhar Arrives

Friday afternoon.

Arjun rang the doorbell on his own house instead of using his key. He wanted his wife to be prepared to receive company. He had told her he would be coming back with the new officer from DMI and he hoped she remembered.

She did.

Deepika opened the door dressed in a nice traditional Indian saree and welcomed their guest. To her surprise he was Indian. Arjun introduced him “Shekhar this is my wife Deepika. Darling, meet Mr. Shekhar Mansingh.”

Shekhar was an incredibly handsome man who looked more like a filmstar than a corporate executive. He was a few years older than Deepika but those years had worked in his favour.

Once they had settled down in the living room, Arjun explained that Shekhar was the CEO of his own advertising agency which was part of the DMI conglomerate. He was a trusted executive of the top boss himself and had been sent here to assess the situation for the merger.

“If the merger goes through my agency will be working with Event Genius most closely,” Shekhar explained “so it makes sense for me to be closely involved with this merger.”

“Why do you say ‘if’, Shekhar?” Arjun said “Is Mr. Douglas still not sure?”

“Just a figure of speech, buddy.” Shekhar smiled “My job is to assess the feasibility of the merger so I am just in the habit of speaking precisely.”

“Oh.” Arjun didn’t say anything more.

It was evident that Arjun was very much in awe of the man. Deepika felt like Shekhar just emanated power. He sat easy, not saying much but you could feel the strength of his personality. She found herself wondering if he would be the rough and powerful kind of man in bed. Yes, he would be. Then she quickly stopped herself. She had just met the man. And she was married.

“I will go make some tea. Or do you like coffee, Mr. Shekhar?”

He looked up and smiled at her “In India I like Indian tea, Mrs. Verma. It’s the best. And please just call me Shekhar.”

“Sure, and you please call me Deepika.” She felt a thrill of pleasure run down her body like she had just done something naughty in her husband’s presence.

Deepika went inside and while the water was boiling for tea, she quickly changed into a see-through chiffon saree. She changed her blouse for a small strappy one which had no back except for a couple of criss-cross noodle thin straps. She put the tea in the pot and quickly changed her shoes for a nice pair of black stilettos with 5 inch spike heels. Her make up was already good, but she wiped off her light lipstick and put on a coat of bright red lipstick that made her perfect, plump lips suggestively sexy.

Arjun continued talking to Shekhar in the living room, mostly about work. He was trying to find out what the situation was but could not get much out of Shekhar except that he was here to assess the situation and make most of the decisions about the future of the merger. It seemed that Shekhar was authorised to even cancel the merger if he felt that it was not the right thing. If the merger was on the books, it was part of Shekhar’s job during this trip to assign a Event Genius staff as liaison for the merger from India.

This, obviously, would be immense for that person’s career and power in the office. Arjun decided that he would do anything he needed in order to ingratiate himself to Shekhar and get that role. He knew there would be others in the office who would fight for that role, but he must find a way to get it. He already had an edge as he was in charge of taking care of Shekhar during his trip. He must push that advantage.

While he was still musing on the ways to do that, the door opened and his sister Rhea walked in. Arjun panicked, had he forgotten to pick her up today? No, it was alright. he had told her yesterday that he won’t be able to pick her up today.

“Rhea, come here, I want you to meet someone.” He said as Rhea came into the living room area.

Arjun suppressed his comments as Rhea came closer. Her skirt was again very short and her top was a small halter top showing her shoulders and back. Her high heels were more suitable for club than college. But he kept his comments to himself so as not to make a scene in front of his guest and boss.

“Shekhar, this is my sister, Rhea, Rhea, meet Mister Shekhar Mansingh, he is the...”

Rhea was looking at Shekhar wide-eyed “Shekhoo?” she exclaimed.

Arjun was horrified “Rhea, behave yourself. Mr. Shekhar is a senior...”

Shekhar interposed “It’s okay, Arjun. She is right to call me by my old nickname. How are you, Rhea?”

He stepped forward and Rhea hugged him. This is when Deepika walked in with a tray of tea.

“Oh, hello!” She stopped in her tracks “What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry Deepika, I am not robbing your sister-in-law.” Shekhar said as he let Rhea out of his arms “Rhea and I used to date long time ago when I used to live in India.”

“Wow!” Deepika put the tray down on the table and started to make tea “You and our Rhea?”

“Yes, it was quite a while ago. We dated for a couple of years, I think. Right?”