Author's POV
Adrian and Gio reached Rimi's office where she was standing to welcome them. The moment she saw them she went overboard with excitement. She ran towards them hurriedly, and quite unprofessionally.
"I can't believe my stars. I mean how on Earth the two of the most famous personalities of the business world came to my company", she exclaimed with joy.
"Calm down, Miss. Let's sit and talk", Gio said not wanting to indulge into useless conversation.
"Yeah sure. Let's sit in my office. Prachi, bring coffee for all of us", Rimi ordered Prachi and took the two to her office.
Her office was quite impressive. Ofc, not better than Aadya's or Advika's but it was good. The rich oak wood was used heavily in the interiors, from the desk to the coffee table. There was a black leather sofa beside the desk. Led lights and wooden interiors enhanced the look. Overall it was a cozy area.
"So, what brings the two of the biggest businessmen here?", Rimi asked with a polite smile.
"Well, we are in India for a few weeks. So we thought why not visit some big businesses in the country. Uk, maybe we can collaborate and get a profitable deal. We were thinking of meeting some fashion lines and heard good things about HAZELs from a lot of people. Hence, we came here to see how it works and executes and if we are interested or not", Gio narrated the lines given by Aadya so naturally that even the lies came out as truth.
The whole time Adrian was sitting there observing everything and not saying a word. He already knew how good of a manipulating lier his best friend is hence he asked him to narrate those lines. And ofc it worked and Rimi believed it. Meanwhile, Prachi entered with three cups of cappuccinos. Gio and Adrian nodded her in thanks while Rimi gave her a stern look but immediately changed it into a smile when Adrian looked her way.
"That feels really good to hear. So, like did you guys also visit some other fashion lines? Like.. maybe... VRITI?", Rimi asked them unsure. It was like she didn't want that to have happened.
"Well being honest with you we did visit VRITI. And not gonna lie it was very impressive in most of the criteria. But then again uk our priorities are very different when we consider brands for Collaboration and VRITI didn't fit in that", Gio said calmly. Everything he said came out so genuine that even if you have a single doubt about them you will be forced to believe him.
"What are the criteria if I may ask?", Rimi asked him
"Well there aren't many but they are still important. The first criteria is a disciplined environment in the company building. I hope you understand how much it matters that the employees of your company work strictly according to your orders. But in VRITI the employees were giving their own opinions on how the designs should be and all", Gio lied smoothly.
Rimi smiled internally because the environment in her company was exactly what Gio said it should be like. She never welcomed employees opinions and was always strict with them.
"Secondly, I believe your security system should be very strong. Because if in future we invest in you or if we collaborate for something and your security system is weak, then anyone can seek out the information. Being a professional tech expert, I myself evaluated VRITI's tech department and they lacked many things. I hope that's not the case with you", Gio explained and looked at her questionable.
Rimi believed him and also affirmed him that her security system is intact and has no loopholes. And if found any she will get it fixed ASAP.
"Okay then, I have explained to you the criteria now shall we proceed to check the things", Gio asked
"Sure, why not. Let's go", Rimi said standing up.
They checked everything and said it was to their expectations. Now came the turn to check on the tech department. Gio was gonna go through it personally.
"This is the security room Mr. Giovanni. You can check whatever you want to", Rimi told him.
"Umm... If you don't mind I would like to do it alone. I don't want someone in when I am doing it. Also, I have nothing against your company that I will do something bad. So, if I may", Gio asked her confidentially yet politely.
"Uhh.. I am not sure about this", Rimi sounded unsure
"Well, I think we should give him the time. Till then I would like to check upon the designs ", Adrian finally said.
Hearing him Rimi permitted Gio to do whatever he wanted and took Adrian with her to the designing team. Gio smirked at Adrian with an expression saying HANDLE HER DUDE.
Rimi and Adrian left from there and Gio entered the room. He spectated for cameras around but found none. He then started looking through the computers and the CCTVs. He then inserted the pen drive that Aadya gave him. It took 5 minutes to completely bug the system. After that he acted to check the computers and everything and finally left the room. Rimi and Adrian also came back in the meantime.
"So, what do you think Mr. Giovanni. Do we meet the expectations?", Rimi asked with a polite smile
"Well, being Frank with you, I am impressed. We will surely contact you in the near future and collaborate together", Gio offered her a polite smile
"Since, everything is checked, we would take our leave. It's getting late and we have some work to do", Adrian said, lookinh at the Rolex on his wrist, in his authoritative tone.
"Sure, why not. And thanks for your visit again Gentlemen. We would be hoping for your call soon", Rimi smiled at them and bid them goodbye.
Ika and I were waiting patiently in my office for the two of them. For some reasons I knew they would do the things perfectly but still I had my doubts. It's evening already and I am very hungry right now. In fact both of us are hungry and our stomach is making us aware of it every now and then. Where the hell are the two of them.
"Dude, I am hungry let's get something to eat na", I whined
"Let's just wait for them they must be coming anytime now. I texted Gio and he said they are on the way", she repeated the same thing which she said 5 min ago.
We were waiting for them and finally Kanha ji heard our prayers and sent them. They entered with takeouts in their hands. Wow, I am impressed. Ika rushed towards Gio with open hands to which he opened his arms too. But she smoothly ignored him and took the takeout from his hand. I swear Gio's face was worth watching.
"Wow, how selfless of you that you came to us and said 'Thank You so much Guys for your help'.", Gio said sarcastically
"Thank You guys really you help meant a lot to us. And we owe you one", I said looking at them with a genuine smile.
Adrian smiled back at me and gave me the takeouts that he was carrying. I immediately went to my desk and started opening it. I am sorry but I can't help when I am hungry and I see food. I opened it and found it was Pav Bhaji and some noodles, my favs. Meanwhile in Ika's it was Red sauce Pasta and Fried rice.
"How do you guys know our fav meals?", I asked them confused
"Ekaksh told us", Gio shrugged
"I will get it all served. Both of you go and freshen up till then", Ika said, more like ordered them. She can order anyone and most people follow while some don't, like Adrian at this moment. He is standing at his place while Gio already left towards the bathroom. Ika and Adrian were having a staring competition at this moment. God these people.
"Stop it both of you. Adrian go and freshen up and Ika baby let's serve the food", I said sweetly to Ika because ofc she ain't gonna take orders from me but to my surprise Adrian went towards the bathroom immediately even when I used my ordering tone.
Weird, right!?
We served the food in plates for everyone. We also got some red wine to celebrate. Meanwhile the guys also came back. All of us ate, joked and enjoyed ourselves... Well except Adrian cause most of the time he was quiet as usual. It was night already so after wrapping up everything we left for our homes. I bid Advika goodbye and turned around. The moment I turned I didn't miss to see Gio winking towards her so I turned back to see her reaction and saw her blushing and running towards her car. Woohoooo something is really fishy here.
"What was that?", I asked Gio while moving towards my car.
"Nothing", he shrugged and sat in the backseat.
I will find out even if you don't tell me. I went towards the driver's seat but Adrian held my wrist. He turned me towards him. His touch really does something to my core and stomach. We were in close proximity. It felt like time stopped.
"Give me the keys. I will drive", he said in his authoritative tone. And I obeyed without thinking. It was more of a reflex action to his words. My body reacts to everything related to him. I moved towards the passenger side. The whole ride was peaceful because Gio was busy chatting with someone on his phone. He was smirking every now and then.
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It was a long day but finally it ended. Well, not for me ofc. I took out the pendrive that Gio gave me from my bag pack. I inserted it in my laptop and started going through all the databases and transactions of HAZELs. Today I am gonna dig all the way in the system and find out something that will ruin them forever. The whole night I found the loopholes and weaknesses of the company and noted everything with proof. And then, there was something that caught my eyes. A conversation with someone that said
'I don't care if she is the princess of Rajasthan or anything. I want her dead. I want her to suffer and see the worst. I will make her life a living hell.'
This message dates back two years ago. And after that only Samaira* went on missing for 6 months then came back.
What the actual duck. Why did they want to kill Samaira. What happened two years ago. And why was Rimi involved in all this. And Princess Samaira is one of the most humble and beautiful human inside out. I just hope everything is fine now. I will talk to her soon.
_________________________________
Teri baarishein bighaye mujhe
Teri hawayein bahaye mujhe
Paon tale mere zameenein chal padi
Aisa to kabhi hua hi nhi
Ae mere dil, Mubarak ho
Yehi to pyaar hai 💕
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