A Visit To The Business Tycoon's Office

"Thanks for saving me today; I didn't get a chance earlier," I wrote and looked up at him.

He smiled and replied, "It is ok, I am just happy you are safe."

I smiled back and continued. "I need to tell you something."

"Now? It's awkward like this," he pointed at the one-way written conversation.

"It's urgent."

I found all that writing tedious, so I took out my phone and pretended to make a call.

"Hey. I don't know why, but you always get weird whenever Mr. Oberoi's name comes up, so I just want to confess something." I'd been speaking in a low tone so I pulled him by his shirt and he leaned closer to listen.

His proximity gave me goosebumps and I continued with some difficulty.

"I spoke to Mr. Oberoi and told him I was his son's friend, and would like to do an interview with him."

He froze at that and I tried to justify it, "He was not ready but this was important. Miranda had threatened my job, and I had to do something."

He remained quiet.

"Armaan, say something, please," I hissed again, begging this time.

"So, he thinks he is meeting his son's friend?" He finally asked.

"Yes, and I had planned to do my research on his son last week but, well, I couldn't. Now I don't even know his name." I was freaking out.

"Hmm," he murmured and fell silent.

I searched his face for a clue as to what he was thinking, but all I got was an unmistakable feeling of sadness. I had been fisting his shirt in one of my hands and he shook it loose. I glanced at the driver and caught his expression.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" he asked.

God! How I hated this question. I must have looked stupid, sitting in a strange, tilted position, one hand fisted in empty air.

"Yes," I replied shortly to discourage more questions.

I opened the folder Miranda had handed me but motion-sickness immediately made me shut it. A headache was the last thing I wanted at this meeting.

Finally, we reached his offices, and his secretary led me to his spacious, luxurious cabin. I was told to wait and that he would join me in a while.

Armaan looked around and I took a quick peek at the file. Wow, they were shitty questions, especially considering the stature of the interviewee.

The man of the hour entered, and gracefully stepped forward to shake my hand.

"Hello, how do you do?" He asked politely.

Before I could respond, Armaan rushed forward, and something seemed to be wrenched out of him.

"Dad!"

"Dad ??" I couldn't help echoing with astonishment.