14 – Persuasion

Qaya chatted with the President for well over an hour. She laid out her thoughts before him in a candid manner, and he, too, returned her honesty, and told her about all his thoughts.

Qaya was shocked to learn that the President wanted her to take over his mantle and look after the affairs of the Goldstein Group permanently in the ideal situation, and not just for a year as a buffer period to train up Hamir. What the President really wanted was for Hamir to continue his chosen career in cardiology – he didn't want his eldest son to give up what he had worked so hard to achieve, and what he clearly enjoyed so much.

"He is a natural doctor," President Goldstein said with a sigh. "I don't want him to sacrifice everything for my sake, to be honest. But there is no one I can trust to take over my position except you, little Qaya. Hamir is brilliant, and perhaps he will learn from you – but I don't really want him to give up what he loves." His eyes misted over. "I know that I am asking for too much, little Qaya, but would you – would you consider giving Hamir a chance? I know that I am biased as his father, but he really is a good man, and he will try his best to keep you happy. At least give it a try for one year, that's all I beg of you. If you feel that it won't work after one year, we will call off the whole thing, and make other arrangements. I don't know yet if I will still be alive after a year, but I will make arrangements right away to ensure that you won't be wronged if you and Hamir choose to get divorced after a year," he said pleadingly.

Qaya's eyes filled with tears. "Don't say that," she said firmly. "You are going to live a long life and send your grandchildren to college in the future!"

The President chuckled helplessly. "I wish it were true," he murmured. "Little Qaya, please, please think it over properly, all right? Hamir is a good guy, and even if it wasn't for this particular situation, I would say that the two of you are very well matched and compatible. In fact, I had been planning to set up a blind date for you and him once he was over his break up… but clearly heavens had other plans for me."

Qaya was stunned.

The President observed her silently for a while, and then bid farewell, and firmly told her to get some sleep.

Qaya agreed half heartedly.

"And just think about this matter carefully before taking a decision," the President said softly. "Good night, little Qaya. Rest well."

Qaya gave him her promise and put down her phone.

Her thoughts wrapped around her brain and after some time, she fell asleep.

What she didn't know was that Hamir was woken up by his father's call after the President had spoken to Qaya, and what the President said to Hamir was very different from what he said to Qaya.

"So, you're saying that she is in trouble, and the only way for her is to get married into a powerful family?" Hamir asked incredulously, blinking in confusion at his father's words. "What kind of trouble is this? Are you sure that you have investigated properly, Papa? Have you spoken to Qaya? Is there any other way to resolve this?"

"Do you not like her?" the President asked his son flatly.

Hamir flushed. "I do, but I barely know her, Papa," he muttered. "I do think that she is very interesting."

He remembered the accidental kiss and the blush on his face deepened. He was glad that this was not a video call, and that his father couldn't see him right now!

"So a one year trial period should be acceptable, shouldn't it?" the President said immediately – even though he couldn't see his son's face, he could guess his thoughts, and decided to strike while the iron was still hot. "Think about it properly, Hamir. It will at least buy her some time, and we can help her sort out her problem – that child is too proud and shy to ask us for help, and there are some things that I can do only if she is a member of our family. You understand that better than anyone else, Hamir, don't you? Besides, she is a business genius – and there really is no one else I would trust to look after the entire Goldstein Group other than her. You are brilliant, but you know nothing of business. It will take you a long time to learn, and with me like this…"

Hamir sighed. "Papa, send me your latest reports, and I will also ask Thomas to run some additional tests," he said firmly.

The President agreed without any protests, which surprised Hamir, but also filled him with dread. Had his Papa's condition deteriorated? It couldn't have suddenly taken a turn for the worst, could it? But if not, why would his Papa, who had always stubbornly insisted that he was fine, agree to run extra medical tests – something he had always considered a nuisance?

"So, will you think about it seriously?" President Goldstein prompted. "I am very sure that little Qaya has already been charmed by you, and I wish there was more time and that you two could slowly get to know each other. I can feel it in my old bones that the two of you are very compatible, Hamir. Call it an old man's wisdom or intuition – but you and Qaya would make a great pair. Just think about it, that's all I ask, and then decide. It is just a trial of a contract marriage for one year – and if you feel it doesn't work at the end of the year, you can get a peaceful divorce, and we will give a chunk of the Goldstein Group to Qaya as compensation. I won't wrong that child."

Hamir sighed. "Yes, Papa," he said quietly.