Chapter 28 : change of Plans

The atmosphere inside the dining hall changed with a single sentence from Das. After listening to Das, Mr. Rao almost slipped out of his chair. If the old man was not inside the room, someone could have already pounced on Das for his blatant words.

"Das, why did you say that? ... don't you know how important this party is to my Reddy family?" The patriarch questioned Das with a serious tone. One could clearly see a faint anger in his tone.

"Patriarch, why did you even ask for his opinion? ... he is just a hairy brat who doesn't know how tall Everest is." Rao shouted with a vexing tone.

"Mr. Rao, calm down. Even though he is just a teenager, I believe his opinion matters in this meeting. So, please let him talk." The old man intervened to support Das.

"Sir, I don't know why you're helping this fellow, but I personally put in a lot of hard work to plan this party. Aren't you questioning my reputation by asking his opinion about the party that I planned?" Rao asked the old man while displaying his skills in arguing.

"Mr. Rao, if you really feel that he is talking nonsense, I will ask him to apologise to you. Are you okay with it? ..." The old man was more experienced than Rao and with a single sentence, the old man easily dealt with Rao.

"Das, tell everyone... why did you think that we wouldn't gain supporters from this party?" The old man asked with a curious expression.

Das did not get nervous in front of the direct question from the old man. He will also gain nothing if he says sorry to Rao. So, without thinking about the consequences, Das started explaining the reasons for his statements.

"Sir, do you think people will directly support you just because you organised a big party with the chief minister?... Think about it!... if you invite all the people to the party, only your supporters will take the spotlight, and others will just come and go as normal routine. You are not making any special effort to gain their loyalty." Das explained his reasoning.

"Das, I did not understand anything. What are you trying to say?" The patriarch interrupted.

"I'm asking you to put in extra effort to gain support from the important people in the political and business circles. In other words, show them more respect to gain their loyalty. If you treat everyone equally with the same respect, they won't be loyal to you." Das said while staring at the patriarch's face.

Even then no one get it what Das was trying to say and Rao took this opportunity to belittle Das.

"Patriarch, he is speaking nonsense to gain the spotlight before you. Please remove this idiot." Rao cursed with an irritating tone. Everyone also believed that Das was speaking trash. They did not find any clarity in his words.

"Das, don't beat around the bush... speak directly." The old man questioned, putting a full stop to the murmuring inside the hall.

"If you really want me to speak directly, my suggestion is to cancel the big party at the largest convention centre in the city. Conduct a small gathering with only 100 members specially invited to your villa, and do not invite any of your existing supporters."

"Print special invitation cards with a serial number up to hundred and send them according to your priority list of important persons."

"Instead of inviting the celebrities by paying a large sum, use that money to promote this gathering on media. Give advertisements on every billboard in this city. Highlight the picture of the patriarch and the chief minister shaking hands with each other."

"Make sure that everyone in this city knows about your son's wedding by tomorrow morning. People should realise how important it is to have a connection with the Reddy family. Show them who is the boss in this city." Das said the last words by punching the table.

There is pin-drop silence inside the dining hall. This time no one dared question the Das suggestion. Even Richard, who hates Das to his core, is staring at him with his mouth wide open. The old man and the patriarch were staring at Das in amazement.

"Mr. Rao, do you have any comments on his suggestion?" The patriarch asked Mr. Rao after thinking for a long time. The patriarch didn't want to upset Rao by directly accepting Das's suggestion.

"Why only a hundred people? Don't you know that the party is attended by the chief minister, and there will be several important guests to be invited?... Rao asked seriously."

"The actual reason for conducting this party is to gain more support and thereby increase control over this city. We should not change the plans because of the chief minister." Das explained while drinking a glass of water.

"Then at least add another hundred guests. One hundred people is too less." Rao complained.

"The plan won't be effective if you double that number of guests. We can hundred percent gain the support of the top ten important people in this city if we show them respect by placing their names at the top of the guest list."

As Das was giving a proper reason to his every question, Rao stopped his inquiry with Das.

"Patriarch, at the end of the day, you are the host of this party. Even though this fellow is talking logically, I can't agree with his suggestion. Aren't you losing the trust of your supporters by not inviting them to your house party? ..." Rao questioned the patriarch with his crooked logic.

"Mr. Rao, you don't need to worry about the supporters of the Reddy family... We will treat them well at the actual wedding day of the patriarch's son." Das answered Rao's serious question.

Rao felt a cut throat anger at Das... But he can't retaliate in front of the patriarch. Then the patriarch and the old man personally discussed for some time before deciding on the party arrangements.

"Mr. Rao, please make arrangements according to Das suggestions... I will give the guests list by this evening. I want you to prepare a customised invitation card for each and every guest and make sure that the serial number is placed at the top of each card."

"As for the advertisement and other things, I will make separate arrangements." Patriarch signed a one crore rupee check and handed it to Mr. Rao. Even though there is a wide grin on Mr. Rao's face... Das did not see any true happiness.

"Das, do you want to add any more ideas to the party arrangements?" The old man asked before ending the meeting.

"Hmmm... print the photos of the patriarch and the chief minister on the balloons and raise them opposite the Shetty family properties. Hehe… Let's add some panic to the rival Shetty family." Das said with a giggling face.

"Haha… Das, you know exactly what I like the most." The old man started laughing loudly. There is also a wide grin on the patriarch's face.

Later, the servants started serving breakfast. Without caring about anyone, Das started eating until his stomach was full. Luna, who was sitting across him, started staring at him instead of eating her food.

Ahomm… Luna tried to signal Das, to eat more formally. But Das concentration was fully on his plate.

One by one, everyone started leaving after completing their food. The people congratulated Richard before leaving the house.

In between the patriarch discussed several things with Das about the arrangements. Das replied with his thoughts on the patriarch's questioning. The patriarch felt satisfied with his answers.

While Das was busily replying to the patriarch, Luna went near the old man and whispered something in his ear. At first, the old man tried to deny her request. As Luna insisted on her decision, the old man finally agreed to her request.

After checking the time, Das stood up to say good-bye to the patriarch. But he was paused by the old man's request.

"Das, Luna is going to buy clothes for her birthday... accompany her shopping. The old man ordered Das.

'But…' Das tried to make some excuses.

"What but?! ... My brother will be busy as he needs to prepare for the party... More than that, you have a discount key card in your hands... I need to buy cosmetics from other famous brands. So, stop giving excuses and follow me obediently."

Luna immediately took this chance to mute Das from making another excuse. Das did not understand why this screw-up girl was forcing him to accompany her.

(Author: I already wasted four chapters when Das went shopping with Sheela. In the end, Sheela only gave a single hug. I'm not going to make the same mistake with Luna. We should definitely take advantage of Luna's curved body.)

Das finally nodded his head in the form of approval. Luna smiled happily.

"Wait for me outside... I will be there in ten minutes." Luna commanded.

After saying good-bye to the patriarch and the old man, Das left the dining hall. Luna also went inside her room to change clothes.

"Grandpa! Why are you sending Luna with this low-level servant? What if he took advantage of her?..." Richard asked immediately after Das left the hall.