Vodka on the rocks

Part - 8

Rao Mansion, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, 9:30 pm

"And that is exactly what I told the Governor to her face. Hmph! What would a woman know of politics anyways.. she would have looked better in a kitchen and a couple of kids hanging on."

Raghav flashed a charming smile at his long time business partner and somewhat acquaintance, Akhilesh Reddy who took a healthy swig of the Moët & Chandon from the flute in his hand, pink in the face already and mightily pleased with himself and his opinion about their competent Governor of State.

Though our resident gangster extraordinaire would have preferred to say what exactly he thought of the rotund middle aged gentleman standing in front, drinking like a sailor, and his archaic mentality and sexist comments, he resisted with a Herculean effort. 

The mongoose has its own uses Raghav... calm down.

"And how are you enjoying the party Sir?"

He wanted nothing more than to punch the little weasel in his fleshy double chinned face but sometimes, more than often, much to his eternal dislike, diplomacy worked better than his fists ever did. And the added flattery of addressing the egotistical fool as his senior.. adding that pretended deference only added to his benefit. 

"Oh lovely! Everything is just marvellous! Exactly like all your parties have been..."

"Excellent. I was thinking that maybe this time, the CM's banquet might have surpassed my humble arrangements."

Reddy frowned dumbly and then shook his pudgy hand in front of his face in dismissal and Raghav swallowed a grimace swiftly. 

"No.. no... just the usual fare.. drinks and the girls.. blah blah.."

"And.. ? I heard there was a special guest."

Raghav urged him and Reddy came closer to him instinctively, his alcohol stained breathe making the other man want to put a few hundred meters of distance between them but he resisted. The fifty year old's eyes were glazed over and it was certain that he had guzzled more than he could handle. But was coherent enough to give him legible statements. 

Perfect. 

"You are right there Rao... I saw him there...taking to the Minister... unmistakable.. those yellow eyes.. I will never forget them till I am alive. That man is no man at all I tell you.. I have seen evil before.. but him.. that is a piece of work even the Devil will stay away from..."

Reddy stage whispered as if declaring a huge secret staggering a little only for Raghav to move away the next second so that he doesn't end up collapsing on him. 

"I think you have had, one too many of that, maybe you should call it a day... Sir."

He added the designation at the end with a saccharine sweetness dripping from his words even as his eyes had sharpened into two vicious pools of venom. 

The panther had caught the scent of its prey. 

Raghav gestured at Farhad discreetly, who had been standing an unsuspicious distance away from the duo, in discussion with one of their main investors. His secretary sidestepped the man smoothly with practiced ease, face breaking into a smile as he appeared beside Akhilesh Reddy who looked like he was two seconds away from crumpling on the ground. 

"Mr. Reddy! I just got a call from your wife. Time to go home Sir. I will escort you out. Come on.."

Farhad took the inebriated man away but not before the latter had managed to get a word in. 

"Ah.. haan.. I almost forgot.. Happy Birthday Raghav."

Raghav Rao smirked, his sharp jaw tense but a rare look of utter jubilance on his handsome features.