FOE TO FLAME

4. OFFICE ODYSSEY

I wrap up my deal and as I'm about to leave Aryan called me

"Reyan, where are you? Your father is waiting for you in the office. You're in big trouble now."

"Relax, bro. I have some valuable information that will make him forget all his anger. Tell my dad to check his email. I'm heading home right now I can't make it up there."

"I've told you I can't handle scolding for the third time. What's wrong with you, love?"

"Is Dad not there that you are calling me love?

"Just shut up, lov-- I mean, Reyan."

Silence followed.......  punctuated only by my laughter.

"Do you know what happened today?" I asked

"Just a typical day, as usual. You went for a shooting session while leaving a hundred files and deals pending." He said

"Just guess, come on," I urged, my tone was insistent."

"What, someone kissed you? Or did you kiss someone? That would only happen in a parallel world. I should say this thing can't happen in a parallel world either. What I meant to say is this thing can't even exist. You, Reyan kissing someone? Not in this lifetime. You'll die single. So tell me what just happened? I'm not as free as you to guess and waste time. I'm a responsible worker" (he said with a smirk).

His tone was mocking, like he was taunting me.

Silence followed......

"You there," Aryan said.

I was speechless unable to utter any words as he threw accurate accusations at me. How could Reyan get a kiss from anybody? It was just an accident she was wearing heels so she stumbled and lost her balance onto me

(Reyan what is this? Just accept reality don't make false assumptions.) I could hear my inner voice.

"The idea of Reyan kissing someone? No way, not in this lifetime" I try to speak with a voice full of confidence so he doesn't doubt.

"So tell me what happened today" Aryan said in a calm voice.

"I finalized the partnership with Og's groups now we are equal shareholders in the company."

"What, Reyan? You partnered with Og's group? They're our competitors! I told you not to and Anil sir didn't mention anything about taking action on their proposal" he said, his tone filled with worry.

"Think positively, Aryan. I did the right thing and I don't think Kamaal Sahab and Ravi Kaur will betray us they are Dad's oldest friends."

"Still Reyan, before finalizing the deal you need to talk to your dad at least once. If we fail it will risk your CEO position seat, and we can't afford that" he said with concern evident in his tone.

"I will talk to Dad and clarify everything but not today. So I'm going home to rest. Bye."

("So basically, Og's Group is a competitor of Roy Enterprises. For a while now, they've been sending a proposal to Roy Enterprises for a partnership because they're facing heavy losses and the company is on the verge of bankruptcy. However, Sir Anil didn't approve their proposal and kept them on hold for almost a month.

Kamaal and Ravi are both friends of Anil. They used to work for Anil, but five years ago, Og's Group bought them out and made each of them 15% shareholders. Now, with Reyan's partnership with them, Reyan holds 50%, while Kamaal and Ravi each hold 15%, totaling 30%. The remaining shares are owned by Og's current owner which is 20%, making a total of 100%. If their company faces a loss, all the remaining 50 shares will affect Reyan's CEO position seat, and it will take him more time to become the CEO.")