Enchanted melody of our hearts

😉NOT A PLAYBOY-CHAPTER-7

PIC OF MEERA'S CAT!

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MN EXPORTS

Kumaran sat in his office, his brow furrowed in concentration as he listened intently to his client, Lawrence. "Mr. Kumaran," Lawrence said, his voice serious, "your company has always provided us with the highest quality spices. We trust your expertise and judgment completely."

Kumaran offered a grateful smile. "Thank you, Mr. Lawrence. We value your business and always strive to exceed your expectations." As they delved deeper into the specifics of the import deal, Kumaran's assistant, Mason, entered the office. "Sir," he whispered, "Mr. Venkatesan and his son, Mr. Parthasarathy, are here to see you."

Kumaran's smile faltered slightly. Venkatesan, the owner of a popular Indian restaurant in Burlington, was a frequent visitor, but his visits often caused unease. While his son, Parthasarathy, always carried a genuine kind, Kumaran knew the true reason behind their visits. Partha had recently approached Kumaran, seeking Meera's hand in marriage. However, Kumaran, wanting Meera to focus on her studies, promised to revisit the matter upon graduation.

As the door swung open, Venkatesan entered, a practiced smile gracing his lips. He exuded an air of confidence, but Kumaran, a keen observer of human behavior, couldn't help but notice a glint of calculation in Venkatesan's eyes.

"Kumaran, my dear friend!" Venkatesan boomed, his voice dripping with artificial warmth as he extended a hand for a shake. "And Lawrence, a pleasure as always!" Parthasarathy smiled at Kumaran. With neat, nerdy appearance-slicked-back hair, steel-rimmed glasses, and a perfectly pressed shirt.

Lawrence, a man who valued genuine relationships, returned the handshake with a warm smile. He had known Venkatesan for years and held him in high regard, oblivious to the man's true nature.

Venkatesan, aware of Lawrence's financial predicament, launched into a seemingly heartfelt speech. "Lawrence, I heard about your unfortunate situation with Clint. Terrible business, that man! But don't worry, my friend. If Kumaran faces any difficulty fulfilling his commitments due to this temporary setback, I, Venkatesan, will personally guarantee his solvency. Consider it a token of our long-standing friendship."

Kumaran listened intently, a sense of unease gnawing at his gut. He knew Venkatesan wouldn't offer such a generous guarantee without expecting something in return. While Venkatesan's intentions remained veiled, Kumaran was determined to protect his business and daughter from potential harm.

He offered a polite smile, masking his internal conflict. "Thank you, Venkatesan, for your kind offer. However, I assure you, we will manage our affairs. We appreciate your concern."

Venkatesan's smile faltered for a brief moment, then he recovered quickly. "Of course, of course," he said, his voice slightly clipped. " don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. We are family, after all, are we not?"

Kumaran nodded curtly, his mind racing with thoughts. He knew he couldn't afford to be naive. While Venkatesan's offer of help seemed genuine on the surface, Kumaran couldn't shake off the doubts.

Parthasarathy offered a genuine smile to Kumaran and then approached his father.

"Appa," Parthasarathy began, his voice laced with a hint of unease, "thank goodness you volunteered to help Uncle Kumaran. He seemed genuinely grateful for your assistance."

Venkatesan scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "Don't be naive, Partha! Kumaran is a smart businessman. He wouldn't accept help from anyone unless he was desperate. We need to capitalize on his vulnerability and make him see the 'benefits' of our involvement.