Aurous Charms

06| Reality Hits Hard

Published on 28th May 2024.
__________________________

Before you go ahead.
I don't think it's working anymore.
If 300 people are reading the chapter, there is barely a single comment.

If this goes on the same way then I don't think we'll be continuing this anymore.
Thanks.

♡ Aise aaoge, bas jaaoge
Aur dil ko yu haraoge
Haa mein haargaya
Toh aa bhi jao tum ♡

- S H L O K -

Frustration coiled in my gut like a viper, tightening with each passing second. The cost analysis report was a blur of numbers that made no sense. This plain document was supposed to guide our hotel, one of my biggest projects yet, and it was full of expensive details.

Hand-carved marble bathtubs in every room? Solid gold fixtures? This wasn't just about exceeding budget; it was about wasting money on opulent details that wouldn't significantly enhance the guest experience.

What was his team even thinking?

Slamming the report shut, I grabbed the phone, my knuckles white. "Rajiv, get Mehta on the line. Now."

The dial tone buzzed in my ear, each beat matching the unease in my chest. When Mehta's voice, a bit too eager, finally came through, I cut straight to the chase.

"The proposals, Mr Mehta. These costs are unrealistic."

A stunned silence followed.

Good.

Maybe a jolt was what they needed.

"Unrealistic, sir? But we incorporated all the luxurious amenities you requested..." His voice trailed off, a hint of defensiveness creeping in.

"Luxurious, yes," I said, stressing the word. "But not too expensive. These proposals are almost too showy. We need to find a balance between luxury and practicality. The hotel should be an experience, not a bottomless pit for our finances."

Mehta sputtered justifications, each one a flimsy excuse that did little to quell my rising anger. Finally, I sighed, the sound heavy with finality.

"Look, Mehta," I said, my voice firm but not unkind. "I appreciate the effort, truly. But this isn't what I envisioned. We need to find a way to achieve the same level of luxury without breaking the bank. Thank you for your time."

My fingers tapped a steady rhythm on the desk, a plan taking shape. Reaching the phone again, I dialed another number. "Rajiv," I said, my voice sharp with a newfound purpose. "There are some changes in the design firm meeting. Indefinitely."

A hesitant question hung in the air, but I cut him off before it fully formed.

"We're cancelling the contract with Mehta's. I need you to find another designer before the sun sets."

"Oh... okay sir. Anything else?"

"No."

❀✿❀

The intercom buzz crackled to life, pulling me out of my focus. I checked the time: 6 p.m.

Time for the meeting!

I hope this one turns out to be good.

Apparently, Rajiv had reached out to our architect for the purpose of the interior. His voice, crisp and professional, sliced through the tense silence of my office. "The designer is here for the meeting, sir."