Sacred Heart

5.

Asher clenched his jaws and closed his eyes, trying to control the fuming fury inside him. He throws his head back, pinching in between his brows. It has been more than six months since they have lost the tender, and three, since they are considerably failing in dealing with any negotiations.

"I was thinking if we can cash a favour and request for a meeting with the owners through the government?" A man in his team spoke.

Asher opens his eyes and looks at the man. He arches an eyebrow, referring him to speak and explain his point. For the last twelve months, all his hard work is draining into vain. With an increase in rising political tension and anxiousness near the borders and new development goals, he has tremendously failed in reaching the goals set for him.

Great fucking luck to him. Cheers!

Industrialists, business owners and investors are breathing down his neck. They all have invested their money to explore in the new direction. He has personally negotiated and sat for a number of meetings, dinners and parties until they eventually agreed. His team has prepared for the last year for the tender.

And where are they now? Where is he now? The first surprise came when they lost that tender to that DR Corporation. How? He still has no answer for that. He tried finding out his mistakes, the quotation of the other party. The government didn't disclose and the insiders failed to get him any information. The number of times he has made appointments for negotiations, or even for a virtual one so that they can try to convince or even discuss their plans. But nothing. Nothing can be done. On top of that, his grandfather is fixated on those mines. His father and the Defence Minister were having lengthy discussions a few nights back. Orders from the top have been issued for her. He has to find a way. How? Not their problem, but they want their satisfied outcome.

So he is desperate. If cashing a favour can help him to get steps ahead of this dead end, he is ready to do it.

"But they won't disclose any information about the buyouts. We tried talking to them for months and every time, we came back empty handed." Another reminds.

Asher leans forward, keeping his elbows on the table, "That's because we went ahead with a deal," he says, "but this time— there's no deal. I'm done dealing with it."

He is. If he can't get what he wants, there's no shame in a different way to get it. Negotiations didn't work, but favours, they have to.

The whole team looks at Asher with wide eyes. The frustration and anger is visible on his face that he keeps cloaked under guise. It cracked today.

"I'll ask Julia to contact the ministry for an appointment —"

Asher denies, "no, no need. I'll take care of the meeting. You guys prepare for it, and prepare well." He tells them, looking into their eyes and warning them, "I want everyone to work on it from the scratch and present with me the best deal no one can refuse." He orders sternly.

With a wave, the team dispersed after the meeting. Only his secretary and the COO stay.

"What are you thinking Asher?" The COO asks, "you have ordered them to prepare the presentation again."

Asher has only one thought. The deal.

"They will be required. The old ones,—" he breathed out, a faraway look settled on his face, "—have been thrown into the dustbin. So when the opportunity comes, we should not be left out in any way."

Asher's word made the COO raise an eyebrow. "You have a plan." He states, nodding at himself.

Asher gives him a side look before his gaze fell on his secretary. "Contact B Tyler. Tell him I'm requesting a big meet-up this week in his home." He orders.