In my Devil's Arms

" Business is done with heart and decisions are taken by mind", said Raj.

Veer Mishra immediately looked at the prince. He was a new joinee when he has first attended a conference of Oberoi group. Earlier he started as a driver to Vikram Oberoi but he was overqualified for the job. When he joined the company he found how cunning of a strategist Oberoi was. Looking at Rajeev he remembered the words said by his previous boss.

" So you say you can bring better profits for us your highness", said Veer.

" Just Rajeev. In business I am not a royal. And yes profits can be increased".

" How"? Well Vikram also never tried to rule over his employees.

" A degree does not matter as my respected step mother proved. Even being a high school drop out she has taken Bhishma to where it is today", he said ambiguously.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN", Kamini's voice was raised. She was enraged. Rahul shook his head.

" Oh I mean well mother", smiled Raj. " For our investors I mean".

" Explain yourself Rajeev", said another lady.

" Though our companies still show profits but the people running it have missed out on decreased returns due to decrease in value of money. What I can buy from 10 then I have to give 100 for it today. So if profits increase from 10 to 80 its not a gain but a loss", said Raj.

" We do have profits", said Rahul.

" But the margins can be increased", countered Raj. " I came to palace with cotton farmers of Junagarh. Their exclusive contracts were cancelled by Bhishma which resulted in our loss", he continued.

" Told ya", whispered Rakesh to his twin.

" We buy cheaper cotton from market", said Bhanu " A gain".

" Well I happen to visit Bhishma factory and collect cotton samples. Also Junagarh farmers gave me theirs. And I got it tested in labs. Parry show the results".

He did

" The cotton that our Junagarh farmers have is a better quality with 30% more thread", said Parry. " Lab results".

He gave the results to chairman.

" Further handlooms were completely shut down, silk still runs but our company lacks innovation. I can promise a triple returns same time next year and in next quarter the graph goes up if you give me a chance", said Raj.

" He visited Bhishma Bhanu and you did not tell me", hissed Kamini.

" Just an official visit. We all got mails", he replied.

" But you need to tell me",she hissed again.

" We are losing equatorial markets", continued Raj.

" Its a pro Chinese decision by their governments ", said Rakesh.

" My dear brother we should stop blaming our incompetence to other government. One of our big clients Shangai garments replaced us with a company from Kolkata not China. Also we are losing markets in Japan. In search of new markets you don't lose loyal customers. The reason cited in cancelling documents was fall in quality", said Raj. " Parry talk about employees".

" It is concerning that since last four years Bhishma showed a lot of attrition specially at mid and pre senior level. We waste a lot of money on training them and have contracts too but they still leave. Training costs decrrease our returns".

" Do you have a plan chart for employess too", asked the chairman.

" Health insurance, health check ups, better working condotions and flexible timings to name a few", said Raj. " Dr. Khurana ", he nodded to Ro.

" Khurana hospitals agree to it as Bhishma agrees to a contract with us", said Ro.

" Mr. Qureshi", said Raj.

" My partner Kiara Shekhawat has suggested a portal for employees where they can give a 360 degree feedback on seniors. Also we will have online assesments designed for top management. Transparency is necessary. "

" Our PR partner Queens representative Miss Kenny Shekhawat will talk about an ad campaign", said Raj.

" As most of you visited our costume party I am happy to announce our costumes that day were prepared from Bhishma cloth. We need publicity of our capabilties. My dress designer Myra can arrange fashion shows for a few brands. Bhishma's future is bright with prince Rajeev joining the company", she said.

" Your girls are a problem", said Kamini to Bhanu.

Gaurav smirked at their plight. The girls were doing him proud.

" We vote after lunch", said the chairman.

"The men lunched with the girls.

" How is it going so far", asked Kiara.

" Intense", said Kenny.

Maddy nodded.

" The voting will be neck to neck", he said.

Ro was not present with them.

" He has to sit in hall with other shareholders. They are not allowed to meet anyone", said Solly.

" Does he have my tiffin and bottle", asked Grace.

" Yes", replied Solly.

" It will all come down to Oberois ", said Raj. " That is the swing vote. The owner still remains elusive."

" After that tragedy in his house he never appeared in public", said Parry. " I think it will be Mr. Mishra voting for him.

Kenny suddenly felt deflated. But tragedy happened with Vicky and Riya.

Why me she thought? Those answers would take their own time to come.

Post Lunch

" I bet we have heard the discussions from both sides. Its time to vote", said the chairman. " Ypur highness, he said to king Randheer, " We start with you".

King Randheer stood up.

" I am an old man and I want my family together ", he said. " I vote for Rajeev", he said.

" I vote against an outsider to join our company", said Kamini.

" Prince Rajeev", said Ro as Gaurav, Salman and Alok followed his decision too.

Bhanu, Rahul and Rakesh voted against him. So did Mr. Bansal and a Mrs Raijyada.

Bhavna Pandey voted in Raj's favour. So did the chairman. A senior employee was present from Aditya entreprises. The vote came to Raj.

The voting went pretty neck to neck until it was last vote left.

" Oberois", said Raj

He crossed his fingers. He was leading by a narrow margin.

Veer stood up.

" As I have already submitted the power of attorney Mr. Oberoi gave me I vote for him", he said.

" Go ahead", said the chairman.

" I am impressed by the designs prince Rahul and Rakesh envisioned for Bhishma", he said.

" Sh*t we are losing", said Raj.

Kenny held his hand tightly.

" But I think I agree with prince Rajeev that however ambitious we fly one foot should be on the ground", said Veer.

" Please cast your vote", said the chairman.

" IN FAVOUR OF PRINCE RAJEEV", said Veer. " Welcome to Bhishma".

" The Shareholders welcome prince Rajeev to Bhishma", said the chairman.

And Raj hugged his lady love hard planting a soft kiss on her lips.

" Hurray", celebrated his friends as Ro joined them.