Veeransh's POV

I reached office after getting out from Rathore Mansion.

Everybody knew me as the 5th generation of this business empire.

The world changed rapidly indeed, and keeping this secret was getting difficult day by day.

My very close acquaintance and manager, Mr. Mane was waiting for me inside my cabin.

I met him when he was 22, now he was 58, and he kept protecting my secret too.

It felt like I have something with him since his past life. 

As I entered my cabin, Mane stood up.

"Sir–", he said.

I gestured him to sit down.

"I have sent the mail to Kali constructions. They accepted the invite for tomorrow.", Mane said.

I kept my hands on the table, clasping, "So fast? Hmm...", I muttered.

"Yes, Sir. It was fast indeed.", he said. 

I leaned back on my chair, something was unusual about this company and it's owner. 

"Mane, lets do one thing, lets surprise them..", I said, smirking. 

"Sir?", Mane asked, looking confused. 

"Call them, ask them that we have scheduled the meeting today at 6pm in my penthouse. If they accept, cancel the scheduled meeting and put them at that place.", I said. 

"Pardon me, Sir, we might look strangely desperate.", Mane said. 

As if I didn't know that. 

I nodded, "I know, still do as I said. Hm?", I said, and got up from my chair, buttoned my jacket and left the cabin. 

Kali constructions, hmm...I need to research more about this company. 

I reached my penthouse, and inside my bedroom I reached out to the secret cabin. 

Where animal blood were kept, my only food. 

I have left having human blood centuries back. 

I tore open the seal and took a slow sip.

The taste was familiar.

Unremarkable.

After four centuries, survival had become a habit rather than a necessity.

I removed my shirt, and sat on the lounge, leaning on the sofa. 

I poured myself a glass of whiskey, relaxing a bit. 

And before my phone rang, I could sense the upcoming vibrations. 

Ugh...cannot relax a bit. 

The phone finally buzzed. 

I picked it up, "Hmm Mane, tell me.", I said over the call. 

"Sir, they agreed for the meeting.", Mane said. 

I smirked, "Sounds good.", I said, and hung up. 

Kali Constructions.

Three major contracts in eight months.

Two international acquisitions.

No predictable pattern.

I smiled faintly.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I went for a cold shower, and I somehow leaned on the wall, closing my eyes, feeling the water on my face and body. 

It was becoming too much.

Too many names.

Too many faces.

Too many graves.

I remembered people no one else remembered anymore.

Places that no longer existed.

Promises made centuries ago.

Sometimes I wondered whether memory itself was a curse.

Loneliness sometimes caught up to me, but I kept functioning because of this curse. 

I was lifeless, yet I had a life. And most painful thing was, nobody could know. 

Yet my family was good, but will the next few generations be able to keep this secret?

I had so many doubts in my mind today after speaking to Adhiraaj. 

I shook my head, and ran fingers through my hair, turned the shower off, and wore the bathrobe. 

6PM meeting was an important one, there was no point worrying about things which has not happened yet. 

So better to focus on keeping my family's wealth intact, and help my kin as much as I could. 

In the evening, I dressed up, not in black this time, I wore a lighter colour, I didn't know why, maybe it has been too long. 

My wardrobe's other colour options were fading away slowly. 

I wore a sky blue shirt and beige formal trouser. 

Hmm...looks...refreshing. Cool. 

I called up Mane, "Let me know before coming.", I said over the call. 

"Yes, Sir. They called me and informed that they are on the way, will be there soon.", He said. 

Great! Acting time starts now. 

I smiled over the call, "Fine.", and hung up. 

6PM, Veeransh's Penthouse

I could hear the footsteps, and asked my staff to open the door. 

Mane was standing, and behind him a tall man. 

Huh? But wasn't Ishani a woman? 

I cleared my throat, "Mane...please come in.", I said, in my authoritative tone. 

Mane entered the living room. 

Then the tall guy followed him, and behind him was a woman, shorter than I imagine, maybe 5'3". 

"Sir, he is Mr. Parth Mukherjee.", Mane introduced the guy. 

The guy smiled, extending his hand, "Hello Sir, I am Parth Mukherjee, Manager and brother of Miss Ishani Mukherjee."

I nodded, and shook his hand, "Pleasure to meet you."

Ishani extended her hand too, without a smile though, "Good evening Mr. Rathore. Pleasure to meet you finally."

I shook her hand, and her grip was firm, "Pleasure to meet you too, Miss Mukherjee.", I said, smiling. 

"Please have a seat, and lets discuss the rest of the business.", Mane said. 

The siblings took a seat, and then I did too. 

"So, Mr. Rathore, may I know the reason of this almost very sudden meeting?", Ishani asked. 

Well, that sounded sharp. 

I chuckled softly, "I could ask you the same question, Miss Mukherjee."

She raised an eyebrow, "Meaning?"

"Three contracts.", I started speaking.

Then I leaned back.

"Two acquisitions."

"And one increasingly concerned board."

A faint smile appeared on my lips.

"You've been rather disruptive lately."

I tried very hard not to invade her mind. I did not want to read her thoughts. 

"Mane, ask my staff for coffee.", I said, while waiting for Ishani's answer. 

Mane nodded, and left the area. 

Ishani smiled very faintly, "Disruptive? Good choice of word, Mr. Rathore. Well...I would say, I love doing business, and that's what I was doing. Doing what I love the most."

Interesting. 

"Is that so? Then let me too do what I love the most. Hm?", I asked, and took out a bunch of papers from my cabinet drawer. 

I handed it over to her manager, "Mr. Mukherjee, please go through it. You might like it.", I said. 

Ishani knitted her brows and looked towards the bunch of papers, "What is it?"

Parth looked at me with a shocking look, "You want to acquire Kali Constructions?", he asked. 

I sat crossing my legs, "I could not find any other solution. And I am giving you a good price actually.", I said.

Ishani looked up at me, "Mr. Rathore, is this some kind of joke?"

I shook my head. 

Ishani smirked, and looked down, "Hmm...", then looked at Parth, "Before the coffee comes, let's leave.", she said firmly. 

 Expected, of course. 

I did not speak, just observed the sibling. 

"Di...he is offering 500 crores for it, just the construction company.", Parth said to her, in a low voice. 

He thought I won't be able to hear. 

Little did he know...

"He wants to buy us. I am not doing it. Chup chap chal.", Ishani muttered to him.

The staff came with cups of coffee. 

"Well, business toh hoti rahengi, aap coffee lijiye.", I said, with a warm smile. 

I had to acquire the company, anyhow. 

"No, Thank you, Mr. Rathore.", Ishani said, and stood up, instantly. 

NO! She looked more determined that I thought she would be. 

I smiled again, "If you want to negotiate, I can offer more, Miss Mukherjee.", I said. 

Ishani looked at me, really looked, "Really? How much will you offer, Sir?", she asked. 

"700...crore. Works?", I asked. 

"No. It doesn't. 1 billion dollars won't work. This company is like my baby, I won't sell it.", she paused and looked towards Parth, "Lets Go."

Parth stood up to leave, "Haan di, Lets go."

I stood up too, "Miss Mukherjee-", I said, and she stopped but didn't turn. 

"You might regret rejecting the offer, honestly.", I continued speaking. 

Ishani fully turned, "I won't. Although...nice try.", she said, smirking. But her eyes were full of fire. 

I wanted to say more, but could not. 

Should I read her mind? No, I shouldn't. 

I cleared my throat, "Whatever suits you miss. Your company, your choice. Then... I suppose we'll be meeting on the opposite sides of a few more contracts.", I said, smiling. 

"Please go on. Let's see who wins.", Ishani said, and curt nodded. 

She walked off, and Parth followed her. 

Mane looked at me, I too looked at him. 

"It's ok, let her decide. They might contact us back. Keep the contract as it is.", I said and went inside my room. 

I expected her to say no initially, but not negotiate at all? Well, that was a little unexpected. 

Although in 400 years of life, nothing was extremely unexpected anymore. This loyalty towards one's work always existed in this world. 

But now a days this has become rarer too see, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that today. 

This girl would go a long way for sure. 

"Mane-", I called out. 

Mane almost rushed towards my room, "Yes Sir."

"What do you think about this girl? Will she sell the company to me?", I asked him. 

"Absolutely not sir. We should find another way.", he said. 

I clicked my tongue, "Another way? Hmm, ok let me think. Just let me know if they get back to us. You may leave now.", I said. 

"Sure Sir. I will let you know.", Mane curt nodded and left.

I stood there with hands in my pocket, my brows were furrowed.

Another way...kya ho sakta hai?

If I wanted, I could destroy her company in a minute, but that's not how I play.

I play a fair game.

By that I remembered something.

I called up Adhiraj.

"Haan Veeransh ji, boliye.", he said over the call.

"Adhiraj, you were talking about a business summit the other day, right?", I asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah...that one in Paris, right?", he asked me.

"Yes, that one. Can I somehow get a list of guests invited there?", I asked, without giving away much.

"Yes, I can send you.", Adhiraj said.

"Alright. Please do send me. I need to check a few things.", I said.

After a while Adhiraj sent me the list of the guests.

I skimmed through it, and yes Kali construction was there on the list.

I called Adhiraj again, to tell him the plan.

Something interesting was going to happen anyway.