Chapter 43

Chapter 43: The Take Over

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1) Arjuhisis: Gosh Priya Dear I am overwhelmed by the love you shower over me and my story.😳 Every message that you drop here makes me smile. And you never pester me for updates sweetheart, you just motivate me to write faster.😉 Love you loads...🤗

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~~~~~~

"Arnav..." Khushi breathed wide eyed. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Gathering herself she held his arm that was holding the phone.

He looked at her once, "Yes Akash, get that done right away and let me know." He said and disconnected the call. "Khushi I..."

"No Arnav." She cut him off. "You can't do this. Not for me. Please."

"If not for YOU Khushi; then who?" He asked holding her hand. "You are my wife. I can't just sit and do nothing while the something that matters to you the most is being taken away from you."

"No Arnav, I am upset right now. But of course I'll work out something. Rohan said that anyone from Emerald who wishes can join RC Creations." Though she said it Arnav could see it on her face that she would never join RC Creations.

"You are not 'Anyone' from Emerald, Dammit! You are a partner there." He shot back. "And are you okay to become a mere employee at RC Creations? Don't fool me Khushi I can see that will never happen."

"Arnav please, you don't have to do so much for me." She said awkwardly. "I mean going ahead and BUYING Emerald... I think it is a little too much."

"Look Khushi. I am a businessman and I know where to invest my money. I may have millions but I'll not invest a penny where I know that there is no profit." He said seriously. "Out of curiosity I have been following the performance graph of your Studio ever since it has started. I think Ram Chaudhry is a fool to have decided to close it. But I guess that is why after being in the business longer than me, his RC Creations is still not at the heights where AR is today. Khushi I want to see you happy and that is why I have taken this decision but this is a good decision from business point of view as well. Tell me honestly, today where Emerald stands in the market; does it deserve to be shut down?"

Khushi stared at him marvelling at how quickly he had thought about so many things. No wonder he is so successful at such a young age. She thought. However she was still hesitant and he could see that.

He sighed and spoke with determination. "Khushi I am going to do whatever I can to buy your studio, whether you like it or not. If you are worried about AR involvement in it then I can assure you that you and I will be the only decision makers there. AR has many sister ventures running which do not exactly run under the AR management. Emerald will be one of them."

"No, that's not what I meant... I mean you..." She was looking down unable to meet his eyes.

Suddenly a thought struck Arnav and he pulled back his hand that was holding hers. "Oh I see..." He said his tone suddenly going rigid. "I can understand that you don't want to work with ME. It is only understandable after what..." He closed his eyes in frustration. "I can ask Akash to work with you..."

"No, no Arnav... It's not that." She held his hand this time realising that he had completely misunderstood her. "I only meant that you buying Emerald is such a huge favour. How will I be able to ever make it up? I didn't mean to bring the past up. I know what happened in the past will never happen again. I know you can't. I trust you completely Arnav."

I trust you completely Arnav. It seemed like he had waited a lifetime to hear those words. She trusts me. She trusts me completely. Like a soothing melody, the words kept repeating in his ears, his heart, his mind.

He gripped her hand firmly and spoke, "Khushi I am not doing any favour to you. To support my wife is my duty. Didn't you take care of me when I was weak? So now when I am doing the same why are you hesitating? You don't have to make up for anything. You have to just continue with your work as if nothing happened, only a few things will change Khushi, apart from that I promise no one will ever interfere with your way of working. Akash will only guide you whenever you need help with anything." She nodded and Arnav smiled. "Once everything is settled with RC Creations, I'll talk to Akash about it so tha..."

"Ummm... actually..." She interrupted him. "I think you shouldn't trouble Akash Jiju over this."

Does she really mean what she said? Arnav was amazed on hearing Khushi's words. "You... you mean... you don't mind..."

"I mean we can handle it among ourselves. Akash Jiju is already busy with so many things." She said blushing a little.

Arnav smiled, "Yeah that's right. Akash does have too much on his plate already."

Just then Akash called to confirm that the meeting with RC Creations was fixed post lunch.

~~~~~~

Next day Arnav dropped Khushi at Emerald and left for his work after promising her that he would call her as soon as the meeting was done to let her know about the outcome. Khushi entered in the studio nervously wondering if Rohan's father would agree to sell Emerald or if these were the last few days that she was spending at the place she had practically built from scratch along with Rohan.

As she sat in her cabin, going through her mails, Rohan called.

"What is going on Khushi? Dad says Mr. Raizada wants to buy Emerald. Is this true? What happened? Did you ask him to do this?" Rohan fired his questions the moment Khushi answered the phone.

"ROHAN! Is this what you think of me? Do you think I'll ask Arnav to do something like that?" Khushi asked angrily.

Rohan slowed down his speed. "No, no. Oh my god Khushi I'm sorry, that is not what I meant. I mean I have been so excited by the news. You know I was going crazy ever since the decision to close Emerald had been taken. But when Dad told me that Mr. Raizada wants to buy it I was stunned. I didn't know how to react. I mean of course I'll be sad that I won't be involved with it but at least it will not be closed down. It will still exist and YOU will be running it. What better than that? You know Khushi, ANYTHING is better than seeing it close down. And Mr. Raizada deciding to buy it is just perfect. I mean we have worked so hard for Emerald to be where it is today. I'll be happy to know that it still is working under you. How did it all go though? What happened?" He asked.

"Well, after you left I was really upset and when Arnav came to pick me up he could see that I was not fine. I had to tell him about Emerald closing and after thinking for a while, he decided to meet your dad and talk about taking it over." Khushi answered.

"That's great Khushi. I'm glad he has made this decision. I'm sure he'll convince dad." Rohan said hopefully. "Gosh he really loves you doesn't he? You are one hell of a lucky girl Khushi." He teased her.

"Stop it Rohan!" Khushi almost blushed. "He has been following Emerald's progress. He knows it will be good for business."

"Yeah, good for business and good for him too..." Rohan teased. "Now he won't need excuses to come and see you."

"Okay, that's enough." Khushi said firmly, "I have to go, Susie is waiting for me."

She disconnected the call.

~~~~~~

"I think you're quoting a pretty high price sir." Arnav said calmly.

Rohan's dad Ram Chaudhry had accepted to sell Emerald.

"Yes Arnav, but it is only a fair price for a profitable business." Mr. Chaudhry smiled.

"But completely unfair for a 'closing' business." Arnav put forth his argument. "What I am offering is quite reasonable for a business that you no longer wish to run. As far as I know you don't have any other buyers for it. If you close it down, you wouldn't get even that much. So I think what I am offering is still a bonus for you."

Mr. Chaudhry sat thinking for a while and then smiled. "You have got it son. I can see there is still no one who can win against you when it comes to business. And I am glad Khushi has a life partner like you."

"Thank you sir." Arnav smiled shaking hands with him. "I'll get the papers done and get them sent to you."

Arnav then left Ram Chaudhry's cabin, only to walk into Rohan who was pacing fast outside his father's cabin.

"Oh Mr. Raizada... Sorry... Uh what happened? Did it go fine? Did you get the deal? Dad agreed right?" Rohan asked in nervous excitement.

"Yes Rohan." Arnav replied. "The take over will soon begin."

"Yesss..." Rohan punched his fist in the air. "I can't thank you enough Mr. Raizada, for keeping my Baby going. I was so outraged when dad and those Board of Idiots decided to close down Emerald. I tried to make them understand that there was no need to close it down but they just wouldn't budge. But I'm glad you are taking it over. At least it will be in good hands. I hope you don't mind if I visit sometimes to meet everyone."

"Of course Rohan. I can understand your attachment. You don't have to ask me." Arnav replied, he no longer felt that jealousy he had felt earlier towards Rohan. He smiled at him, patted his shoulder and left from there.

~~~~~~

A few weeks later, Arnav Singh Raizada walked into Emerald Design Studio as one of the owners and presented Khushi the legal papers which stated that She was not just a partner anymore but also an owner there and the primary decision maker in regards to the Studio. Khushi couldn't control her tears and had gladly accepted the support of Arnav's comforting arms.

The employees were given an option to stay with Emerald or move to RC Creations. Almost all of the staff stayed back. Why would they go? Especially, when Arnav had offered everyone salary hikes as per AR standards.

So when Emerald Design Studio officially began it's progress as an AR sister concern, Khushi didn't feel anything really had changed. Except for the fact that she now contacted Arnav whenever she needed help or suggestions and the flow of projects had increased now that the media had publicised that Emerald was Associated to AR.

Rohan's cabin was now taken over by Arnav after getting it refurnished as per his taste and these days he was often seen using it. Khushi felt an odd comfort that Arnav was there by her side. She would feel nice when he would visit the Studio on a random day when there was not really any work for him to do. They would just have lunch together or sit talking casually. In fact whenever work was slow at AR, he would bring it to Emerald just to be with Khushi.

~~~~~~

One afternoon Arnav was working from Emerald when Khushi came into his cabin without knocking. Well she never knocked, they were friends and Arnav liked when she just came in looking for him. After all she was his wife and had every right to do so.

"Arnav, this new supplier is way too expensive. I don't think their costs should be so high." Khushi said getting into a chair opposite him.

"Have you spoken to them?" Arnav asked still a little engrossed with his work.

"I sent them our quotation." She replied.

"And?" He asked still busy typing a mail.

"And they rejected it." Khushi said her voice a little annoyed.

"Haven't you tried to negotiate?" He asked.

"Yes. I have tried to negotiate with them. But they are being pretty stubborn." She said pouting.

He stopped working and looked up at her with an amused expression. "Stubborn? Really? That's interesting. I couldn't imagine anyone being more stubborn than you." He teased.

Khushi's mouth opened in the perfect 'O' "You mean I am stubborn?" She asked shocked.

"Of course." He replied and walked around the table towards her, smirking.

She got up and turned away from him, folding her arms across her chest in frustration.

"Okay, now I can deal with a stubborn supplier but I really have no experience in how to deal with an upset wife." He said.

She looked at him from the corner of her eye and smiled. "Fine I'm not upset. And actually you are right, I AM stubborn..." She paused. "Of course not as much as you though."

"Aha! Nice one Mrs. Raizada." He smirked at her teasing back.

"But Arnav what do we do about this Supplier?" She asked frowning.

"Mail me their contact details. I'll handle them." He replied reassuringly.

"No, no... the Great Arnav Singh Raizada doesn't need to deal with a mere supplier." She was a little surprised that Arnav would himself talk to them. "Just tell me what to do and I'll manage."

He smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's Okay Khushi. Let me deal with them the first time. They are new in business here. They need to learn how to deal with Masters of the trade."

Khushi chuckled. "I'm sure once they have dealt with you, the next time I won't have any issues."

"That's for sure." He said and turned to go back to his seat. "I know how to deal with such people, if not straight forward then forcefully."

"Just like you married me forcefully."

It all happened at once. Khushi gasped and covered her mouth. Arnav froze in his tracks and she could see his back going rigid. She closed her eyes cursing herself for the slip of tongue.

Some time passed but she could see that Arnav hadn't moved at all. She slowly came forward to face him and held both his arms. His face was twisted with guilt and pain and his eyes were closed.

"Ar... Arnav, I'm sorry." She said in a small voice. "I'm really sorry Arnav. I didn't mean it. I was just kidding and I don't know how something like that came out of my mouth." He still hadn't opened his eyes. She moved her hands from his arms to his face holding it firmly. "Arnav? Please open your eyes. Talk to me. Please Arnav, it was a slip of tongue. I didn't mean it. I'm sor..."

"Khushi..." He opened his eyes and looked at her desperately. "Why are you apologising? It's not like you said anything wrong. I completely deserve it after..."

"No..." She cut him off. "Didn't I say that I have forgiven you for whatever happened? Haven't I asked you not to bring up the past again? You don't have to feel guilty anymore Arnav." She tried to explain.

He just stood there looking at her with sorry eyes. She still had her hands cupping her face. She caressed his cheeks making him close his eyes.

"Arnav please don't be upset over this. I really didn't mean it as a taunt. It was completely stupid of me."

He smiled and nodded. "That's okay. Just mail me the supplier's details. I'll talk to them."

"Okay." She said and stepped back. She left for her cabin worried, knowing that Arnav wasn't alright. But she knew he would want to be alone right now.

Arnav slumped on his chair and leaned his head back in deep thought.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Chapter 44: Free

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