Inconvenient Convenience--RiKaara FF. (Part 3 Pg. 4 updated May 26th)

My life was an open notebook, in which everyone but besides myself could write in. It was as if only a special pen could produce legible ink when applied to the pages of the notebook and I did not possess that pen. I am twenty-one years old and my life is written for me, every single page of it. Some say that, with wealth, comes minor difficulty. My life, to any outsider, would seem perfect to ever degree: I had all the clothes a girl could wish for, three cars at leisure with respective chauffeurs, butlers and maids at my beck and call, and hundred of people who adored me. However, I hated the clothes I wore, I wasn't able to leave the manor and make use of three chauffeured vehicles, the butlers and maids invaded my privacy constantly, and those hundreds of people who adored me didn't actually adore me, they merely adored the money I came from. My life is the polar opposite of perfect.

Father is an Indian steel tycoon and mother was his mistress he met on a business trip to Bareily, twenty-one years ago. He met her, she gave birth to me, he left his former wife and married my birth mother, my birth mother passed away months later and since then, it has been just him and I. Such are the ways of the wealthy. Quite frankly, it disgusts. Always has.

As I sat in the green parlor, (I solely call it the green parlor because it is the only one painted green at out Indian manor, I watched Rajesh, one of out butlers, pour my tea. I watched at the steam materialized from the contents in my cup and vanish into air. Rajesh gave me a polite no of his head before spinning on his heel and trotting out of the parlour. I let out a sigh; really wishing the staff in our house would be more sociable because more often, than not I missed casual conversation. The tea was hot when it met my lips and I instantly drew back, patting the burn with the cloth napkin from the wooden table beside me. Another sigh escaped from my now burnt lips; this life was lethargic. It droned on every day in the same manner and there was no escape.

Setting the hot tea onto the table, I rose to my feet. I made my way out of the parlor and towards my father's study. He had called (summoned) me and I was already minuted late; he detested waiting more that anything else in the world. I walked through the elegantly ordained hallway, under the lone, ornate chandeliers and the large, antique gold-framed portraits of my grandfathers. My anklets tinkling as I walked, echoing throughout the entire manor in rhythmic steps. If he didn't know that I was heading over before, he knew now.

I turend the nearest corner and opened the large, glass doors before me. Behind them sat a tall, lanky man with white stubble growing on his chin and hazel eyes staring back at me.

"You're late, Gauri" He set the brass pen he had been holding down on the table and pushed away from the desk, rising his feet. He walked over to me, and threw his long arms around me.

I hugged back awkwardly, not used to this sort of affection from my father. I patted his back a few times, assuming that was proper protocol. My father drew apart and returned to his seat, gesturing me to take mine across from him. When I did, he folded his hands over the table and I felt my stomach drop; he had some big news to tell me. In actuality, I had seen it coming all day. He never allowed me to enter his study and, when he did, it was either to yell at me for something stupid I had tried to do or to discuss serious business. I didn't recall doing anything stupid recently, so I assumed he had to talk business with me and that terribly frightening.

"Gauri, you're twenty-four now." he began, licking his lips together as he attempted to piece together what he was going to so.

"I'm full aware of my own age, father." I replied back as swiftly as I could. I kept my posture, holding my back straight and sucking in my stomach.

He smirked at my statement before continuing. "You're a woman, Gauri. You've completed your MBA with honors and I couldn't be more proud."

I nodded compliance, eager to know the course of this conversation.

He cleared his throat for a moment and then loosened the hold of his tie. These were all nerve-wrecking mannerisms for me to observe. He really meant business.

"The steel industry isn't as powerful as it used to be. All the other companies in this industry besides ours, have formed cooperation alliances with other industries, to increase production value. I figured long ago that Sharma Industries would have to form a joint collaboration with one of the major leading industries to double out profits, but I hadn't planned out when or how."

"Father," I pushed my long hair behind my shoulder. "Why did you ask me to join you in the study? what is this all about?"

The expression upon his face was hard to read. "We will marry into the leading cobalt manufacturer in India."

I knew it. This was peak insolence. I was their marionette-like pawn, easily manipulated and controlled.

When I didn't speak aloud, my father continues, albeit hesitantly. "One of the biggest cobalt manufacturers in world is Oberoi Industries. They trade with virtually every country on this planet and have union alliances with every major industry, except for steel. Tej Singh Oberoi is a good friend of mine from years. Of course, they're as desperate as we are to make a cooperation alliance and, interestingly enough, they have a son who is a year older than you."

I gritted my teeth, struggling to keep myself calm. "Couldn't you just sign some paper and establish fair trade agreement?" I muttered. I knew what I was talking about, I was business graduate from IIM, where I had just spent the past two years of my life.

"Marriage is far more permanent." He shook his head. "A signature on paper is as weak and soluble as sugar in water."

I felt heat boil beneath my skin, threatening to reach the surface. I took a few deep breathes. "Arranged marriages are far outdates, father. I'm sure the Oberoi boy wouldn't be interested in such a thing."

"Tej Sing Oberoi already spoke with his son about the matter and claims that he's fine with the proposal."

"Fine? He's fine with the proposal?" the anger was burning hole beneath my skin. "This is absolutely ridiculous!"

"Gauri!" Father shouted.

Immediately, I fell quiet and slumped in my chair, ridding myself of my ideal posture. Whenever he raised his voice I was terrified and couldn't possible argue back. This is how he won every argument.

"Gauri." he repeated, quieter this time. "We are to fly out to Mumbai early tomorrow morning. We will meet with the Oberois, you will formally meet their son, we will arrange the engagement date, and finalize all cooperation alliances between Sharma and Oberoi Industries."

And that was the end of the conversation. I lethargically walked out of the study, gently closing the doors behind me. I stood by the doorway my back leaning against the painted glass and felt my heartbeat hasten. Tears stung at my eyes and threatened to fall but I knew better than that. There was no use crying over this sort of matter. This was my life and I couldn't do anything about it. I was already used to life being written for me so, rather than having a negative attitude, I could approach the matter in a positive light. At least, I could try to do so.

Loved how u portrayed every emotion

How Gauri is trapped in this not so perfect life

She has no say in it at all

But she deals with every thing well

She has a positive attitude

But what about omkara

I am sure he won't have the same attitude

He might have some one else he loves

Such an apt title

Inconvenient convenience

Good job here

Would love to read more

Plz update soon

Waiting eagerly

Can't wait to see where it goes

Cant wait to read more... make us wait no problems but do update 😆...

Thanks for all these lovely n varied RiKara takes.. amazing reads

We were learning about their monopolies in class so it translated here. I actually have the next few chapters typed out and I am pumped on coffee so it'll be in tonight itself.

Thank you girlie

You'll see a glimpse of Omkaara in the next chapter. I write this while I type up a chapter because I am kinda stuck on it.

Update coming soonish.