ARSHI -SS- The Rise of the Phoenix update page 14 - Page 2

The Rise Of The Phoenix

Chapter 2

Khushi , NK and Payal had scrutinising the papers every picture and word written had been looked at dissected for hidden meanings any clue in the papers to her true identity had not been revealed.

She still had the mask of Phoenix publically. As long as she had her mask Khushi felt in total control.

No one could get near her. She knew that both men responsible for her past had been there last night , she had seen neither of them, that she had made sure. Give them a glimpse, leave them wanting more that was what she had intended for both in different ways. Grab the trophy gain the number 1 position that's all that counted. Her had grabbed the prize from right under her father's nose. He never gave credence to the underdog, only the established main frame players were in his line of sight. Everyone else was not worth his time. From now on he would look, no matter how small the opponent was. He would take the time to carefully consider each player. Next round he would be more ready, but she had been taught by the best and she had learnt pretty quickly the value of herself in their market. The Pawn was back to play again except now she was a queen she had gained the skills to take them on , her game plan held every possible outcome and in every strategy she came out the eventual winner - in some the cost was higher and in others it was lower. But in all her game plans no one other than the three contenders would be hurt, her father, her husband and herself, of that she had made sure. Those two would lose to a far greater extent she would be the minor casualty this time around. There would be no innocent casualties in this war of that Khushi had made sure. She had lost so much already Khushi questioned what more could she lose?

The second man that had to be enticed she knew she had him hooked -his favourite colours red and gold she wore the outfit to reveal enough cleavage to leave the observer wanting more.

When she twirled in the swathes of chiffon it revealed enough of her shapely legs up to her thighs. He would want to see more. She knew there was striking maturity about her since he had last seen her he would come after her. She knew he wouldn't be able to resist. She had sweetened the honey pot just enough to let people think that Phoenix designs was a small company looking for partners to aid in financial expansion. The same thought that had been her father's all those years ago. Second time around who would lose -not her!

"The emails are flooding in with orders queries, joint venture possibilities more dates invitations there is so much - Phoenix Designs is an overnight success Khushi lets make the most of it . Get Phoenix to the top and forget the rest."

"NK it's only the rest that got me so far it's my driving force, you remember that jar in my office what do you think is in that jar -it holds pride of place. You all think that vase is important to me."

She looked up tears shimmered in her eyes, she now only ever opened her soul to the two people she loved and trusted the most NK and Preeto. They could see the pain seared into her soul even after all these years -she had never told them fully what had happened but they knew the cost -her child.

Sudden realisation dawned on the pair as they looked "Khushi you have not let her go after all these years. It's been 8 years Khushi - you need to let her go Baby you can't heal till that day"

"I promised her that either both her parents would let her go or both the men responsible for her death would pay and then I would say bye to her till, then her ashes are with me -they are my driving force"

"Khushi whatever the outcome of this one way or another the little ones ashes have to be scattered -you can't move on till that has happened. How long are you going to let revenge be your driving force ? This amount of energy is best spent doing something for other people leave revenge behind no good can come of it -you are not that kind of person"

Preeto got up and came to Khushi - after tis whatever the outcome we have to let her ashes go -promise me you will do that - Promise me Khushi ...PROMISE ME KHUSHI ON YOUR DAUGHTERS ASHES YOU WILL LET HER GO !"

"I promise after this ... I will let her go ...but I will win first !"

"But what's the price Khushi ? What if the price is to high ? Then what ?"

"Where these men are concerned human cost is inconsequential only by money and power counts , so money and power is where I am going to get them. I am going to turn the screws first on Gupta Fashion house first and then AR designs."

All these message any from my main competitors?"

"Only Gupta Fashion House"

Ignore all invites for three days let's take a holiday and be unavailable lets go back home for at least a week or two be unavailable. Curiosity will not die about Phoenix but when she is not seen at the next few events as is tradition- it will get tongues wagging and then we will make a comeback at the Derby races - At every major event we will be seen - the three of us wearing Phoenix designs. We will attend a few races and disappear we won't be seen at the after events. I am already in negotiations with the owners of the horse that I think is likely to win the race or at least make a good showing. I was a rich man's daughter I learnt a lot of things that I didn't even know that I had learnt from my father; I imbibed a lot of things just by being around him. He taught me the meaning of winning and ruthless. Remember I always back the underdog. I have already convinced the owners that Phoenix will be part owner of the horse and both the horse and jockey will wear Phoenix's colours and designs in the finale. Win or lose Phoenix will be

"Khushi we don't have the time come up with all these designs"

"Do you really think I don't have some spectacular designs up my sleeves the drawings are already done ready to go to production for all three of us ,the jockey and the horse -remember this has been long in the planning .Time to go back home - regroup make our designs we will back in three weeks for the races !

Both Preeto and NK looked on excited but guarded hoping that they would come through safe and unscathed -it had taken them a both a long time to drag her out of her depression. If things didn't turn out the way she wanted where she would end up and if they did would she be able to live with the guilt of what she had done or would she fallback down the spiral of hell and depression that had hold of her for so long. Who could make her see she was on a self destructive path and all they could as bystanders be there for her and pick up the shattered pieces again when the final curtain on her drama closed. They were sure she wouldn't leave this stage unscathed.

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Ok so how's it coming ?

The rate at which I develop this story is much slower - I will pop an OS in between if the gap becomes too long-while I try and develop the plot part off the missing 8 years but the flesh still needs work

Any suggestions are always welcome.