ARSHI -SS- The Rise of the Phoenix update page 14 - Page 4

The Rise of Phoenix

Chapter 4

The bidding had already started and was now between two rivals - AR construction and Gutpa Fashion house. They both wanted the site for expansion. Khushi didn't want the site nor did she need it. But she was here to screw one or both over. She arrived late -marking her entrance -the stage was set but this time she was the puppet master who knew how to pull the strings.

As per usual impeccably dressed in one of her own - enough to get the flash bulbs igniting.

When the Phoenix arrived she made sure that heads turned. Her presence was felt and murmured through the crowd- what did she want her, this was a private auction for serious players. Her presence was acknowledged as she partook in the bidding.

Khushi noticed that as soon as she started Arnav stopped. He was no longer playing but watching. She noticed that every time she entered the ring to take them on he withdrew.

She was going to have to change the rules when she went after him. He was watching her every move, waiting at the side line. She would have to be careful around him.

Shashi Gupta didn't care, this Phoenix, this Khushi was not going to win this round. She had already taken two victories away from him. Part of him couldn't help admire her - after all whose daughter was she! All that time she had spent with him she had learnt something or had she learnt after she had disappeared. He had looked for her -but never found her. Hmmph the women in his life had a knack for disappearing first his wife then his daughter. But she had returned to take him on and she was currently in the lead. Initially he thought that she was not a worthy adversary but she was in the lead -she was playing the game better than he was. He was going to have to re-evaluate the situation, but dam if she was going to win this round.

The bidding took off in earnest well beyond the expected valuation, not in lakhs but crores. Then suddenly when the bid was with her father she waved her hand signalling that it was too rich for.

Shashi Gupta was triumphant he had beaten his daughter. He could taste the triumph and victory. He was back on top and she was where she belonged below him. How dare she even think she was his equal- that she could take him on in the business world, or for that matter any worlds and win. There was no way she was going to come out the winner. Just as quickly as his emotions had reached their pinnacle he felt himself plummet to earth with a resounding thud.

Phoenix went up to the sellers and smiled loud enough for only Shashi and Arnav to hear "I told you to sell and I also told you how much it would sell over the valued price. That should be enough for you to rebuild your world"

Phoenix looked Shashi Gupta up and down -" I was taught by the masters never to lose the cost is to great. How long did your hollow victory last Mr Gupta - till next time. Ohh there will be a next time - I understand you are going after the Shesherio contract see you their!"

With that Khushi and her team left.

Reporters and observers not quite sure who was the victor her but one thing was for certain there was some bad blood between Phoenix and Shashi Gupta. That was not hard - he was renowned in the business world for having a ruthless reputation. But what was the relationship or history between Phoenix and Shashi Gupta.

As soon as the trio were back in the comfort of their car NK asked "what the hell Khushi ?"

"NK not here back in our rooms do you know how far those mics can pick up sound smile till we reach our rooms.

As soon as there suite room was shut "What was that about the Shesherio contract- you gave him the heads uphe will be looking to undercut our bid"

"NK ,Preeto how important is the Shesherio contract to his fundamental business -he will be so busy chasing it ,he will actually forget to look closer to home -his bread and butter contracts; while he is chasing one we will be chasing all the others -we have our work cut out and we will have to do this quickly and quietly. I have already looked at the weak points in all the contracts and the weaknesses in their owners. If you follow my lead in the next 6 weeks we will control Gupta Fashions by its balls- and then the fun will really begin. He will win the Shesherio contract at the expense of everything else."

"Khushi - you are not going to find peace by destroying him"

"No Preeto - I don't think I will ever find peace - how can one - he sold me not once but twice and then he tried to get rid of my child. But she was a fighter and she lived on to fight. It was her mother that gave in, it was her mother who couldn't protect her, it was her mother who let her down. It was her death that gave me life. She gave me the strength to return and ask for justice. Men like him should not be allowed to live - he has destroyed three innocent lives that I know about- how many more do you think he has destroyed along the road to his success."

"Which three innocent lives? Yours, your daughter and Arnav's?"

"He has had a part in all this -he left me to the jackals - to be torn apart bit by bit, he broke my heart into so many pieces that even if you found all the shattered shards you wouldn't be able to glue it together. Even if you did fix miss most of it, there would always be pieces missing. How do you fix something that is so badly broken that it will never be fully functional again?"

"Khushi you are the Phoenix -you rose from the ashes and your tears will heal you if you allow them to fall. Remember the Phoenix's tears are all powerful they will heal whomever they touch that includes you Khushi. Allow yourself to feel and breathe to forgive and live again -forget this plan -and let's go home."

"Preeto the wheels once set in motion can't be stopped -the injured lion is far more dangerous than the sleeping lion. That is what I have done. I have injured the lion and he is now out for blood -mine. I warned all of you once the wheels were set in motion there was no going back till the end-the final scene."

"Khushi you said three innocent lives -who is the third?"

"My mother!"

Now both Preeto and NK looked up in astonishment - her mother? Her mother had abandoned her to her fate a long time ago, she had disappeared into the mists of time and no one knew where she had gone.

Why do you think my mother left because she was happy -she left because he made her life so miserable, she alone could disappear without too much question. If I disappeared then my father would never give up the search. What he owned he owned. My mother never thought he would try and destroy me in that way. She felt that he cared about me. Well we all know how that turned out can you imagine what he did to my mother? He has a lot to pay for - three innocents"

"Khushi if you have known about your mother all this time why did you not tell us ?"

"All of you know who my mother is - she just never tells anyone in case he finds her - even now after all this time she lives in fear of discovery. If I can control my father's wealth I can buy her freedom and maybe she can find her peace and happiness ,that she deserves"

"But Khushi who is your mother?"

Khushi smiled -a rare event as her thoughts flew back to her mother.