Chapter 13
As if by telepathy, Prem's phone rang on cue. It was Hardikar.
"I can't charge any less, those are my rates." Prem assumed Hardikar was a hard bargainer.
"Charge me double, I'd pay it. I'd like to make you an offer you can't refuse. "
"Let's hear it, but I can't commit till next year."
"That bogus shoot got me thinking, you would fit in well here. Even your fake shots were better than most people's real shots."
"Like I said, next year is a better time for me."Prem had agreed to that one off shoot for Hardikar because he thought he could wing it easily and it wasn't a conflict of interest for him. He didn't think it was necessary for him to inform FarOut that Vanilla was doing a decoy shoot at Biilingsgate. Hardikar paid well for half a day's work and Prem had done it. Now Prem was wondering whether this madness in Hyde Park was Fari's decoy shoot. What were these two rivals up to?
"You take the best pictures I've ever seen. I like what you do. I want to do a spread featuring models. The whole look, the person, not just the clothes." Hardikar was pitching what sounded like music to Prem's ears.
Hardikar contined, "I'm booking every model I can get. Starting now. Let me know when you can shoot."
Prem was a bit taken aback. EVERY model? How many? But if anyone could make it happen, Hardikar could.
"I'll let you know in 48 hours."
"Thank you."
Prem rang off and turned to find Heer looking at him.
"What did you think of Vic?" Heer was keen to know Prem's view.
"Her clothes? I don't know. But the shoot was wild. Doesn't Fari plan anything properly?"
"This is how she works. And it produces results. You saw how well the shoot went. I think we could have our November look right here." Heer didn't know what Fari's final decision about November would be. But she wanted to keep Prem guessing.
Shanu decided to walk past them, "You two, maybe we can continue talking indoors?"
Heer and Prem carried some of the equipment and walked. Shanu followed, Brad was laden down with stuff which he had to load onto the truck. Fari was yelling at everyone and no one in particular. She had waved Vic off and also posed for some paparazzi types who knew who she was and were wondering what Hardikar would think when she saw Fari Kapoor splashed all over the papers with Mrs Becks.
Prem was thinking all sorts of things while Heer talked about Vic and how great it was that fashion was becoming more eclectic and unpredictable. She wondered whether Prem was going to report to Hardikar. If he was working for her then he would have to. Hardikar would have to grin and bear it. Fari had won this round. Heer was loyal to a fault. She had decided that Fari's haphazard way of working out fashion trends was a good thing. Exciting. The plotting and planning was left to Hardikar and Prem!
How could she carry on talking to him without telling him she knew.
"You know about me doing the Billingsgate shoot for Vanilla I suppose." Prem said it matter of factly.
Heer nearly dropped the tripod she was carrying and Prem made to help.
"Billingsgate?" Heer didn't know what to say.
"Two days ago. Vanilla asked me to do a shoot for them."
"Well if Fari's ok with it then none of my business. But I'd like to know what you shot."
Prem gave her a sideways look. He couldn't decide whether Heer was joking or serious. He decided she was serious.
"I can show you some shots back at the office. And Fari doesn't know. Didn't think I needed to tell her."
"Why not?" Heer couldn't keep the anger out of her voice now.
"Because she doesn't own me. No one does."
Heer was trying to work out what to say and do next when Anu caught up with them.
"I don't know what Fari's next adventure is going to be, so I'm going to design the cover starting today with today's shoot. Everyone ok with that?"
Heer wasn't saying anything so Prem spoke, " Well whatever I managed to take needs to be looked at. Can't say if it's good enough yet."
Heer found her voice, "No I think today's shoot was a coup! Vic's collection is the star of the shoot. Fari will definitely use it."
Anu speeded up and walked ahead of them. Now they would have to wait. Would Prem pass this on to Hardikar? Would Hardikar fall for it? Oh there's no business like the fashion business!