Omerta - Ch 11, Pg 29, 10/Sept - Page 20

Chapter 11:

"I don't know what I am supposed to do," Geet said pacing. She was in Rao's office collecting her passport with a stamped visa. "I thought getting passport with all the right documentation under the premium process along with quick police verification would take at least five working days. But here we are," she said still pacing and seeing her photo on the passport.

"And you didn't even had to go sign your name and take a picture," Rao said noting that the girl pacing in front of him was actually aware of the protocol of getting a new passport.

"What will happen if I get caught? What will happen if the Turkish customs in Istanbul find out that the stamping is fraudulent and deports me?" Geet said.

"The guy who got your passport and visa done is very reliable," Rao replied. Geet stopped and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "He gets this done all the time for us," he added for a good measure. She sighed.

"I still don't know what I am supposed to do when I meet Maan." Geet clenched and unclenched her fist in a nervous habit.

"It's not very easy to get to Maan. There is first circle of security who would be dressed in casuals but don't carry any weapons. They are weapons. They are mercenaries trained in harshest condition and are paid really well. There is a rumor that they even get health insurance. The second circle of security rivals a country's politician. Armed men trained in every sort of weapon out there. Even a safety pin lying on the ground can become their weapon. Then there is the third and inner most circle. They are personal body guards who have received extensive training and Khan may look like an old man but the rap sheet that he has acquired over his career is available in several volumes."

"He looks scary too," Geet said picking the file she was given ten minutes earlier by Rao. The file contained pictures and basic information about the personnel surrounding Maan. She wondered if Rao knew the extent of her association with Maan.

"And let's not forget about Maan," she heard Rao say when the latest page she had flipped revealed the man himself they were talking about.

"What about him? There doesn't seem to be too much of information on him." She asked hoping to get to know more about the enigmatic man.

"He is a mystery." Rao said his annoyance obvious on his face. "I am glad Vikram and Varun like him." He added and removed his spectacles. His age reflected when he stopped being menacing and his eyes softened a bit. "He keeps to himself and is never in public eye. He isn't on anyone's eye actually. He doesn't go to parties or soirees or any gathering that requires interaction with anyone else." Rao said throwing his spectacle.

"So imagine the surprise his visit to Skoda garnered." Geet finished quietly. Rao nodded.

"Varun may be a moron but the idea isn't bad." He said finally looking at the young woman in front of him.

"You want me to get you some information on him under the pretext of seducing and sleeping with him," she said slapping the file on the table.

"Be his mistress for all I care," Rao replied carelessly. "But yes, I do need information on him." He added for a good measure.

"Is there an option to say 'no' for this deal?" She asked fully knowing the answer.

"Of course Geet, we aren't forcing anyone here," Rao said without blinking. She knew exactly what his words translated to. You won't make it to your home after you step out of this office.

"What should I tell Varun when he asks me about this?" Geet asked fully knowing Rao was the one who was pulling the strings.

"Anything you want Geet. I particularly don't care even if you make up stuff." Rao shrugged. "You are the first person who Maan wouldn't be repulsed with."

She wondered if Rao would dance or shoot her if she told him that she had spoken and at one point even mildly flirted with him. She stood up picking up the folder that Rao had given her earlier.

"Have a safe flight," Rao said. Geet nodded. She waved a feeble goodbye and started walking out. Rao's voice stopped her when she was about to open the door. "Don't mess this up." He said and went back to the file he was reading.

She didn't mess the underlying threat.

*****

"What the hell are you doing here?" A familiar voice laced in anger made her choke on champagne. She didn't know who but someone had taken courtesy on her and booked her in business class. She knew that she was posing as a rich tourist who happened to be in the same hotel as Maan but she hadn't honestly expected a high class treatment. Her alibi was very simple – it was a sponsored trip from Skoda for her overall performance. It was laughable but then again it wasn't her major headache.

Her major problem was standing fifteen inches away from her with a business bag and coat in his hands. Maan wasn't an idiot to believe in a stupid alibi like hers.

"I am going to Tokyo," she deadpanned. He rolled his eyes and sat next to her. She looked at him in surprise and bit her lip when he showed her the boarding stub.

"What are you doing here Geet?" He asked her again, now his voice dropping to a whisper. She had planned on telling him the alibi but she let it pass.

"I am here to seduce you," she replied in a whisper matching his. His expression, however, was worth her plane ticket.