"No, no. no means no! I definitely won't do it. Want me to cross dress? In your dreams!"
Arjun protested angrily while trying to shook off the pair of burly women in black suits who held him tightly from either sides. But his struggle was futile. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't get free. After all, his strength stat was just 7, below that of an average human (10). Not to mention that the pair of ladies who are holding him were top notch body guards of Sophia whose strength should be around 30 or 40.
"What? Didn't you promise me that you will do one thing for me. You are not going back on your words now, are you?"
Daring to take of advantage of me? I'll see if you dare to do that again? Looking at Arjun's embarrassed face, which doesn't have the earlier's smug and roguish expression, Sophia smiled very brightly.
"Promise my ass, you just threatened me to do it. Even if you don't count that, didn't I already gave a good script for free?"
Arjun refuted her words through gritting his teeth and increased his struggle. Alas, the lady body guards didn't even flinch. They stood firmly as they were holding a weak chicken instead of a man.
"Tsk, stop arguing. No matter how much you argue, it'll useless. Maya, Saya, bring him to Ms Shakila. He- I mean she should be in makeup room."
Sophia ignoring Arjun's protests, ordered her two body guards.
The two burly ladies nodded their heads expressionlessly and dragged Arjun away.
"I will remember this Sophia."
Arjun knowing that it would be futile, stopped struggling and closed his eyes, accepting his fate. What can he do? He was the one who gotten himself in this mess. He could only hope that he will find a way to escape before he was fully dressed up as a female.
Sophia and Nithya looked at each other and laughed. The helpless expression on his handsome face, it was rather... cute and interesting; they couldn't help but laugh.
The others sympathized with Arjun, but they didn't have to guts to speakout, they could only ignore everything as if nothing happened and resume their works.
In a while, Sophia and Nithya stopped laughing. Sophia once again reverted back herself as the previous mischievous lady was an hallucination. She expressionlessy glanced at Director Shankar
"Mr.Shankar, you know what to do, right?"
According to Arjun's script, the location should be a basket ball training room. The SKS studious is huge; it is one of best filming places in Hyderabad city. There should be atleast one or two free basket ball training rooms in the building. He had to arrange the equipment for the shoot.
"Yes Madam, I will prepare everything."
Director Shankar nodded his respectfully. He told something to his assistant before walking away with his team. This room was originally the filming location according to the previous script. Now the script changed, The cameras, lightings, props, everything has to be removed.
In a while, the place became empty as everyone left, remaining only Sophia and Nithya. Now they were alone, Nithya face became solemn. With some hesitation, she spoke
"Madam, that script-"
"I know. You don't have to say anything."
Sophia interrupted her before Nithya could finish and took out her phone. Her personal things aside, business is business. Even Nithya could analyse Arjun's script's impact, how could she not? If this commercial is released successfully, the benefits Starlight will gain will not be small. While the SKS Entertainments itself won't profit much economically according their previous contract. So they had to change the terms.
In few seconds, the call connected.
"Hello Mr Williams. This is Sophia Raushan."
"Oh so it's Ms Sophia. Was the commercial ready? We hope you will send it's trial by tomorrow night. After all, the famous Spirit Award Fest will start next week. We have to start advertising at least a five days prior."
"Mr.Williams doesn't need to worry about that. Since we took the contract, we will naturally finish it in time."
"Are you sure, Ms Sophia? Don't forget not any commercial will do. It should at least had to be on the level of those from other regions in India."
"That won't be a problem. That aside, I have a few requests."
"... Requests? Can you tell them first, I will decide after asking Madam CEO."
"Sure. First, I would like to change the terms about commercial copyrights. I hope SKS entertainments will hold full copyrights. Second we want change the broadcast time from indefinite to 6 months. For the future broadcast, we can discuss a new contract and finally the payment method. We want to change the previous fixed amount to a new method. If the number of units sold in Telangana region is less than that of in any other regions in India, you guys don't have to pay us anything. We will do all the advertising for free. But if it is more, we would like to take 10% of profit for every extra unit to the highest of sales in other regions. Surely it won't be much, right
Mr. Williams?"
"This... I'll let Madam know and give you reply by today's night. If there anything else, please let know."
The voice on the other side suddenly seems to be excited but quickly calmed down.
"Hmm.. that's all for now Mr.Williams."
After she hung up, Sophia and Nithya looked at each other and smiled. While the other party didn't promise in the end, they know it won't be long for them to take the bait. Infact there was no reason for them to not to. In general cases, the conditions Sophia gave was if anything, beneficial to the other party. So there was indeed no reason for the other party to refuse Sophia's offer.
.....
Center of Delhi City, National Capital of India, a region independent city situated in the north-central part of the country.
Highest floor of Starlight Private Limited International company's headquarters
A beautiful woman around 30 years with mysterious aura surrounding her sat on the office chair, seems to be deep in thought.
A young man stood not to far from her respectfully. Even thought the woman was beautiful and bewitching, he hung his head low, not daring to look at her directly.
"Are you sure this was what she said, Williams?"
The mysterious asked the young man with furrowed brows.
"Yes Madam, That's what she told."
The young man replied with puzzled expression. He didn't understand why his madam was even hesitating. No matter how you look at it, the conditions Sophia offer were obviously beneficial to them. Initially he too felt a bit puzzled about why Sophia proposed those self loss inducing conditions, but as he thought about SKS Entertainments situation, he concluded it must be that Sophia offeed such conditions in order to curry favour with them.
The mysterious lady didn't agree Immediately. She was more wise and experienced than her subordinate. She never of thought of Sophia curry favouring with them. From her knowledge of Sophia, she wasn't a fool who would do something shallow and meaningless. There must be some trick involved.
All the three conditions were bizarre. First, the copyrights. While the copyrights of commercials are not much of use, the products' companies always contain them. For the TV channels, they weren't of much use. So why would Sophia even ask for copyrights?
Second, the broadcast duration. If she remember correctly, weren't the SKS Entertainments in need of sponsors, so they should be hoping for a long term relationship. Why would she ask for such a short duration of 6 months?
And last but the most important, payment method. Though Starlight International company is new to India, that doesn't mean she didn't do her homework. According to the information she gathered, Apart from the independent city Delhi, there were a total 10 regions in India including Telangana region.
Economically Telangana region is at the lowest when compared to other regions. There will be no way the selling units in that region will be highest. By chance, even if they are, it won't be much difference. So why would Sophia ask for such a payment method?
Unless...
"Interesting... Agree to her conditions. I wanna see what she is up to."
The mysterious woman relaxed and chuckled lightly. Whatever. Either way, it will be beneficial to them, so it doesn't matter.
"You can leave now. Oh, you said they will send the commercial video for trial, right? send it to me."