Work started early for Alysé. She could not afford to miss out on even a single day. The very next day she was on a conference call with her manager, assistant coach and head coach.
"I have compiled a list of players, on the basis of their ATP rankings and their performances in various competitions in last five years," said Jimmy Rogers, team manager. "I have forwarded it to you. We much look at them seriously."
Alysé opened the file on her laptop and scrolled through them. "I will study them carefully." She said. "Also did you take a look at the clubhouse video?"
"Yes, I did. It looks all good to me."
"Looks good to me too," said Ivan Lendl.
"Anything you would like to add?" Alysé asked
"Not really!" they said
"We have put up the requirements for physio, cardio and other support staff. I wish you would join the interview online." She said to Lendl.
"Sure," he responded
"Kritika will mail you the CVs well in advance."
"I'll look at it and make notes," said Lendl.
"Jeffery, could you work out the strategies and possible combinations in all kinds of courts."
"Definitely." He replied, "In fact, I have already started working on it."
"Thank you everyone for your hard work and support." She said.
"Thank You for bringing us aboard," said Rogers.
"It's a pleasure to be a part of this project," said Lendl
"Looking forward to fruitful co-operation," said Jeffery.
The conference call ended on a positive note and brought everyone immense satisfaction. Alysé was particularly pleased with the support and enthusiasm of her team.
"The wheel has started rolling." She thought
Surely, the wheel was rolling, and it rolled in her favour.
"We must get a partner," said Aryan, her manager. "I have compiled a list of interested parties. Look through them." He handed the file to Alysé.
She looked at the names and shut the file. "Not good enough." She sighed.
"We sent our proposal to Kian Jindal, but he has refused it," said Kritika, her secretary.
"We can't afford to waste more time. We need a solid investor."
"I know," said Alysé exasperatedly. "But I can't trust people with loose morals and low standards."
"Basically you want Kian Jindal." He retorted.
"Yes," she said emphatically. "No one negotiates the way he does. No one conducts his business with the kind of honesty as he does. I know I can trust him blindly." She said vehemently.
Aryan slumped in his chair. "Can't you persuade him? After all, he is your family friend. Take him out for dinner, woo him."
Alysé blushed. She was reminded of the recent incident at the airport. "He would help me if I am in distress, but refuses to do business with me." – she thought aloud.
"Why?"
She shook her head. "I don't know."
"Then find out." – he said. "if you want him that badly, then don't wait for him to arrive. Chase him."
Alysé nodded, "That makes sense." She turned to Kritika, "Call up his secretary and fix up a meeting."
Just then, her assistant, Jane entered the room with ruffled expressions on her face. "Excuse me, Ma'am, it's urgent." she blurted
"What is it, Jane?"
"Mr Jindal's PA is on line 2. He wants to speak to secretary Kritika."
They were stunned and speechless.
"What shall I say to him?" Jane was lost,
The wheel had definitely started churning.
Alysé was the first to recover. "Transfer the call to my office." She said to Jane. To Kritika, he said, "Take the call, see what does he want."
The phone rang; Kritika put it on speaker. "Hello, this is Kritika"
"Hi, Kritika. This is Stanley, Kian Jindal's assistant."
"Hi Stanley, how can I help you?"
"Kian Jindal has requested a meeting with Ms Alysé."
"Ok. What date would suit him?" she said with a broad smile.
"Friday at 8. A dinner date."
"A dinner date?" she said in surprise.
"Are you sure he asked for a meeting and not a date date?"
Stanley chuckled and said emphatically - "He prefers robots to girls."
Kritika looked at Alysé. She nodded.
"Friday, it is." – she said decidedly,
"Thank You," said Stanley.
"I will make the reservations and inform you."
"Sure." She said.
Kritika looked at Alysé around in disbelief. "Kian Jindal wants to go on a date with you!" Her eyes lit up like a thousand bulbs.
"He said, he prefers robots to girls," Alysé emphasized.
"He said dinner date – to be precise." Aryan added amusedly, "on a Friday evening? I wonder who is chasing whom?"
Alysé's cheeks burned.
"Something wrong?" Kritika teased, "You are so red, shall I switch on the air conditioner?"
Alysé sighed and shook her head, "I am engaged."
"Engaged?" Aryan jumped up. "When, where, how?"
Kritika walked up to her, took her left hand in hers and said in absolute disbelief, "She is engaged!"
"When?" said Aryan
"Day before yesterday, rather night," Alysé explained.
Aryan looked at her in horror, "You can't get married now!"
"Huh?"
"We have an auction to prepare for. I can't deal with the wedding right now. Postpone it, or better – cancel it. What was Ryan thinking? Or was he even thinking?"
Alysé burst into laughter. This was the best joke he had ever cracked. "I am not getting married now. In fact, we haven't even thought of it yet."
"What do you mean?" Kritika looked concerned.
"The ring is a formal declaration of his sincerity towards me. It's his way of saying that he belongs to me and vice-versa."
"So no marriage?" said Aryan
"There will be one but not now!" she clarified.
"So the dinner date is on!" He said emphatically.
Alysé shook her head in resignation.
"He has made the first move. Now, it's your turn." Aryan suggested. "Try to woo him and sign him up."
But this was easier said than done. She could be tough with total strangers, but Kian knew her well. He has seen her vulnerabilities. How could she even pretend to be businesslike with him?