I walked in to a chorus of congratulations and hearty backslaps from the team. We had done it! Against all odds, we had not only met but surpassed the seemingly insurmountable sales targets. It was a moment of triumph.
In the early hours of the morning, I had diligently worked to implement the final corrections, ensuring that the true numbers were reflected in our records. However, in doing so, I had exposed the full extent of my involvement in the previous data manipulation. I had held back till the very end. My attempt to control the narrative. But now, I could no longer deny the consequences of my actions.
"But what the hell," I thought. "I had already resigned. Maybe they would go easy knowing that I was already on my way out."
After office hours, we headed to our old watering hole. As we sat down, I wondered how I would broach the subject of Anjali's offer. But my team beat me to it.
Sagar started. "Bro, we all got your message but it wasn't required. We had already decided we weren't going near her," he declared, his tone tinged with a hint of apprehension.
Bhuvan chimed in, "What we learned about her nearly gave us a heart attack"
I was curious. What had they discovered about Anjali that had sent shockwaves rippling through the team? That she was extremely clever and manipulative and literally had the whole team wrapped around her little finger? I didn't think they had really seen through her yet.
Then Sagar said, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and dread , "We did a bit of digging into Anjali's family background. Do you know the family she comes from?"
As he uttered the name of the prominent Delhi-based Ahuja business family known for their political connections, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. Anjali's background was far more formidable than I had imagined.
"Well, for starters, her father is a big shot in the political scene," Sagar began, his tone laced with a hint of awe. "He started off as a businessman before joining politics a decade back. Rumor has it he's got connections that stretch all the way to the top. And, her mother is no pushover either. She's a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Runs the family business empire that spans multiple industries. They say she's got a mind like a steel trap."
"Quite the power couple," Bhuvan chipped in.
"You bet," Sagar agreed. "But here's the kicker—Anjali's got two older brothers, both of whom are elected members of the local government. And both are heavyweight businessmen in their own right. Each is a force to be reckoned with."
"Bro, if we even think of touching her, we will be castrated," Sagar proclaimed, his words dripping with dark humor. "As for a weekend, it will be the last weekend of our lives if we go through with it."
I stared at him bemused. So, this was how Anjali had planned it all the way ahead. She never had any intention of fulfilling her promise, of bestowing upon us the reward she had so liberally dangled before our eyes. As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, I felt a sense of reluctant admiration for her cunning and foresight. She had played us all like pawns on a chessboard, orchestrating every move with a precision that bordered on genius. With a powerful family like that protecting her back, she always knew that the team would not even dare to go through with her offered reward even if they accepted it.
And I just couldn't keep my stupid ass out of trouble, could I? I felt a chill creep up my back, mingled with a tinge of dark amusement at my own predicament. As Sagar spoke, I couldn't help getting vivid flashes of all the touching that had happened the night before. With a wry smile, I allowed my imagination to conjure up a myriad of terrifying scenarios involving Anjali's formidable family members—two of whom were elected members of the local government. The thought of facing their wrath sent a shiver down my spine, amplified by the effects of the alcohol flowing in my blood.
But then, with a shrug, I dismissed the morbid thoughts that threatened to consume me. After all, I was in enough trouble. What difference could some more trouble make? The past month had been a relentless rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, culminating in the chaotic events of the past two days. I was still processing all that had happened.
But now I decided to get drunk with guys and get a good night's sleep. That cheered me up.
Raising my glass high, I grinned at my teammates, "Well cheers to that and to us being the perfect gentlemen"
A chorus of cheers echoed around the table as glasses clinked together.
We sat there late drinking away. Next day was Saturday, so no one had any worries. I could finally push my worries away and get into the mood. So, what if I had resigned without a job in hand, I was in hot water due to my activities over the past three months and to top it all off, had slept with the wrong woman. None of it mattered in that fleeting moment of happiness. We had met the targets and no gangbang weekend. for now, that was all that mattered.
I took a cab back home and crashed.
My sleep was dreamless except towards the latter part where it kept on getting disturbed by bangs and bells. Then I woke up with a start. Those sounds were real. They were coming from my door.
I looked at my clock. It was 8 am. Who was it at this hour?