Chapter 31

March’ 2003,
Downtown, Manhattan Borough, NY.

“Meet Mr. Stanley Bloomberg, the chief of the Bloomberg’s Automobile spare parts manufacturing industry from Germany,” Shekar introduced Stanley to Vivek.

“Hello, Mr. Stanley nice to meet you”, Vivek said extending his hands for a handshake.

“Pleasure meeting you,” Stanley replied and Shekar continued “and we have our CEO for the JAPMI, Mr. Satya”. Vivek smiled with his eyes looking at the CEO.

“So, Vivek before signing the contract, let me give you a brief outlook of the project,” Shekar voiced as they took their seats in the hall at Dayanand’s guest house. Shekar displayed a docket to Vivek and Satya, “Stanley is interested in a partnership with the JAPMI industries, the investment from his company will be used for the development of R&D across other countries. Here are the complete details that includes the plan for the expansion of the industry in addition with the total revenue in return the company is assumed to raise”, Shekar said handing over the docket containing contract documents to Vivek.

“Uncle Shekar, I will look into it later in the night, let us finish the formalities,” Vivek said turning a blind over the contract on the horizon, “Mr. Satya, I assume you have already gone through the contract details. As I said before, I am the proxy in dad’s absence. I will sign the file and you lead the proceedings,” he said gesticulating with the twitching fingers, “get me the file”.

“Life in the fast lane”, Shekar spoke a sotto voce, “There you go,” he informed to one of the associate who had arrived alongside with him to assist with the paperwork, “Yep!” the associate replied.

“Sir, please”, a servant served the prosecco in the sparkling wine glass to Shekar and others. “To the JAPMI and Dayanand”, everyone toasted with the prosecco flute. “The glasses preserve the quality of wine,” Vivek talked, “the upright and narrow carafe retains the carbonation and capture the flavour pretty much veritably,” he elucidated on the fermented glera grapes, “perfect Italian brand,” Satya added complementing the wine by taking sides with Vivek.

“Yep, I love it. A glass of wine in the morning will push me forward at work,” Shekar replied.

“In addition to this deal,” Shekar dabbed his mouth with the paper towel, “we have couple of more jobs to bat around,” he flitted eyes on Satya and back on Vivek and talked further, “the vice chairman position has been vacant since the demise of Dayanand, we are in the know of the fact; the board has been sensible about the matter and made a request asking me to fill in the shoes of Dayanand. I have been thoughtful on the selection and I would like you to know that I am being open to the opportunity as the vice chairman of the company,” Satya intervened Shekar, “Sooner we will be having a summit on colloquies for which we will need your presence. The schedule will be brought to your knowledge very shortly,”

“Good,” Vivek uttered, “Nice to see the things are on the track. Happy for the JAPMI,” Vivek said, “what’s more?” he checked on Shekar.

“Second, as you are currently serving as the acting CFO for the SS Chemical Industries, we would like to appoint you as a Full-time CFO that is to say, as the outside member in the board of directors,” Shekar said, “We needed to strengthen the business between the Hadars and SS, that’s the notion which drove us to back you up with the position at SS”

“Me?” Vivek asked nudging his brows upside, “as a full time CFO? After all I haven’t done much to SS being an acting CFO? I am deeply sceptical if I deserve it anymore,”

“Oops! You don’t wanna say it. I know your strengths buddy,” Shekar grinned squizzing on Satya.

“Come on, for one last time”, Satya toasted, “to the Ex CFO,” he paused for a brief period and continued, “of SS, to Mr. Vivek”, he said and the small party began. Vivek had finished all the formalities and was moderately excited while he signed the offer for the full time position but he never realised where those formalities may have lead him and the Hadars.