“I say you need to bring the lovely lady here. She needs to see you on your home turf anyway. Bring her to Detroit. It’s springtime, the weather is decent. This is the ideal time.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he said.
“Isn’t it a twenty-four-hour flight or something like that? She might not like flying that far. I wouldn’t,” Abigail said.
“Naledi doesn’t mind flying. She’s traveled back and forth between Cape Town, France, and England since we landed our major account with Unilever. Flying isn’t a problem for her. As a matter of fact, it’s easier for her because she speaks so many languages.”
“Oh” was Abigail’s response. Naledi couldn’t possibly be that perfect, nobody was. Abigail was somewhat embarrassed by her reaction but couldn’t shake the feeling of being replaced in Don’s life. Abigail was sure Naledi was a wonderful woman, but couldn’t she find another man to dote on her?
“Your entire face lights up when you talk about her. Are you seeing what I’m seeing, Abigail?” Madeline asked.
“Not really. You know how Don is. He’s good about complimenting the women in his life. That’s just how he is.”
He grinned.
“No, there’s a little more to it than his usual complimentary self. Am I right, Don?” Madeline said.
He grinned wider.
“As long as you’re pleased, I’m pleased, especially if you’re here. Plus, I like Naledi and, on top of it, she’s beautiful.”
“That’s an understatement,” Don added. That was it for Abigail. She’d stomached enough talk about Naledi. They made her sound like a flawless princess. Abigail had been through the grueling experience of being discounted while an unknown woman consumed her man’s time. Sheba was it for Joel and now Naledi for Don. He wasn’t Abigail’s boyfriend, but Don was most definitely her close friend, which was the next best alternative. She had made a mistake with Joel, waiting idly by and letting him slip away. She’d learned her lesson and wasn’t willing to make the same mistake. “Don, excuse me, can I please speak with you outside for a minute?”
“Everything okay?” Madeline asked.
“Everything’s fine. I just need to talk off-line for a few minutes. Please excuse us,” Abigail told Madeline.
Don followed Abigail into the hallway. They sat at the mini sitting area located outside Madeline’s office.
“What’s going on?” Don asked with an evident look of concern. Abigail didn’t know where to start. “Are you okay?” he asked, dropping his gaze to catch hers as she stared at the coffee table. He grabbed her hand and lifted it slowly. Her gaze followed.
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?” he said, enveloping her hand completely in his and drawing closer. “Are you sick?” he asked.
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
“Then what is it?” he said, fishing for her gaze to stay lifted long enough to maintain eye contact with his.
“I’m embarrassed to say this, but I feel slighted by your relationship with Naledi.”
“What?”
“I know.” She wanted to pull her hand away but Don didn’t release it. “I can hardly believe my own reaction.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Don stated.
This time she was able to rip her hand free. “I know it’s the last thing you were expecting to hear. You are swamped with DMI contracts, the takeover, your LTI business, and, on top of that, I’m burdening you with my personal feelings. I’m sorry, how selfish of me.”
“Don’t look at it like that. I am surprised hearing this from you, but I’m glad you told me.” He sat back in the seat.
“So, what exactly are you saying?” she asked.
“I don’t know what I’m saying,” he said. “You’re important to me and we’ve always been honest with each other. I felt like I had to tell you about my feelings toward Naledi.”
“After dealing with Joel and Sheba, the thought of watching you and Naledi together doesn’t sit well with me. I’m really sorry, because I really do want you to be happy. I really do.”
“What about Joel? What are your feelings for him?”
“There’s nothing left between us. Honestly, I don’t think there ever was anything real.”
“You understand how complicated a relationship between us could be. Joel is my brother, even though we’re not brotherly.”
“I know, and I’m not sure that I’m asking for a relationship,” she responded.
“Then what are you asking for?”
“I don’t know. What I do know is that Naledi makes me feel uncomfortable,” she said, watching Don grin. “Why are you smiling like that?”
He hunched his shoulders. “I’m listening to you and wondering what I’m going to do with you. The time when I hoped to have this conversation with you, there didn’t seem to be any romantic interest from you.”
“I didn’t realize how you felt then.”
“Well, that’s true. I wasn’t exactly as forthcoming as I should have been, but the truth is that a great deal of hurt and circumstances and other people have reshaped our situation and our feelings.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No,” he said, getting close to her again. “You did the right thing. No matter what happens with DMI or with us, we need to protect our friendship. Let’s start there and see where we go. What will be, will be. You’re the one who told me that destiny is inescapable.”
Don had once longed to hear the words of love and interest flow from Abigail’s lips to his ears. Why had she waited so long? The situation was complicated. He wanted to be settled and build a family. It was his dream. Naledi was safe and totally committed to him. He wasn’t sure about Abigail. Her heart was torn and in the process of being repaired. Naledi was whole and ready. What he valued most was her purity. She wasn’t tainted by Joel. There wasn’t a lingering stench of secondhand love. There was a priceless tag he placed on being first in a woman’s heart.
chapter
36
The Jet Airways crew announced the approach into Jaipur, India. “Welcome to the Pink City,” said the attendant who’d serviced first class since they’d left Mumbai.
“I don’t mean to complain, but this has been an incredibly long flight, or I should say series of flights. I’ve been exhausted since the stopover in London,” Sherry said, collecting her book and a few other items around her seating area.
“I didn’t think it was too bad. First class seats definitely help.” Joel shrugged. There was a person on the flight from London to Mumbai nagging at his memory. No words were exchanged, but the brief eye contact was sufficient to stir a notion of familiarity. Joel couldn’t recall who the man was. His mother snapped him back into the conversation.
“I’m glad Zarah’s family is handling the arrangements, because I’m pooped. I won’t be of any help for at least a week. Thursday to Saturday, three days of travel is grueling for your old mother.”
“I’m glad you’re with me,” he said. More than she realized.
“You need me. I’m here,” she said.
He didn’t need validation for his decision to purchase Harmonious Energy but a friendly face on foreign soil was difficult to refute. There was a time when his spiritual convictions surrounded him incessantly, giving Joel a sense of security. Since he’d opted to pursue his own path, being alone became an everyday truth.
“Did you figure out why the person looked so familiar to you on the flight from London?”
“I haven’t yet, but it’s irking me.” Odds would have said that he wouldn’t see anyone he knew from the U.S. His goal was to secure the deal, get married, and return to Detroit without anyone back there finding out until he was ready to spin the news in his favor. The person on the other plane was a loose end, one he wanted desperately to neutralize, after he could figure out who it was.
“I’m sure it will come to you,” Sherry said, but it offered little comfort. “Wha
t did you decide to do about visiting the actual office?”
“That’s another plane ride I’m too tired to consider. Since Musar has come up north to meet us, I don’t see any reason to do the extra travel. I’m going to take care of the paperwork with Musar and jump right into the wedding. I expect to be on my way home by no later than Wednesday. Four days is plenty of time to turn my life upside down,” he said.
“You know it’s not too late. You don’t have to do this,” Sherry said.
“Mom, we’ve had this discussion several times. Nothing is going to change. We’re here in India to complete the merger and the wedding ceremony.”
The plane touched down on the runway with little fanfare.
“I want you to know how proud I am of you,” she said, gripping his hand.
He nodded, glad for the reassurance.
They exited the plane, stepping under the brightly colored canopy into the warm, damp air.
“Musar told me to expect warm weather. I guess he was right,” Joel said, laying his trench coat across his arm and carefully descending the stairs with his thin briefcase tightly held by one hand.
Sherry took her time descending the stairs ahead of Joel. Once she reached the walkway leading into the terminal, Sherry said, “This is my first trip to India, just for you.”
They entered the terminal and made their way to the open area after a very short walk. A gentleman stood near the doorway holding a sign with MITCHELL scratched on it. Joel raised his hand quickly to get the man’s attention and dropped it back down to his side.
“Good morning,” the man said. “I have been sent by Mr. Bengali to give you a lift to the hotel.” His accent was thicker than Musar’s.
“We have luggage,” his mother said.
“I shall collect the luggage for you. Please, come this way,” the turban-wearing gentleman said with a timid disposition as he avoided eye contact.
“I was expecting Musar to meet us. Was he delayed?”
“Mr. Bengali is very ill. He did not feel strong enough to travel to the airport. He is waiting for your arrival at the hotel near his hometown. The ride is about an hour and thirty minutes from here. There is no problem. I will take very good care of you.”
Joel wasn’t concerned about getting to the hotel. Musar’s illness did have him concerned. The hurdles Joel had to overcome in order to be standing in India weren’t going to be wasted. In fifty miles his number one mission would be completed, despite unbelievable odds. Prayer could have given Joel the extra shot of certainty that he sought. He attempted to formulate the words but came up short on what to say.
The driver had the luggage secured in the trunk of the car and they were on their way.
“I expected to see elephants and cows roaming freely, but I wasn’t expecting this much traffic so early in the morning,” his mother said.
Bikes, scooters, and rickshaws packed the roads beyond capacity. Movement was very slow. Joel felt anxious. “You said Musar is at the hotel?”
“Yes, Mr. Bengali and many of his family members have traveled to the hotel in preparation for the wedding.”
Joel was unprepared for general discussion about his wedding. It must have been common knowledge among Musar’s circle. Joel couldn’t figure the number of family members gathered for the wedding but it certainly outnumbered his. He didn’t give much credence to the nuptials but would have felt awkward with no family presence.
“Does Mr. Bengali have a home in the area or is he just here for the wedding?” Sherry asked.
Joel was curious, too. He knew very little about the personal lives of the Bengali family. Too late to worry now, so he didn’t.
“Yes,” the driver said, paying attention to the swelling traffic. “He has quite a modest home here, and it’s not large enough for his entire family coming for the wedding.”
“I wouldn’t figure him for a small house.” Sherry said.
“This house is probably a getaway for weekends,” Joel said.
“Yes, you are right, sir. Mr. Bengali has his primary home in the south and comes here on holiday.”
“Does Zarah live there, too?”
“Yes, she lives near Bangalore, in the south with him, but it is customary to have the wedding ceremony in the family’s hometown. There are many family members who will come. It is tradition.”
“I see,” Sherry said. It didn’t matter to Joel. He couldn’t get to the little town fast enough. Wherever Musar was with the contract was where he wanted to be.
chapter
37
Two and a half hours later, the car pulled into the modest-looking hotel. According to Joel’s administrative assistant, it was labeled in the luxury category. At home, he only stayed in five-star accommodations. For this deal he willingly made the exception. Sherry was worn out and went straight to her room to take a nap. Joel wasn’t going to nap, eat, or use the bathroom until the contracts were signed. At this very second, nothing else on earth took precedence. Joel pressed the attending staff for directions to Musar’s room. He had the prime suite located on the top floor. Five floors wasn’t exactly equivalent to the Ritz Carlton in Michigan, but Joel wasn’t seeking a luxury retreat. He had business to handle. His briefcase hadn’t left his sight since Detroit.
Finally he reached the suite with the attendant leading the way. A few raps on the door and they were inside. Musar sat on a short sofa in the front room. He was thin, bone thin. Musar had freely talked about his illness and how fast he was deteriorating but Joel wasn’t prepared to see him quite so frail. He must have lost ten to fifteen pounds since his most recent trip to Detroit two weeks ago. Joel sighed quietly, relieved to have arrived in time. He was determined not to leave the room without a signed contract. Delaying for even a few hours was risky.
“Musar, it’s good to see you once again,” Joel said, approaching his business partner.
Musar nodded delicately, following with a weakened voice. “I am most pleased that you were able to travel. We welcome you.” Joel sat next to Musar. Business was paramount, but watching Musar fade in his presence tapped a sensitive wire in Joel. Maybe it was rehashing the passing of his father or, worse, the memories of watching his father suffer.
Joel extracted the contract from his briefcase. Musar stood with help from Joel. The two gingerly walked to the small circular desklike table located in one corner of the room. Musar’s attorney introduced himself as Kumar. Joel couldn’t understand the last name.
“Do you have the necessary papers?” the attorney asked.
Joel plopped the stack of documents on the table. “Everything is here—the final contract, verification of funds, the letter of intent for the DMI West Coast division, and a few other minor documents.” Joel slid the papers across the table to Musar. “Do you want to review the final contract?”
“I trust that you have made acceptable changes,” Musar said and pushed the stack to the attorney. The small effort seemed to drain his energy.
“I spoke with Mr. Mitchell’s lawyers earlier this week and we agreed on the changes. The contract is ready for you to sign, Musar,” Kumar said.
“I will give the order to transfer the seven hundred million dollars in U.S. funds at the opening of business on Monday, which you won’t have access to until Tuesday morning in your time zone. Is that okay?” Joel asked.
“Tuesday is no problem. It’s very good timing for the wedding.” Joel had forgotten about the marriage. “I’m not worried about your money. Most important for me is Zarah. It is my duty to secure her future before my life transitions, which will be very soon.”
“I understand,” Joel said. “Everything is there.” He pointed to the stack that the attorney was reviewing. “I’m signing ownership of the West Coast division to Harmonious Energy, which will belong to Zarah after your transition.” Joel found the concept of transitioning from one state of energy to another bizarre, but what he believed wasn’t relevant. Concessions had to be made in every aspect of his life if it helped
to seal the merger.
“Zarah is my only child. She will inherit my earthly possessions,” Musar spoke barely louder than a whisper. “The value will be one and a half billion rupees.”
“That’s U.S. dollars,” the attorney clarified.
Joel was speechless upon hearing the sum. He’d ball-parked the figure several times but hearing the confirmation rendered him numb. That money could get him out of debt and back on top. Wearing traditional Indian garb, eating a slice of wedding cake, and living as a married couple for several years was totally worth it. His thoughts swirled but he battled to stay grounded. He could celebrate alone in his room later.
“Now that you’ve brought up the wedding, I do want to point out the clause that we agreed to earlier in the week about family,” Joel said.
The attorney flipped to the back of the contract where there were several addendums.
“What was it?” Musar said, sounding very tired. Joel wanted to put the pen in his hand and move it along for him.
“The clause about having children,” Joel told Musar.
“Oh yes, as a father, I appreciate the importance of having children. I agreed to your term,” Musar said, which were the final words that Joel needed to hear. He pulled out his pen, eager to sign.
“If there are no children born to the marriage within the first three years of your marriage, you are released from your marital obligation to Zarah. You will also be granted the option of buying the West Coast back at fair market value,” the attorney paraphrased.
Joel felt a bit embarrassed at having the exception stated in front of a man who was practically using his dying breath to make marital arrangements for his only daughter. Joel felt badly but not to the point that he had a change of heart regarding the deal. He felt accomplished. Each man at the table had received what was most important to him. Joel shouldered no guilt.
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