Chapter 4 Lemaire's meet with Adira

Adira thoughts"

I was ecstatic when Khushi announced, that we got the Italy deal. We were observant of that land deal. It's a beautiful village Castelluccio, Umbria in Italy. All worked hard to pay off. The owner of the land Mr. Zamponia needs money for his business and he doesn't want that anyone built any factory or hotel here, from the perspective to preserve the environment here. We ensured him that we will not build any commercial, but a home for us. We want to assemble a beautiful mansion here.

After our week holiday, Khushi and Chavi already left for Italy to complete all paperwork and start the construction. We are prepared with our architecture and construction planning. Just other formalities need to complete to start the work.

Aditya left for India, family, and work calls. I am blessed; he is always there like Shaurya and Hridya Bhai. He is an elder brother to me.

We have much work on our plate; need to upload our next YouTube music video. We have to fasten our search progress. Need to work in our Hacker program.

It's Monday, I am back to my old routine. Everyone knows New York traffic. To avoid it better start early. It's only 7:15 AM. Today, I reached early to office. Thought to have some coffee then I'll start my routine. I love "Aadrak kee chai, par har cheez kaha milti hai" (Indian ginger tea, but we will not get everything as we wish).

I am claustrophobic to elevators. Again 20th Floor, God please help; don't stop this elevator in the middle.

Finally, reached my working floor, and sat on my desk, while going through my emails, I saw meeting an invite from Lemaire at 8:30 AM. Oh God, I squealed, luckily no one is in the office. I mentally slapped myself. Adira please be silent, but why do they want to have a meeting with me. Anyway, let's see".

Vincent and Ayden are in, by 7:30 AM. Surprisingly, Ayden stops at Floor 20 Robotics department. He thought to have a look in the lab and check things, later he will not have time, already tied schedule.

Ayden Thoughts

"As soon I stepped into the lab, I heard a beautiful voice. I checked a girl humming and working on some small robot model parts. It's early and she is in. Knowingly, I made noise and she got distracted."

She startled and greeted "Good Morning, Mr. Lemaire" She is just a simple ordinary-looking girl with a British accent, while humming her voice was mesmerizing, but when she was talking to me her voice has somewhat different. I asked "Your name Miss". She replied "Adira".

I enquired "Can you show me around".

She smiled and nodded "Sure Mr. Lemaire. Many projects are going on in this lab. It's difficult to explain everything. Do you have any specific project in your mind"?

I smiled and replied, "I understand Miss. Adira. You are working on this piece of a model, can you give a bit review of it".

She nodded and started explaining to me the model she is working on. I am thrilled with her knowledge of machine learning and its application in robots. The way she explained, her management, and articulation skill are commendable.

I checked my watch; it was already 8:15 AM. "Miss Adira, We have a meeting at 8:30 AM. I will take leave. See you in a bit." She nodded.

Ayden proceeded to the CEO floor to get his coffee.

Adira's thoughts"

I didn't realize. I was holding my breath, what a relief. Face makeup is easy, but it's hard to change your voice. I was humming, better be careful next time. Ayden Lemaire, I saw his pictures in the magazine. I agree that even photographers are not able to capture his handsomeness. Tall around 6.3'', chocolate brown hair, his eyes were electric blue, beautifully built, luscious lips...He smells good.

Woah; Adira, you are sounding pervert, shoo the thought and prepare yourself for the meeting. Don't know what they are going to ask. Better stay away from this stupid, he got an attitude.

I reached to 50th floor. Every inch of this floor screams luxury. They chose a grey-blue color combination and vintage furniture, and I love their painting collection. In combining its rich royal look.

It's 8:25, better be early. I approached Lemaire's secretary. Mentally preparing myself....though I am a confident lady, but when you have to act like a different person to hide. It's difficult. I am doing this for the past three years; still, I am not confident. Hello Mr. Eric, I have a meeting with Mr. Lemaire. He nodded with a smile and approved the way to Ayden Lemaire's cabin"

It's 8:30 AM dot. I knock on the door. Got a reply, come in. At the sight, both Lemaire and Mr. Carlos are sitting on the office couch. The office theme is royal blue with coffee color furniture. Indoor Plants are giving it a natural touch. I try to make my look normal. They should sense, that I gawking at their office decore.

I greeted both Lemaire and Mr. Carlos.

Vincent greeted "Hello Adira, Good Day! Please take a seat".

"Thank you, Mr. Lemaire".

Ayden announced "Miss. Adira, Straight to the point we are going to start a new project which includes robotics, artificial intelligence, and hyper-converged analytics. This is to inform you, that you are officially part of this new project. You are directly working with me and Mr. Vincent. You will be meeting with other team members who will be joining us soon. Your role is Robotics Expert. And before joining you have to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Do you have any questions?"

Adira was thinking, this jerk knows how to order, at least he should learn politeness from his father. He didn't ask for my consent of joining the project, just ordered me to be part of the project and asked me to sign NDA. Then what questions he is expecting. But the project sounds tempting, let's see.

Adira replied, "Thanks for the consideration Mr. Lemaire. When we are going to start the project".

Ayden again in a commanding tone, replied "In two weeks, complete your knowledge transfer of the current working project.

Mr. Carlos, make sure the knowledge transfer session completes two weeks from now".

"Sure Mr. Ayden" Carlos replied.

Both Carlos and Adira left with greetings "Good Day Mr. Lemaire".

*****************

Ayden asked, "What are you thinking dad".

Vincent replied "That sometimes you are harsh while talking to people. Your mood should not reflect in your words. If you want a pleasant journey, walk with people. Adira's work reflects her passion and her calmness shows her maturity. She has good technical and management skills. You should make use of it".

Ayden furrowed and said, "I don't think, I sounded rude".

Vincent chuckled "You are Ayden. You have to be polite to people who work with passion. Passionate people are difficult to the existence, and you will lose them easily if you are not attentive. Advice for the day, not everyone works for money, many works for their passion. And if a person knows his worth, you can't buy them".

******************

Adira came to her desk.

Eve, her project mate screamed and hugged her in excitement "I heard you met Ayden Lemaire. How was he".

Adira innocently replied, she knew what Eve's pointing to "He seems good".

Eve replied, "Come on Adira, you know what I mean. Is he handsome, How're his lips, his smile, does he smell good".

Adira chuckled " You are smitten with him".

Eve pouted "Tell me Adira".

Adira replied, "He is handsome and a jerk. In other words, He shit from inside and beautiful outside".

Eve answered, "You are stupid. He is a heartthrob of million girls. He is a Greek god". She was showing Ayden's picture on the magazine cover.

Adira rolled her eyes and said "What heartthrob, who even doesn't know how to behave and respect. People who don't respect me, they are nothing for me".

Eve replied, "In my impression, you are sounding judgmental".

Adira replied, "Whatever, I didn't like his attitude".

***********************

Sukriti calling to Chavi...

Khushi's eyes widened like she saw a ghost. She voiced to Chavi "Didn't you talk to Maa this morning".

Chavi replied while walking toward Khushi "Yes. What happened".

"Then why she is calling again. Check the network router; it should not point to our location in Italy. Otherwise, dad will know where we are" Khushi asked in a commanding tone.

"Ok ok," Chavi ran towards her laptop and give a thumbs-up signal to Khushi to pick up the call.

Khushi attended "Hello Maa, What's happening...All well"

Sukriti smiled as she listened to her daughter's voice "I am good Khushi. I didn't have a word with you today. I thought to call you".

Khushi knew her mother very well. She asked, "Spill it Maa...I knew you want to share something"

Sukriti told, "Your Baba friend, remember your uncle Hansraj. His son Vijay is coming to New York".

Khushi knows where this conversation going to be turned "Maa, I have to travel to California for a Business meeting".

Sukriti said "Come on Khushi, There is merely any distance between New York and California. I don't want to listen to any stupid excuse of yours. You are going to meet him, that's final. Otherwise, you have to answer Baba. I am not going to help you on this".

Khushi knew she can't fight with her mom. She asked, "When is the visiting".

"Oh my baby, I will message you the dates". Sukriti is smiling. She is happy. Finally, at least her daughter agreed to meet.

Khushi smirks, and replied, "Ok Maa...Talk to you later".

However, Sukriti doesn't know what her daughter plans.

*****************************

Adam Sleeves, sitting on a couch with closed eyes. He is smiling, with a memory of a beautiful face. He thought, where you are Adira, my baby girl. It's been 8 years. I love you, baby.

His secretary came to him and said "Sir".

This is a disturbance in his thoughts, irritated him. He opened his eyes and daggered his secretary. In a jiffy, he takes out his gun and shot him. Barber ran him, he saw. He yelled, "Are you mad, Adam. Why did you shoot him".

He closed his eyes "And why did he disturb me".

"For God's sake, can't you stop this madness? You are killing people for a girl, whom you just saw 8 years ago on your holiday trip".

He opened his eyes, pointed his gun at Barber, and said, "You are lucky, that you are my friend". Barber gulps down in fear.