He glanced up.
Divya stood near the edge of the set, speaking calmly, writing notes. She nodded once, listened, spoke again. Her posture remained steady.
Six and a half minutes.
She was walking back toward him, still completely composed.
“I’ve arranged a joint meeting,” Divya said, glancing at her notes. “Royal Mumbai Hotel. Diamond Room. 2:15 PM.”
Vikram stared at her. “A joint meeting?”
“Yes.” She said, pushing her glasses up. “I informed Kapoor’s office that Singhania specifically wanted his opinion on international distribution strategy. I told Mehra you preferred discussing the biopic revisions with both of them present. And I told Singhania you wanted his insight on overseas markets while the other two were in the room.”
She looked up. “They each believe they’re doing you a favour by agreeing.”
For a second, Vikram said nothing. Seven minutes. She had just convinced three powerful men, each with fragile egos and long memories, to sit at the same table.
“That won’t work,” he said automatically. “Kapoor and Mehra haven’t spoken since the Filmfare issue last year.”
Divya’s expression didn’t shift. “I mentioned that to Kapoor’s assistant. He said Kapoor is willing to be the bigger person if it benefits your schedule.” She glanced down at her notebook again. “I’ve arranged separate entrances so they don’t cross paths before the meeting. Seating will be neutral. No one feels cornered.”
He watched her more closely now.
“The hotel will provide personalised refreshments,” she continued. “Kapoor gets imported sparkling water. Mehra gets masala chai. Singhania gets his preferred single malt.”
Vikram folded his arms slowly. “Singhania doesn’t discuss business before 3 PM,” he said. “Superstition.”
“The meeting begins at 2:15 as informal networking,” she replied. “Actual agenda starts at 3:01.”
Not three. Three-oh-one.
She pushed her glasses up lightly with her knuckle.
“I’ve also arranged for Kapoor’s preferred tobacco in the designated smoking lounge after the meeting. And Mehra’s driver has priority parking access to avoid delays.”
Each detail she ticked off felt like a small stone dropping into a pond, creating ripples of disbelief. She hadn’t missed anything. Not a single preference or peeve.
“And you arranged all this in seven minutes?”
“Six and a half, actually.” For the first time, something almost like humor flickered across her face. “The Diamond Room was already reserved, but it turns out the hotel manager’s son is a big fan of yours. I promised a signed photo.”
Vikram’s jaw tightened slightly. He had set a trap. She had turned it into strategy.
“Fine. Let’s see if they actually show up.” He checked his watch. “We leave in forty minutes.”
“I’ve already called your driver. Your blue Armani suit is being pressed.”
Vikram could only stare in disbelief, an expression he didn’t bother hiding.
“Question of the day?” he finally asked, realizing he was still waiting for it.
She looked up, that small line appearing between her eyebrows. “Do you want me to schedule follow-up calls with each producer for tomorrow, or would you prefer to let them initiate?”
Useful. Practical. Focused on the work.
“Let them initiate,” he said. “Makes us seem in demand.”
“Okay, Boss.”