'What the hell is that bastard planning now!' I muttered angrily as I made my way home.
I had left Pooja Didi and Karan behind, Karan fucking Didi's brains out. They were blissfully unaware of the situation, and I didn't want to interrupt them. I made an excuse, mentioning that Jhanvi wanted me back early, asking both of them to come over for breakfast at home, once they were finished.
On the way over, I got another call, this one from my father, asking me to come over immediately. Seemed like whatever Kishore was planning, he needed me there.
Luckily, Didi's house was just down the street and I reached home within minutes. Where I found Jhanvi looking nervous and worried as she stood at the door, wearing a salwaar kameez.
"Where is he?" I asked her, walking past her and into the living area.
"In the library," Jhanvi said, trailing behind me. "He got a call from Ravi early in the morning and went right away to talk to Babuji (father-in-law). Tara and Nora are in there with them."
"What the fuck is he playing at!" I growled angrily.
Jhanvi bit her lip and shook her head, "I had a chance to peek at the documents when he left them on the bed. They mentioned a Power of Attorney; that's all I could make out when I called you."
"Damn it! It must be Ravi's idea," I muttered, "That asshole must be behind this!"
"Yes, he is in there discussing it with Babuji right now. It seems he wants full power to take all executive decisions. He needs your and Tara's signatures to get the document registered and legal."
I frowned, "What? Why does he want power over the company? He's already the CEO."
"He's planning something, Suraj. I just know it. He has been acting weird since yesterday, when we had dinner..." Jhanvi said as we reached the library and paused outside to discuss our plan of action before entering. "He has already convinced Tara to sign off on it; she doesn't really know his real intentions, so she trusts him! I slipped out then, making an excuse to get them some tea. I knew I needed to meet you before you came in to tell you what is happening."
I nodded and thought about it for a moment. He probably hoped to corner me publicly into accepting this deal, that is why he wanted to get it done without letting me know beforehand. I knew I couldn't sign off on this, but I wasn't really sure how I would refuse if Dad insisted on it.
"We'll figure something out," I told Jhanvi, kissing her on the forehead and then turned around and entered the library.
Dad was sitting behind his large Mahogany desk, with Tara and Nora standing on his sides, talking to him. Kishore and our family advocate stood facing them, with Kishore holding some papers.
"Ah... My brother is here now. We can get this over with," Kishore spoke up, gesturing me towards the desk. His eyes had an excited gleam in them.
I ignored Kishore and walked over to my father, "What's going on Dad?"
My father smiled warmly, and waved me forward, "Nothing much son, we are just discussing the family business. You know, I've not been able to really get back on my feet after that heart attack, and it seems that the market is taking this news in a bad way. You saw the news report in the Times this week?"
"Yeah, I was just telling Dad that the market doesn't like uncertainty! I may be the CEO, but he is still the Chairman of the Board, and our family holds four seats on the board: Dad's, yours, Tara's, and mine. Tara and you haven't really participated on account of your studies, so Dad would handle those things as the Chairman. But with his health being not so well, the market may feel that we are too slow in taking major decisions. It's not good for the stock price," Kishore chimed in. "That's why I've suggested that I take over as the Chairman from Dad, and control the four proxy votes myself. I'll be able to represent everyone in tomorrow's board meeting, so Dad, and both of you, won't have to worry about it."
"It makes sense right, Suraj. Dad doesn't need the stress of work now. Kishore Bhaiya has been doing a great job as the CEO anyways, so it makes sense." Tara looked at me with a smile, as if this was so magnanimous of Kishore. She was still under the impression that our elder brother was actually looking out for us.
I suddenly realized what my brother was planning. The merger with the Oberoi Group would need approval from the Board, and with Dad being the Chairman, it would never happen. Dad would rather the company burn to the ground than merge with a cheat like Oberoi.
However, with the Power of Attorney giving four out of seven Board votes under his control, Kishore could pass any resolution that he desired. He would probably ram it through before anyone could stop him.
"I don't need to sign. I can join the meetings from now, Dad. I have rejoined the business anyway, haven't I?" I told them, glancing at Dad.
Dad looked thoughtful and turned to the Solicitor beside Kishore. "He is right, you know. He can attend the meetings from now and cast his own vote."
But Kishore was ready for this, "We need to show full determination and confidence to the market, Dad. Suraj is still green and new to the business affairs! He needs to be guided. It will not look good if we have a college drop-out attending the Board meetings. Let him learn the ropes for a year and then he can properly contribute."
"What do you think, Nora?" My dad looked at his wife, my stepmother, "Kishore has a point."
"Suraj may be young but he's more than capable. I'm sure Kishore is just looking out for his brother, but he can always attend the meetings and get guidance from Kishore. I don't think we need this Power of Attorney, for Suraj at least," Nora replied, her fingers pressing his shoulder.
I had to hide my smile as Kishore's lips curled into a scowl for a brief second before returning to a polite smile at Nora's response. I'm sure he was shocked inside at Nora's words. He still didn't know that she had already switched sides.
"Tea, everyone?" Jhanvi's voice broke the momentary silence, as she came in, carrying a silver tray with glasses of fresh tea and biscuits, and placed it in front of Dad, "Regular for everyone and Green tea for Babuji, just like the doctor ordered!"
"Thank you, Beta." My father smiled at Jhanvi affectionately while she passed around the tea. I took this moment of distraction to glance at Nora and gave her an almost imperceptible nod towards the teacup in Dad's hands.
"Now where were we? Ah yes... I agree with you, Nora. Suraj is coming along well. But as Kishore said, it is a matter of signalling the market. I think we should trust Kishore here." Dad turned to me, "Suraj, I think you should sign this. Just for the sake of formality and to show the market that we are confident about the future of the business in Kishore's hands."
I looked around at Kishore, Tara, and finally at my father. Both were nodding along with Dad's decision. I had no option but to comply, "Sure Dad."
"Excellent! Sign here. We'll get everything sorted." Kishore smiled triumphantly, stepping aside to let me sign the paperwork. He handed me a fountain pen with a smirk, and I leaned over the desk.
"Where do I sign?" I muttered, looking up at Nora.
"There's only one space left there...It's marked with the post-it note," Kishore frowned and pointed to the bottom right hand corner of the paper, "Right there... next to Tara's signature."
