Usually, every subordinate and colleague except for his teammates would stand rigid in front of Vikram. And, if you look closely, they would tremble in fear and respect. Yeah, that's how Vikram was and is seen in the department. Whatever his order is, it'll be done without any other questions raised. Now, those subordinates would be happy and probably shaken. Because, Vikram is now standing in front of his superior- Venkatesh, mouth shut and hands folded. With him stood Varun and other teammates of theirs.

"Everyone is here right?" Venkatesh asked leaning back at his table.

"Yes sir!" Varun replied standing stiff.

Venkatesh: Good! So,todayI'm dividing everyone into two teams. One team are going to surveil the ministers' meeting that's going to happen tonight and the rest of you, there's a piece of information that there's going to be an arms smuggling happen tonight. You are a team of 15, right? Vikram, you with ten others, go to the ministers' meeting venue. And, Varun, Anu, take two people with you to deal with the arms dealing.

Vikram: Yes sir!

"Then nothing more, you may take your leave" Venkatesh sat on his seat opening his file. "The information about the smuggling will be forwarded to you Varun."

And with that, everyone leaves.

********

A week after Vikram and his subordinates including Varun were meeting at their usual place- a house rented at the heart of the city.

"So guys, Let me come straight to the topic of discussion today. What does a businessman have to do at a ministers' get-together?" Vikram leaned towards the table with a board full of information behind him.

"Not a formal meeting. Maybe is Sadha showing his support to them?" Asked Ajay

"Mostly yeah." Varun agreed slouching on the couch, "So, anything else from that meeting Vikram?"

"Nothing else other than everyone getting drunk." Vikram sighed stretching on the couch.

And just in time, Vikram's phone buzzed as Priya's name popped up on the display.

"Tell me ma" Vikram took ip the call sitting back.

Priya: Where are you?

Vikram: In a meeting with colleagues. Shall-

Priya: Where?

Vikram: The house where we locked up the goons. What-

Priya: Super. I'll be there in 15.

Vikram was confused af as the call went off.

"Umm... so, Ganesh how's the investigation going on with Mahendran?" He asked shifting back hi attention to the meeting.

"As we expected, he's stubborn. But, you see. We have our ways." Ganesh replied coming out of the kitchen with his cup of coffee.

After a good thirty minutes, Priya rang the doorbell with a file in her hand.

She pushed past Vikram and went straight to the living room- their discussion room.

"Hello guys!!" Priya declared keeping her bag aside on the table and spread out the few files at the table.

"What's the matter Ammu," Vikram asked closing the door.

"What is your fiance doing in OUR discussion Vik?" Ganesh asked sipping his third cup of coffee.

"I have some new info about Sadhasivam for you guys." Priya said making herself comfortable on the couch which was earlier occupied by Vikram.

"Is this what it means to be in love Vikram? Having no privacy... Even job details?

Vikram: Ganesh... let me-

Priya: Woah!! Can we calm down for a minute here? And to answer your question, this third person was kidnapped because of your investigation not once but twice. So, Can you please allow me to speak?

Ajay: What help could you do us, Miss?

Priya: First! This is not some help or social service. I'm doing this to satisfy my anger! And Secon, do you know why Sadhasivam attended the ministers' party?

Ganesh looked at Vikram accusingly as if he had committed a grave sin.

Priya: No, no... don't look at him. I have many other resources to get information. So, why do you think Sadhasivam met the ministers?

Ajay: To show his support? To declare that he and his men will be with the party.

Priya: Hmm... Maybe. But what if it's the other way around?

Ganesh: What do you mean?

Priya: What if it's the ministers showing their support to him?

Varun: But why? Why would he need their support?

Ganesh: Sadhasivam asking favours? Something that would never happen.

Priya: Ever wondered how Sadhasivam acquired all his companies?

Vikram: Well, he bought it with the money he got through not one but many of his illegal activities.

Priya: Half Truth. But! The catch is, how did he get all those money just 5 years after his release?

Ganesh: So you're saying that he has some other business other than selling drugs, supplying goons, and also being the head of the rowdies all over the city?

Priya: Why does it have to be that he had enough money to buy those companies? See, all his companies- before he bought them- had a huge brand value. And, the common point among all these companies is that he bought them while they were almost bankrupt.

Varun: But, what connection does this have with him having enough money?

Priya's lips turn into a smirk as she gets into her lecturer mode.

Priya: Welcome to Priya's Commerce 101! So, All the companies have their capital in the form of Shares or Debentures which can be bought by anyone if a company goes public. The company have to pay interest to the debenture holders no matter what. They will have to pay even if there's a loss in the company. And, during this situation, the interest will be paid from the capital money. On the other side, shareholders will be paid only when there's a profit. When a company's reputation goes down, or when there's a continuous loss, the share value decreases. So, the shareholders instead of investing in a useless company, will withdraw their shares. Tada! A part of the capital vanishes!! And this is how gentlemen, the value or the price of a company declines. So tell me now, will you buy a good when the price is high or when it's low?

Ajay: When it's low...

Priya: Exactly! This Sadhasivam has learnt some commerce and economics while in jail. Impressive!

Ajay: What do this history and commerce have to do with the meeting?

Priya: Patience sir. This was to explain to you guys what good a businessman he is. So, why would he declare his support to politicians whose positions keep changing?

Vikram: Then what else would it be?

Priya: You see, our big shot has a company in almost every field. There's a huge tender coming up for all the government projects together. If he gets these tenders his brand, his company's goodwill and most importantly, his wealth will shoot up. This tender is his lottery ticket. Why would he miss it?

Ajay: Hmm... Makes sense...

Ganesh: What if your theory is wrong?

Priya: I don't share my views until I'm sure about it.

Ganesh: But, it will be a waste of time for us.

Priya: You would have had this meeting anyway. But it's me who cancelled all my client appointments to come here. So, it's a waste of anyone's time, it would be mine! So, if you'll excuse me... Bye!

She said packing all her "research" materials and her phone. She opened the door of the house making her way out followed by Vikram.

"What DCP sir? Why did you come all the way out and stand in the middle of the road as if you saw a ghost." Priya asked dumping all her in the saddle storage of her scooty.

" Ammu... Are you a business analyst in secret? How did you find all this? You're really a lawyer, right? You sure you're not some business strategist?" Asked Vikram with shock and amazement in his eyes.

"Perks of choosing Commerce in college bro!" She tapped his shoulder, " Bye!" She said as she rode off in her scooty.

"Ohh," he said looking at her going down the street, " Wait- She called me bro?
That girl!!!"

It's been 6 months since Priya finished her degree. She got placed in a top law firm in the city not as an intern but as a lawyer. Guess whose wedding bells are going to ring soon?

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

Hey lovlies!!!

I'm back finally! Don't worry this is not a dropped book. This may not be my usual writing. But I think it's a good start for writing after a long time. And!! Your author is now officially a law student!!!

Take care y'all❤️

BE SAFE. BE YOU. BE HAPPY.

With love,
~Nila💜🌙

1368 Words