While taking a high tea in the hotel restaurant, a bellboy delivers a large envelope to Emily. She opens it to find a copy of the Khata certificate. A post-it note is attached to say the document provides proof that the property has an entry in the local municipal records. It is an important document but it requires no action other than retention. Also in the envelope is a copy of the Encumbrance certificate. Another post-it note is attached to this document to say it states that the property is free from all encumbrances or loans. It is a key document for procuring a loan against property from banks. It has all the details about transactions relating to the property. Another important document that requires no action since it is a cash purchase, but should be retained. An occupancy certificate or completion certificate given by the municipal corporation after the construction of a building to establish that it was constructed according to a sanctioned plan and that it is ready to be occupied. This is held by the municipal corporation.
Looking up she says it's all fairly boring details about buying the Punjabi Bagh property. Nilesh reports that he and Sudesh have discussed a suitable PSO for Amy and agreed on someone they both know and like. They think he might fit in well with the family but hesitate over being sure. Emily says of course his travel costs will be reimbursed but asks if they think he needs an advance of funds to be able to travel. Nilesh says, with his sister's permission, he will contact him and arrange for him to visit here for interview. Emily looks to Amy and she smiles: "Yes please, this is so exciting for me!" Nilesh says that it will be done. Sansa asks if they are all bidding to become Delhi's largest family and everyone smiles.
During their drive to work, they listen to the news broadcast. There is a report of a plane crashing shortly after take-off for London Gatwick from Jersey airport, not far from the city of St. Helier. The report says there were no survivors but that the flight recorders have been retrieved. Emily shivers at the thought of dying like that and hopes the crew and passengers didn't suffer for long. The report finishes and the radio is turned off. Conversation starts after a short quiet period when Amy brightens the atmosphere saying she can't wait to get into her working uniform, Emily and Sansa share the humour with her, but Nilesh and Sudesh don't get the joke.
Today is different for some reason, the first sign being that the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer are waiting to greet the ladies as they arrive. Walking down to the car, the Chairman greets Nilesh, then the 3 officers of the club each help their respective lady from the car and accompany her into the Mansion. For the Secretary and the Treasurer, this is the first time they have seen them clothed and they each adore the lovely vision walking with them. Nilesh and Sudesh know they were planning to open an escort agency in Delhi but beyond that, they have little idea of the nature of their work at the mansion. The officers lead their ladies to an elegant lounge and they sit as couples on 2 seater couches.
The girls have no idea what is happening as their first and last port of call had always been the changing room; 'clothes ouside, naked inside'! The Chairman starts: "Dearest ladies, we wish to put a proposal to you but let us put you completely at your ease, if you reject the proposal, or need time to discuss it among yourselves, or wish to ask questions, that is perfectly understandable from our point of view. Our proposal is that you become our exclusive Mistresses. You have shown us your flexible and adaptable attitudes in accepting our individual foibles, if I may put it that way, and we want to make you an offer you can't refuse. We are all very wealthy and can afford to pamper our chosen lady. If you are willing, we shall have a little game in which you state a number, in terms of multiples of the salary you currently earn. None of us are married, so we shall also hold you as our exclusive lady. There, I think that might be enough to start a discussion". He laughs and they all laugh with him.
The ladies look at each other dumbfounded, they didn't see this coming and already think they are very well paid, as a result there is an embarrassing silence until Emily says: "Gentlemen, please excuse our silence but you have caught us completely by surprise. I for one would be delighted to be the Chairman's mistress but have little idea of what it might involve. In addition, to talk of increasing our salary in multiples of what we currently receive is very difficult, for me at least, to comprehend". Sansa and Amy express much the same thing in their own way.
The Chairman nods to the Treasurer who takes up the narrative: "The first thing we can clarify is that you will no longer be employed by the club, but by each of us. Would that be acceptable for you?" The ladies all reply that it would. He continues: "The next thing is that as our Mistress you will be with us 24/7 and every day. This might evolve into marriage one day, but we are not ready for it yet and we do not wish to impose on you. This is why we want to provide you with such a salary that will ensure you live full and comfortable lives if the partnership should ever fail ... you could see it as a pre-nuptial agreement if you wish. Would that be acceptable for you?" The ladies nod and he continues: "Finally on my contribution, the multiple we wish to propose for you is 10 times the amount of your current salary raised from 4 days to 7, i.e. 365 times $10,000 a day = $3,650,000 per annum. This means your new salary will be US$36,500,000 p.a. I believe that I have now finished Chairman and hope our ladies will find it in themselves to accept our offer".
The ladies can't believe what they are hearing. Amy realises this arrangement could extend her working life and provide for a comfortable retirement. The Chairman tries to help by highlighting the tenuous nature of employment, people do lose their jobs and almost never when they are in a position to cope. Just for example purposes, what if one of you were unable to continue the arrangement, after just a year you could have US$36m, a lot of money to restart a life and as time goes on your savings will increase providing you with an even better start, or retirement if that is what you desire. He says this is only to make evident a duty of care for them ... They didn't become so wealthy by giving away their money. The ladies consider his advice. Looks, smiles and nods, as usual confirm their agreement. This time Sansa speaks on their behalf: "Thank you for the additional perspective. We are persuaded by your good sense on behalf of our future welfare and your good conscience, and accept your offer with our thanks".
The Chairman nods to the Secretary who takes up the narrative: "Now let us consider a starting point of how the arrangement might work. As de facto wives, we would wish you to move in with us, comfortable quarters will be provided for your bodyguards here in the mansion, they will not be required to wear livery as they are your private staff. We are aware that a property purchase is underway and are happy for it to continue. Any assets you hold or gain will remain your property and if you wish, from time to time we may offer advice on sensible low risk investments. Buying the bungalow is a very good investment for the future so we support the idea of keeping it".
He continues: "With regard to club activities here in the mansion. We would not wish our Mistress to serve in the way you were employed to do. However, you may attend the monthly meetings with us, but you will be fully dressed and not available for anyone's pleasure, but it may very well inspire what happens after the event, we hope to keep you satisfied on that score! If you wish for a little distraction you may entertain your bodyguard at your bungalow providing the timing is agreeable, however a monthly medical check would be required for them as well as yourselves. Finally, if anything arises that hasn't been sufficiently covered here today, please bring it forward for discussion at any time. We all want our proposal to succeed in the long term. I believe I have now finished Chairman and hope our ladies will find it in themselves to accept our offer".
The ladies consider what the Secretary has said. Looks, smiles and nods confirm their agreement. Again Sansa speaks on their behalf: "This might well become a habit, we would like to thank you for the offer, your careful explanations and we wish to accept it as proposed". The Chairman turns to Emily: "Dearest Emily, I take you as my Mistress to share my love and my life. From here forward for you I'm no longer the Chairman but your Erish". The Secretary Sarvagya and The Treasurer Anvay make to same declaration to Sansa and Amy. After their declarations each man embraces his Mistress and the matches are sealed with a kiss.
(Dear Reader, for your convenience, the names of the men have been chosen so that the first letter of each name is the same as the first letter of the name of his mistress. In Hindi: Erish means to value both the big & the small things in life. Sarvagya means 'all knowing'. Anvay means 'joined or integrated'.)