Back in the penthouse of the Best Erotic Hotel of Delhi, Lalisa, Rochana, Phaelyn and Kannika have laid out a wonderful breakfast. They now have an Mahlkonig EK43 grinder, a La Marzocca 4-group espresso machine and an Acaia Lunar weighing scale in the penthouse and a Barista has been employed for the week to train everyone how to make coffee better than available in the chain coffee shops. Emily chooses a decaff latte and those at breakfast follow suit. In only a few minutes the first four freshly ground and freshly brewed coffees are served and the recipients declare, in spite of being decaff, it's the best coffee they have ever tasted and look forward to learning how to do it themselves.
After breakfast, the ladies get their first lesson. They all love being able to produce their own coffees and Emily decides that the identical equipment will be installed on Bangkok Girl in the ladies lounge and to the side of the bar in the guests lounge which everyone greets with enthusiasm. She also decides to add it to the penthouse of all of her hotels. Watching Anish, the personable Barista at work and having experienced a little of his training ability first-hand, Emily uses her smartphone to discover that the average Starbucks Barista yearly pay in India is approximately ₹153,966, which is 27% below the national average of ₹210,913 (US$2,958.41) and works out to less than US$250 per month.
In a quiet moment at the new coffee station, Emily takes the opportunity to chat with Anish. It turns out that he became his own boss 3 months ago and self-employment hasn't been the success in terms of income that he had hoped. He admits that he hadn't even been earning as much as when employed. She asks if he is mobile and he tells her that he is not married, so is able and very willing to travel, he also reveals that he was employed by Starbucks. She asks Anish if he would be interested in working for her and her retinue at US$300 per month, the owner of the chain of the Best Erotic Marigold Hotels and he responds enthusiastically with a huge grin: "Oh yes Memsahib! I would be very much interested indeed".
She nods with a smile, tells him that like all her staff he may call her Emily and whispers that he should talk to her towards the end of his week as Mrs Karima Chettri, the Group Hotels Manager approaches and they both order a decaff latte. She says that the trial date for the suspended Mumbai hotel General Manager, Dr Surabadjia Singh has been brought forward and is now set to be in one month's time. Karima asks if Emily will approve if she decides whether his suspension is paid or unpaid when the result of the trial is known. Emily asks if he has dependents and she confirms that he has a wife and 3 children and they are currently receiving sufficient income for their needs from the hotel which equates to approximately a quarter of his pay.
Emily thanks her for looking after their needs and agrees the delayed decision on his pay. Karima says that a job in the kitchen will be coming vacant in a month, which pays about the same as the family currently receive from the hotel. Emily agrees it is a good idea to hold the job for her, so that his family doesn't suffer from a lack of finances should her husband be sentenced to a term of imprisonment. Emily checks that Karima is content with all the responsibility that came with her promotion. She says that she feels both content and fulfilled because becoming the General Manager of a hotel group had been a long standing ambition. Emily explains that she will always be available when and if needed.
Emily puts on the red silk Lehenga skirt embellished with a gold embroidered design of roses and bees collecting pollen from the roses. The lined skirt fits along the line of her belly button curving out to the hips and down toward the hem in a slim A line. She puts on the blouse with a reversed pattern of the skirt, i.e. a gold silk Lehenga blouse with an off the shoulder boat neckline, featuring the embroidered roses and bees pattern of the skirt but in red. Her shoes are red silk covered 3 inch stilettos.
Emily takes the Dupatta, an embroidered red net shawl embroidered in gold with a matching design of roses and bees, and wears it draped over the chest and thrown back over the shoulders. She can't help admiring herself in the long mirror, loving how much her alabaster tone skin from just below the bust to the belly button is exposed for cooling. She completes her dressing by adding a delicate pearl and diamond maang tikka. It is a simple pendant adornment for the forehead that hangs from the top of the head down along the centre parting. It is attached to the hair by a clip.
Emily, Sansa, Nilesh and Sudesh are in one of their fleet of Mercedes V Class cars ready to go shopping. Emily has done a preliminary search on the internet and asks Nilesh to take them to Anupama Dayal's fashion store at 64A Ground Floor, Prithviraj Lane, Khan Market, Rabindra Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110003. Nilesh puts the Postal Index Number (PIN equivalent to UK postcode and US zip code) into the satnav, finds the address and the cars pull away.
They are greeted on arrival and Emily asks to see Sanjana Batra's Navratri lehenga set and they are led directly to the display. The silk blouse has vertical stripes of iridescent royal blue and white. It has fitted set-in sleeves to just above the elbow, a jewel neckline, button fastenings to the back and the hemline is about two inches below the bust. The silk lehenga lined skirt has an iridescent royal blue background with emerald green undertones and features 2 rings of white large butterflies with pretty royal blue markings. The set is completed by a striped handbag to match the blouse, into which, by demonstration the assistant shows, a 9 inch x 7 inch tablet will fit. Emily is informed that there is a pair of heels to match, available in the shoe department.
Emily tries on the outfit and models it for Sansa's opinion, which is as enthusiastic as her own opinion after viewing herself in the mirror. A pair of shoes in iridescent royal blue are produced featuring a single butterfly above the toes, to match those on the skirt.
Another dress catches her eye. It is a sari-cum-gown, set in muted peacock tones of blues and greens and looks gorgeous. It features a V neckline crossed by a silk pallu draped over the left shoulder and down the back. Emily loves it because of its simplicity while retaining the appearance of a traditional sari. The metallic embellished belt, cinched at the waist to accentuate the curves delightfully and mirrors the fabric of the top. The folds in the fitted skirt of the gown beautifully reflect the style of a traditional sari without the added layers of material involved. Anticipating Emily's requirements, the assistant produces a handbag to match the top and take her intended tablet computer, as well as shoes with 4 inch heels, also to match the top. The dress is so simple and yet so classy, Emily has to try it on.
Talking through the curtain, the assistant tells Emily that the dress is making a guest appearance during the refurbishment of Amit Aggarwal's shop. Modelling it receives Sansa's approval, added to her own delight when she views herself in the mirror. She decides to take both dresses, with the handbags and shoes and returns to the cubicle. Back in her own clothes, Emily uses her business debit card to make the purchases and, carefully keeping the receipt, Sudesh carries the packages to the car. The next stop is Aza Fashions at Ambawatta One, Mehrauli, New Delhi. Once again, Nilesh performs his magic with the Satnav and they move off.
Arriving at the store, Emily accompanied by Sansa, Nilesh and Sudesh enter the shop and are greeted by an assistant. Emily asks for dresses by Saakshi Kinni and they are shown to the display where Emily sees the skirt and top set she had seen online and asks to try it on. Emerging from the cubicle, she admires herself in the mirror. The round necked sleeveless silk top, like a traditional blouse, is cropped allowing air to the skin and provide some cooling to the midriff. It is coral pink featuring embroidery in white of starfish and other marine life found in and around a coral reef. The matching handbag is just large enough to accommodate a tablet. The lehenga style skirt features coral pink florals set on a muted olive background which provides a relaxed contrast to the vibrant colours that Indian ladies often love to wear. Shoes with 4 inch heels matching the olive fabric of the skirt complete the outfit.
Both Emily and Sansa love the look of the outfit on her and she decides to take it as her final purchase of the trip. Emily changes back into her own clothes while the items are packed for her. She makes the payment using her debit card and carefully puts the receipt with that of her former purchases. Back in the car they decide to return to the hotel for lunch and put her purchases into her room for one of the 4 girls to unpack.
Back in the penthouse Emily, Sansa, Amy, Sushila & Archara gather in the lounge for afternoon tea, which turns out to be decaff latte and cake! As they chat Arjun calls to inform her that the brothel upgrade and refurbishment has now been completed and the Captain present here with him says that Bangkok is ready for sea and he just needs to know how many guests and brothel ladies she anticipates he needs to cater for. She thanks him profusely for his excellent work and asks to speak to the Captain.
