I am on a tight schedule. The preliminary talks have already been in motion since the last six months and this trip has been a good will gesture from Makrand Verma and my desire to meet face to face all my potential partners before I commit. The deal I am going to make with Verma during this trip is but a mere formality now.

Mizrahi Defence Inc. passed onto me some four years ago when my father died and left me as the sole heir. Sure, my older sister is on the board, but she has little to no interest in our family business, having her own successful spa and resort business, which she co-owns with her husband.

I started working in the company right after I finished my school. My family has always been traditional and we were raised according to traditional Jewish principles. That meant, nothing in my life came through short cut.

I started working from the bottom, and glad that I did that. It gave me perspective, taught me what works and what doesn't. It helped me a hands on experience, both technically and financially. It also helped me get the pulse of the industry. My father himself was a pretty hands-on guy and he guided me every step of the way. I had the kingdom laid out for me but nobody can say I didn't have to work for it.

I've been meeting with all our existing clients and potential ones since I took over four years ago. It took me all over the world, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the process.

Makrand Verma is a new addition to my client list. My company is one of the pioneers in an entirely new kind of medium range surface to air missile; the only other manufacturer is the US Military. Now, the latter is reluctant to share its invention with the world yet, and has essentially forbade the Israeli defence industry, namely me, to sell it to anyone other than them. I can understand their concern, given their vested interest in the Middle East, but what doesn't sit well with me is banning me from selling directly to any other country.

India, being one of the biggest importers of arms, is decidedly eager to get its hands on my new invention, but given its recent chumminess with Uncle Sam, is unable to transact with me directly. Enter Makrand Verma.

Not only Verma is the biggest arms dealer in India, he is also his government's go to guy in times of need. So, it was but a natural decision for my trade to be routed through him.

Here we are, in this scenic mountain retreat, to hash out the final and finer details of our trade in the next two days by our lawyers and sign on the dotted lines between sipping this region's world renowned tea and sight-seeing.

Who says one can't mix business with pleasure?

To read the Book One of The Hopeless Romantic Series, head on over @ https://www.wattpad.com/story/236161445-on-this-side-of-paradise

For Kindle readers:  https://read.amazon.in/kp/embed?asin=B08V36TDBN&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_HJ34V3HV1W7MZ2RR0YGW