One Indian Girl(58)

‘Pretty stunning place you have here,’ Neel said.

‘Thank you, sir,’ Carlos said.

I joined the two of them.

‘Carlos, can I talk to you later?’ I said. ‘A few business-related questions about the resort?’

‘Sure. Mr Sereno informed me,’ Carlos said.

Neel smiled at my attempt to do due diligence at every opportunity. Carlos excused himself and left us in the lobby area. The sun shone bright, though there was only one hour to sunset.

‘Beats working on a bank portfolio, doesn’t it?’ Neel said.

‘Totally,’ I said and laughed. ‘This is the best deal ever. How beautiful is this place?’

‘Yeah, glad we came. I had no idea this is so amazing.’

‘We will find a buyer, right?’ I said.

‘Gosh. You are unbelievable. Just look at the view. Worry about the buyer later,’ Neel said.

‘Sorry,’ I said.

We walked out of the lobby to face the sea in front of us. Rock formations in the middle of the ocean made the view even more dramatic.

‘What’s your plan for the rest of the evening?’ Neel said.

‘I have to make the term sheet,’ I said.

‘Come on. Do it back in the office. Want to take a walk around the island before dinner?’

‘Sure,’ I said.

‘Let’s change into workout clothes. See you here in thirty minutes,’ he said.



Neel and I walked on the two-kilometre trail that circled the island. Every nook and corner had spectacular scenery. Warm seawater touched our shoes as we walked on the sand near the water. If God hired an architect to design heaven, this was how it would be done.

‘Let’s keep it brisk,’ Neel said and increased his stride. He now walked in front of me, looking even better in his workout clothes: knee-length black shorts and a neon-green Nike T-shirt.

I wore a white T-shirt and grey trackpants.

‘You are really into fitness,’ I said.

‘I try,’ Neel said.

‘The hike that day. Walk today.’

‘Well, when you get to my age, your metabolism drops. Not easy to remain fit.’

‘You look so fit,’ I said. I wondered if I should have said it. I had just noticed a partner’s physical appearance. Well, who in the office hadn’t?

‘Thank you. I am old now. Forty-five.’

‘That’s not so old,’ I said. Okay, why did I have to say that?

He laughed. ‘Really? How old are you? Sorry. I shouldn’t be asking a lady that.’

‘I am twenty-five. Well, twenty-six soon.’

‘That’s incredibly young. Look at you, already on big deals.’

‘I am lucky.’

‘Don’t say that. You are good. You work hard. That’s when luck creeps up on you.’

I turned to him and smiled.

‘Thanks,’ I said.

‘But you are twenty years younger. I feel even older now,’ Neel said.

‘You are a partner at Goldman Sachs at forty-five. It’s pretty young. Plus, you look good.’

Now why the fuck did I have to say that? ‘You look good’? You are with the head of distressed debt for Asia. Radhika, control your tongue.

‘Thank you. Don’t get to hear that so much these days,’ he said.

We circled the entire island and returned to the resort.

‘Dinner in an hour? I will take a shower and see you at the restaurant,’ he said.

‘Sure,’ I said.

‘I might run a few more rounds of the island before that,’ he said.

‘I feel like a slob,’ I said.

‘Relax. You must be tired. See you soon.’





24


‘Champagne, sir, courtesy of Mr Marcos Sereno,’ Carlos said as he put a bottle of Dom Perignon in a chiller next to us. We sat in the open-air restaurant in the resort, located in an alcove. The sun had set. The clear sea reflected the palette of the sky. The restaurant had only six tables, each with several lit candles on it.

Ours was the only occupied table.

‘Would you like some?’ Neel said as he lifted the bottle.

‘Yes, please,’ I said.

Like a gentleman, Neel stood up and poured the champagne for me.

‘Thank you,’ I said.

‘You are welcome,’ Neel said. We raised our glasses in a toast.

‘To many more deals,’ he said.

‘Especially ones involving private island assets,’ I said. Both of us laughed.

Waiters brought us various kinds of seafood, all caught fresh from the sea. Everything tasted delicious.

One of the waiters brought us a heart-shaped red velvet cake.

‘For the lovely couple,’ he said in a Filipino accent.

The waiter’s words left me stumped. I struggled to speak.

‘Oh, actually, we. . .’ I said. Neel intervened.

‘Thank you for the cake. Didn’t have to be heart-shaped, as we are not a couple.’

The waiter looked at both of us, surprised.

‘We are here on a business trip,’ I said. The waiter became even more confused. Who comes to Pengalusian Island on work?

Neel smiled.

‘Thanks for the cake,’ he repeated. The waiter left us. We burst out laughing. Neel poured us both another glass of champagne.