I shake my head. “No. Mumbai won’t do to start with. I suggest let’s go with Delhi and find a retail store in Mumbai that we can partner with to market our brand. Try the DLF Emporio Mall in Delhi for a store location there and try for a jewelry store operating out of High Street Phoenix or a South Mumbai store to tie up with in Mumbai.”

They both exchange a glance. Peter finally says, “Looks like you won’t need the file after all.” He nods to the file in my hand. “Have you visited India recently?”

“Of course not.”

“Well then, your knowledge about the locations is quite on point,” Lydia acknowledges with a slight smile.

My head jerks back listening to her words. How do I know so much about this country when I’ve never travelled to India? I don’t even remember reading any article recently about the retail sector in India. My knowledge on Indian mythology is also vast as I discovered during my conversation with Aaliya the other night.

Perhaps I was reading a magazine on India before the accident and that’s what got me interested in India as a country. That seems to be the only logical explanation. And being with Aaliya has opened up my mind to this knowledge. I smile thinking about her. She’s been on my mind constantly since last night. I need to get in touch with her real soon.

I turn back to my colleagues and they both are waiting for me to continue. “Let’s move on. I guess we are on the last point on the agenda.”

I scroll through the list on my iPad and frown when I see the last name. “Kardesh Areen,” I say the name out loud.

Of course, I recognize the name. Kardesh Areen is the dictator of a small African country rich in diamonds, but in the middle of a raging civil war that has been going on since years.

“What about him?” I ask Peter.

“His people are threatening with dire consequences if we don’t pay them. Their payment is pending since the last six months.” His tone sounds dismissive to my ears, like it’s not a big deal at all. Without even knowing the details, I’m certain that this ought to be a cause for concern.

“How much do we owe them? And why has it not been cleared so far?”

Peter tells a number that makes my eyes go wide and hands me his iPad. I look at the Excel sheet on the screen in front of me. I scan the amounts that have been paid to Areen in the last ten years and the amount is astounding.

“Are we still getting our supply of diamonds from him?” I ask Peter.

Lydia replies immediately with a scowl, “Yes, plenty from him and a lot from others like him.”

“Then why’s he not been paid?”