Party
980 Words
Today, I was headed to the devil's den to discuss the details of the agreement. Once I finished my preparations and picked up the drafts of the agreement, I set off. My lawyers were waiting for me at the company. As soon as I entered the company, I was struck by the floor design. The tiles resembled the black and white squares of a chessboard, with statues of pawns strategically placed in some corners. The overall design of the company was a blend of black, white, and gray. I boarded the glass elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. Each ascending floor had a different chess piece, and in front of Christian Eldor's office on the top floor stood a grand black king. I wasn't surprised by his hubris. He was always like this, expecting people to bow down before him and considering himself superior to all.
I knocked and entered. Christian, in all his imposing stature, was intensely studying the files in front of him. He briefly looked up at me.
"I will keep you waiting a while, Miss Grace," he said with a hint of mockery in his voice. His usual cold and authoritative aura dominated the room. He gestured for me to sit in one of the chairs. As the minutes ticked by, he seemed endless in his work. I wasn't sure if he was testing my patience, but I wasn't about to give him what he wanted. I would not get angry or show any emotion, just like him.
Noticing my restless shifting, he looked up, "Is there a problem, Miss Grace?"
"If being kept waiting by your new project partner for almost half an hour is a problem, then yes."
He scanned me with his typically insolent eyes. "Very well, I won't keep you waiting any longer," he said. The arrogant bastard, I thought, he didn't even have the decency to apologize.
We both stood up simultaneously, and as he directed me toward the meeting room, he lightly placed a hand on my waist. A shiver ran through me at his touch. He must have felt the electricity too, as he quickly withdrew his hand. After this strange interaction, I avoided looking at him for the rest of the meeting.
As the meeting neared its end, one of Montenegro's lawyers began to speak.
"After Miss Grace has made her final decision, if the outcome is positive and both parties agree, Alexander will come from Italy to see the final agreement. This indicates that we have about two months ahead of us before starting the process. Once Mr. Montenegro signs the agreement, we should be able to conclude everything successfully within six months. As I said, to start all this, we need the firm approval of Miss Grace."
All eyes turned to me.
"Currently, the agreement seems beneficial for both parties, but I need some time to make my final decision."
Christian interjected, "Take all the time you need, Miss Grace, but remember, every second you delay costs you money."
I was well aware of Christian's attempt to pressure me. But what he needed to realize was that I was now just as cold-blooded as he was, or at least I hoped so.
"You're right, Mr. Eldor. Rest assured, I will announce my decision as soon as possible. However, you would agree that I am risking millions with this agreement, and it's not something to be rushed."
The palpable tension in the room was interrupted by closing remarks and well-wishes.
When the meeting concluded, only Scott, Christian, and I remained in the room. Scott turned to me.
"Grace, I'm hosting a grand party at my residence tonight, attended by significant members of the business world. Amy and I would love to have you with us."
My eyes met Christian's, and in a challenging move, I accepted the invitation.
******
For the evening, I had chosen a simple yet striking Prada dress. I didn't plan to stay long, but I did want the New York elite to know I had returned. Later in the evening, I planned to lose myself in a nightclub where no one would recognize me.
As I arrived at Amy and Scott's mansion located outside the city, I stepped out of the car gracefully. Several curious eyes immediately began surveying me. As I moved through the grand reception hall, the scene wasn't much different. Many were whispering amongst themselves, discussing rumors about my return.
"Did you hear she's engaged to Montenegro's son?"
"Why is she back now, after all these years?"
"They say she's secretly back with Christian."
I paid no heed to the baseless gossip around me and greeted a few old acquaintances.
While speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Larson, my eyes caught Christian making an entrance with a tall blonde woman on his arm. She was unmistakably a model.
Mrs. Larson followed my gaze and remarked, "Christian Eldor, as always, appears with a new woman. Scarlett Eldor won't be pleased."
The realization that he always brought a different woman to every event wasn't shocking. As they approached, I felt an unfamiliar discomfort. It definitely wasn't jealousy, I reassured myself. It was just the unease of seeing him again.
As they reached us, Christian introduced the woman as Emma, a model as I had guessed. An amused smile played on my face as Christian, as if trying to prove a point, pulled Emma closer by her waist. Ignoring the overt display, I smiled pleasantly at Emma.
"Did you come alone, Grace? Don't you have a partner with you?" she inquired.
Here was my chance to fire back. Locking eyes with Christian, I said, "My partner is in Italy, unfortunately." I could see him tense up at my words, but I couldn't care less.
The two of them moved on, and I was left with a triumphant smile on my face.
- Writer
