Yield

Chapter 2

Laurette stood alone in her glass-walled office staring at the city's view with a glass of wine in her hand. The smell of Rhodes's cologne laced with her own scent clung to the air.

It reminded her of him, and she hated it. She also hated the way she was attracted to him.

It wasn't right, but it felt right. It was all intimate in the wrong way: charged, raw, and uninvited.

"Touch me again, Sterling, and next time, I won't be so calm."

She picked up the office phone and dialed her assistant.

"Jamila, cancel my schedules for today, I'm going to the penthouse".

*************************

Her private Élan Noir residence was minimalist but expensive. Glass, marble, and gold.

Punching in the pin, the lock made a "beep" sound before it clicked open. She shut the door behind her before kicking her heels off, not caring to switch on the lights.

Zaira was sitting on the white cloud-like sofa with her legs tucked underneath her. She was wearing a pyjama set with the words "Bad b***h" printed all over it. Her laptop was opened on the coffee table, her work half-finished.

Without looking up, Zaira asked,

"Did you kill him or f**k him?"

Laurette slumped onto the sofa, "We almost kissed."

Zaira started snickering almost instantly. "Already? Damn, I thought you said you weren't easy."

"Oh shut up. You don't understand, if you meet him, you'll get what I mean."

"Did you at least wanna f**k him?" She shifted closer with a huge smile on her face.

"Zaria, not everything's about sex." Laurette answered before taking a long pause.

"I kinda wanted to, but that doesn't make it right."

"Slut". Zaria laughed resuming back to her work.

Maybe I was. She thought in her head.

Her phone buzzed. She picked up. Her father said in his usual cold tone.

"Come home, we need to discuss something."

Just like that. No hellos. Not even a "how have you been for the past month?" Just straight to business. What a great father he was.

A few hours later, she arrived at her family estate. It was just as she left it. Sterile, lifeless and expensive.

"Laurette. Sit"

Her father said from the head of the dinner table. Her mother sat across from him, not saying anything.

Laurette ignored him. Leaning against the wall instead.

He got the hint that she won't comply and started.

"There is a merger between you and Rhodes. It is perfect for the press and the media. Both Élan Noir and Whitmore International will get more popularity and partnerships with other companies around the world."

"And you didn't think you'd tell me before agreeing?" Laurette questioned.

"You already knew it'd happen.

It's too late now, Rhodes already agreed. The press conference will be next week."

"Is that what we are? Mergers sealed with rings instead of contracts?"

Laurette's mother spoke, her tone clipped "Oh stop being so dramatic. This is simply legacy maintenance."

Laurette laughed dryly. "And I'm the maintenance?"

They didn't respond. She left before dessert began.

Fine then. If they wanted a union, she'd give them one.

But she'd control it.

*************************

Rhodes sat in his mother's garden. "You're quiet today." She said, taking a small sip from her red wine. "That is never a good thing. It's either your plotting or brooding."

"And you only bring me to the garden when you want something."

Laughing playfully, she answered. "You know me too well."

She topped off her glass. "Have you seen Élan Noir's latest numbers?"

"I know, strong but nothing harmful. She's a wall."

"No, honey, not a wall. A fortress. That's the word."

Rhodes agreed a small hum leaving his throat.

"The board has been speaking to the Raines. And after having a few conversations with them; We agreed on something."

Rhodes leaned back slightly urging her on. "Yes, mother."

"They want a merger. It'll be good for both companies."

Rhodes murmured in disbelief "You want us married?"

She nudges him on his side. "I want you to stop thinking of her as an enemy. We both know she's not something you can corner."

She noticed his expression, quickly grabbing his hands.

"Look, you don't have to do much. Think of it this way. You both are just helping each other out. You'll make public appearances together to fool the public that you two are in a relationship. That's it."

He sat there quietly listening to this mother.

"Just remember that she grew up under pressure most men would fold under. Don't approach her like a chess piece. Learn her rhythm."

"Mother, you know I do results, not rhythm."

Natalie smiled, "Well, it's time you learn both."

After the conversation with his mother, Rhodes decided to dig. If he was going to play her game, he'd need a leverage.

He sat behind the computer, digging for something big to use against Laurette, but there was nothing. All of her press interviews, previous contracts, and business partnerships had no cracks in sight.

She didn't just climb up. She appeared. All while being calculated and composed.

Rhodes thought to himself for a second.

Let's see when the composure is teased.