CONTRACT MARRIAGE: his business wife

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO.

FOES OR FRIENDS...OR MAYBE MORE.

BLAKE’s POV.

I glared at the phone, normally I would not want my enemies on my contact list, but Jace, I kept his number there so I could ignore it when he calls.

But this time, it was different.

“Hello, what do you want?” I snapped at him; as soon as I picked up the phone.

“Well...I just wanted to ask you if you have seen the news,” Jace’s voice came from the other end of the phone.

“Oh Shut up, I am on my way to your office.” I cut him off rudely and hung up the call.

“Head home Aria, I might head home from there,” I said and grabbed my car key, leaving my office like I was being chased by a ghost.

Seconds turned into minutes and soon I entered Jace Griffin’s office. I took a seat across from, my chin held up high, as I met his gaze.

“So what brings you to my office today? I do not think the Carters can have tea with the Griffins.” Jace sneered at me.

“I am not here for tea, neither am I here for pleasantries. I am here with a proposal, a business proposal that will be mutually beneficial to both of our companies.” I said, my expression cool and collected despite the rage simmering inside of me.

“Proposal?” Jace scoffed and leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving my face. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise? Someone whose company is on the brink of bankruptcy, is here offering me a business proposal, what could you possibly offer that is worth my time, Carter?”

I suppressed the urge to slap his handsome face. “I am proposing a merger, between our two companies. A merger that could create a storm in the industry, far surpassing anything that any competition out there can think of offering.”

Jace looked at me for some time, his lips curled up into a sneer. “A merger you say. And why would I even consider a merger with your bankrupt company when I can easily buy you out and gain control of all your assets? I mean, your company is on the brink of bankruptcy, your sales are declining and your customers are looking for new places.”

I leaned forward, my lips also curled up into a sneer. “Because a merger would give us both the strongest grip in the market and the ability to dominate if not eliminate our competition. And because I am not selling any S H I T to you or anyone else. I want this to be a partnership not...acquisition, Griffin.”

Jace tapped his chin and his expression turned serious. “I must say, you are more than what I gave you credit for, Carter. But what makes you think I would agree to such a crazy, not to mention far-fetched proposal, what is in it for me? I mean if you swayed your hips here and think you can just talk me into something you have probably rehearsed over and over again, then I am sorry Blake but you will have to try the next company. Now, I will ask you one last time, what is in it for me, I would like you to go straight to the point and give me a reasonable answer, I am beginning to get bored.”

I leaned back, my expression calm. This was going just the way I had planned, on my way here. “What is in it for you? Of course, access to my company’s resources, our customer base, as well as the reputation of the Carter name.”

Jace smirked. “Oh, the great Carter name. Do you mean the same name of the family that has been declining for some homes now? Do you think this little offer of yours is even enough to get my attention?”

My smile widened, who said this man was unpredictable?

“I agree the Carter name might be having its share of problems at the moment, but just because the lion is sick does not mean it’s now equal to a house cat. And let us not forget the most important part of my proposal, a merger that would double, if not triple our profits.”

Jace narrowed his eyes. “So you are offering me more profits and a name that is damaged? What makes you think I have any interest in these? What makes you think I can not get those things on my own if I wanted to?”

My expression remained calm, his ego would be the end of him. “Because, despite your success, you have been struggling to break into certain markets, the same market that the Carter Group of Companies has had a foothold in for decades. A merger would give you unlimited access to these markets as the expertise and resources you need to expand your business, to its fullest potential.

Jace’s smirk changed into a serious expression. “Hm, you do know how to bring out your arguments. But one quick question, why should I trust you? Hmm? The Carters and Griffins have never seen eye to eye for years. How do I know this is not just sole well-cooked ploy by your mummy and daddy to bring me down?”

I leaned forward, my piercing gaze matching his. “Because this is not about the Carters or the Griffins. This is about our businesses. This is about profit, and I know you are just as cold and calculated as I am when it comes to our business and achieving our set goals.”

A small smile spread across Jace’s face. “Good job, I see you have done your assignment and I have to admit, you did manage to convince me, even though your presentation needs a little work. But... if we are going to move forward with his, there will be certain ...conditions from my side.”

I should have seen this coming!

But I maintained my composure and smiled widely.

“What are your conditions?”