Chapter 3: First Meeting with Eric
1054 Words
Brenda's heels touching the spotless marble floor echoed throughout the lavish eatery as she walked in. As evidence of the establishment's exclusivity, the air smelled of freshly cooked steak and aged wine.
Wealth oozed from the details everywhere she looked: the gold-trimmed table settings glistened under the gentle atmosphere, and the crystal chandeliers above threw a golden glow with their elaborate designs refracting light in stunning patterns. Even the servers, who wore immaculate white uniforms, moved with sophisticated ease as they served customers who radiated an easy wealth.
She felt knots in her stomach. She had stood her ground when she entered boardrooms full of seasoned executives—men who used shrewd language and brutal strategies to build their empires. However, this? This was not like the others. Like a tight grasp, the weight of what was at stake fell on her shoulders.
She would meet a man who was more than simply a power broker. He was Eric Walter, shrewd, powerful, and as untouchable as the wealth he held.
As she walked toward the reserved table, Brenda took a reassuring breath and straightened her posture, adjusting the silk fabric of her dress. She sensed the guests' glances shifting in her direction, evaluating and murmuring. It made no difference.
The bargain she was about to make was all that mattered; it could either rescue her family's legacy or cost her much more than she was ready to pay.
Eric Walter. A billionaire whose name was enough to inspire reverence and terror. A man who may either devour her family's legacy or save it.
She saw him right away. Wearing a specially made black suit, he exuded dominance at a corner table. His stance was easygoing, but the way his cold blue eyes followed her every step as she got closer was anything from casual.
"Miss Williams." He remarked in a deep, forceful, and impenetrable voice.
Brenda slipped onto the couch from him after taking a long breath.
"Mr. Walter."
There was a dense, impenetrable quiet between them. His eyes never left her as he watched her. Every second seemed like a test, but Brenda refused to flinch beneath his observation.
He said, "You're late," at last.
Her forehead raised. "Five minutes. Hardly a crime."
The shadow of amusement, or perhaps annoyance, twisted his lips. "Time is money. If we're to proceed, I expect you to value both."
Despite her anger, she maintained a bland demeanor. "Proceed? I haven't agreed to anything yet."
With his fingers tapping the table, Eric reclined in his chair. "You will."
The boldness. Although her jaw tensed, she declined to give him the pleasure of witnessing her rattle. "It appears you are confident in yourself."
He bowed his head and watched her as if she were a problem he was trying to resolve. "I don't enter agreements I do not intend on winning."
The appearance broke the tension of a waitress. He ordered a rare steak; she ordered a basic salad, which she didn't want. Eric's attention returned to her as soon as the waiter departed.
"Tell me, Brenda. Why are you here?"
She looked directly into his eyes. "Because my father gave me no choice. Because my family's company is on the verge of collapse, and apparently, marrying you is the only way to fix it."
His face remained the same. "And how do you feel about that?"
Brenda laughed briefly and without humor. "Am now a commodity ready to be auctioned off to the highest bidder." Eric took his wine unconcerned.
"Marriage has always been a transaction. Ours is just more honest about it."
She felt cold. His statements lacked passion, and there was no indication that he saw this agreement as anything more than a business transaction. That was okay, though. She did not need romance; she had to preserve her family's legacy.
She questioned, "What do you get out of this?"
Setting down his drink, he said, "Influence." "Your family's name, reputation, and connections. Marrying you gives me leverage in circles I've yet to fully penetrate."
Brenda swallowed. He was correct. Even though her family was in danger of going bankrupt, their name was still respected in old-money society. Power was the ultimate currency to individuals like Eric Walter.
She pressed, "And what do I get?"
His mouth curled slightly. "Stability. Security. Your father's company will not only survive but expand. Under my protection, it will thrive."
It was there—the truth that is not uttered. He wanted to take charge of her family's company, not merely save it—and, hence, her.
Her voice became softer when she asked, "You think power solves everything, don't you?"
Eric's face grew a little serious. "It solves most things."
Brenda hardly touched her lunch when it arrived. Under the pressure of his inspection, she wasn't sure she could take anything. As though their chat were just another business meeting, he, on the other hand, ate his steak with deliberate precision.
It took her several minutes to speak. "And if I refuse?"
Before responding, Eric used his napkin to wipe the corner of his lips. "You won't."
The surety in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. "You are unfamiliar with me."
He maintained an unbroken stare as he said, "I know desperation when I see it." "I know what it means to fight for survival."
Something raw flickered in his eyes and then disappeared behind his calm façade. Brenda scowled. Was he more than the vicious entrepreneur she had read about? Or was she looking for cracks where none existed?
Her phone buzzed on the table before she could respond. The name of her father appeared on the screen.
She paused. Looked at Eric.
He said, "Go ahead," and raised his glass again. "Take it."
As she replied, she wrapped her fingers around the phone. "Dad?"
His voice sounded urgent and tight. "Brenda. We have a problem. A big one."
Her heart froze. "What happened?"
"Someone's making moves to buy out our remaining shares. If they succeed, we lose everything."
She felt panic rise in her throat. "Who?"
A pause. Then— "Eric Walter."
Brenda gasped. She turned to him slowly. Calm, waiting, he watched her.
He was aware already.
She now understood that this was more than just a commercial transaction to him.
Checkmate prevailed.
- Writer
