not happening...

18

I've tried everything in my power to get an appointment with the CEO. I just can't get it, and I'm frustrated. You know the CEO.“ Cole: ”That's right—I know the CEO. The only thing I can do is ask the CEO if he'll grant you a meeting. Mr. Anderson, you should know that for all previous collaborations, the CEO initiated contact after a non-disclosure agreement was signed." Nicholas' jaw drops. “If you would be so kind?” Cole explains, “I'll mention it. Well, I should go. Thanks for lunch.” With that, he leaves Nicholas to his brooding.

Leila

After meeting Greta, I rush home and Cole is already waiting for me. “Hey, Cole.” Leila hugs him and smiles. Cole smiles and asks, “Do you have a moment for me?” Leila laughs, “Always...” Cole and she sit down on the couch in the living room and Cole tells her that he had a meeting with Nicholas. Then he takes out the box and shows it to Leila. Leila opens the box and looks at the piece of jewelry. She laughs, “Isn't it funny that he sent me jewelry?” Cole nods, then tells her what Nicholas said—about her grandfather and his gift, that the punishment hadn't been carried out yet because he couldn't find her. That he regrets that she was mistreated. He tells her everything he heard at his lunch date. Then he says, “I know you don't want everyone to know that you're my sister yet. But maybe we could reveal that you're the CEO of Future.” Leila thinks about it, “OK, I can do that.” Cole: “Nicholas said he has a gut feeling that something groundbreaking is going to happen at the trade show. He's been trying to get an appointment with the CEO for some time. Before you say anything, I only said I'd pass on the message. And that the CEO usually approaches the people he wants to work with himself.” Cole takes Leila's hand, “You do what you want. There's something else...” Then he tells her the part where Nicholas admitted that their first time was also his first time and, in Cole's opinion, Nicholas is attracted to Leila. Then he says, “Do you want to accept the jewelry?” Leila says, "The stone is so beautiful, I'll accept the jewelry. And in return, I guess I'll give him a date. But I don't know, I'm not going to show him my invention or tell him what kind of project we could work on... I have no idea.“ Cole says, ”How about the cell phone security software? I can tell him that you don't know yet what kind of project you could work on together.“ Leila nods, ”OK."

Cole dials a number and explains, "Good afternoon, Mr. Anderson. Leila has accepted the jewelry. On another note, the CEO isn't really sure what project your company could be useful for. I had an idea. I've commissioned Future to develop special security software. I admired how no information was leaked by employees, and when I was told why that was, I definitely wanted it for the employees who work with sensitive and confidential information." Then he hangs up. Leila looks at Cole and says, “You like that guy!” Cole shrugs, “He couldn't handle being in your hands, so he kept his distance and ignored you. When he saw us at dinner, he was jealous of me. Yes, he's an i***t when it comes to relationships, but he realizes that himself.” Leila doesn't say much in response.

The next morning, Stan is the first one in her office and congratulates her after putting a cup of coffee in front of her. “Our order hotline is ringing off the hook, the jewelry is a big hit.” Leila smiles: “How much is left?” Stan laughs: “It's all gone—it was gone about three hours after the article came out. Now everyone is trying to get an option on new jewelry.” Leila laughs: “Wonderful.” Then Stan reports: “Nicholas Anderson called and asked for an appointment. It's about his secret projects, and Mr. Grand apparently told him about the special software.” Leila nods, “Today is Monday, I don't feel like it, Tuesday either, Wednesday at the earliest because I'll have my hands full with the trade show on Thursday, and Friday is the trade show.” Stan nods and goes to take the call. Leila goes down to the basement to take care of Robert. She doesn't reappear until shortly after midnight, when she takes care of the other tasks at hand and manages to squeeze in three hours of sleep before she has to leave for training. Then Wednesday arrives. When Leila arrives at the company, she drinks her first cup in one go and Stan jokes: “Maybe it's better via IV?” Then he hands her a sandwich with lettuce and a fried egg on bacon. Leila takes a bite and mumbles, “Appointments?” Stan laughs and rattles off the appointments. Then he pauses: “10:00 a.m. appointment with Mr. Anderson and Mr. Crowl.” Leila looks at her watch and takes another bite. “I'm later than usual today because of the trade show. I didn't get to sleep until around 2 a.m. the last few days.” Stan nods. Of course, he knows how hard his boss works. Leila looks at him: "You're going to be at the meeting. If for any reason one of them questions my position as CEO, we end the conversation and you call security. I want you to have a direct line to him.“ Stan nods. He thinks the two men will behave themselves. They've been given a huge opportunity, and it's all because Cole gave them a chance. Stan: ”I'll have them wait in our conference room and have that pretty secretary bring them refreshments while they wait for us. That way we can see how they react." Leila gives a thumbs up and gets to work after getting another cup of coffee. At 10 o'clock, Stan enters her office again and places an open laptop on her desk. She watches the two men looking around, observing the view and waiting. The door opens and the pretty secretary enters with a small trolley. On it are various drinks and snacks