The meeting
1024 Words
Anastasia.
My breath hitched.
My eyes wandered over the defined contours of his abs, visible through the crisp white shirt unbuttoned to the waist, revealing just enough to make my heart race. His dark trousers rested low on his hips, and as he ventured further into the office, I couldn't take my eyes off him.
Then his profound, resonant voice pierced the silence once more.
"Should I also contact a translator while I'm at it?"
I tensed up, my face flushed with humiliation. "What?"
His mouth curled into the barest of smirks as he raised an eyebrow.
I blushed still further, stammering over words. "The…the thing is, no, of course not. I was just…I was just…"
His piercing stare met mine for a moment before he inhaled deeply and moved closer, tucking his shirt into his trousers and weaving the glossy black belt through the loops.
I shifted my eyes, deeply concentrating on a spot on the wall. “I’m from Monty&Co. We’re to speak concerning the takeover.”
"Right," he muttered. "The 4 PM meeting. I had forgotten about that." He popped at his cufflinks, securing them with a look of ease. "We're going to make this quick. You've got five minutes."
I gawked. "Five minutes? What?"
"Isn't that long enough for you?" He barely looked at me as he slung on his suit. "You and I both know where this will eventually lead. I will have Monty & Co. You know it. I know it."
My heart was racing, but I wasn't going to allow him to shake my composure.
"No, you will not," I replied assertively, raising my chin. "Because I have a better offer for you."
That froze him. His hands went to his expensive wristwatch before he fastened it slowly.
"Better?" he thought, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I don't think so."
"Just listen," I said.
Taking a deep breath, I laid out my plan, a strategic partnership rather than a coercive takeover. Instead of dismantling Monty & Co, Wallmore Industries could invest in and consolidate individual departments, tapping into Monty's customer base without operationally integrating them. It would be a win-win: West would acquire control of a significant segment without the usual resistance of a coercive takeover, and Monty & Co would not be completely engulfed.
When I was done, there was silence between us.
West fiddled with his watch, then put on his shoes with a fluid motion. His face revealed nothing.
I tapped my foot impatiently. "Well?"
He finally looked at me, head c****d slightly.
"And what's your name again?"
I stalled. "Anastasia."
"Anastasia," he said, rolling the name over his tongue slowly, intentionally.
My breath caught. The way he'd said it, trying it out like it was tasting in his mouth, sent fire racing up the back of my neck.
He spun and made his way across the room to his desk. "Take this down."
Baffled, I quickly pulled out my pen and notebook.
West began counting out amendments, he had accepted the deal but with terms. Wallmore Industries would still be taking a holding in Monty & Co but would have effective control over them. While independent, West would have a say on major business decisions.
I gnawed at my lip thoughtfully. The compromise took some autonomy away from Monty, but it was far better than a takeover.
"Don't do that," West told me.
I blinked. "Do what?"
His gaze flew to my mouth. "That."
I caught myself doing it and released my lip instantly, blushing.
"You do that a lot," he pointed out.
I glared at him. "Do what?"
“Blush.”
I silently groaned as I could sense the heat rise to my face again.
His voice was smooth as silk as he bent over his desk, pressed a button and said, "Send Craig up immediately."
He leaned back in his chair and looked at me.
Some minutes passed and my knee bounced in the silence, trying to ignore the way his eyes bored into me. I glanced at the clock."It's already more than five minutes."
West smiled. "Attempting to intimidate me out of my own office?"
My mouth opened, and then closed. "No, I…"
He observed me struggling to find words, a playful glint in his eyes.
Just as the tension was about to escalate, a knock came at the door. A man in smart attire walked in.
"Craig," West said smoothly. "Take her notes and draw up the agreement."
I remained there as Craig tooka picture of the notepad from my fingers.
We exited the office building in silence.
Craig turned away as we headed for the elevator, and I was relieved that this meeting had finally concluded. I stepped inside, sticking over on the other side of the elevator.
West stepped in behind me, his presence effortlessly dominant.
The doors shut.
The air inside was denser, the silence stretching. Then, in a voice laced with humor, West said, "With a humorous tone, West remarked, "With the way you're attempting to create as much space as you can between us, one would think I carry the plague that’s going to end humanity."
I stiffened. "I…I'm not."
I totally was.
He smiled. "I don't bite, you know. Unless you're into that."
My heart pounded.
I gaped at him, words caught in my throat. "You…You can’t say that to me!"
His smirk deepened. "Why not?"
"Because." I swallowed hard. "I’m engaged."
For the first time, West was silent.
The heaviness of his stare rested on me, inscrutable.
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened. As I rushed out, he whispered softly, just enough for me to barely hear it…
"Well, that’s a pity."
My feet stumbled.
Flush of heat rose on my cheeks, and I could not turn around.
"Goodbye! " I squealed, voice pitchy before I practically ran out of the building.
I hailed down a cab, scrambling inside quickly and giving my address.
As the cab pulled away in a squeal of tires, I had enough courage to risk glancing around at Wallmore Industries HQ.
With luck, I’ll never have to see West Wallmore again.
Oh, how wrong I was.
- Writer
