Chapter 4: The Business Lunch
1025 Words
Thirty minutes later, Adrian's black Reuvelto pulled to a stop in front of The River Café, an elegant waterfront restaurant nestled beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Heights.
Through its floor-to-ceiling windows, the East River shimmered beneath the afternoon sun while the Manhattan skyline rose majestically in the distance.
Sophia had never been anywhere like it.
The atmosphere was refined yet peaceful, with fresh flowers adorning every table, the soft melody of a grand piano drifting through the dining room, and impeccably dressed waiters gliding silently between guests.
As Adrian stepped out of the car, the restaurant manager personally came forward to greet him.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Kingston. Your private table is ready."
Adrian merely gave a brief nod.
"Lead the way."
Sophia followed quietly, noticing how every employee seemed to recognize him.
There was no excitement or fanfare—only genuine respect reserved for one of the city's most influential businessmen.
Their table overlooked the river, offering a breathtaking view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
A few moments later, another distinguished gentleman approached with a warm smile.
"Adrian."
"Charles."
The two men exchanged a firm handshake before Adrian gestured toward Sophia.
"My executive assistant, Miss Sophia Bennett."
Charles smiled politely.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennett."
"The pleasure is mine, sir."
"Not sir. Drop all those formalities. Just call me Charles."
"Charles Wellington."
"Okay sir... sorry Mr Charles."
Charles Wellington let's out a smile.
As everyone took their seats, the conversation quickly shifted from pleasantries to business.
Sophia quietly opened her notebook, ready to record every important point.
She was in for a surprise by Adrian's character when it comes to business.
What surprised her wasn't Adrian's authority or cold nature.
It was his composure.
The cold, intimidating CEO she had seen in the office was now a master negotiator.
He spoke calmly, listened carefully, and dismantled every argument with facts, logic, and confidence.
He never raised his voice, yet somehow he managed to control the entire conversation to his favour.
For nearly an hour, the two businessmen discussed investment opportunities, expansion strategies, and a potential partnership worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Not once did Adrian lose focus.
Not once did he speak unnecessarily.
Sophia couldn't help but admire his brilliance.
No wonder he was able to build an empire like this as such a young age, she thought.
Then, unexpectedly, Charles turned toward her.
"Miss Bennett..."
He smiled.
"I have heard Mr. Kingston has never kept an executive assistant for more than a few months."
He chuckled lightly.
"So tell me..."
"How has your first day been working for the most difficult CEO in New York?"
Adrian slowly lifted his coffee cup, waiting for her answer without saying a word.
Sophia suddenly felt as if she had suddenly walked in into poisoned needles.
The atmosphere suddenly became hot for her even though the air-conditioning was at its peak condition.
She began to sweat.
"Miss Bennett. You suddenly became quiet. Is everything okay?"
"Yes... Yes it is."
"Then why haven't you answered my question."
Sophia sighed.
Really?
Of all the things you could ask, you choosed to asked this.
Like what the hell is wrong with you.
"Well, working with Mr Kingston has been a pleasure to me. Even though this is just my first day and have only worked a few hours with him, it has been great."
She replied carefully.
"Really? Is that all?"
"No complaints or something? No..."
"Mr Charles. Please can we go back to the business at hand. It's not a nice thing to ask if someone's boss so rudely and in front of him."
Sophia said as she cuts him short.
"Hehehe.... Sorry about that my bad." Charles Wellington said laughing heartily.
"Always a jerk as always." Adrian said as he took a sip of water.
"Well what did you expect when you're friends with me. Expect nothing else but classiness." Charles retorted back.
"Really? You call this classiness. Your wayward behaviour."
"And what's wrong with what I said..."
Sophia didn't even know what to say any longer. She just quietly ate her food as she watched the two grown up men I front of her bicker with each other.
It wasn't really her business anyway.
Soon the business lunch was over.
They all made their way to the parking lot.
"Okay Adrian. See you some other time, I have some documents still waiting for me to complete at the office. Take care of yourself Miss Bennett."
"And you too Mr Charles." Sophia replied back.
Adrian didn't even say anything at all.
He just opened his car and started the engine.
Sophia on cue, jumped in after him while Charles still stood there waiting for his chauffeur to pull over as his car had been parked at the ending of the parking line.
The drive back to the office was silent as usual.
Sophia fidgeted with her phone all through while occasionally looking outside the car window to watch the sceneries of town.
Leo met them at the reception hall, as Adrian had at the last minute decided to conduct a routine check in the company.
"Sir the Chinese delegations from Hu Wei company is here for the meeting that was scheduled for this week."
"I thought it was meant to be on Friday. This is just Monday." Adrian asked with a frown on his face.
"Yes sir. But they suddenly had a last minute plan and called ahead. You were busy at the business lunch and they couldn't get across to you so they called me instead."
"It's okay. Get everything ready. Will be there in ten."
"Yes sir."
"And Leo..."
"Sir..."
"Make sure to carry Miss Bennett along. She needs to be aware of all business relations concerning my schedules and all." Adrian said as he took the elevator.
"Yes sir."
Leo said wiping off sweat from his face.
Sophia couldn't help but wonder if Adrian was that scary.
I mean she could literally see the way Leo shivered while speaking to him.
Like he was some god or something.
She said nothing but followed him to help prepare the conference hall for the meeting.
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