His Term, Her Touch

CHAPTER 2- THE ELIGIBLE PARTNER

ZANE'S POV

The rooftop court is flawless, just like everything Maddox money touched- grass barriers, imported turf, the city skyline unfolding like a wallpaper behind it. Below, San Francisco pulsed with its usual chaos. Up here the world was quieter and more controlled.

I don’t believe in chaos- not on the court, and definitely not in business. Tennis is like the market: timing, angles and knowing exactly when to slam or let it sail.

I adjust my grip, track the arc of the ball and send it slicing across the net with effortless precision. Point.

“you practise in your sleep, don’t you?” Victor mutters, sweat dripping onto his collar.

I smile, tossing the ball lightly in my palm.

“Winning is a rhythm, you either find it or you drown trying”

My phone buzzes on the bench. Once. Twice. A vibration I got used to ignoring except it came from my executive assistant, Ava

Victor serves but misses it. The phone buzzes again, this time followed by the subtle ping of an encrypted government tag.

“I think you should get it”

He holds on with his serve as I walk over to the bench. I wipe sweat off my face with a white towel, tap my phone screen.

Axion group has agreed to merge for the innovation fund proposal. Sienna Vale has signed the preliminary letter of intent.

I stare at the letter a heartbeat longer than necessary then smile.

Well, well. The ice queen has blinked.

Victor serves clumsily, I return it with minimal effort. Pointless point.

“She agreed” I say flatly, adjusting my grip on the racket.

“who did?” He pauses mid bounce.

“Sienna Vale. Axion group just signed the letter of intent” I look up, half smiling.

“You’re joking” Victor blinks

“About this? Never” I wipe the back of my neck “The merger is on, we are officially in bed with the ice queen”.

Victor whistles, low and impressed. “well this ought to make for fun meetings”.

“Fun isn’t the word I’d use” I say with a deepened smile “Explosive maybe. Volcanic if we’re lucky”.

Victor stays quiet for a beat, bouncing the tennis ball slowly between his hands. The rooftop court is still- the skyline sharp against the pale clouds, the city below unaware that a storm just set in motion.

I don’t need words to measure the weight of what just shifted. I feel it in the pause, in the way Victor finally mutters “This is going to be messy”.

“Isn’t it always?” I say, collecting my racket “That’s half the fun”

***

I barely glance at the city view that unfolded on each floor. My mind is already moving, re-calibrating, repositioning. The merger has become real, that means power plays, legal gymnastics and sharing every room that mattered with Sienna Vale.

I walk into the sleek NovaX boardroom, hair still damp from the post match shower. Team members are seated around the meeting desk: my chief technology officer Victor, the group coordinator, PR head and the rest of the board members.

“Sienna Vale said yes”

The first reaction I get is silence, almost like they slowly processed the weight of the name: Sienna Vale.

“She actually agreed?” Elena, the legal counsel blinks.

“Letter of intent came in ten minutes ago” I reply, adjusting my cuff links “Axion group is in”

Across the table, Devon- the company’s CTO leans back in his seat, thoughtful.

“She’s smart. Dangerous, but smart”

“She’s not a team player” Elena adds

“Good” I say smiling faintly “Neither am I”

Someone chuckles, others don’t

“So what’s the plan?” Devon asks

I stand to speak

“we schedule a meeting, draft the MoU and try not to bleed too much on the first round.”

That got a laugh, then a hum of silence that held anticipation, respect and maybe even fear

Sienna Vale. Again. And this time, on the same side of the table- at least on paper

The board room empties except for Victor and I. He emerges with a half empty bottle of champagne and two wine glasses. He places both on the table, pours little wine in both then picks his up to drink

“Be honest- is this about the fund, or about proving you can beat her at her own game?”

I shrug with a smile, lifting the glass cup to my lips

Victor leaves the room shortly after, shutting the door behind him. I pick my phone up, search my contacts and the profile pops up

‘Sienna Vale’

A coy smile plays on my lips as my thumb hovers the call icon. This is going to be interesting

The phone rings once.

Twice.

Then-

“Vale” cool, measured. Sounding like she was already bored of the call

I lean back in my chair, a smile curling at the edge

“Sienna. Congratulations are in order. You said yes”

A pause. Barely half a second

“Save it, we’re not getting married. I agreed to a proposal, do not mistake it for enthusiasm”

“Oh I wouldn’t dare”

“Good”

“Still, you made my week”

“You must have really slow weeks”

I laugh at her sharp witted come back

“Shall we schedule the kickoff meeting or would you rather send your COO to glare at me in your place?”

“Camilla only glares when necessary. You Zane, require a full artillery”

I let out a dry chuckle. The COO is almost as icy as the boss

“Then I look forward to it. Thursday, noon. My office. Bring your fire”

“I don’t bring it. I am it”

She hangs up before I can give a response. I let the phone rest on my thigh, lips twitching in something that isn’t quite a smile- not yet

She didn’t rise to the bait. Still bold. Still cold. Still… fascinating

I lean forward, elbows on knees, staring at the skyline like it might offer answers. It doesn’t

Most investors, partners and rivals want to impress me so bad. Sienna Vale on the other hand wants to outplay. She hasn’t softened. But she said yes

I straighten, button my jacket and stand

“let the games begin”