Chapter thirteen.
1085 Words
When Calista said she was going to steal her husband, she did not mean all at once.
She meant she would strip him away slowly, without Elara even realizing it was happening.
The contract had been signed earlier than expected. They had agreed it would take place at the end of the week, but she had suddenly contacted him and informed him that everything was in place and she was ready.
This time it would take place in the executive boardroom, not over dinner.
She sighed, tapping her fingers lightly against her watch. They had decided on 9:30 a.m., and there were only five minutes left.
Enough time to walk there without looking rushed.
As she stood up, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” she called out, smoothing down the front of her blouse.
Her assistant stepped inside, a few documents held neatly in her hands.
“They have arrived,” she said after taking a few steps forward.
Calista nodded once. “Are the legal teams settled?”
“Yes. Everyone is in the boardroom.”
“Good.”
She picked up the contract folder from her desk and walked toward the door. Her assistant stepped aside to let her pass, then followed behind her down the hallway.
The sound of their heels echoed softly against the floor. Employees they passed lowered their voices instinctively. No one stopped them.
When they reached the executive boardroom doors, her assistant pushed one side open.
Conversations inside immediately quieted.
Every head turned.
Cauis was seated on the right side of the long polished table, two lawyers beside him and his financial advisor across from them. Their suits were dark, expressions professional. Folders and tablets were neatly arranged in front of each person.
For a brief moment, the room simply watched her.
Calista walked in without hesitation.
“Good morning,” she said calmly.
There were murmured greetings in response.
“Good morning, Ms. Vale.”
“Morning.”
Cauis held her gaze for a second longer than the others before giving a small nod. “Morning.”
She walked to the head of the table, where her seat was positioned. Her assistant moved quietly to her usual place near the wall, ready with extra copies of documents if needed.
Calista placed the contract folder down and took her seat.
Once seated, she glanced around the table, acknowledging each person briefly before focusing on Cauis.
“Shall we begin?” she asked.
One of the lawyers cleared his throat and opened his file, and the meeting officially started.
...
They had finished the meeting almost as quickly as it had started, although it had felt like Calista was bargaining for far more than necessary.
There had been nothing they could do about it. They had only whispered among themselves, calling her ruthless in low tones when they thought she could not hear.
But she always heard.
They were in a tight position now, and they knew it. The collaboration would be made public tomorrow. A press conference had already been scheduled to officially announce their partnership.
By the time the final signature was placed, the lawyers began packing their files. Chairs scraped softly against the floor. One by one, they filtered out of the boardroom until the heavy doors closed, leaving only the two of them behind.
Cauis had wanted that.
He rose from his seat and walked toward her, unhurried. Instead of taking the chair across from her, he leaned back against the long table, settling himself on the edge. Not fully sitting, just resting there casually.
He was only a few inches away from where she remained seated.
He was close enough now to notice the faint scent of her perfume.
“You didn’t have to push that hard,” he said, his tone lighter than before.
Calista closed the folder in front of her and looked up at him. “I did.”
A small smile tugged at his mouth. “You enjoy making things difficult.”
“I enjoy making things fair.”
He shook his head softly, amused. “That wasn’t fair. That was strategic.”
“And you still agreed.”
He studied her for a moment. Not as a business rival. Not entirely.
“You’re different from most people I negotiate with,” he admitted.
“In a good way?” she asked.
“In a way that keeps me on edge.”
There was honesty in that. And curiosity.
She rose from her chair slowly. The movement brought her almost level with him. Not close enough to touch, but close enough for the air between them to feel heavier.
“Tomorrow will be simple,” she said. “We sign in front of the cameras. We shake hands. We answer a few questions.”
“You planned all of that fast.”
“I don’t like delays.”
He watched her carefully, his gaze softer now. “You don’t seem like someone who waits for things.”
“I don’t.”
A brief silence followed.
“Are you always this intense?” he asked, a faint teasing note slipping into his voice.
“Only when it matters.”
He laughed quietly. “I’m starting to think you enjoy challenging me.”
“Maybe I do.”
There it was again. That flicker in his expression. Interest. Attraction he had not expected.
“You know,” he said, lowering his voice slightly, “most people try to impress me during negotiations.”
“And does it work?”
“Sometimes.”
“And me?”
His eyes lingered on her face. “You’re not trying to impress me.”
“No,” she replied softly. “I’m not.”
That seemed to affect him more than it should have.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then she stepped past him.
Not hurried. Not hesitant.
As she walked toward the door, there was a natural rhythm in her steps, graceful without effort. She did not glance back at him, though she could feel his eyes following her.
“Don’t be late tomorrow,” she said lightly as she reached the door.
“I won’t,” he replied.
She opened it and stepped out, leaving him alone in the quiet room.
Cauis exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
He was not sure when business had started to feel like something else.
But he knew one thing.
Tomorrow’s press conference was going to be very interesting.
- Writer
