As Fate Would Have It

Life Changing Negotiations

Fate Mason

The "send" button felt like a heavy stone that Fate Mason had just dropped into a deep, deep dark well. After watching the little blue bubble confirm that Julian Thorne now had her address, she collapsed onto her bed.

It was a vintage piece, oversized and creaking, tucked into the far corner of her small but practical apartment—a space that felt more like a hallway than a home.

“Wow.”

Why did she say yes?!? She wondered as she cursed herself, but then she realized the idea of spending Friday night with a billionaire who was about to clear her debt was not a bad idea at all.

And sincerely that was not the issue right now, she had to get ready.

She had no idea what to wear and the mere thought of trying to figure out what to wear when she was not sure of where exactly she was going to be was the ignorance she disliked, but after a few minutes of mental torment she settled for a pair of baggie denim pants and one of her regular baggie sweaters.

She momentarily heard Leo talking about her sweaters that horrible night. Shaking the thought out of her head, she immediately got dressed up.

When she was done dressing up, she grabbed her phone and toggled it to selfie mode to see her reflection. She did not have a mirror, she was not someone who had ever cared about that, but tonight she wished she cared more, even if it was a little bit, but the phone would do.

She was meeting The Julian Thorne, and she could not look weak. She had a goal and if he wanted to use her to get information, then she had no choice but to use him to pay the farmhouse debt.

She had to be firm and ensure that she did the least she could to get the farmhouse back; for her mother’s wellbeing and for her father’s memory.

Packing her curly chestnut hair in a ponytail, she settled for that simple hairstyle, only letting a few curly tendrils fall over her forehead.

You look like a plain Jane," she thought to herself.

Realizing that the more she looked at her reflection in the phone camera before her, the more uncomfortable she felt with what she looked like, so she reached for the phone.

Just as she did, her phone rang. She picked up the call,

“I am here.”

“Okay, I will be out in a few minutes,” she said just before ending the calls.

Her room suddenly felt too quiet. Fate closed her eyes and said a prayer for courage before stepping out of the room.

“Well, here’s to everything!”

**********

The bar Julian chose was a masterclass in "quiet luxury." Tucked away behind an unmarked door, it was dimly lit, smelling of expensive bourbon and old money.

The seating was designed for conspiracy; high-backed velvet booths ensured that even if the place was packed, you were essentially invisible to everyone but the person across from you.

Low, soulful jazz hummed in the background, Fate felt the tension in her neck ease just a fraction. She was not sure of what she had expected, and thankfully she was not disappointed.

Once they were seated, a waiter appeared like a ghost, depositing two drinks and taking their orders with a silent nod. Then, they were alone.

The orange glow of a table candle flickered between them, it’s reflection dancing in Julian’s dark eyes.

He looked impeccable, his presence filling the booth until Fate felt like she was breathing in his scent.

It was a very nice vibe and with how each seating arrangement was made, you could hardly see the other table.

It was currently semi empty with jazz playing in the background of the bar.

Fate liked it.

Once seated, they were served drinks and their orders were taken before both of them were left alone.

“Miss Mason, I hope you find this bar to be a good fit for this meeting.”

“Yes, sir. I believe it is.”

“Good! So, Miss Mason. What are these terms that you want to explain to me?”

Fate took a slow, deliberate sip of her drink, letting the cool liquid steady the frantic rhythm of her heart.

Across the table, Julian Thorne watched her with attentive eyes. Due to the intensity of his look, Fate had to look away so she would focus on her answer to him.

“A farmhouse,” Fate said, her voice steadier than she felt.

“My father’s property in my hometown. It’s facing foreclosure due to a series of... predatory loans he took out in his final months. I want the debt cleared. Entirely.

I want the title deed in my hand, free and clear of any liens.”

Julian leaned back, he looked like someone who was calculating in his head..

“A very straightforward request,” he murmured, his thumb tracing the rim of his crystal glass. “You will send me all the details regarding the case and I bet it’s an expensive piece of land, Fate.

Can I call you Fate?”

Fate felt a flush of heat creep up her neck—partly from the mention of the cost of the land, and partly from the way he said her name.

“The farm land is expensive but it’s even more expensive to me because it holds a lot of memories. Not just for me but my mum.

Especially for my mum.”

Julian’s eyes darkened, the jazz in the background suddenly feeling like a heartbeat. He looked moved and that was a good sign.

Right?

He leaned in closer, until she could smell the faint, intoxicating scent of his cologne.

“You’re a lot nicer than you look in that sweater, Miss Mason,” he said softly.

Fate flinched inwardly. The sweater. Again! She felt like a child sitting across from a king.

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“It’s an observation. Most negotiators would have shown up with their best tool trying to distract me. You showed up in soft armor.” He gestured to her baggy sleeves. “I respect a woman who knows her value is not in her silhouette.

However, if we will be working together, my terms are just as specific.”

Fate held her breath. “Go on.”

“I don’t just want the files,” Julian stated, his voice dropping to a low, commanding silk. “I want you to handle it.”

“Sir, I am sure you have an assistant, they can handle whatever information I will bring.”

With a smile on his face, Julian shook his head slowly,

“My assistant would be nice but that puts you at a risk.

What happens when the assistant decided to tell Leo Valerius that you secretly work for me. Or what if they try to blackmail us with that information?”

Fate hated how accurate what he said was but she was not ready to handle two data jobs at once.

I mean how would she??

“I thought you only wanted me to get some data files for you not an outright job with you.”

“Your role with me is not a very time consuming one, we will schedule particular meeting days and go over the data.”

Then he paused,

“And in the case that we are seen together,..”

“Seen together? Sir, that is not something that I want to ever happen especially as I have a job with your rival.”

“Well that is why we are having this conversation. You do not need to worry I have read your terms of service and I have just the right way to handle that.”

“Can I ask how?”

“We will find a way to distinguish the you working at Valerius House from the you who will be working with me.”

Fate was more confused now,

“How?”

“Well, we will keep your identity secret, just like the lady who got tabloid headlines after The Valerius House Gala.”

Fate looked up at him, there was no way that he was insinuating what she thought.

“What do you mean, Mr Thorne.”

“I mean it might be time for us to create a new persona or rather to make use of one that is already existing.”

“How?” Fate asked out loud, her curiosity genuine.

“The fashionista stylist persona is my thought.” Julian said smiling, then when he noticed the confusion on Fates face, he smiled and said,

“Don’t you worry about that now, we will sort it out.”