CHAPTER 4: AN OFFER SHE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND
722 Words
The cool night breeze swept across the terrace of the Royal Crescent Hotel.
Mackenzie stood facing Kelvin Alexander Lawson, refusing to break eye contact.
"Should I be?" she asked calmly.
For several seconds, silence hung between them.
Kelvin studied her face.
No trembling.
No panic.
No attempt to flatter him.
She genuinely wanted an answer.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Most people are."
Mackenzie folded her arms.
"I'm not most people."
His smile widened ever so slightly.
"So I've noticed."
For reasons he couldn't explain, he found her honesty refreshing.
Women usually tried to impress him.
Businessmen tried to please him.
Enemies tried to deceive him.
But Mackenzie...
She simply spoke her mind.
"I should get back inside," she said after a moment.
"My staff needs me."
Kelvin stepped aside, allowing her to pass.
"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Lawson."
She walked away without looking back.
Kelvin remained where he stood, watching until she disappeared into the ballroom.
Damien approached quietly.
"Boss."
Kelvin didn't move.
"She walked away."
"I know."
"You let her."
Kelvin slipped one hand into his pocket.
"If I chase too soon..."
His eyes remained fixed on the ballroom doors.
"...she'll run."
Damien had worked for Kelvin for nearly ten years.
He had seen his boss negotiate billion-dollar deals and eliminate dangerous rivals without hesitation.
But this...
This patience was something entirely new.
The gala ended close to midnight.
Mackenzie and her team packed away the remaining decorations.
Everyone was exhausted.
"You did it again, boss," one of her employees said with a grin.
"The clients loved everything."
Mackenzie smiled warmly.
"We all did a great job."
As they wheeled the last trolley toward the service entrance, the hotel manager hurried over.
"Miss Giovanni?"
"Yes?"
"Someone left this for you."
He handed her a sleek black envelope.
"There wasn't a name."
Mackenzie frowned.
"Again?"
Inside was a single card.
You have remarkable talent. Never let anyone make you settle for less.
There was no signature.
She looked around the nearly empty hotel lobby.
Whoever had sent it was gone.
Meanwhile...
Kelvin sat in the back of his car as the convoy moved through the sleeping city.
Damien glanced at him in the rear-view mirror.
"You complimented her work."
Kelvin looked out the window.
"It deserved to be complimented."
"You've never paid attention to event decorations before."
Kelvin's silence was answer enough.
The next morning...
Mackenzie arrived at her office with the mysterious card still in her handbag.
She couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Morning!" Sophia called cheerfully.
"You look like someone kept you awake all night."
Mackenzie laughed softly.
"I met Kelvin Alexander Lawson."
Sophia nearly dropped her coffee.
"You what?"
"He attended last night's gala."
"And?"
"He wasn't what I expected."
Sophia leaned forward.
"What do you mean?"
"I expected someone arrogant."
"And?"
"He was... polite."
Sophia blinked.
"Aliens have invaded Valestia."
Mackenzie burst into laughter.
"I'm serious."
"Everyone says he's terrifying."
"He probably is."
"But he thanked me for organizing the event."
Sophia narrowed her eyes.
"That's all?"
"...And he caught me when I almost fell."
Sophia gasped dramatically.
"Oh, no."
"What?"
"You're smiling."
Mackenzie immediately wiped the smile from her face.
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
Before Mackenzie could deny it again, her office phone rang.
She answered professionally.
"Giovanni Events. This is Mackenzie speaking."
A calm male voice replied,
"Good morning, Miss Giovanni."
She frowned.
"Who is this?"
"I'm calling on behalf of Lawson Holdings."
Her heart skipped.
"We would like to schedule a meeting with you tomorrow morning."
"A meeting?"
"Yes."
"Our CEO would like to discuss a business opportunity."
Mackenzie blinked in surprise.
"Our CEO?"
"Mr. Kelvin Alexander Lawson."
The office suddenly felt very quiet.
"I... I'll check my schedule."
"We'll send a car for you at ten o'clock."
The call ended.
Sophia stared at her with wide eyes.
"What happened?"
Mackenzie slowly lowered the phone.
"I think..."
She swallowed.
"...Kelvin Alexander Lawson wants to hire my company."
Neither of them noticed the black SUV parked discreetly across the street.
Inside, Damien lowered a pair of binoculars.
He spoke into his earpiece.
"Boss."
A deep voice answered.
"Yes?"
"She accepted the meeting."
Kelvin stood by the windows of his penthouse, looking out over Noctis.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
The game had begun.
- Writer
