MERGING,ACQUISITION AND WHAT?
1110 Words
Tessa’s POV.
“I have to think of a way to fix this before it gets any worse.” I mumbled as I got back home. Taking my heels off and throwing them wherever.
“Lucian...that guy has more power than I do...he might be able to help me. And by the way he also needs me so it will not be like I am trying to be a leech or so.” I said, encouraging myself.
“I will just meet him and if he starts the words war again, I will give him a befitting reply and leave from there.” With that, I texted Lucian and asked him to meet me in an old cafe, for privacy sake.
I stepped into the shower and soon, I was done. Feeling clean and refreshed. I put on a causal T shirt and jean shorts, grabbed my mask and face cap and stepped out of the house.
Few minutes later, I was standing in front of the out-of-the-way cafe, far from the eyes of the press and our family with staffs.
He was wearing a black T shirt and shorts, “darn, this man is hot.” The voice in my head said.
“We are here for business not pleasures.” I chastised the voice and stepped in.
“Hi, let’s get down to business shall we?” He said as soon as I stood in front of him.
“Sure.” I said and sat across him, the tension brewing as we were here to put our personal enmity aside for the sake of our companies.
“Let us be honest Wright,” I began, my voice cool and calculating. “Neither of us can afford another negative headline. What we need a bold yet rational move that will convince our shareholders we have got a grip on it and we are not going to watch our ships sink.”
Lucian modded thoughtfully, his gaze never leaving my face. “Agreed. But we have tried everything except liquidating assets and closing down the company. To say the least, our options are limited.”
I tapped my fingers on the table, my mind racing with possibilities. “What about a merger? Combining our resources, sharing our talent? Working together? It could work.”
“It could work,” Lucian conceded. “But you are a CEO yourself, and you know as well as I do that merging your company with the competition is a double edged sword. And we both know what a double edged sword is capable of.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “So what is your brilliant suggestion, Wright? Do we both sit back and watch our companies crumble? Watch our efforts and sweat go down the drain?
Lucian’s has tightened. “Of course not. But there is a difference between being desperate and suicidal.”
“You mean like agreeing to a merger that could save our companies but destroy our reputation?” I shot back, anger creeping into my voice.
Lucian’s eyes flashed, and he dropped his voice to whisper. “What if it does not ruin our reputation in the process?”
“What do you mean Wright?” I asked in confusion.
“I am talking about a move so unexpected , so audacious that no one will have any idea how to react. It will be a heavy blow on the face of our competitors, they will not know what hit them. I am talking about a complete game changer.”
My brow furrowed as I leaned forward. “Okay Wright, I am listening. But you better make it good cause I am running out of patience and I need my beauty sleep.”
“Oh baby,” Lucian purred. “You do not need beauty sleep.”
I felt a slight blush creeping up on my cheeks. “Really?” I mumbled.
“Yes,” Lucian snorted. “You need plastic surgery.”
My face contorted with rage, but I knew better than reply him. He was very good when it comes to war of words.
“I’ll let slide, now start taking.”
Lucian’s lips curled up in a sneer as he met my gaze. “I am taking about a marriage.”
My eyes widened as I absorbed Lucian’s crazy proposal. “A marriage? Between us?”
Lucian nodded, his smirk curling up even more. “Not just a marriage, Tessa. A merger of our companies, our name, our fame, our reputation, our families. Think of the storm this could create in the business world.”
I felt a flutter of excitement growing in my chest, but it was washed over my a wave of skepticism.
“This is insane,” I said, my voice flat. “We can not just pretend to be in love for the sake of our businesses.”
“Who said anything about love?” Lucian replies, his voice suddenly serious. “I am suggesting that we make the best of a bad situation and turn it to our advantage. A strategic alliance, a union of two powerful companies and if we play our cards right and pull the right strings, a relationship and merger that could be the talk of the town.”
I shook my head, my resolve hardening. “It is too risky. We would be opening ourselves up to even more than we bargained for. The press are nosy and if they get to the know the truth, we are f****d up.”
“This is the difference between the mindset of a CEO and one who runs a taco truck. I have already got the perfect story ready, a story that is so compelling, so convincing that they would not dare question it. And anyone who wants to dig their nose can have fun digging around for nothing.” Lucian said.
“Still this is crazy. We are risking it for all and that too a sham marriage?” I asked.
“Like I said, CEO , Taco seller. Think like a CEO and then weigh your options. If you want to sit back, and watch your company bleed...I’d be honored to sponsor your tissue papers on that day.” Lucian’s voice dropped to a low one.
“How can we arrange for a wedding so soon? How do we convince them we are in love?” I asked, my voice skeptical.
“Meet me at the wedding altar tomorrow and watch me answer your questions.” Lucian said, pressed a kiss on my forehead and walked away.
“Tomorrow? I am getting married tomorrow?”
- Writer
