At Michael's mansion,
A peculiar looking man moved stealthily through the mansion's compound in the dead of night. The estate lay in silence, bathed in silver moonlight, its towering structure casting long, eerie shadows across the stone-paved paths. His coat fluttered slightly in the breeze as he passed the fountain, eyes scanning his surroundings with practiced caution. There was nothing hurried about his steps, yet every movement carried urgency. He wasn't a servant, nor a guest. He didn't belong but he moved like someone with a reason to be there. He was a messenger, and whatever he had come to deliver was meant for no one else.
Soon, a broad-shouldered man stepped out from the shadows solidly built, imposing, his frame outlined by the faint glow of the moonlight spilling through the high arched windows. He wore a simple, dark shirt that clung to his figure, revealing strength beneath stillness even his shadow looked like it was clearly sculptured by the greek gods, talk more of his body which was shielded by the darkness that lingered. His footsteps were silent, but his presence filled the hallway like a quiet warning. His shadow stretched before him long, firm, and strangely alive, as if it carried its own intent.
The secret messenger approached him without hesitation. Their exchange needed no words. From within the folds of his coat, the messenger drew out a small envelope plain, unmarked, yet brimming with a silent urgency. He held it out, and the man took it with a slow, deliberate hand. For a heartbeat, they stood in stillness two shadows in the corridor. Then, just as swiftly as he had appeared, the messenger turned and slipped back into the darkness, his figure swallowed whole by the silence of the night. No trace of him remained not a sound, not a scent only the envelope resting in the man's hand and the shadow he had left behind, stretching across the marble.
The next morning, Lisa woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed. Though she hadn't managed to finish her work the night before, there was a lightness in her spirit a quiet eagerness to face the day. For the first time in a while, she looked forward to going to work. It seemed like today was going to be a good day one of those rare mornings when the air felt different, lighter, as if something good was quietly making its way toward her. She couldn't explain it, but deep down, she sensed that something unexpected something nice was going to happen. She eagerly prepared for work she stepped out of her room looking so pristine, with her hand bag on her forearm and her sunshades on her hands. She descended the grand staircase with quiet confidence, deliberately ignoring the elevator Edmund had subtly gestured toward. It was clear they had expected her to take but, to their quiet surprise, she chose the stairs instead. There was something purposeful in her stride, as though she wanted to feel each step beneath her feet, to be in control of every moment. As soon as she reached the final step, she was greeted by the sight of Talia beaming with delight, her face lit up with a cheerful grin. She was already seated at the far end of the long, elegant dining table, casually nibbling on her breakfast as if she'd been waiting just for this moment. The warmth in her expression was impossible to miss and for Lisa, oddly comforting.
"Heyy come join me" she squeaked happily " what's the occasion, why do you seem more happy than your usual?" She giggled a bit and faced lisa "shouldn't I be the one asking you that question, you don't look grumpy today are you in love" talia asked teasingly "oh please.....I don't need to be in love to be happy, I just feel good like something good is going to happen today" talia seats up looking amused "Not only is lisa Richards happy but she's positive...it feels like I'm missing something" she responded almost choking on her food, "What you're missing is the fact that you're seated ever so comfortably at your employer's dining table, rather than occupying your rightful place in the office where you're expected." Talia sighs " well.... Welcome back..." She scoffed and mummured under her breath "meanie" she gently put down her cutlery "there's a little problem...." Lisa turned looking very skeptical "About Mr. Bardin..... Although I think it's best we discuss this at the office if you do not mind" Lisa sips her coffee then stood up elegantly looking so serious "let's leave" she ordered as she walked away not turning or looking back. As soon as she stepped out, she slipped effortlessly into the car, followed closely by Talia. The driver pulled away from the house, the car gliding smoothly through the early morning streets toward the office.
As soon as they arrived, Lisa stepped out of the car with her usual quiet command. Her tailored suit hugged her frame with precision, her sunshades still resting on her face as she entered the building. Not once did she glance sideways. Every step was purposeful, unhurried, yet firm her presence alone enough to silence idle chatter. Talia followed close behind, trying to keep up. Lisa entered her office without a word, lowered herself into her chair, crossed one leg over the other, and finally took off her shades, setting them lightly on the desk. Not a hair out of place. Not a breath wasted. Suddenly, the door flung open. "Oh my goodness he's here," Talia exclaimed breathlessly. "He's actually here! Like he just walked in like it's nothing." Talia squeaked in excitement "And I already went through the files, I swear I did, but there are still some things that don't add up. I still have concerns, serious concerns Lisa" Lisa didn't blink. She reached for a file, skimmed it for half a second, then set it aside. Her voice was calm, almost effortless. "Let him in....and Natalia we're at the office take it down a notch would you" she said without looking up "ughhhh yes ma'am" she responded and exited the office.
Moments later, the door opened again, this time slower. Michael Bardin stepped in. He was composed, but observant, his eyes scanning the room before settling on her. Lisa didn't rise, she barely even looked up at him, She only gestured, lightly, toward the chair across from her. "Have a seat." it sounded almost like an order Michael eyes twitched a bit a pleasant and beautiful smile plastered on his face like he was pleased. "You seem very hospitable?" He said without a smirk that made it clear he meant the opposite. Lisa finally looked up at him, for the first time taking in his facial features, he actually looked really good like so good it seemed so unreal, she was tempted to ask who his cosmetic surgeon was, the precision of his features looked far too flawless to be natural. She gathered her self and responded ever so calmly "Mr. Bardin, I assume you didn't come here to discuss my hospitality," she said calmly, her expression unreadable. " Did not realise you worked with assumptions" looking him dead in the eyes she answered "oh well Mr. Bardin I do not work with assumptions, I work with logic and intellect and if you have neither to offer I suggest we stop wasting each others time" Michael looked more astounded than offender he seemed to be amused by something. "It's quite clear you'd rather not have me in your office… Still, I must say it would be interesting to see this merger shaped by my ideas." his smirk becoming dainty " as far as I'm aware you seem to have come to a conclusion with my dad, so what else do you want....Mr. Bardin" The atmosphere had begun to shift, charged with an unspoken tension, as if they were circling each other, waiting for the first misstep before striking. They both looked each other in the eyes neither of them relenting, still looking into her eyes he smiled "I never had a formal meeting with your dad he's rather useless to me" it was Lisa's turn to smirk although it was more of a sarcastic smirk "what exactly do you want Mr. Bardin" at this point the intensity of their gazes was enough to suffocate the room "I want us to work together....I want to leave this merger up to you" she chuckled "why" she asked almost instantly " I guess it has to do with my mood". "Really?" she asked, her voice low and skeptical, every syllable laced with restrained disbelief. Suspicion was etched clearly across her face, her eyes narrowing as they studied him calculated, probing, untrusting. She leaned back slightly, one brow lifting ever so subtly. "And what exactly do you want in return?" The question hung in the air, cool and pointed. Her gaze didn't flinch, eyes flicking over his face like she was peeling back the layers, searching for the true cost behind his offer.
He smiled but it wasn't reassuring. It was the kind of smile that offered nothing and promised everything. A smile meant to disarm, not reveal. "Let's just say I believe in... mutually beneficial arrangements," he replied smoothly. She didn't return the smile. "I'm not in the habit of trading blind, what do you want" she said flatly, looking at him coldly. "Nothing... for now" he said cockily "let's just say you owe me" his smile increased like he had won a game, "you know you can't force me to do something I'm not willing to" he grinned sharply "I know that miss Richards" she habitually pick up a pen and slowly hit it's sharp end on the table thinking she had never traded like this but something in her kept pushing for this, she found it odd that her instincts was telling her to trust him not breaking eye contact she responded "okay,.....I agree, but like I said you will not force me to do something I'm not willing to do...I'm recording our conversation just so you know" for the first time since he entered her office he gave her genuine smile although looking amused he responded " yes Miss.Richards, if that helps you sleep at night" she ignored him and stretched forth her hands to shake, a meeting will be scheduled tomorrow my assistant will work with yours to pick a perfect time"
He received her hands, then stood up muttering under his breath "this is going to be fun" lisa ignored him once again "Nice speaking to you Miss. Richards" he smirked and walked out of the office.